American Pro Continental squad Team Type 1- sanofi-aventis clocked up two good results on Tuesday, with Andrea Grendene powering to a fine second place on the opening road stage of the Settimana Internazionale Coppi e Bartali, then the riders netting sixth in the afternoon team time trial.
The combined performances put the team 23 seconds behind the overall leader Emanuele Sella, whose Androni Giocattoli squad was quickest in the TTT.
Grendene’s close finish in the morning stage was due in part to the leadout by Jure Kocjan. He’ll be disappointed to go so close to a win in the 82 kilometre race, but will now be determined to grab his next chance and try to net a stage victory.
“In the final lap there was an attack by FDJ that we chased down,” he said, “and then Liquigas attacked twice. The team brought me up to the finish on a very long and straight road. I moved right and came from behind Jure for the sprint, but the pack moved right into me and I was second.”
He will most likely get another chance on Wednesday's flat 194km stage near Rovigio, as will fellow sprinter Aldo Ino Ilesic. The nature of the course means that a big bunch finish is likely.