In the opening race of the Italian one-day season, Bardiani – CSF Pro Team leader Sonny Colbrelli took a solid 5th place in a select group sprint of 30 riders. The entire team rode a good race, especially in the second part where they were often in the first positions to cover and lead Sonny Cobrelli out in the sprint.

An early break of six riders was formed after 20km and got an advantage of 15.30 minutes. The peloton behind managed the gap and closed it on the final circuit, to be covered two times.

At the start of the last decisive lap with 19km to go, there was a leading group of 50 riders that was whittled down during the final passage of the Torre Segalari climb. 30 riders, including Cobrelli, Simone Andreetta, Manuel Bongiorno and Enrico Barbin, arrived at the finishing straight. 

Colbrelli launched his sprint early and was riding next to the first ridersbut he didn’t have the last decisive push to get the victory, crossing the finish line in 5th place.

”I expected to take a better result, at least the podium," he said. "Especially for my teammates that rode really well today. However I can be satisfied about how I felt on the climbs where I was always in control. I started the sprint early because I wasn’t in the first positions. But when I arrived close to Belletti’s front wheel I missed the final decisive push. I need to get some brilliance and for that reason I’ll go to the Tour of Oman in one week."

”This morning we hoped to get a positive result and in part we achieved it," sportd director- Mirko Rossato said. "Colbrelli’s 5th place, remembering it was his first race of the season and after an intensive period of training, is a good start for him and the team. I’m pleased with how the team managed the race and also how the neo-pros moved today. Of course there’s a lot of work to do to improve but I’m confident that this is the right path."