Ulissi got second place and moved 11th in GC

Diego Ulissi showed a good shape and ranked second in a chaotic final sprint stage 1. The race of 172,5 km hardened by five climbs with last one of 1st category, was characterized in the last 25 km by rain, cold and fog.

Michael Albasini (Orica-Scott) out-sprinted Ulissi for the first position. The yesterday prologue winner Felline retains GC race lead.

Diego Ulissi: “It’s a shame that the final km was in a road in light descent and Albasini, more powerful than me, was unbeatable. With 25 km to go started to rain and was cold, but we are really focused in this race and my team led me out in a good position in the final climb and it was consequentially also good for the final positions in the sprint. Next two stages are more for sprinters but we’ll see what will happen”.

Simone Pedrazzini, sport director: “All the guys are focused to do well in this race and today we were close to the full prize. I’m happy about the movement of all the team. Before with Troia who jumped in the breakaway despite a not so good health condition (he had some fever the day before) and in the final part of the stage with Diego, Meintjes and Ait el Abdia, all in the first bunch. Now Ulissi moved 11th in GC. We’ll see in the next days”.

STAGE RESULTS
1- Albasini 4h33’10”
2- Ulissi s.t.
3- Herrada s.t.
4- Berhane s.t.
5- Froome s.t.

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION
1- Felline 4h39’07”
2- Schachmann 8″
3- Herrada s.t.
4- Roglic 9″
5- Izagirre s.t.
11- Ulissi 14″