Consonni runner-up in Adriatica Ionica sprint. Valerio Conti on fire in the final.

Young UAE Team Emirates sprinter Simone Consonni showed yet another time that he is on good form by sprinting to second place in the Adriatica Ionica’s second stage. Elia Viviani (Quick-Step Floors) won the day, from Lido di Jesolo to Maser, Mihkel Raim (Israel Cycling Academy) placed third. Viviani remains the race leader.

“The final was pretty nervous,” Consonni said. “From the start, with the high temperatures and from the effort the day beforehand, my feelings weren’t that great. Then, even with the hard course, I felt better and in the last little climb I went over well. Viviani went early in the sprint, but I was still satisfied with my feelings and I’m happy with the progress of our team in this race.”

Valerio Conti tried to attack free in the last kilometres, but had to give way to the sprint teams who were trying to take their leaders to the line.

They face the queen stage tomorrow. The race, the first edition, will go from Mussolente to 2091 metres at Passo Giau after 160.7 kilometres of racing.

Stage 2 results:

1. Elia Viviani (Quick-Step Floors)  3h49’09”

2. Simone Consonni (UAE Team Emirates) s.t.

3. Mihkel Raim (Israel Cycling Academy) s.t.

General Classification after stage 2:

1. Elia Viviani (Quick-Step Floors) 4h14’28”

2 Niki Terpstra (Quick-Step Floors) +10″

3. Simone Consonni (UAE Team Emirates)  +18″