A supporter (Didi Senft, a 52-year-old cycling fan better known as 'El Diablo' ) runs next to Italy's Ivan Basso (R) during the 13th stage of the Giro of Italy cycling race from Alessandria to La Thuile May 20, 2006. [Italy's Leonardo Piepoli won the stage of the Giro d'Italia on Saturday while Basso extended his race lead to more than three minutes.] 

A supporter runs next to Italy's Ivan Basso (R) during the 13th stage of the Giro of Italy cycling race from Alessandria to La Thuile May 20, 2006. Italy's Leonardo Piepoli won the stage of the Giro d'Italia on Saturday while Basso extended his race lead to more than three minutes. REUTERS/Stefano Rellandini 

Italy's Ivan Basso (L) climbs followed by Leonardo Piepoli during the 13th stage of the Giro of Italy cycling race from Alessandria to La Thuile, May 20, 2006. Piepoli won the stage of the Giro d'Italia on Saturday while Basso extended his race lead to more than three minutes. REUTERS/Alessandro Trovati/Pool 

Italy's Leonardo Piepoli celebrates on the podium after the 13th stage of the Giro of Italy cycling race from Alessandria to La Thuile May 20, 2006. Piepoli won the stage of the Giro d'Italia on Saturday while Italy's Ivan Basso extended his race lead to more than three minutes. REUTERS/Stefano Rellandini 

Italy's Gilberto Simoni climbs during the 13th stage of the Giro of Italy cycling race from Alessandria to La Thuile, May 20, 2006. Italy's Leonardo Piepoli won the stage of the Giro d'Italia on Saturday while Basso extended his race lead to more than three minutes. REUTERS/Stefano Rellandini 

Italy's Damiano Cunago climbs during the 13th stage of the Giro of Italy cycling race from Alessandria to La Thuile, May 20, 2006. Italy's Leonardo Piepoli won the stage of the Giro d'Italia on Saturday while Basso extended his race lead to more than three minutes. REUTERS/Stefano Rellandini 

Competitors ride during the 13th stage of the Giro of Italy cycling race from Alessandria to La Thuile, May 20, 2006. Italy's Leonardo Piepoli won the stage of the Giro d'Italia on Saturday while Basso extended his race lead to more than three minutes. REUTERS/Stefano Rellandini 

Italy's Ivan Basso (R) climbs followed by Leonardo Piepoli during the 13th stage of the Giro of Italy cycling race from Alessandria to La Thuile, May 20, 2006. Italy's Leonardo Piepoli won the stage of the Giro d'Italia on Saturday while Basso extended his race lead to more than three minutes. REUTERS/Stefano Rellandini 

Competitors ride during the 13th stage of the Giro of Italy cycling race from Alessandria to La Thuile May 20, 2006. Italy's Leonardo Piepoli won the stage of the Giro d'Italia on Saturday while Basso extended his race lead to more than three minutes. REUTERS/Stefano Rellandini 

Italy's Ivan Basso (R) climbs followed by Italy's Leonardo Piepoli during the 216 km (134 miles) 13th stage of the Giro of Italy cycling race from Alessandria to La Thuile May 20, 2006. Italy's Leonardo Piepoli won the stage while Basso took the leader's pink jersey. REUTERS/Stefano Rellandini 

Italy's Ivan Basso climbs during the 13th stage of the Giro of Italy cycling race from Alessandria to La Thuile May 20, 2006. Italy's Leonardo Piepoli won the stage of the Giro d'Italia on Saturday while Basso extended his race lead to more than three minutes. REUTERS/Stefano Rellandini 

A supporter runs next to Italy's Ivan Basso (R) during the 13th stage of the Giro of Italy cycling race from Alessandria to La Thuile May 20, 2006. Italy's Leonardo Piepoli won the stage of the Giro d'Italia on Saturday while Basso extended his race lead to more than three minutes. REUTERS/Stefano Rellandini 

