Under the grey skies of the Coppa Agostoni today, the veteran Davide Rebellin (CCC Sprandi) would ride to victory ahead of breakaway partner Vincenzo Nibali (Astana). Niccolo Bonifazio (Lampre-Merida) led the bunch sprint home for 3rd place.
On a cool and gloomy day that saw the riders having to race 198km in wet conditions, 8 riders would form the break of the day after around an hour of racing. They soon became 7 though as a mechanical would eliminate 1 fugitive from the front group. MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung had all our riders positioned in the peloton as we headed out onto the undulating course.
The Italian riders take great pride in their local events and so it was no wonder that the Italian hopefuls who had missed the move sent their teams to the front to control the break. With a definitive final 70km left to race, the break had already been neutralised thanks to Astana and a few other local teams.
After numerous attacks a new break formed with just under 60km to race and it was the well-known trio of Rebellin, Nibali and Michele Scarponi (Astana) that got off the front together. The 3 major players were able to open up a minute lead before Bardiani and Southeast started making inroads into their advantage. Eventually Scarponi couldn’t sustain the pace as Rebellin and Nibali rode away with the race.
A reduced peloton had to settle for sprinting it out for 3rd place. MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung had both Merhawi Kudus and Serge Pauwels in this main group but they would not contest the sprint for the minor placing’s.
Alex Sans Vega – Sport Director
