Gesink strikes again at the Giro dell'Emilia

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Robert Gesink of Rabobank took his third victory of the season, wining the Giro dell'Emilia for the second consecutive year. He won the uphill finish fought out between a front group of 14-riders on the last climb of San Luca overlooking Bologna. Gesink finished one second ahead of Daniel Martin (Garmin-Transitions) and nine seconds ahead of Michele Scarponi (Diquigiovanni-Androni).

The group, which included Ricardo Ricco (Vacansoleil) and Vuelta a Espana winner Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas), got away on the final of four laps of the tough finishing circuit. Martin was very active in the lead group on the climb and Ricco’ looked to have a good chance of victory but struggled in the final kilometre.

The early part of the race was marked by break from Ran Margaliot (Footon Servetto), Sebastian Fournet Fayard (CarmioOro NGC) and Eugenio Loria (CDC Cavaliere), who built up a lead of nearly 11 minutes. After they were caught again, there were a number of break attempts which met with varying success.