The Italian Classics campaign continued this Monday, with the Bernocchi Cup around the town of Legnano. And, at the end of a crazy scenario, it’s Stan Van Tricht who imposed himself! Member of the morning breakaway, the Belgian of the formation Alpecin-Deceuninck was taken over by a group of attackers, before aligning them in a sprint… his first professional victory! The French Alex Baudin (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale) and the Spanish Roger Adria (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe) went for 2nd and 3rd places. The peloton, where the majority of favorites were located, including Remco Evenepoelarrived almost 1’30” late.
Video – The Bernocchi Cup 2024 with the 1st of… Stan Van Tricht!
The detailed summary
From the first kilometers, the attacks come. After a battle lasting a few dozen minutes, five men managed to escape in the presence of Bart Lemmen (Visma | Lease a Bike), Stan Van Tricht (Alpecin-Deceuninck), Alessandro Pinarello (VF Group-Bardiani CSF-Faizanè), Anthony Perez (Cofidis) and Pierre Latour (TotalEnergies). Behind is the training Soudal Quick-Step of Remco Evenepoel who controls. The gap goes up to 4’30”.
But the race really begins 80 kilometers from the finish, on the 4th ascent of Piccolo Stelvio (1.6km at 6.2%), with an attack from Remco Evenepoelfollowed by Marc Hirschi, Pavel Sivakov (UAE Team Emirates) and his teammate Mauri Vansevenant (Soudal Quick-Step). But it rolls behind and ends up going in, while Perez et Latour are distanced from the escape. And a counter is formed again with Roger Adria (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe), Alex Baudin (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale), Neilson Powless (EF Education-EasyPost) and more Pavel Sivakov (UAE Team Emirates). This group gets closer to the head of the race and digs into what remains of the peloton, where no longer appears Primoz Roglic (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe), which abandoned.
A suspenseful finale
In the last ascent of Piccolo Stelvio, Bart Lemmen pushes forward and pulls away Van Tricht et Pinarellowho are caught by the pursuing group. The Dutchman is 30 seconds ahead of this counter and more than two minutes ahead of a peloton of around fifty elements. Problem, there are now 30 kilometers of plain and long straight lines to cover for the runner of the Visma | Lease a Bike. The peloton is beaten, while the group of six pursuers get along well and gradually return to My lovewho resists as best he can. 5 kilometers from the finish, the Dutchman still has a lead of 10 seconds, anything is possible. But it’s cruel for My lovewho is caught under the red flame. Pavel SivakovThen Neilson Powlesstry to anticipate, but they are given no room for maneuver. Victory will therefore be decided in a sprint. Stan Van Tricht is the first to throw. Roger Adria et Alex Baudin are well placed in his wheel, but the Belgian is too strong and imposes himself on this 105th edition of the Bernocchi Cupby getting ahead Baudin (2nd) and Adria (3rd). The unfortunate Bart Lemmen takes him 5th place, behind Powless (4th) just ahead Sivakov (6th). The peloton, where the majority of favorites were located, including Remco Evenepoelarrived almost 1’30” late.
