Cameron Orr (Wilier-Vittoria Factory Team Xco) won with a best time of 1h 19' 20” over Simon Andreassen and Charlie Aldridge (Cannondale Factory Racing).
Source: press release
The winner, who recently returned from a wrist injury, commented immediately after crossing the finish line: "It was an impressive race, the pace was very high, it was very technical and I'm happy with how it went given that it hasn't been long since I returned." in the saddle.”
These are the words of second place Andreassen: “It was really nice to race here. It was a super tactical race, I would say, and I took a bit of responsibility in maintaining a good solid pace throughout the race and in the end I paid a bit for being in the lead for the first 6 laps. But we were very close, so I'm very happy with this second place. I'm happy to be on the podium again. I've been racing the last five weeks straight, now I think I'll take some time before the World Cup to regenerate and be ready for Brazil.”
Positive day also for Aldridge, who achieved an excellent podium: “I'm very happy. You never know how your legs will fare in the first races of the year. It was fun, there was a good turnout and I felt good. This year there are many important races coming up and the season is long. Maybe the Olympics are more likely now, so…. there is still a lot to do.”
As predicted, the victory was contested between the favorite names on the eve. Leading the group of 62 riders lined up at 14.30pm on the starting line were: Simon Andreassen and teammate, Charlie Aldridge (Cannondale Factory Racing), Filippo Fontana and Daniele Braidot for the Cs Carabinieri Cicli Olympia team, followed shortly distance from Gioele Bertolini (KTM – Protek – Elettrosystem). While the leading group proceeded compactly, the pursuers reduced their gap lap after lap despite the fact that a super concentrated Danish champion managed to remain at the head of the group for the entire race.
A high pace characterized the third and final race of the weekend held on the circuit designed inside the Santoporo XCO where the Men Open category faced 7 laps of the 3,6 km long track supported by a warm crowd that responded in large numbers to the event.
U23
Among the U23s, Agostinacchio Filippo Beltrami (Tsa Tre Colli) won, ahead of Siffredi Matteo (Scott Racing Team) and Bassignana Fabio (M Un 3 Ktm – Protek – Elettrosystem). Thanks to this second place Matteo Siffredi wore the leader's jersey of the U23 classification.
ESANATOGLIA ELITE RANKING
| 1 | ORR Cameron | WILIER-VITTORIA FACTORY TEAM XCO | 1:19:21 |
| 2 | ANDREASSEN Simon | CANNONDALE FACTORY RACING | 1:19:21 |
| 3 | ALDRIDGE Charlie | CANNONDALE FACTORY RACING | 1:19:22 |
| 4 | BRAIDOT Daniel | CS CARABINIERI – OLYMPIA CYCLES | 1:19:24 |
| 5 | BERTOLINI Joel | KTM PROTEK ELECTROSYSTEM | 1:19:24 |
| 6 | AGOSTINACCHIO Filippo | BELTRAMI TSA THREE COLLI | 1:19:25 |
| 7 | VITTONE Andreas Emanuele | KTM PROTEK ELECTROSYSTEM | 1:20:28 |
| 8 | FOUNTAIN Filippo | CS CARABINIERI – OLYMPIA CYCLES | 1:21:04 |
| 9 | SIFFREDI Matteo | SCOTT RACING TEAM | 1:21:35 |
| 10 | AGOSTINELLI Alessio | KTM PROTEK ELECTROSYSTEM | 1:21:45 |
