In the penultimate race, Angel Madrazo got close to his first win for Caja Rural but was passed by Davide Rebellin just 100m from the line in the Giro dell'Emilia. The Spaniard regretted the near-miss and now hopes to to do even better in tomorrow's GP Beghelli.

At the end of the 2013 season, Angel Madrazo signed a contract with Caja Rural after several years as a Movistar rider. The Spaniard got his time with his new team off to a bad start but at the end of the year he has ridden himself into great form.

Today he took his best result when he finished second in the Giro dell'Emilia. Having launched a strong attack on the San Luca climb, he was passed by eventual winner Davide Rebellin just 100m from the line.

"The race was very fast from the beginning to the end," he said. "The first hour of the race was done at an average speed of 51kph. On the first climb, I was in a group of 30 riders from which 3 riders escaped but Cannondale and Lampre worked hard to chase them down.

"The first four times up San Luca, the group was whittled down and then I was decided during the final passage. On the final climb, I attacked from the bottom and I was passed by Rebellin just 100m from the line. I could not hold his wheel. It is a shame not to be able to reach the finish but I am happy with the sensations I had all day and my great result. Tomorrow it is time for the last race of the year and we will try to finish the season strongly."