Tinkoff happy with Monte Paschi Eroica

Team Tinkoff Credit Systems was happy with the eighth place finish of Spanish rider Ricardo Serrano in the inaugural Monte Paschi Eroica on Wednesday and had nothing but praise for RCS Sports, who organized the event. Serrano made the initial 11-man major break of the day. The race was won by Russian Alexandr Kolobnev (Team CSC), who showed his worlds form was still in tact.

"I must confess that it has been a beautiful initiative, perfect in its kind," said team manager Oleg Tinkov of the difficult and unique race. The race featured seven sections of le strade bianche or white gravel roads, for a total of 60 of 180 kilometers. The conditions and dust from the roads, along with some steep grades, made for some rather technical racing.