Cycling joy for Steve Cummings in Italy . . .

3:46pm Tuesday 19th February 2008

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WIRRAL'S Olympic silver and Commonwealth gold medallist, cyclist Steve Cummings, has won the second stage of the Tour Challenge of Calabria in Southern Italy to become only the fourth British cyclist to win a professional road race in Italy.

But his joy was tempered by the fact that on the last day he had to settle for second place overall.

Steve, aged 26, who lives in Greasby and rides for Barloworld-Avis, dominated the finish, attacking with 3km to go to split the lead group before taking the sprint with ease and take the race lead - the only British rider to lead an Italian stage race.

Said Steve: "I felt good today and many of the riders (in the break) had two and three team-mates, so I didn't have to do as much work as some of them. I put in a big cyclist attack near the finish on the last big climb and that took a lot of energy, but I still felt strong and had more than enough left to take the sprint."

However on the final stage he lost the overall victory to on-form Italian Daniele Pietropolli (LPR), who won the final stage and on bonuses just took the race overall.

Steve, an ex-World Champion and current Commonwealth Gold medallist in the team pursuit, is thought of as a great talent in British cycling, although winning domestic races this was his first win on the continent.

Finishing just behind the winner on the final stage, he narrowly lost his race lead and finished second overall.

Said Steve: "The sprint didn't go well for me - the winner had a lot of support from his team, especially last year's Tour of Italy winner, Danilo Di Luca, who finished fourth just ahead of me.

"Yeah, I am cheesed off not winning overall - I tried my best even with many of the top sprinters around me. No excuses, though, I did my best under difficult circumstances but being second overall isn't a win.

"I am still pleased with my form, especially considering the bad injury I had recently. Winning yesterday's stage was awesome - I felt good then and also today, but things didn't work out. I have had my best results in Italy and really enjoy being here.

"I hope to ride the Giro this year and this result will help a lot."

Steve rode and finished the Tour of Italy last year - his first major tour - but was injured in a crash after and it took a while to get his form back.

Last season, he rode for Lance Armstrong-owned Discovery Channel and was guided by British cycling legend Sean Yates.

Steve is due to arrive back in the UK within the next week to prepare for the World Track Championships in Manchester.