Sacha Modolo got his 2014 season off to a great start but after he fell ill during the Tour de France and crashed in the Eneco Tour, the second half of the year was a great disappointment. Hence, he was overjoyed to end his season with a big win on the final stage of the Tour of Beijing.

In January, Sacha Modolo got his career as a Lampre-Merida rider off to the perfect start when he won the final stage of his first race with the team, Tour de San Luis. Today he bookended his season with wins when he emerged as the fastest in the bunch sprint on the final day of the Tour of Beijing.

Modolo was in prime position leading into the final straight and once he hit the front he didn’t look as if he was going to be beaten.
 
It was the Italian’s first win since June at the Tour de Suisse, his eighth for the season and one he was supremely satisfied with.
 
“I won in Suisse but then I had a bad Tour de France and crashed at the Eneco Tour and struggled,” Modolo admitted. “I've been at home training for a month and so to win is hugely satisfying for me and for the team who helped me here.”
 
“We always thought we'd catch the breakaway,” he continued. “It was close but it’s always difficult for two guys to stay away. We tried to force the other teams to work because the team worked a lot for Rui Costa during the race. I had three guys working for me but they gave me a good lead out.

"It's so good to end the season with a win in the last race. My teammates and I tried hard to obtain this success and so it's even more satisfying to get it. After the victory in the Tour de Suisse, I had a bad period, mainly because of health problems, but with the help and the support by the team I could get back. I'm happy to have given the team and the sponsors a good morning."