Good performance by Cimolai and Modolo in Gand-Wevelgem (233 km), but their aims for a top result vanished at only 150 meters to the arrival, when the sprint for the victory had been just begun.
LAMPRE-MERIDA’s two riders could come back in the head group after that the bunch had been stretched by the last passage on Kemmelberg (40 km to go), avoiding also some crashes that knocked out from the race some favourites (for example, Greipel and Farrar).
In the sprint, the efforts influenced Modolo’s action, who had exploited Cimolai’s work as pilot fish.
Modolo was 25th, Degenkolb obtained the victory preceding Demare.
A crash in the middle of the bunch in the approach of Kemmelberg forced Pozzato, Favilli and Richeze to give up their aims for a good result.
With more morale LAMPRE-MERIDA is ready to race Three Days of De Panne (1-3 April). In the selection there will be Bonifazio, Cimolai (photo Bettini archive), Dodi, Favilli, Modolo, Palini and Richeze.
RACE RESULTS
1-Degenkolb 5h34’37″
2- Demare s.t.
3- Sagan s.t.
4- Vanmarcke s.t.
25- Modolo s.t., 30- Cimolai 6″, 119- Palini 8’11″, 128- Favilli 8’11″, 141- Modolo 13’04″