Rabottini wins Under 23 road race

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Matthew Rabottini (VC Aran - Cogem - BLS) won the Under 23 men's Italian road championship in Imola on Saturday. Alfredo Balloni (AGI Neri Nuova Comauto), who was the fastest of a small chase group, finished in second place Gianluca Brambilla (Zalf Desirre Fior) was third.

With one kilometer to go on the final climb, Rabottini put himself into a solo break. About 30 seconds behind him, four riders chased for the remaining podium positions. Alfredo Balloni (A.G.I. Neri Nuova Comauto) beat Gianluca Brambilla (G.S. Zalf Desiree Fior) in a sprint for second and third. Moreno Moser (Lucchini Arvedi Unidelta A.S.D.) and Diego Zanco (U.C. Trevigiani) soon followed in fourth and fifth.

"I went on the offensive in the decisive parts of the race," said Rabottini. "I won here a month ago, and I remember well the characteristics of the area and the roads."

"I tried to follow him," said Brambilla of the winner Rabottini. "But there was nothing to be done, even with Balloni helping to chase. "

Trained as a master mechanic, Rabottini had started college, but withdrew to race his bike. "If you want to do this job, you need to make a choice. My dad always told me that if you want to get to the top, you have to make sacrifices. I've been training with Danilo Di Luca and Ruggero Marzoli."