Vincenzo Nibali wins back-to-back national titles

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Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) took his second Italian national championships in as many years with a fine performance on Saturday, distancing his rivals on the final climb of the race with a series of strong attacks after his Astana team had laid the groundwork.

The reining Tour de France champion won ahead of Francesco Reda (Team Idea) and Diego Ulissi (Lampre Merida) who both followed Nibali’s aggressive pace but were unable to hold the Astana rider on the final climb. Despite a dogged performance from Reda, Nibali pushed clear for the final and deciding time with less than three kilometres remaining.

Reda hung on for second with Ulissi settling for third, while Gianfranco Zilioli (Androni), Davide Rebellin (CCC Sprandi) and Domenico Pozzovio (AG2r) led home the chase group.

With the early break reeled in Astana began to stamp their authority on the race, lining out the reduced peloton with Nibali sat just ahead of his rivals.

When Nibali put the hammer down for the first time only Reda and Ulissi were able to respond, with a chase group containing Rebellin and Pozzovivo quickly forming. However they were unable to claw the trio back and on the final climb Nibali broke the final resistance from Reda and Ulissi.

Results