Marco Canola achieved the 4th position on the 1st stage of Colorado Classic after the final sprint in a race marked by the rain. Two important action made by the #OrangeBlue team with Giacomo Berlato and Ivan Santaromita, demonstrating good condition looking forward next stages.
10 August 2017, Colorado Classic – Stage 1.
First race day in Colorado for NIPPO Vini Fantini team and first TOP 5, thank to the 4th place achieved by Marco Canola at the end of a long final sprint. Another important placement among the best for the #OrangeBlue rider, coming off the victory on the last stage of Tour of Utah, demonstrating a good physical condition. Giacomo Berlato andIvan Santaromita were in the action that marked the Colorado Springs stage.
THE RACE
Colorado Classic 2017 starts from Colorado Springs with a 25 kilometres circuit, going through Garden of the Gods (altitude from 1800 to 2000 meters), to be completed for 6 times. The race exploded since from the very first begin. 6 riders, including the#OrangeBlue Giacomo Berlato, made the most important action of the day, gaining 4 minute from the rest of the group. After more than 100 kilometres of breakaway, the escapees have been taken by the peloton in the finals two laps. During the final climb on the final circuit, when the sun is replaced by the rain, Ivan Santaromita, Manuel Senni (BMC) and Simone Petilli (UAE) made the second important action of the day. This second breakaway ended at 500 meters to the finish line. This is the right moment when the final sprint started, managed by the Holowesko team. John Murphy (Holowesko team) won the stage and Marco Canola achieved the 4th place.
THE RIDER
“I’m little regretted for the 4th place” these the words said by Marco Canola at the end of the race. “When I came out on the last corner I was in a very good position, but the group accelerated to closed the breakaway. Near to the 500 meters to the finish line, when the escapees have been taken, the group slowing down and give the possibilities to Cannondale and Holwesko team to start their sprint. I was able to remain close to the front of the group but I was behind of the best sprinter. I was going to recover the gap with high speed; unfortunately I closed at the 4th place. I want to congratulate with my teammate Ivan Santaromita for the strong action on the final lap.”
NIPPO Vini Fantini team will be engaged in the Colorado Classic (live on Eurosport) until Sunday 13 of August.
STAGE RANKING
1 John Murphy (USA) Holowesko-Citadel p/b Hincapie Sportswear
2 Travis McCabe (USA) UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling
3 Logan Owen (USA) Axeon Hagens Berman
4 Marco Canola (Ita) Nippo-Vini Fantini
5 Kiel Reijnen (USA) Trek-Segafredo
6 Dennis Van Winden (Ned) Israel Cycling Academy
7 Alex Howes (USA) Cannondale-Drapac Pro Cycling
8 Colin Joyce (USA) Rally Cycling
9 Christopher Blevins (USA) Axeon Hagens Berman
10 Brent Bookwalter (USA) BMC Racing Team