Hermann Pernsteiner has taken his first win for Bahrain Merida after the 27-year-old Austrian rider soloed to victory at the win at Gran Premio Città di Lugano, beating his breakaway teammate Kristian Sbaragli (Israel Cycling Academy) with an attack on the last lap.
“It’s the most beautiful day of my career. I can’t believe it” said Pernsteiner “My task was to help our leaders today, but I was in the right place at the right time. I took my chance and now I’m here to celebrate an amazing success”
Pernsteiner broke clear with Sbaragli after four of the eight laps of a 23.2km circuit in Lugano (185.6km total) that the riders faced.
“My rival is faster than me on the flat, so I knew that if we arrived together at the finish it would be difficult for me to beat him. Therefore I attacked at the beginning of the climb at the last lap. I wasn’t sure to be able to pull ahead of him. But despite I was tired due to the Tour of Japan and the jet-leg, I still had good legs and I go for it. Thanks to my teammates for their great help today”.
Enrico Gasparotto made it a great day for Bahrain Merida as he rounded out the podium with 3rd place.
“We were in the chasing group with Pozzovivo, Visconti and Antonio Nibali and we worked to stop any attempts of our rivals to close the gap,” said Gasparotto. “I’m happy with my third place and with the win of Hermann, but I was riding on my home roads so I’m a little disappointed as well, because I was looking for a victory”.
