The UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team is amidst an early-season classics campaign throughout Europe, building up to the 2015 Paris-Roubaix. Today’s 203.8-kilometer Classica Corsica took the squad from Ajaccio, on the French island of Corsica, over several hills and through rain for the first 100 kilometers, then descended into the plains for the finale on the northeast point of the island in the town of Bastia.

The race started very aggressively, with attacks exploding on the first climb. Team UnitedHealthcare rider Janez Brajkovič was one of the day’s early aggressors, taking 3rd in the king of the mountains competition. The peloton was able to regroup on the long descent towards Bastia, which inspired Kiel Reijnen to attack with two other riders, attempting the breakaway victory. 

With a long, flat stretch towards the finish, the breakaway riders left it all on the road and came within just 4 kilometers of the finish before the consolidated peloton was able to make contact again and reset the race. Reijnen’s teammates reacted quickly, preparing to assist Daniele Ratto for the bunch sprint. The young Italian sprinter delivered a podium result for his teammates and sponsors, landing in 3rd place on the finale.

Sporting director Robert Damiani commented, “We played all of our cards here in Corsica-- with aggressive attacks from Kiel and Janez, and then the sprint contest with Ratto, I must say that everyone gave his best today.”

"We wanted to do something good today but we knew it was not going to be easy," Ratto told Directvelo. "But the team gave me confidence. I was able to limit the damage on the climb. I quickly realized it was going to be decided in a sprint. I was hoping to win. 

"The last kilometer was difficult to manage. My teammate Marco Canola helped me in the last kilometer.There was not really a train that took control. I did not necessarily try to follow a particular rider. I just tried to be in the best position possible before the finishing straight. 

"My big goals are coming soon. The Tour of Turkey and the Tour of California are important races for me. "

The European squad carries this momentum into the 3-stage Critérium International, also on the French island of Corsica, beginning on March 28th. The UnitedHealthcare Blue Train criterium squad begins their season on the 28th as well, with the Sunny King Criterium in Anniston, Alabama, USA.