Favourites:-
Pablo Lastras (Movistar)
Bobbie Traskel (Landbouwkredet)
Several attempts were made to form the break of the day, but Movistar wouldn't leave anyone get more than 2 minutes
With 40km to go there were only 3 riders up the road with a lead of 1'12
Kingspan took control of the pace on the descent and attempted to split the peloton
10km to go and Castraviejo decided to have a dig and soon got a gap
Coming under the flamme rouge, the chasers were making no impression
Castaviejo was able to sit up and take the applause with 300m to go, Kingspan's season start has been perfect
Next race on the agenda is Trofeo Laigueglia
Our team is led by Jonathan Castraviejo after his latest great win.
Another race for the hilly kings. Favourites included Visconti, Traskel and Scarponi.
The BOTD took over 40km to form and included no riders of note
Meanwhile back in the pack, our leader was being protected by Peter Kennaugh, the heat requiring plenty of fluids.
While the pack was holding the break at arms length with 50km remaining AGR's Peraud had a go to bridge to the break 2min up the road, which he duly did and blasted by.
Lampre and Colnago seemed to be putting in a good pace at the front of the peloton so no one panicked.
However with 8km to go and the peloton down to just 26, Peraud still had 1'47 of a lead.
At the line Peraud was able to celebrate his fine breakaway win with 54" to spare
Castraviejo managed 15th place but was never in position to have a go at bridging, his form was just not good enough, still he was able to stay with the chase group which none of the other riders were able to do.
Reality has finally set in and the riders are no longer under any illusion of how tough the season ahead will be.
