Earlier this year Niccolo Bonifazio proved that he has the skills to develop into a future top sprinter when he mixed it up with the very best in the Tour of Turkey. Today he was back in action when he sprinted to seventh in the final stage of the Tour de Slovenie.

Sacha Modolo and Roberto Ferrari may be the most prominent sprinters on the Lampre-Merida roster but the Italian team has an upcoming star in their ranks. Earlier this year Niccolo Bonifazio proved his potential when he took a number of podium places in teh Tour of Turkey where he was up against one of the strongest sprint fields in the world.

Today he got back in sprinting action when the Tour de Slovenie predictably ended with a bunch sprint and he again proved his potential when he took seventh. The result was encouraging as he has been battling a knee injury for the last few days.

"I was not in the best shape," he said. "Some days I have felt discomfort in the knee. We are monitoring the situation with the medical staff of the team. This does not stop me from trying to honor the participation in the race. 

"The final was not easy. In the last kilometre, there was a descent where you had to fight to get the top positions before a bridge 150m from the line. I was not in a bad position but then a couple of riders passed me and I missed the opportunity to have good spot for the sprint. "