Italian Dario Frigo took victory in the penultimate mountain time trial stage of the Paris Nice race to clinch overal victory for his Fassa Bortolo team, who celebrated a double whammy with Raimondas Rumsas taking second.

An Italian rider hasn’t taken the win since Fermo Camellini won in 1946, but the final stage this year also saw an Italian victory for Fabrizio Guidi (Mercury-Viatel) who increase their chance of a ‘Tour wild card spot.

Meanwhile ex-Italian Champion Salvatore Commesso has been suspended by Team Saeco, after being questioned by police who found ‘banned substances’ in is car. He is now to be questioned by the Italian anti sporting drugs body CONI.