Riccardo Riccò (Ceramica Flaminia) took his second win since returning from suspension with the final stage of the Settimana Cicistica Lombarda in the city of Bergamo. He was the fastest of a group of 19 riders who arrived at the finish together, beating Andreas Dietziker (Voralberg-Corratec) and Jackson Rodriguez (Androni Giocattoli) into second and third.
“Two beautiful victories for myself and the team,” said Riccò afterwards. “I wanted to confirm that I have returned as a competitive Riccò and I have. I’m satisfied, I could not ask for more and I’m very happy.”
The main action of the day took place on the stage’s biggest climb to Selvino when Wout Poels (Vacansoleil) attacked, pulling a large group clear of the rest of the peloton; all of the overall contenders were present in the group. Poels and Didac Ortega (Acqua & Sapone) managed to get 40 seconds clear but they were caught after the descent, 9km from the finish.
A group of 19 riders split from the rest of the front group and contested the sprint, where Riccò prevailed. Race leader Michele Scarponi (Androni Giocattoli) finished 17th in the same time as Riccò, and held on to win the race overall despite the bonus seconds taken by the Ceramica Flaminia rider.
Result stage 5
1. Riccardo Riccò (Ita) Ceramica Flaminia
2. Andreas Dietziker (Swi) Voralberg-Corratec
3. Jackson Rodriguez (Ven) Androni Giocattoli-Diquigiovanni
4. Fortunato Baliani (Ita) Miche
5. Matteo Carrara (Ita) Vacansoleil Pro cycling Team
6. Rob Ruijgh (Ned) Vacansoleil Pro cycling Team
7. Nicolas Shnyder (Swi) Price-Custom Bikes
8. Bartosz Huzarski (Pol) ISD-Neri
9. Riccardo Chiarini (Ita) De Rosa-Stac Plastic
10. Rubens Bertogliati (Swi) Androni Giocattoli-Diquigiovanni
Final overall standings
1. Michele Scarponi (Ita) Androni Giocattoli-Diquigiovanni
2. Riccardo Riccò (Ita) Ceramica Flaminia @ 22”
3. Przemyslaw Niemiec (Pol) Miche @ 37”