It was the longest stage of the Giro d'Italia, the Grosseto-Fiuggi (264 km) but not enough to be compared to the long period to which Diego Ulissi had to wait for his next success, the 18th in his career and the 4th in the Giro d'Italia (the first one was obtained in the longest stage of the 2011 edition of the Pink Race).

Legs, concentration, feeling with the team mates: everything worked for the twenty five-year-old Italian talent who beat Lobato, Gerrans and Belletti.

LAMPRE-MERIDA was once again stunning in the approach to the final kilometer, thanks to Ferrari and Richeze who raised the pace of the bunch, trying to lead out Modolo, who could not complete his action on the uphill final straight. In that moment, Ulissi began his progression, after having exploited the perfect support by Mori. His sprint was amazing and the victory was impressive.

"It's such a joyful moment for me and I would like to share it with the people who supported me in the past months: my family, my friends, my fans, the team mates, the sponsors and the team which always gave me its support," he said. "The stage was very long and the sprint too: when we exited the final bend, some riders began their action, but it was too early. I preferred to wait and to start to accelerate in a later moment, exploiting the work by my teammates.

"What a great feeling after the fiish, something difficult to describe, especially when I saw all of my teammates celebrating like they had won a Worlds title: Mori was so happy, he spent many days with me in the past months, I thank him and all the other teammates, we are racing as an united team.

"I was aware that my form was improving, but I was also aware of the fact that it was important to wait for the best chance: the sport directors kept telling me to be patient and they were right.

"This morning, I woke up and said to myself, "I have to have a go." I wanted to taste how it is to be in the top ten again. I would have been happy with 9th or 10th.

"In the end, the sprint went the way we planned. The strategy was that, if Sacha (Modolo) was there in the final, Polanc and Richeze would lead him out, while I covered the other rivals for the stage. I went with Orica, then I found Gilbert's wheel, but when I saw he was badly positioned, I jumped on Gerrans' wheel. I went from a long way out because I was afraid of being blocked in, and I had good legs, thankfully, which helped me hold on to the finish line.

"For me, I see Bartoli and Bettini as riders who are up there somewhere, like something unattainable. It's true that my characteristics are similar to theirs, but they are in another class. If one day I'm come anywhere close, it will be incredible. But I'm happy with how I'm doing.

"I've spoken about Richmond with Davide (Cassani, the Italian national selector), and we both like the idea. I think today I've sent a big message: 267km in 7 hours 20 mins, just in case anyone had any doubts that I didn't have the stamina, I think I've given a big sign."

Jan Polanc retained the blue jersey as leader of the mountains classification.