Italy's Ivan Basso wears the leader's pink jersey on podium after the 216 km (134 miles) 13th stage of the Giro of Italy cycling race from Alessandria to La Thuile May 20, 2006. Italy's Leonardo Piepoli won the stage while Basso took the leader's pink jersey. REUTERS/Stefano Rellandini 

Italy's Leonardo Piepoli celebrates as he crosses the finish line of the 13th stage of the Giro of Italy cycling race from Alessandria to La Thuile May 20, 2006. Piepoli won the stage of the Giro d'Italia on Saturday while Italy's Ivan Basso extended his race lead to more than three minutes. REUTERS/Stefano Rellandini 

Italy's Ivan Basso wears the leader's pink jersey on the podium after 13th stage of the Giro of Italy cycling race from Alessandria to La Thuile May 20, 2006. Italy's Leonardo Piepoli won the stage of the Giro d'Italia on Saturday while Basso extended his race lead to more than three minutes. REUTERS/Stefano Rellandini 

Saunier Duval team rider Piepoli of Italy adjusts his bicycle before the start of the 17th stage of the 92nd Tour de France cycling race. Saunier Duval team rider Leonardo Piepoli of Italy adjusts his bicycle before the start of the 240km (149 miles) 17th stage between Pau and Revel during the 92nd Tour de France cycling race, July 20, 2005. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard 

Saunier Duval team rider Leonardo Piepoli of Italy attends a medical test before the 92nd Tour de France cycling race in Challans June 30, 2005. The Tour de France will start this Saturday with a 19km (12 miles) individual time trial stage from Fromentine to Noirmoutier. 

Saunier Duval team rider Piepoli of Italy is examined by a doctor before the 92nd Tour de France start on July 2nd. Saunier Duval team rider Leonardo Piepoli of Italy attends a medical test before the 92nd Tour de France cycling race in Challans June 30, 2005. The Tour de France will start this Saturday with a 19km (12 miles) individual time trial stage from Fromentine to Noirmoutier. REUTERS/Vincent Kessler 

Saunier Duval team rider Leonardo Piepoli of Italy undergoes medical tests before the 92nd Tour de France cycling race in Challans June 30, 2005. The Tour de France will start this Saturday with a 19km (12 miles) individual time trial stage from Fromentine to Noirmoutier. REUTERS/Vincent Kessler ISL/ 

Italian Leonardo Piepoli shows his trophy on the podium after finishing second overall in Tour of Catalonia cycling race in Barcelona May 22, 2005. Ukraine's Yaroslav Popovych won the Tour of Catalonia on Sunday after Norwegian Thor Hushovd finished first in the seventh and final stage from Palleja to Barcelona. REUTERS/Gustau Nacarino GN/KI 

Italian cyclist Leonardo Piepoli rides during the fifth-stage time trial, from Sornas to Ordino-Arcalis, at the Tour of Catalonia cycling race in Andorra. Italian cyclist Leonardo Piepoli rides during the fifth-stage time trial, from Sornas to Ordino-Arcalis, at the Tour of Catalonia cycling race in Andorra, Spain, May 20. Spaniard Inigo Cuesta won the stage and Ukrainian Yaroslav Popovych retains the leader's jersey. REUTERS/Gustau Nacarino 

A pack of riders cycle during stage four of the 237.7-km stage from Perafort to Pal-Arinsal at the Tour of Catalonia cycling race in Andorra. A pack of riders cycle during stage four of the 237.7-km (147.7 miles) stage from Perafort to Pal-Arinsal at the Tour of Catalonia cycling race in Andorra, Spain May 19, 2005. Italian cyclist Leonardo Piepoli won the stage and Ukrainian Yaroslav Popovych took the overall race lead. REUTERS/Gustau Nacarino 

A pack of riders cycle during stage four of the 237.7-km stage from Perafort to Pal-Arinsal at the Tour of Catalonia cycling race in Andorra. A pack of riders cycle during stage four of the 237.7-km (147.7 miles) stage from Perafort to Pal-Arinsal at the Tour of Catalonia cycling race in Andorra, Spain May 19, 2005. Italian cyclist Leonardo Piepoli won the stage and Ukrainian Yaroslav Popovych took the overall race lead. REUTERS/Gustau Nacarino 

