Lampre-Merida was left with a bittersweet balance after the 5th stage of Tour de Suisse yesterday. Cimolai delivered a good performance, obtaining 7th place in the massive final sprint that was won by Kristoff (Katusha). However, bad luck struck again for Scarponi who crashed for the second time during the Swiss Tour.

"I was pedalling in the bunch when suddenly some riders that were preceding me crashed: I could not avoid them,” Scarponi explained. “I cut my finger and I suffered grazes on my left leg and on the right arm, but nothing that prevented me from recovering the bunch and to reach the finish line. My morale is still good, and I'm really willing to put in some good performances in the next stages, in order to wipe out all the bad luck".

Lampre-Merida Sports Director Matxins commented: "Michele could do nothing to avoid the crash, but the most important thing is that he did not suffer serious injuries and that he's well focused on the next stages. I'm sure that Ulissi and Michele will be a top competitive duo.”

My colleague Maini and I are satisfied with Cimolai's performance: he moved properly in the sprint and he's racing better and better".

Ulissi is currently in 14th position overall at 2’25” while Scarponi trails race leader Matthias Frank (BMC) by 7’54” at 33rd.