Milano-Torino

6th place for the Movistar Team leader at Milano-Torino after responding the attacks from the main favourites into the decisive climb to the Basilica. Ulissi (LAM) beats Majka (TST) for the win

A really fast race -nearly 45kph average, after covering the opening 50k in less than one hour- took Movistar Team back into racing only three days after the unforgettable Worlds road race in Tuscany. It was the 94th edition of the Milano-Torino race, the oldest in the professional calendar, over 193km between Settimo Milanese and the Basilica di Superga (5km at almost 10% avg. gradient,) to be covered twice.

Alejandro Valverde did not lose the chance to show himself at the front after the bronze medal in Florence. Well protected by his team-mates into the first climb and the subsequent downhill, he came in good position into a stretched, 30-man peloton where the telephone squad did some of the leadout work into the decisive ascent.

The attacks by Majka (TST), Pozzovivo (BAR) and Pellizotti (AND) were eventually responded by Daniel Moreno (KAT), Alberto Contador (TST) and Valverde himself, reaching the main favourites with just over 1k remaining. However, the group also contained local Diego Ulissi (LAM), who launched himself with a gap into that last kilometer and found no opposition for the win. Valverde came across the line in 6th place.