Published August 16, 2011 01:24PM
Davide Rebellin bolted back into the winner’s circle with victory in Tuesday’s Tre Valle Varesine (1.HC) in northern Italy.
Vicenzo Nibali (Liquigas-Cannondale) attacked with 1km to go, but ran out of gas as the main packed swarmed him. Domenico Pozzovivo (Colnago-CSF-Inox) looked to have a shot for the win when Rebellin, 40, shot off his wheel with 200 meters to go to claim the victory. Thibaut Pinot (FDJ) crossed the line third.
The victory is the first by Rebellin, who rejoined the peloton this year with Miche-Guerciotti following his doping positive from the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
Rebellin tested positive for CERA-EPO, and although he vigorously denied the charges, he was eventually stripped of his silver medal.
Other teams steered clear of Rebellin, who joined Miche in May and has been close to victory ever since. He posted seven top-3 results, including second overall at the Route du Sud in France in June, before popping for the win in Italy.
Rebellin also won the race in 1998.