Second win for Miche rider at Italian race
Davide Rebellin restarted his career in May with Italian team Miche, after a two-year doping suspension. He quickly collected podium spots and went back to his winning ways with victory in the Tre Vallesine on Tuesday and added his second win today in the Trofeo Melinda. Rebellin outsprinted Miguel Chavez Rubiano (D’Angelo & Antenucci – Nippo). With a delay of six seconds Domenico Pozzovivo (Colnago CSF) finished in third place.
It was Rebellin’s second Melinda win, after 2004. But team Colnago CSF was content with its showing in the race. “We didn’t win, but we animated the race,” said sports director Roberto Reverberi. “Pozzovivo was among the best on the climb, trying several times to get away.” This didn’t happen as an attentive Rebellin made sure nobody could go clear. In the end, Rebellin had only Rubiano left for company and beat him in the sprint.
Colnago was also happy for its future. “What can I say about Battaglin?” Reverberi said. Enrico Battaglin is the stagiaire on the team and finished seventh. “He showed true character and determination for a young guy his age.” The 21-year-old did his second race as a professional. His first one was the Gran Premio di Camaiore, where he finished 19th.
Reverberi was enthusiastic about the way Battaglin tackled the undulating terrain. “In a tough race like Melinda, where everything is decided on the climb, he held the rhythm with the best and was rewarded with a nice seventh place.”
Vincenzo Nibali won the race last year, but the Vuelta a España is a week earlier compared to 2010. Nibali is currently racing at the Vuelta to defend his title there, rather than defending the Melinda title.
Results
1. [ITA] REBELLIN Davide MIE 5h01’00″
2. [COL] RUBIANO CHAVEZ Miguel Angel DAN
3. [ITA] POZZOVIVO Domenico COG 06″
4. [ITA] RATTO Daniele GEO 06″
5. [ESP] VILA ERRANDONEA Patxi Javier DER 06″
6. [ITA] MURAGLIA Giuseppe DAN 07″
7. [ITA] BATTAGLIN Enrico COG 07″
8. [ITA] BAILETTI Paolo DER 08″
9. [ITA] SANTORO Antonio AND 08″
10. [ITA] TABORRE Fabio ASA 10″