Nizzolo powers to Italian championship victory

Giacomo Nizzolo may have a knack for narrowly missing out on Giro d’Italia stage wins, but the Trek – Segafredo rider had no trouble taking a convincing victory in Sunday’s Italian national championships.

Towards the end of a 228-kilometer race, the 27-year-old initiated a move of five riders on the final climb of the day that managed to gap the rest of the field. When Gianluca Brambilla (Etixx – Quick-Step) attacked on the ensuing descent, Nizzolo jumped onto his wheel, and the pair rode the final kilometer together to set up a sprint for the title. Nizzolo was the clear winner ahead of Brambilla.

Filippo Pozzato (Willier – Southeast) nabbed third.

“Today the race was crazy, I had a lot of friends here cheering for me,” Nizzolo said. “I have to give a big thanks to the guys, they did a super job for me today. At the beginning I didn’t feel good, but at the end I was really motivated on the final climb.”