Viviani gets the better of Modolo in Vigevano

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Elia Viviani (Liquigas-Cannondale) sprinted to victory ahead of Sacha Modolo (Colnago-CSF Inox) on stage 2 of the Giro di Padania to move into the overall lead, but the racing was once again overshadowed by protests against the event’s very existence.

Organised with support from the Lega Nord, a political party seeking autonomy for the north of Italy, the race has drawn criticism from many quarters, not least for its name. “Padania” is not a region, but a charged expression coined by the party to describe the northern part of the country.

As was the case on the opening stage, protesters from groups including Rifondazione Comunista, the Partito Democratico and trade union CGIL blocked the race at Savona. The race organisers attempted to divert the peloton around the town by an alternative route, but facing open traffic, they brought the race to a temporary halt before returning to the original route.

Once in Savona, the peloton was stopped by protesters and a tense stand-off ensued, in which Colnago-CSF Inox rider Sonny Colbrelli was struck by a protester. After police cleared the route, the race resumed, with the early break setting off three minutes ahead of the peloton in order to restore their advantage from before the stoppage.

For the record, Kamil Gradek (Poland), Dominik Brandle (Voralberg), and Amore e Vita pair Philipp Mamos and Anton Kaniuk were swept up by the Liquigas-Cannondale controlled peloton before the finish.

In the final kilometre, Viviani was able to count on a strong lead-out from teammate Daniel Oss to beat Modolo and reverse the result of yesterday’s opening stage. Danilo Napolitani (Acqua & Sapone) was third.

Overall Viviani assumes the lead, ahead of Modolo.

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