It was a great 4th place by Enrico Battaglin in Volta Limburg Classic, a traditional one-day race over 198km. The Italian puncheur, winner of two Giro d’Italia stages in his career, sprinted for the podium behind Stefan Kung (BMC) who took the win with a superb solo attack with 15km to go.

Sonny Colbrelli, always in the first positions, had a puncture with 20km to go and he wasn’t able to follow the decisive attacks with his Bardiani teammate Battaglin.

”It was a demanding race, a huge effort since the first kilometers," Battaglin said. "With Sonny (Colbrelli) we rode close to the front until 12km to go when I followed an attack by Cunego and Paterski that was the right one. We knew Kung was in front alone but behind we missed a good cooperation, also due to the presence of two of Kung’s teammates.

"In the sprint for the podium, I launched my push from the 3rd position because the road was slightly uphill. At 50 meters to go, I was second but I didn’t have enough power to keep the podium and I crossed the line 4th. However I can be satisfied with how it went today, my first part of the season didn’t go as expected and now I want to redeem myself."

"Enrico did a positive race, also all the team did well," sports director Mirko Rossato said. "We sent Barbin in the early breakaway to allow his teammates not to work behind. Then in the finale Battaglin and Colbrelli had a good attitude by following the attacks, especially from the CCC – Sprandi riders. Unfotunately Sonny had a flat tire in a moment when the peloton was going full gas and he had to produce a huge effort to come back but it was too late. In fact Battaglin’s group had already pulled away."