The Series concludes with a flat race in Rome, a perfect place for an event like this. While the profile ain't as tricky as the opening race in Teramo, there's still a difficulty and slightly uphill finishing stretch, that may make for some unexpected racing today.
It's the sprinters, who have the best chances to go for the win today, of course. But let's have a look at the GC and the possible winners:
1
Nino Schurter
Sauber Petronas Racing
22
2
Giorgio Brambilla
Metinvest-Emirates
21
3
David Vitoria
Metinvest-Emirates
20
4
Eros Capecchi
Metinvest-Emirates
16
Cristiano Salerno
Cisco Cycling Team
16
6
Claudio Cucinotta
Amore & Vita
12
Mauro Facci
Farnese Vini - Selle Italia
12
8
Matteo Priamo
Team Idea
11
9
Riccardo Zoidl
Team Vorarlberg
10
9 riders still could win this Series, but of course some of them need to do something special like Metinvest did in the opener.
So Metinvest's trio may stand the best chances, as they don't need to win this final crit to take the overall.. Cucinotta, winner in Avezzano, and Priamo may be the most realistic remaining threats here.
It's an interesting race right from the start, as several groups of riders tried their luck with a break attempt.
A first to succeed is built by 5 riders, leading by 50" with 35km remaining:
record-escapee Arnaud Grand (VW)
Stefano Pirazzi (Amore)
Stefano Agostini (Cisco)
Stefan Kung (Sauber)
and George Alexandru Stancu (Eata)
It's an empty-handed try though, yet again. There's still more riders trying to jump behind and therefore the pace is too high to build a gap.
The next attack (half of the race is done) is the most interesting so far:
GC's 4th Eros Capecchi makes his move, together with Kung and Charalampas Kastrantas (Eata)!
Capecchi (16 points) is Metinvest's third option and therefore it's worth a try to give him a go that early today.
But it's just another short-lived attempt. No luck for group Capecchi.
Next in line (18km to go): Maurizio Bellin (Idea), togehter with GC's 9th Riccardo Zoidl and Kastrantas.
Zoidl (10 pts) is one of the riders, who retain chances for the overall victory. And that may be his only chance!
And indeed, Zoidl was the the hardest fighting in this group. Without any success though.
The attack ended as soon as the attempt before and another 2 laps later (entering the final lap, 7km) the bunch is in control: as seen in the other flat races, it's WIT (for Chicchi) and Amore (for Cucinotta) leading the pack.
No more attack, it's going to be a bunch-sprint for this final criterium.
Two trains, as expected: Amore&Vita for
Cucinotta
Di Nucci (ING)
Priamo (Idea)
Viviani (Farnese)
So with Cucinotta and Priamo we've two GC-threats at the front. But also the Metinvest-duo is in nice position to defend the GC at least.
800 meters to go and the sprint-trains have done their work.. WIT seems to have done better though, as we've the following order now:
Chicchi
Di Nucci
Priamo
Belletti
Cucinotta
Brambilla
500..
..Chicchi's still in the lead, now facing a strong finishing kick by both Priamo and Belletti!
Cucinotta looks to move forward, countering Di Nucci. Brambilla is still in the mix, too.
Priamo comes closer as Chicchi can't keep his pace! Belletti and also Cucinotta may be within reach for a win, too.
But it's Matteo Priamo taking out this final race, ahead of Francesco Chicchi and Manuel Belletti!
So Priamo (11 pts) did his best to claim the overall (Schurter 22, Brambilla 21, Vitoria 20).. but as you may have noticed already: Metinvest looked never in trouble today, as both Vitoria (4th) and Brambilla (6th) finish within the point-rankings. But who's taken the overall win?
It's a Metinvest-rider... it's David Vitoria! What a close one. He started today's race with one point less than his teammate Brambilla, and thanks to his great finishing kick, he takes two points more here in Rome! Congrats to a well deserved winner of this Crit Series.
Matteo Priamo
David Vitoria
Riccardo Zoidl
