Italian and European champion Giacomo Nizzolo won the Clasica de Almeria in a sprint finish. Photo: Supplied
Italian and European champion Giacomo Nizzolo won the Clasica de Almeria in a sprint finish today, earning Qhubeka-Assos its first win of the season.
The peloton 154 riders strong set off from Pueblo de Vicar finishing 183km later in Rocquetas de Mar.
With the majority of the climbing taking place in the opening 100km followed by a flatter final 80km, the race ended in a bunch sprint as expected.
After protection from his teammates, Nizzolo made it to the final kilometre well placed, but still with a fair bit to do in the technical finish.
He went around the outside in the final right-hand bend and powered away from his challengers with an envious turn of speed.
Florian Senechel (Deceuninck-Quick-Step) crossed the line second and Martin Laas (Bora-Hansgrohe) rounded out the podium.
“I am really happy about today’s victory and the great job the team did,” Nizzolo said.
“From the start we tried to control the race, but the race was a bit strange, kind of on-and-off a few times because of the wind.
“The final was quite tricky but we managed to have a good position for the sprint, so I am really happy for the team and we look forward to the next one,” Nizzolo concluded.
| 1 | Giacomo Nizzolo | ITA | 4:18:44 |
| 2 | Florian Senechal | FRA | |
| 3 | Martin Laas | EST | |
| 4 | Jon Aberasturi | ESP | |
| 5 | Timothy Dupont | BEL | |
| 6 | Danny van Poppel | ||
| 7 | Gabriel Cullaigh | GBR | |
| 8 | Edward Theuns | BEL | |
| 9 | Marc Sarreau | FRA | |
| 10 | Damiano Cima | ITA |
