Just like in 2009, Francesco Ginanni won the Trofeo Laigueglia. This time he beat the Lampre duo of Francesco Gavazzi and Daniele Pietropolli in a bunch sprint. It was the first win of the season for the rider from Gianni Savio's Androni Giocattoli - Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni team.
Lampre tried hard to replace Alessandro Petacchi, who couldn't start due to sickness. In the end two podium spots was all that Lampre managed. Gavazzi was still pleased with Pietropolli's work. "That was great by Pietropolli, who launched a great sprint for me. But Ginanni was faster and he came better out of the last turn. He was simply the best sprinter today," Gavazzi said to tuttobiciweb.it after the race. "Congratulations to him."
Petacchi had to forfeit today, but Lampre still tried very hard to get victory. "We did a great job reeling in the break," said Gavazzi, who was pleased with the opportunity of a sprint. "I'd say we did a perfect race. The sprint you can win or lose, but first you have to get the other work done."
Pietropolli was also happy. "I helped Francesco because it is useless to not help each other out within a team. Sometimes you have to give and today I gave and I gave it my maximum for him [Gavazzi]." Pietropolli also acknowledged that their rival was better. "Ginanni was very strong. We already knew that he is the fastest, but it was the right thing to try. We snatched second and third, but the important thing is that we tried - maybe next time we will be first and second."
During the race, a crash in the early part took out Mirko Selvaggi. The Astana rider was suspected to have broken his femur.
The protagonists of the day were Damiano Caruso and Guillaume Bonnafond. Caruso, the Italian U23 champion from 2008, won the climber's jersey. The duo was only caught with eight kilometers left to race. "That was a great race, always on the attack," Caruso said.
"I am a kid, this was an opportunity to show myself. For now it is going well, maybe later I can seek a good ranking or - why not - a victory in an important race." During the race he even believed he could arrive together with the Frenchman on the finish line, but the wind proved to be too strong. "In a sprint with two, you never know!"
Results
1. Francesco Ginanni (AND)
2. Francesco Gavazzi (LAM)
3. Daniele Pietropolli (LAM)
4. Enrico Rossi (FLM)
5. Matteo Montaguti (DER)
6. Luca Paolini (ASA)