Etixx - Quick-Step rider Matteo Trentin finished 2nd, chasing alone and finishing with a gap on 3rd place finisher Sonny Colbrelli (Bardiani - CSF Pro Team), at the end of 185km Gran Piemonte on Friday. Unfortunately, a well-timed attack by Jan Bakelants (AG2R - La Mondiale), after the original breakaway was caught at 5km to go, won the Italian race.

Gianluca Brambilla and Michal Golas were both members of the original breakaway. Golas crashed, which meant he was unable to stay with the group. Just three riders remained in the lead group heading into the last kilometers: Brambilla, Timo Roosen (LottoNL - Jumbo), and Fabio Felline (Trek Factory Racing). They maintained a 14" advantage with 13km left to race. The peloton was determined for the group arrival, and caught the trio just in time to start organizing the leadouts. Bakelants had other plans, and his action earned him a victory.

Examinations after the race underlined no major consequences for Golas, though he does have abrasions on his face.

"It was a hard day the whole day in the rain and it was cold," Trentin said. "But as a team we did almost a perfect race. Brambilla was in the breakaway of the day, and the peloton caught the leaders with 5km to go. The field controlled the gap all day.

"Bakelants surprised us all with his attack. We reacted immediately as a team, but Bakelants rode really strong and he stayed away. He deserved the win, so congratulations to him.

"But I have to thank all my teammates for how hard they worked in the final kilometers. They did all they could to try to close the gap. In the final kilometer I decided to anticipate, and I went alone to try to catch him. There were a few wet corners in the end and I closed the distance, but I simply ran out of road to catch him.

"It's a bittersweet feeling. I wanted to win this Italian race as an Italian rider, as I also have had good legs in the end of the season. When the victory is that close it is truly a pity for me, and also the team that worked so hard. But I am definitely happy about my condition and that I did a good race.

"Next weekend I will ride Paris-Tours, and I hope to keep this level. I would like to go there and do something good, and get a good result for me and the team."