The two riders were both determined to win, and one of them did after making sure he wasn't pushed around in the sprint; sort of....
Sprint to win Italian Gran Fondo goes badly wrong
One of the most awkward two-up sprints you’re likely to see ended in disaster for both riders at the finish of an Italian Gran Fondo yesterday.
It appeared one of the riders was destined to win, until he eased off the pressure and let his rival back in.
Clearly both of them desperately wanted to win the event; La Granfondo dei due Santuari del Fermano-Memorial Dante Montanin.
But that determination went awry and they took each other out. Both crashed across the line, though were at least confirmed as 1st and 2nd after a woeful sprint.
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The riders in question, Damiano Trivarelli (Team Levante) and Stefano Zoppi (Cicli Copparo), had emerged on the final climb at the front of the event which had 443 starters.
The 129km course took the huge field up several climbs including the Corva ascent just before the finish in Porto Sant'Elpidio.
With the field having split to pieces, the two riders out front battled for victory.
After a lot of adjudication after the finish incident, Trivarelli was awarded the win after four hours of racing.
He’s the rider on your right, as you look at the video below; wearing the orange jersey.
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