German cyclist Jan Ullrich checks his bicyle wheel before the start of stage four of the 237.7-km (147.7 miles) stage from Perafort to Pal-Arinsal at the Tour of Catalonia cycling race in Andorra, Spain May 19, 2005. Italian cyclist Leonardo Piepoli won the stage and Ukrainian Yaroslav Popovych took the overall race lead. REUTERS/Gustau Nacarino GN/JJ 

German cyclist Jan Ullrich smiles before the start stage four of the 237.7-km stage at the Tour of Catalonia in Andorra. German cyclist Jan Ullrich smiles before the start stage four of the 237.7-km (147.7 miles) stage from Perafort to Pal-Arinsal at the Tour of Catalonia cycling race in Andorra, Spain May 19, 2005. Italian cyclist Leonardo Piepoli won the stage and Ukrainian Yaroslav Popovych took the overall race lead. REUTERS/Gustau Nacarino 

A pack of riders cycle during stage four of the 237.7-km (147.7 miles) stage from Perafort to Pal-Arinsal at the Tour of Catalonia cycling race in Andorra, Spain May 19, 2005. Italian cyclist Leonardo Piepoli won the stage and Ukrainian Yaroslav Popovych took the overall race lead. REUTERS/Gustau Nacarino GN/JJ 

A pack of riders cycle during stage four of the 237.7-km (147.7 miles) stage from Perafort to Pal-Arinsal at the Tour of Catalonia cycling race in Andorra, Spain May 19, 2005. Italian cyclist Leonardo Piepoli won the stage and Ukrainian Yaroslav Popovych took the overall race lead. REUTERS/Gustau Nacarino GN/JJ 

Italian cyclist Leonardo Piepoli cycles to the finish line coming in first during stage four the 237.7-km stage at the Tour of Catalonia in Andorra. Italian cyclist Leonardo Piepoli cycles to the finish line coming in first during stage four of the 237.7-km (147.7 miles) stage from Perafort to Pal-Arinsal at the Tour of Catalonia cycling race in Andorra, Spain May 19, 2005. Piepoli won the stage and Ukrainian Yaroslav Popovych took the overall race lead. REUTERS/Gustau Nacarino 

Ukrainian Yaroslav Popovych is kissed on the podium after crossing the finish line coming in second at the Tour of Catalonia cycling race in Andorra. Ukrainian Yaroslav Popovych (C) is kissed on the podium after crossing the finish line coming in second during stage four of the 237.7-km (147.7 miles) from Perafort to Pal-Arinsal at the Tour of Catalonia cycling race in Andorra, Spain May 19, 2005. Italian cyclist Leonardo Piepoli won the stage and Popovych took the overall race lead. REUTERS/Gustau Nacarino 

Italian cyclist Leonardo Piepoli (front) cycles coming in first and Ukrainian Yaroslav Popovych cycles coming in second at the finish line during stage four of the 237.7-km (147.7 miles) stage from Perafort to Pal-Arinsal at the Tour of Catalonia cycling race in Andorra, Spain May 19, 2005. Piepoli won the stage and Popovych took the overall race lead. REUTERS/Gustau Nacarino GN/JJ 

German cyclist Jan Ullrich cycles after crossing the finishing line at the Tour of Catalonia cycling race in Andorra. German cyclist Jan Ullrich cycles after crossing the finishing line during stage four of the 237.7-km (147.7 miles) stage from Perafort to Pal-Arinsal at the Tour of Catalonia cycling race in Andorra, Spain May 19, 2005. Italian cyclist Leonardo Piepoli won the stage and Ukrainian Yaroslav Popovych took the overall race lead. REUTERS/Gustau Nacarino 

German cyclist Jan Ullrich rides from Perafort to Pal-Arinsal in Andorra at the Tour of Catalonia cycling race in Andorra. German cyclist Jan Ullrich rides during the stage four of the 237.7-km (147.7 miles) stage from Perafort to Pal-Arinsal in Andorra at the Tour of Catalonia cycling race in Andorra, Spain May 19, 2005. Italian cyclist Leonardo Piepoli won the stage and Ukrainian Yaroslav Popovych took the overall race lead. REUTERS/Gustau Nacarino 

