Nibali wins Trofeo Melinda

Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas-Doimo) has won the Trofeo Melinda and staked a claim for a place in Paolo Bettini's Italian team for the world championships in Australia. The Sicilian was among the pre-race favourites and in the final rise to the line at Fondo he proved too strong for Vladislav Borisov (Amore & Vita) and Italian champion Giovanni Visconti (ISD-Neri) to take a fine victory.

“This victory brings me happiness and tranquillity,” Nibali said afterwards. “In a week’s time, I’m facing an important challenge at the Vuelta a España and I couldn’t have asked for a better confidence booster.”

It was a hard-fought victory for the Liquigas rider in the hills of Trentino. Just 43 riders finished the race, with Giro d’Italia winner Ivan Basso among those to abandon. Entering the final kilometre, Patrick Sinkewitz (ISD-Neri) was alone in front, but just as he was captured, his teammate Visconti jumped past on the final drag to the line. For a moment it looked as though he was about to repeat last year’s victory in this race, but instead it was Nibali who timed his effort to perfection to take a great win.

“I won with my legs and with my head,” Nibali explained. “My teammates were fantastic in bringing back the breakaway and I didn’t want their work to be in vain. In the finale I brought back Pozzovivo and Visconti, and then I went early to surprise Borisov. I knew I only had one chance and I didn’t waste it.”

The Trofeo Melinda was Nibali’s sixth win of a fine season that has already seen him finish on the podium at the Giro d’Italia. “I’ve gained more faith in my own potential, as well as the knowledge that I can compete with everybody,” the Sicilian said. “This year I’m winning a lot and I’m winning well, and I hope to be able to get some more satisfaction between now and the end of the season.”

One contented onlooker was Italian national coach Paolo Bettini. He had been vocal in his criticism of the Italian riders at the Tre Valli Varesine during the week, but he was a considerably happier man at the finish line in Fondo after Visconti’s impressive display. “I have no negative remarks in my notebook, I enjoyed it,” Bettini smiled at the finish line. “You only have to look at Vincenzo’s results, as well as his shape and performances to realise how reliable he is by now.”

 

Results

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#Rider Name (Country) TeamResult
1Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas-Doimo4:49:00
2Vladislav Borisov (Rus) Amore & Vita - ConadRow 1 - Cell 2
3Giovanni Visconti (Ita) ISD - NeriRow 2 - Cell 2
4Francesco Failli (Ita) Acqua & SaponeRow 3 - Cell 2
5Domenico Pozzovivo (Ita) Colnago - CSF InoxRow 4 - Cell 2
6Patrik Sinkewitz (Ger) ISD - NeriRow 5 - Cell 2
7Fortunato Baliani (Ita) MicheRow 6 - Cell 2
8Thomas Danielson (USA) Garmin - TransitionsRow 7 - Cell 2
9Luis Angel Mate Mardones (Spa) Androni Giocattoli0:00:15
10Peter Stetina (USA) Garmin - TransitionsRow 9 - Cell 2
11Paolo Bailetti (Ita) Ceramica FlaminiaRow 10 - Cell 2
12Maxime Monfort (Bel) Team HTC - ColumbiaRow 11 - Cell 2
13Thomas Peterson (USA) Garmin - TransitionsRow 12 - Cell 2
14Cristiano Salerno (Ita) De Rosa - Stac Plastic0:00:30
15Francesco Masciarelli (Ita) Acqua & Sapone0:00:32
16Luca Zanasca (Ita) CDC - Cavaliere0:00:36
17Bartosz Huzarski (Pol) ISD - Neri0:00:45
18Giairo Ermeti (Ita) De Rosa - Stac Plastic0:00:46
19Jose Rodolfo Serpa Perez (Col) Androni GiocattoliRow 18 - Cell 2
20Leonardo Bertagnolli (Ita) Androni GiocattoliRow 19 - Cell 2
21Jure Golcer (Slo) De Rosa - Stac Plastic0:01:00
22Carlos José Ochoa (Ven) Androni Giocattoli0:01:15
23Jackson Rodriguez (Ven) Androni Giocattoli0:01:40
24Giogrio Brambilla (Ita) De Rosa - Stac Plastic0:02:50
25Michele Scarponi (Ita) Androni GiocattoliRow 24 - Cell 2
26Tejay Van Garderen (USA) Team HTC - Columbia0:03:20
27Vladimir Miholjevic (Cro) Acqua & Sapone0:05:10
28Luca Paolini (Ita) Acqua & SaponeRow 27 - Cell 2
29Andrea Masciarelli (Ita) Acqua & Sapone0:05:15
30Reto Hollenstein (Swi) Vorarlberg - CorratecRow 29 - Cell 2
31Ruslan Pydgornyy (Ukr) ISD - NeriRow 30 - Cell 2
32Christian Meier (Can) Garmin - TransitionsRow 31 - Cell 2
33Aristide Ratti (Ita) CarmioOro NGCRow 32 - Cell 2
34Diego Caccia (Ita) ISD - NeriRow 33 - Cell 2
35Bernardo Colex Tepoz (Mex) Amore & Vita - ConadRow 34 - Cell 2
36Luciano Barindelli (Ita) CarmioOro NGCRow 35 - Cell 2
37Alexander Mironov (Rus) Itera-KatushaRow 36 - Cell 2
38Leonardo Giordani (Ita) Ceramica FlaminiaRow 37 - Cell 2
39Cayetano José Sarmiento Tunarrosa (Col) Acqua & SaponeRow 38 - Cell 2
40Andrea Tonti (Ita) CarmioOro NGC0:06:00
41Marco Pinotti (Ita) Team HTC - ColumbiaRow 40 - Cell 2
42Kanstantsin Sivtsov (Blr) Team HTC - ColumbiaRow 41 - Cell 2
43Giuseppe Muraglia (Ita) CDC - CavaliereRow 42 - Cell 2

 

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Barry Ryan
Head of Features

Barry Ryan is Head of Features at Cyclingnews. He has covered professional cycling since 2010, reporting from the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and events from Argentina to Japan. His writing has appeared in The Independent, Procycling and Cycling Plus. He is the author of The Ascent: Sean Kelly, Stephen Roche and the Rise of Irish Cycling’s Golden Generation, published by Gill Books.

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