On a significant stage 7, the longest of the Giro d’Italia with 264km from Grosseto to Fiuggi (the home of the sponsor Acqua & Terme di Fiuggi), Bardiani delivered a strong performance.

In fact Nicola Boem was a key part of a long breakaway that stayed in front for about 220km. Then in the final sprint of a reduced group composed of 84 riders, Enrico Battaglin and Sonny Colbrelli conquered the 5th and 6th place, with the former close to the podium and the latter making a fast comeback in the final 100 meters. 

"With 150 meters to go I started my sprint in the middle of the road and I thought the victory was possible," Battaglin said. "My push was good but with 50 meters to the finished I moved to the left side and I touched Belletti. I lost enough speed to see the victory or at least the podium fly away. I’m sorry because it was a good stage for me but as a team we can be satisfied with today. There’re several stages for me in the next weeks so a new chance will come soon”.

”I lost several positions in the last corner and the space to sprint only came in the last meters. Earlier I followed Enrico (Battaglin), then when he moved to the left I continued to sprint behind Ulissi in the centre. I was fast, my comeback was perfect but the finish came too early," Colbrelli said.

”Since Giro d’Italia presentation we targeted this stage for several reasons," manager Roberto Reverbri said. "In the end we did the best, sending Boem in the breakaway and then achieving two top-10 results with Battaglin and Colbrelli. We also had Pirazzi who was at home and he was expected to do something on the last climb. The gradient was mellow and with the high pace set by Tinkoff – Saxo it was really hard to attack solo and hold on until the end. He was smart to stay in the peloton and wait for tomorrow. Campitello Matese is a mountaintop finish better for him."