The 16th edition of the GP Nobili Rubinetterie resembled a chess match from the start as teams marked moves to keep the peloton together. Several riders attacked early on, yet none were able to break free until around 75 kilometers into the race.

A sizeable group of 28 riders, including Team Novo Nordisk’s Chris Williams, escaped before the first ascent of the Massino Visconti. The group established a maximum gap of three minutes. However, the climb forced the break down to only seven riders. As the race ascended the Massino Visconti for a second time, all the early escapees were caught, and two new riders went clear nearly 30-km from the finish.

With a long descent into the finish, a 50-rider peloton reeled in the two escapees with 10 km to go. A bunch sprint ensued with Giacomo Nizzolo (Trek Factory Racing) proving quickest. Team Novo Nordisk’s Javier Megias was in the front group and earned a top 15 finish (official results are still pending.)

“The race was incredibly fast. The group never let up,” Megias said to the Novo Nordisk website. “I was in the front group of 20 riders over the final climb, but a group of 25 riders caught back on during the descent, which made for a more chaotic sprint. I’m pleased with my result and am looking forward to showing my best at Milan-San Remo.”

Team Novo Nordisk, the world’s first all-diabetes pro cycling squad, makes its World Tour debut Sunday at Milan-San Remo, one of cycling’s most illustrious events. The historic 300-km route takes riders from Milan to the coastal town of San Remo in the Italian Riviera.