With no sprinter on the roster, Team NetApp-Endura went into the Coppa Agostoni with the goal of making the race selective. However, they failed in their mission as they race was decided in a 50-rider sprint.

The Coppa Agostini, the second race of the Trittico Lombardo Italian classics series, covered nearly 200 kilometers today, starting and ending in Lissone. Like yesterday, it was another home win for the Italians with Niccola Bonifazio (Lampre Merida) prevailing in the mass sprint ahead of Grega Bole (Vini Fantini Nippo). Simone Ponzi (Neri Sottoli) repeated yesterday’s result and sprinted to another third-place finish. Bartosz Huzarski crossed the finish line in 20th place as the best rider for Team NetApp-Endura.

“Unfortunately, what happened today was exactly what we had been putting all of our energy into trying to prevent, namely to keep a large group from arriving together. Our goal was to use our strong climbing team to separate the field early on. We only managed to do that to a certain extent during the four climbs, since far too many riders made a comeback on the final stretch. In the end, around 60 riders had to battle it out for the win today in a normal mass sprint situation. We tried our best, showed our skill and had an impact on the race. But that wasn’t enough today, and we just have to accept that,” Christian Pömer, Sport Director of Team NetApp-Endura, said after the race.

Tomorrow’s third race of the Trittico Lombardo series will be the higher-class Tre Valli Varesine race. After starting in Luino, the mountainous route will continue for 200 kilometers before ending in Varese.