First Russian Takes Grueling Giro

MILAN -- Yevgeny Berzin rode into Milan wearing the pink jersey, becoming the first Russian to win the second of Europe's three main cycling races -- the Giro d'Italia. Berzin took the lead in the fourth stage and held it throughout the remainder of the 22 legs, finishing 2:51 ahead of Italy's Marco Pantani on Sunday. Italians had hoped for one of their own to win the Giro d'Italia for the first time since Franco Chioccioli in 1991. At least they could cheer Stefano Zanini, who won Sunday's final, 198- kilometer stage, a mostly flat stretch from Turin to Milan. Zanini completed the course in 4:54:38. Berzin, who also became the first Eastern European to win the Giro, completed the 3,026 kilometers over 22 stages of plains and mountains in sun, fog and snow in four days, 4:41:21. Berzin, 24, said the mountainous 15th stage, which was the second of Pantani's back-to-back stage wins, was the critical test. "I had a hard time on the Mount Mortirolo pass. It was there that I discovered my limits. But from that point onwards I recouped, especially in the two time trials," said Berzin. The only real challenger to Berzin to emerge was Pantani, who failed to gain significant time in the closing legs. Two-time defending champion Miguel Indurain of Spain finished third, 3:23 behind the Russian. Another Russian, Pavel Tonkov, finished fourth, 11:16 back, ahead of Italy's Claudio Chiappucci, 11:58 behind. Colombia's Nelson Rodriguez finished sixth, 13:17 behind. Italy's Massimo Podenzana finished 14:35 behind in seventh place, and compatriot Gianni Bugno placed eighth, 15:26 behind. At 15:35 behind, France's Armand de las Cuevas finished ninth, while Andy Hampsten of the United States finished tenth, 17:21 behind. Berzin arrived 99th overall in last year's race. "This year everything changed. I'm happy," said Berzin.