Viviani triumphs in stage 2a at Coppi e Bartali

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Elia Viviani (Liquigas-Cannondale) has had an enviable run of form early in the 2012 season and it continued today as he triumphed in stage 2a at the Settimana Internazionale Coppi e Bartali. The 23-year-old Italian claimed his sixth victory of the season as he outkicked Ariel Maximiliano Richeze (Team Nippo) and Enrico Battaglin (Colnago-CSF Inox) in the field sprint finale.

Overnight race leader Andrea Palini (Team Idea), who won the opening stage on Tuesday, finished in fourth place and remains atop general classification. Viviani moves up to second overall, four seconds down, while Cesare Benedetti (Team NetApp) holds third on general classification, tied on time with Viviani.

Shortly after the start two riders went out on the attack, Jeffry Louder (UnitedHealthcare) and Raymond Kunzli (Spidertech Powered By C10), and the duo attained a maximum advantage of 1:40.

On the climb of the Sogliano al Rubicone Louder dropped his breakaway companion and continued alone in the lead, but was swept up by the peloton in the approach to the next climb, the Passo delle Siepi at 60km.

A split formed in the peloton as the pace was driven by Liquigas-Cannondale and Astana. A chase group driven by Farnese Vini-Selle Italia failed to make contact as the front group pressed onwards to the finish and the expected bunch sprint conclusion.

Stage 2a was the first of two stages today, with a 14.9km team time trial to take place in the afternoon.