Andrea Pasqualon was a close second in the Trofeo Matteotti. The result leaves the Italina with a bittersweet feeling as he raised his arms in celebration, believing that he had won the race.

"Unfortunately, I also looked like ​​a fool because I raised my arms at the finish. I really thought I had won. On the descent, I asked if we had caugt everybody and they said yes. After the finish I learned that one rider was still ahead," he told Cyclingpro.net

"However, it is still a good result and I am quite satisfied. Being on the podium at Trofeo Matteotti was fundamental. We can say that this second part of the season has started in the best way and we will be content with second place.

"We did not expect the action of the Russian," he added, referring to winner Evgeny Shalunov. "But I was left without teammates who had worked on the penultimate lap. They pulled a lot and then in the end we were just two with Colin Stussi who led me out in the best way. Maybe with another teammate or two we could have closed the gao, but I was hoping that a professional team would have done so.

"Unfortunately this happens without radios. However, even if I had known that he had been in front, I would probably not have won as he was very strong."