Stage 3ª - 29 August 2005

PUERTOLLANO (Spain): Italy’s Alessandro Petacchi won the third stage of the Spanish Vuelta on Monday as Bradley McGee of Australia retained the overall lead.
Petacchi beat Erik Zabel of Germany and Tom Boonen of Belgium in a bunch sprint for his third stage victory in the Vuelta, the last major tour of the European cycling season. Petacchi, leading the Italian Fassa Bartolo team, completed the 153.3-kilometer (95.26-mile) stage from Cordoba to Puertollano in 3 hours, 48 minutes, 41 seconds. Petacchi, Italy’s top sprinter, set a record of nine stage wins in last year’s Giro d’Italia.

Stage 4ª - 30 August 2005

Italy's Alessandro Petacchi won the fourth stage of the Spanish Vuelta on Tuesday, his second consecutive victory in this year's event.
Petacchi, of the Fassa Bortolo team, took the lead about 200 yards from the finish, then fought off a late spurt by Norway's Thor Hushovd of Credit Agricole. Veteran German sprinter Erik Zabel of T-Mobile was third.

Stage 7ª - 03 September 2005

In 2005, Alessandro Petacchi is close to repeating that script. After winning Milan-San Remo, Petacchi ruled at the mountainous Giro and then skipped the Tour (his team was invited) to arrive fresh for the world title.
In Saturday's 189km eighth stage the Fassa Bortolo speedster put the finishing touch on the Spanish chapter of the story line, shooting to his third stage victory of the 60th Vuelta.
His dominant win erased any doubt that he's the top favorite for the world championships September 25 in Madrid, but Petacchi was in no mood to speculate moments after roaring past Thor Hushovd's shoulder.
"I don't want to talk about the world's any more," said Petacchi, melancholic as ever despite another impressive win. "Every time I win, everyone only asks about the world championships. I am here at the Vuelta to win stages for my team and my fans."

Stage 12ª - 08 September 2005

Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) notched up his fourth stage of this year’s Vuelta by winning today in Burgos.
The Italian rider was a clear winner at the finish line, once more relegating German Erik Zabel (T-Mobile) to second spot.