ORICA-GreenEDGE will look towards the start of the Classics season this weekend, following their last hit out at GP Nobili in Italy today.

The team started the one-day Italian race without two of its originally named lineup after Colombian Esteban Chaves fell ill and didn’t travel, and Danish neo-proMagnus Cort was withdrawn this morning due to sickness.

Australian Simon Clarke replaced Chaves, whilst Cort’s late withdrawal reduced the Australian outfit to six riders.

The changes, particularly that of protected rider Cort, resulted in a more open race plan for ORICA-GreenEDGE.

“We had a depleted lineup today due to illness, starting with six riders,” sport director Matt White said.

“It did give the guys raced more freedom to be involved in moves and Cameron Meyer got himself in the main one of the day.

“Now our attention moves forward to the Classics season starting on Sunday with the Milano-Sanremo.”

Despite a fast start to today’s racing, the first hour averaging almost 50km per hour, the group remained together well into the 187.5km race.

Eventually a group of seven established, ORICA-GreenEDGE’s Meyer amongst them. Given a maximum of one-minute advantage they were shortly brought back, and countered by the solo move from Alejandro Valverde (Movistar Team).

Davide Rebellin (CCC Sprandi Polkowice) joined Valverde out front and with 20km left to race the duo had 30seconds advantage to the peloton.

By 10km to go, a group of 50 riders was back together for a reduced bunch sprint after the remainder of the peloton lost contact on the two late climbs. Giacomo Nizzolo (Trek Factory Racing) took out the victory.