QUOTES Race winner Giacomo Nizzolo said: "As I woke up feeling unwell, I told [national coach Davide] Cassani that I'd see on the way if I'd be able to race properly or not. But after the initial hill, I felt great in the group of 38. The finale was a pretty technical sprint. I didn't know the finish so I was close to crashing in the last curve. I'm happy especially because of the great feelings I've experienced all the way today. I couldn't ask for more in my last race before the Worlds. To win such a fast race against rivals of such a high level is fantastic. With the national champion jersey as a member of the national team it's even better."
Runner-up Fernando Gaviria said: "I believe that, unlike myself, Nizzolo knew the finish and it made a difference. He was the strongest too. It was a hard finale and I lacked a bit of legs. But I feel good. I'm in the form I wanted to have ahead of the World Championships and I have two more weeks to get into the perfect shape. I have enjoyed this race a lot because we rode at a high rhythm and it's exactly what I needed to prepare for the Worlds."
Third placed Daniele Bennati said: "I've felt good in the last 20 days after the Vuelta. Today I wanted to try to win again as I won this race twice before. We kind of expected such a fast start because of the hill to start with. I started quite motivated with my team-mates. The breakaway group was pretty big. Hadn't [Fernando] Gaviria and another Etixx-Quick Step rider crashed in that group, I believe the race scenario could have been different. But only Team Sky, AG2R-La Mondiale and us were pulling. At the end, in front of me there are Giacomo [Nizzolo] and Gaviria, two young and strong sprinters. I'm happy anyway. Ahead of the World Championships we have two very good sprinters with Giacomo and Elia [Viviani]. We probably have one of the best lead-outs too! Maybe we don't have any of the world's top sprinters, but as a team we can do a very good job for these two guys."
Climbing through the vineyards around the start from Diano d'Alba
