Giovanni Visconti soloed to victory at the Giro dell’Emilia yesterday with his team-mate Vincenzo Nibali finishing second and Rigoberto Uran (Cannondale Drapac) rounding out the podium.
Visconti launched his winning move 16 kilometres before the finish line on the second-to-last lap and gained 30 seconds on the chase group behind which contained amongst others Nibali, Uran, Nicolas Roche (BMC Racing), Gianni Moscon (Team Sky), Alexis Vuillermoz (AG2R La Mondiale), Diego Ulissi (UAE Team Emirates) and Thibaut Pinot (FDJ).
Despite a concerted chase behind, they were unable to bring back Visconti who finished 19″ ahead of Nibali.
“It was a whirlwind of emotion because I have been waiting for this victory for a long time,” said Visconti afterwards. “A perfect day, there are no other words.”
“I attacked during the penultimate lap and made an almost perfect downhill. Then I managed to climb up and told myself that everything was going for the best!”.
“It was a sort of liberation,” the Italian rider concluded. “Many second and third places but victory did not want to come. The team was perfect and thanks also to the work of my teammates who managed to win.”
Vincenzo Nibali helped to defend his team-mate from the attacks of other rivals claimed second. He said afterwards: “I’m very happy for Giovanni because I know what to overcome success without ever catching him.”
“What a team and what a Giovanni,” said Directeur Sportif Alberto Volpi. “A win that comes after a week of placings. I confess that I was very excited at the finish line because I know what this success means.”
