Felline takes Coppi & Bartali opener in Gatteo

Settimana Internazionale Coppi e Bartali 2013

Androni-Venezuela rider attacks in final kilometre

Fabio Felline (Androni Giocattoli) soloed to victory in the opening stage of the Settimana Internazionale Coppi e Bartali after he attacked in the final kilometre and held off the peloton's charge to the line. Androni Giocattoli had another reason to celebrate as Felline's teammate Mattia Gavazzi took the sprint for second place one second later to secure the 1-2 finish, while UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling's Alessandro Bazzana rounded out the top three.

The morning's 99.5km outing (followed in the afternoon by an 11.2km team time trial) was dominated by a solo attack from Alessandro Mazzi (Utensilnord Ora24.eu). The 25-year-old Italian reached a maximum advantage of 5:12 after 44km of racing, but was swept up with 10km remaining in the stage with the chase being led by Androni Giocattoli and UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling.

For his efforts, Mazzi would receive the mountains classification jersey after he topped both of the day's KOMs in first place.

A sprint finish seemed inevitable, but Androni Giocattoli had multiple cards to play with Felline riding away inside the flamme rouge to take his first win of the season and the Settimana Internazionale Coppi e Bartali leader's jersey.

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Photo credit © Bettini