German cyclist Ullrich and Spanish Perez rides during stage four of the 237.7-km stage in Andorra at the Tour of Catalonia. German cyclist Jan Ullrich (R) and Spanish Luis Perez rides during stage four of the 237.7-km (147.7 miles) stage, from Perafort to Pal-Arinsal in Andorra at the Tour of Catalonia cycling race in Andorra, Spain,May 19. Italian cyclist Leonardo Piepoli won the stage and Ukrainian Yaroslav Popovych took the overall race lead. REUTERS/Gustau Nacarino 

Spain's Alberto Contador of the Liberty Seguros team celebrates his victory in the fourth 147.9-km stage of the Tour de Romandie ProTour cycling race from Chatel St Denis to Les Paccots April 30, 2005. [Italians Leonardo Piepoli of the Saunier Duval-Prodir team and Damiano Cunego of the Lampre-Caffita team were second and third.] 

US cyclist Floyd Landis after crossing the finish line the 162km ninth mountain stage at the Tour of Spain cycling race in Alto de Aitana near Alicante. US cyclist Floyd Landis after crossing the finish line the 162km ninth mountain stage at the Tour of Spain cycling race in Alto de Aitana near Alicante, Spain September 12, 2004. Italian Leonardo Piepoli won the stage and US Postal Landis retains the gold leaders jersey. REUTERS/Gustau Nacarino 

Italian cyclist Leonardo Piepoli celebrates with the trophy on the podium after winning the ninth stage at the Tour of Spain cycling race in Alto de Aitana near Alicante. Italian cyclist Leonardo Piepoli celebrates with the trophy on the podium after winning the 162km ninth mountain stage at the Tour of Spain cycling race in Alto de Aitana near Alicante, Spain September 12, 2004. Piepoli won the stage and US Postal Floyd Landis retains the gold leaders jersey. REUTERS/Gustau Nacarino 

U.S. cyclist Tyler Hamilton time trial gold medal in Athenes 2004 rides during the 162km ninth mountain stage at the Tour of Spain cycling race in Alto de Aitana near Alicante. U.S. cyclist Tyler Hamilton rides during the 162km ninth mountain stage at the Tour of Spain cycling race in Alto de Aitana near Alicante, Spain September 12, 2004. Italian Leonardo Piepoli won the stage and US Postal Floyd Landis retains the gold leaders jersey. REUTERS/Gustau Nacarino 

Italian cyclist Leonardo Piepoli smiles after crossing the finish line to win the 162km ninth stage at the Tour of Spain cycling race in Alto de Aitana near Alicante. Italian cyclist Leonardo Piepoli smiles after crossing the finish line to win the 162km ninth stage at the Tour of Spain cycling race in Alto de Aitana near Alicante, Spain September 12, 2004. Piepoli won the stage and US Postal Landis retains the gold leaders jersey. REUTERS/Gustau Nacarino 

Italian cyclist Leonardo Piepoli celebrates before crossing the finish line to win the ninth stage at the Tour of Spain cycling race in Alto de Aitana near Alicante. Italian cyclist Leonardo Piepoli celebrates before crossing the finish line to win the 162km ninth stage at the Tour of Spain cycling race in Alto de Aitana near Alicante, Spain September 12, 2004. Piepoli won the stage and US Postal Landis retains the gold leader's gold jersey. REUTERS/Gustau Nacarino 

Phonak team rider Tyler Hamilton of the U.S. smiles on the podium after winning the Tour de Romandie in Lausanne, Switzerland, May 2, 2004. Overall leader Hamilton won the Tour de Romandie 2004 cycling race ahead of second placed Swiss Fabian Jeker and third placed Leonardo Piepoli of Italy. REUTERS/Jean-Bernard Sieber JS/CR/ACM 

