CYCLING:Italy's Danilo Napolitano spoilt Alessandro Petacchi's hopes of winning stage nine of the Giro d'Italia in his home town yesterday.

Petacchi has dominated sprint finishes in recent years and wanted to win his third stage of this year's Giro in Lido di Camaiore, but he was edged into third in a mass sprint finish behind Napolitano and Australia's Robbie McEwen.

Petacchi led the sprint for home, but Napolitano had the speed to beat him by half a wheel and win his first stage. Italy's Marco Pinotti finished in the same time as Napolitano and retained the overall lead.

Ireland's Nicolas Roche finished in the main bunch in 37th position.