Ricco takes Sabatini title

Ricco – ejected from the Tour de France in 2008 after testing positive for CERA, a third-generation variant of EPO – sat back in the peloton as Alessandro Proni (Acqua & Sapone), Leonardo Pinizzotto (Miche), Davide Bonuccelli (CDC) and Federico Canutti (Colnago-CSF) made an early breakaway.

The quartet’s lead reached three minutes and 40 seconds, before being swept up inside the final 40km of the 199km race.

ISD-Neri’s Giovanni Visconti forced the pace as the finish-line neared, but the Italian champion’s recent exertions in Australia for the World Championships ultimately told, allowing Ricco – whose Modena home was raided by police just last week as part of a doping probe – to sprint clear for the win.

Androni’s Leonardo Bertagnolli finished behind Marcato in third place, with the fading Visconti back in fourth.

1. Riccardo Ricco (Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team) 4h50'00"

2. Marco Marcato (Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team)

3. Leonardo Bertagnolli (Androni Giocattoli)

4. Giovanni Visconti (ISD – Neri)

5. Staf Scheirlinkx (Omega Pharma Lotto)

6. Domenico Pozzovivo (Colnago - CSF Inox)

7. Davide Appollonio (Cervelo)

8. Alexandre Botcharov (Team Katusha)

9. Simone Stortoni (Colnago - CSF Inox)

10. Alessandro Bertolini (Androni Giocattoli)