Phonak team rider Tyler Hamilton of the U.S. starts the individual time-trial of the Tour de Romandie in Lausanne, Switzerland, May 2, 2004. Hamilton won the Tour de Romandie 2004 cycling race for the second time ahead of second placed Swiss Fabian Jeker and third placed Leonardo Piepoli of Italy. REUTERS/ARC-Dominique Favre JS/CR/GB 

Phonak team rider Tyler Hamilton of the U.S. receives kisses on the podium after winning the Tour de Romandie in Lausanne, Switzerland, May 2, 2004. Overall leader Hamilton won the Tour de Romandie 2004 cycling race ahead of second placed Swiss Fabian Jeker and third placed Leonardo Piepoli of Italy. REUTERS/ARC-Jean-Bernard Sieber JS/CR/ 

Phonak team rider Tyler Hamilton of the U.S. cycles to win the individual time-trial of the Tour de Romandie in Lausanne, Switzerland, May 2, 2004. Hamilton won the Tour de Romandie 2004 cycling race ahead of second placed Swiss Fabian Jeker and third placed Leonardo Piepoli of Italy. REUTERS/ARC-Dominique Favre JS/CR/ACM 

Swiss cyclist Alexandre Moos of Team Phonak crosses the finish line to win the third stage of the Tour de Romandie in Morgins, Switzerland, April 30, 2004. [Moos wins ahead of Italy's Leonardo Piepoli and Tyler Hamilton of the U.S. and takes the overall lead in the five stage cycling event.] 

- COMBO PHOTO - Combination picture of Banesto cycling team who will participate in the 2001 Tour de France cycling race seen in Dunkerk July 6, 2001. Top row L-R: Francisco Mancebo of Spain, Santiago Blanco of Spain, Thomasz Brozyna of Poland, Vicente Garcia Acosta of Spain. Bottom row L-R: Eladio Jimenez of Spain, Denis Menchov of Russia, Jon Odiozola of Spain, Javier Pascual Rodriuez of Spain, Leonardo Piepoli of Italy. The 88th Tour de France cycling race gets underway July 7 with a 8,2km time-trial prologue in Dunkerk. 

Francisco Mancebo of Spain, Santiago Blanco of Spain, Thomasz Brozyna
of Poland, Vicente Garcia Acosta of Spain. Bottom row L-R: Eladio
Jimenez of Spain, Denis Menchov of Russia, Jon Odiozola of Spain,
Javier Pascual Rodriuez of Spain, Leonardo Piepoli of Italy. The 88th
Tour de France cycling race gets underway July 7 with a 8,2km
time-trial prologue in Dunkerk.

JNA/AA 

US cyclist Lance Armstrong prepares for the last stage of the Burgos Tour cycling race August 10, 2000. 9. Italy's cyclist Leonardo Piepoli won the overall standings and the race.

DB/JRE 

Italian cyclist Giovanni Lombardi (R) and Australian Scott Sunderland (L) sprint over the finish line of the last stage of the Burgos Tour cycling race August 10, 2000. Lombardi won the stage while Italian Leonardo Piepoli won the overall standings.

DB 

US Lance Armstrong cycles in front of other participants during the third stage of the Burgos Tour cycling race August 9. Italy's cyclist Leonardo Piepoli won the stage clocking 4 hours 7 minutes and 51 seconds.

SP/JRE 

Italian cyclist Leonardo Piepoli celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the third stage of the Burgos Tour cycling race August 9. Piepoli clocked 4 hours 7 minutes and 51 seconds.

AC 

Race commissioner Jean Michel Voets (R) of Belgium urges Italian cyclist Leonardo Piepoli of the Banesto team to start the 14th stage circuit of Barcelona of the Tour of Spain cycling race September 19. Italian Favio Roscioli won the stage and German Jan Ullrich retained the overall leader's golden jersey.

GN/GB 

Italian Mario Cipollini (R) arrives with his teammate Leonardo Piepoli in Nice May 15, for the official presentation of the teams that participate at the Giro d'Italia scheduled for tomorrow May 16.

VP/CLH/