2012 Giro del Trentino, Stage 2

Damiano Cunego (Lampre-ISD) obtained his first victory of 2012 in winning the 2nd stage of Giro del Trentino, Mori-Sant'Orsola Terme, 152 km. Second and third in the uphill sprint finish were Betancur and Kreuziger.

There was a large slection made on the previous 1st category climb of Passo de Redebus (at 31 km to go) and the wet descent towards Pergine. In the head group were Lampre's Niemiec, Marzano, Scarponi and Cunego who was able to benefit from the support of his teammates on the final climb in Sant'Orsola Terme.

"I know my fitness is good, the team is strong and the course today was suitable for my characteristics," Cunego said. "I'm very happy to obtain the first victory of this season. This helps me to decrease the disappointment for the Cauberg crash (at Amstel Gold). Scarponi was generous with his help, he raised the speed in the last kilometer which helped me win."

The GC is still in BMC colors even though the jersey went from Taylor Phinney to Swiss Matthias Frank’s shoulders:
1 Mathias Frank (Swi) BMC Racing Team 4:15:23
2 Roman Kreuziger (Cze) Astana Pro Team 0:00:03
3 Carlos Alberto Betancur Gomez (Col) Acqua & Sapone 0:00:07
4 Marco Pinotti (Ita) BMC Racing Team 0:00:09
5 Damiano Cunego (Ita) Lampre - ISD 0:00:10
6 Francesco Reda (Ita) Acqua & Sapone 0:00:16
7 Eros Capecchi (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale 0:00:19
8 Miguel Angel Rubiano Chavez (Col) Androni Giocattoli 0:00:27
9 Bartosz Huzarski (Pol) Team NetApp 0:00:29
10 Michele Scarponi (Ita) Lampre - ISD 0:00:34

Highlights:


The most severe of Trentino’s climbs are still to come, Punta Veleno tomorrow and Passo Pordoi on Friday. And what does Cunego think of Punto Veleno? "I went to have a look at it, and it’s really dreadful, even harder than the Zoncolan."

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