Pippo is in MSR form already! Details, top results and a few stage pictures inside.

Even though the main target of the (early) season, Milano-Sanremo, is still over one month away, Filippo Pozzato showed that he's in top form already. The Liquigas team leader opened his 2008 account by sprinting to victory in today's opener of the Giro della Provincia di Grosseto, a new short stage race running Friday thru Sunday in Tuscany, with 25 teams (and 197 riders) in attendance, eight of which with a Pro Tour license. The young talent from the Veneto region easily pipped Grega Bole of Slovenia (Adria Mobil) and the Italian Alessandro Maserati (Team LPR) to the line at the end of the 168-km trip from Massa Marittima to the seaside resort of Follonica.

What should have a been a build-up race for the Classica di Primavera, what should have been a good chance to test his skills as helper (of a teammate like the sprinter Claudio Corioni ...), turned into a first occasion to stamp his authority and send an unmistakable message to all other Spring Classic contenders.

Prized Maserati is prime attraction at supercar show

Abu Dhabi: A Maserati costing 1.8 million euros (Dh9.78 million) is the prime attraction of a supercar Show.

"The car's top speed is 480 kmph and it has been used in international races. You cannot order it from the company anymore," said Adel who is displaying five cars in the show. .

Public Intellectuals, Inc.

In looking back, I would like to comment on Emerson, in whose work there is the promise of a compromise between mere academics and mere public intellectuals; in looking forward I would like to suggest that we consider abandoning the academic-public intellectual dichotomy and establish a new category that might be called the "corporate intellectual" — a term more consonant with the values of the new academy as well as with the public-private sector.

In his 1837 address to the Phi Beta Kappa society, “The American Scholar," Emerson envisioned the American scholar as a person who would do whatever possible to communicate ideas to the world, not just to fellow intellectuals. Emerson regarded the American scholar to be a whole person while thinking.

European GP - Saturday - Team Quotes

Fernando Alonso (2nd, 1:31.741): "The most important news is obviously that Lewis is OK. During my final qualifying lap I had a big moment at Turn Five and I am really lucky that I got out of it without spinning. However it cost me more than half a second so I am pleased to be on the front row. We have made good progress during the weekend and my car in contrast to yesterday was working really well. I am looking forward to the race tomorrow."

Ron Dennis, Team Principal: "The main thing is that Lewis is absolutely fine with no injuries and no broken bones.

Quotes of the week

Jeff Stelling gets about four months ahead of himself on Soccer Saturday. (Philippa, England).

"I know it's not enough to have just one point from two games. We now have only one hope and that is the Ivory Coast and God......." Berti Vogts, Nigeria coach. That is two hopes, surely? (Martin Belam, Greece).

"If a player plays well, he will stay in the team. Even if I sign Samuel Eto'o, Akinbiyi will still play on Saturday." Burnley boss Owen Coyle on Ade Akinbiyi's good form - although Eto'o couldn't play anyway because he's at the Africa Cup of Nations. (Abduly, UK).

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