Cycling Pro Road & Mtb

Giro di Sardegna, Stage 1: Ballan Second

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Parent Category: Cycling Pro Road & Mtb

Category: News Cycling Pro Road & Mtb 2011

Published on Tuesday, 22 February 2011 20:07

Written by Luca Salvatelli

Alessandro Ballan finished second for the BMC Racing Team Tuesday on the opening stage of the Giro di Sardegna.

Tricky Finish

Ballan said he was on the wheel of stage winner Peter Sagan (Liquigas-Cannondale) but didn't want to take too many risks on the technical run-in to the finish of the 138-kilometer race. "Before the last corner, I tried to anticipate Sagan's sprint, but he was too fast," Ballan said. It was the Italian's best result since a second-place finish on Stage 15 of the Tour de France on July 19, 2010.

Looking Ahead

In addition to Ballan, BMC Racing Team riders Ivan Santaromita and Mauro Santambrogio made the lead bunch that split on a climb with seven kilometers to go, Assistant Sports Directeur Fabio Baldato said. "It's clear that we have good condition, good motivation and a strong team," Baldato said. "Tomorrow's uphill finish will be good for us to try again," Baldato said.