Sonny Colbrelli (Bardiani) continued his recent run of good form when he sprinted to 3rd in today's opening stage of the Tour Mediteraneen. With several strong showings in recent weeks, the Italian is hopeful that he will take a stage win before the end of the four-day race.

Sonny Colbrelli will have more responsibility at the Bardiani team which has lost Sacha Modolo to Lampre-Merida and based on his early performances, he is ready to take on the extra pressure. Last week he already sprinted to a 4th and 5th place on stages of the Etoile de Besseges and ended 3rd in the final time trial and today he was back in the mix when he was 3rd in the first stage of the Tour Mediteraneen.

Colbrelli was one of several Bardiani riders who survived the selection on a windy day that saw the peloton blow to pieces. Lead-out man Enrico Barbin and GC riders Francesco Bongiorno and Angelo Pagani all made the split and helped support their fast finisher in the finale.

The result could have been even better, had Colbrelli chosen the right wheel in the finale.

"It was a really demanding stage," he said. "223km all up and down and with crosswinds in the second part. There was selection into the peloton and in the finale we were only ninety riders. I took (Sylvain) Chavanel's wheel into the last km, supposing he had the legs for a good sprint but I was wrong. So I had to start a long sprint to move up but it wasn’t enough for the victory. I want to see this podium in a positive way as it shows that my shape is growing very well.

"It is another place of honor, after those at the Etoile de Besseges," he added to Directvelo. "I have had good legs since the beginning of the season. I am moderately satisfied with the 3rd place. It's not bad, but I'd rather win. The goal is to win a stage in this Tour Mediterraneen."
 

Tomorrow's stage has a hard HC category climb just 25km from the finish that will rule out several fast finishers. Colbrelli is a solid climber and may have a bigger chance on the second day.

"Tomorrow we have another demanding stage, probably more than today," he said.

Sports director Mirko Rossato was full of praise for his team.

"The start of the Tour Mediterraneen has not been easy, with a long and tricky stage," he said. "We struggled a little in the first part, then we came out really well in the finale and Sonny achieved another great result. The performance of Barbin, Bongiorno and Pagani is also positive. The only bad thing is (Stefano) Pirazzi who still suffered from the incident in Besseges and he was dropped during the selection with 40km to go. Tomorrow there is another challenging stage, with a KOM climb of horse categorie in the final part that I guess will be decisive both for the stage victory and general classification."

The race ends on Sunday with a mountain stage to the top of Mont Faron.