Bora-Argon 18 started today at the traditional classic Milan-Turin – the oldest still existing one-day race.

After starting in the Italian metropolis, the world-class peloton had to complete 186 kilometers. The course was flat until the two-time crossing of the final climb to the Basilica di Superga which was the decisive difficulty. The riders had to conquer five kilometers with an average slope of 9% and a maximum of 14%.

As expected, an early breakaway of five men went clear quite early. The field granted a lead of almost 5 minutes to the quintet before the chase started in the last hour of the race. So the escapees were already caught before the first climb, with 25 kilometers to go.

The climbing specialists formed a small field ahead of the peloton, and the German champion Emanuel Buchmann and Patrick Konrad were part of it. Further attacks on the final climb led to another selection in the small group. Diego Rosa (Astana) made the decisive attack in the last three kilometers und climbed to victory ahead of Rafael Majka (Tinkoff-Saxo) and Fabio Aru (Astana).

"It was expected that the final climbs would bring the decision in today's race. Accordingly, we wanted to save our energy until then. This worked very well and especially Lukas [Pöstlberger] and Cesare [Benedetti] did a good job to support our climbers. Emanuel and Patrick held on to the leading group on the first climb. Only with a few kilometers to go, both had to let go due to the attacks and the increased tempo in front", Sport Director Enrico Poitschke said after the race.

"The Giro del Piemonte is a difficult race with many climbs and on top very bad weather is forecasted for tomorrow. Therefore, it’s certainly an advantage to be part of a group, and so we want to tackle the race. Then we just have to see who has the best legs in the finale", Poitschke looks ahead.