Andrea Pasqualon (Roth-Skoda) proved that he still has what it takes to compete at the professional level when he took a surprise victory in the second stage of the Boucles de la Mayenne. The Italian was the fastest in the bunch sprint as he held off Marcel Meisen (Kuota Lotto) and Jarl Salomein (Topsport Vlaanderen) while Johan Le Bon (FDJ) defended his overall lead.

A few years ago Andrea Pasqualon seemed destined to a great future when he won a stage of the Tour de Limousinm finished second in the Coppa Sabatini and took fourth in the Trofeo Matteotti. However, his Bardiani team decided not to renew his contract for the 2014 season.

Hence, the fast Italian had to step down to continental level as he joined the Aero Zero team for the 2014 season. Here he finished third in the Trofeo Laigueglia and the GP Costa degi Etruschi and fifth in the GP Beghelli but he was not offered a professional contract.

Instead, he joined the small Roth Skoda team and with his good climbing skills and fast sprint, he has already achieved several notable results in smaller races. Today he made the big coup when he beat the pro teams in the second stage of the Boucles de la Mayenne.

"Today's stage was really good for me," he told Directvelo. "Right now I am in good condition. I was hoping it would be decided in a sprint and I knew that if luck was on my side, I could do a good result.

"The team worked well for me and I have to thank them. I also knew I had to be well placed in the run-in to the last corner. That's what I managed to be since I turned in 4th position. It allowed me to be well positioned to launch my sprint. "