Modolo wins a bunch sprint in Croatia

Victory for Modolo in the 1st stage of the Tour of Croatia.

UAE Team Emirates’ athlete was the fastest on the arrival in Koprivnika (start from Osijek, 227 km), obtaining his first seasonal victory, the 42nd in career: he preceded Grosu, Marini, Page and Nizzolo.
Modolo is the leader of the general classification.

The twenty-nine years old Italian cyclist completed in the best way the work from the team of the President Matar, which unfortunately could not rely on Mirza, who suffered for fever during the night and did not succeed to be at the start.
UAE Team Emirates controlled the breakaway of five riders which led the stage in the central part and then managed to neutralize the attack attempts on the climb of Ludbreg, the only hill of the course (summit at -21,5km).

Modolo described his victory: “Team was perfect in leading me to the front positions in the approach of the last kilometer and in avoiding problems in the last two bends.
Ferrari began his role as pilot-fish in the final 1000 meters and he was great as usual: he knows which is the best speed and when it’s time to launch the sprint: timing is very important in sprints on long straight, as today one.
I was the first to start the sprint, I felt my legs were very good and I avoided to be overtaken by the opponents.
This victory is very good in the approach of the Giro d’Italia“.

Sports director Maini pointed out how important was the good performance of the whole team: “Niemiec, Polanc and Ravasi worked in the head of the race for controlling and bridging the gap from the breakaway, receiving also the support from other teams; Guardini and Ferrari acted as an impressive lead-out train for the winning sprint of Modolo.
Durasek saved energies in view of tomorrow stage, with the summit arrival of Biokovo”.

STAGE RESULTS
1- Modolo 5h24’19”
2- Grosu s.t.
3- Marini s.t.
4- Page s.t.
5- Nizzolo s.t.

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION
1- Modolo 5h24’09”
2- Grosu 2″
3- Marini 6″
4- Minali 7″
5- Trusov s.t.