Serpa Perez prevails in Faenza

Image 1 of 30

Jose Serpa (Androni Giocattoli) won the second stage at the Settimana Internazionale di Coppi & Bartali in Italy on Wednesday, stopping Riccardo Riccò (Ceramica Flaminia) from taking his first win since the end of his ban for doping.

The Colombian climber outsprinted Italy's Fortunato Baliani (Miche) and Riccò after they were part of a six-rider attack that formed on the tough Monte Trebbio climb. Przemyslaw Niemiec (Miche) was fourth, Domenico Pozzovivo (Colnago-Csf Inox) was fifth and José Rujano (Isd-Neri) finished sixth.

Italy’s Francesco Gavazzi (Lampre-Farnese Vini) brought home the front group of chasers, just 12 seconds behind. Switzerland’s Oliver Zaugg (Liqiuigas-Doimo) was also there and so took the overall race lead from teammate Francesco Chicchi. His teammate Ivan Santaromita is second at the same time, with Serpa third at 8 seconds. Riccò is fourth, also at 8 seconds.

"I have to thank my teammates. They looked after me all day and then made sure I was on the front for the decisive climb. We went really hard on the climb but I still had something left to win the sprint," Serpa said on Italian television.

They worked well together and opened a 35-second gap. Their lead fell to just 12 seconds near the finish in Faenza, but Serpa did not panic and was strongest in the sprint, coming past Ricco in the final hundred metres. After several placings, the Colombian won his first race of the season, denying an angry Riccò the comeback win he was so desperately looking for.

However Riccò will have another chance on Thursday. The third stage takes the race into the Apennines hills near Modena for what is considered the hardest stage of the race. The 185.3km stage covers several loops around the village of Pavullo, with the climb of Valico del Barigazzo likely to split the peloton before a steep climb up to the finish.