LAMPRE-MERIDA writes a new chapter of its history by winning the Tour of Hainan for the first time .

Sacha Modolo is the winner of the final general classification of the Chinese race, defending the 9" of advantage over Zeits and obtaining the 7th place in the final stage (Wuzhishan-Xinglong, 119 km).

The triumph of the Italian rider is the result of two stages victories, two second places, one third position and one fourth place, in addition to the impressive performance in the queen stage where he fought against the attacks of the climbers.

Modolo received perfect support by the group of riders directed by Simone Pedrazzini: Matteo Bono, Mattia Cattaneo, Valerio Conti, Mario Costa, Roberto Ferrari and Gang Xu.

Modolo won the points classification too.

In 2015, LAMPRE-MERIDA won 29 races and obtained 15 second positions and 19 third places, for a total of 63 appearances on the podium.

Modolo is very satisfied: "It's the first time I have won a general classification, it never happened even when I raced in the youth categories, it's something unusual for me which makes me very happy.

"I'm also very proud for having achieved such an important goal, because it was difficult for me considering my characteristics: thanks to the support of my team mates, I suceeded in giving LAMPRE-MERIDA this impressive victory.

"It's always good to obtain a victory at the end of the season, it helps you to spend a good winter break and to approach the new year with even more energy and a higher morale."

The Italian sprinter describes how the defence of the yellow jersey unfolded: "We were aware it would not be easy, my team mates were great in giving me the best possible support to neutralize every attack attempt.

"The opponents attacked us since the early kilometers, but we stopped them and I chased in person Zeits when he attacked on the last two hills at less than 30 km from the finish. 

"It would have been great to win also the final stage, but I was tired and I could not be competitive as I would like to be.

“I was a bit tired today after the efforts I produced in the hills yesterday. But my team has been fantastic. They helped me keep this yellow jersey.  I’ve been scared the course could have gone out of our hands in the early intermediate sprints, then I’ve faced attacks in the hills but I responded by myself, so I managed to reach the primary goal.

"It feels strange to cross a line in seventh place and be the winner. It’s new to me! I never won a stage race before. But I had to dig too deep yesterday. I couldn’t win one more sprint but I still won my fight against Andrea Palini for the green jersey.”