Lampre-Merida got their final race off to a decent start in the first stage of the Tour of Hainan.

An escape of three riders stayed in front for most of the race, obtaining the maximum advantage of 2 '. Sports director SimonePedrazzini left the job of catching on fugitives to the other teams until the preparation of the final sprint started.

Once they have canceled the break, there was perfect work byLampre-Merida for the captain Sacha Modolo , with the usual help of Roberto Ferrari . He found himself in the first 3 positions at the head of the group in the last corner.

A change of direction by another rider forced Modolo to slow down, definitively disrupting the plans of the team for the final sprint.

Ferrari managed to change his role in a fraction of a second, from being the last man to main sprinter, launching a sprint with the remaining forces after his work for Modolo. Unfortunately, a great Palini used the moment of uncertainty to pass him in the final metres,

"The stage was simple enough. I didn't work with my guys until the final 10km," Pedrazzini said. "We've done a good job until the last corner , where there was a fault of another rider and our work for the captain Modolo was destroyed in a moment.

"I have to say that Ferrari was great, as always, at first working for Sacha, then subsequently at changing his role in a compromised sprint.

"I have seen great concentration and desire to do well in this last event of the season, I am convinced that the victory could arrive in the coming days."