Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) has won his fourth stage of the 2003 Giro. Petacchi outsprinted Daniele Bennati (Domina Vacanze) and Stefano Garzelli (Vini Caldirola) to take the 155-km ride from Pordenone to Marostica in 3:38:58. Gilberto Simoni (Saeco) remains the maglia rosa.

The stage began quietly. Little happened until the bunch reached the first of three finishing circuits in Marostica. A series of attacks then occurred. The only one that mattered was Garzelli's on the last lap. The Vini Caldirola rider's move split the field. Dario Frigo (Fassa Bortolo) and Georg Totschnig (Gerolsteiner) attempted to escape, but the pursuit reeled them in with one km left. The stage came down to a sprint, which Petacchi won.

In the overall, Simoni leads Garzelli by 0:36 and Andrea Noe (Alessio) by 2:23. Stage 14 will shake up the standings. The mountainous, 155-km ride from Marostica to Alpe Pampeago will feature four major climbs, including the finishing ascent. Who will prevail? Simoni? Garzelli? Casagrande? Check in at http://www.roadcycling.com/ and find out!

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