Team Flaminia has dominated the second stage of the Coppi Bartali over night with Italian star Ricardo Ricco showing that even with 18 months out of competition he still can make a bike race rivetingly exciting and take it to the competition with attacks that can only be described as Pantani-esque. A race previously won by Daminano Cunego in 2009 and Cadel Evans in 2008 has tough climbing and is usually won by the most aggressive rider thus suited to a climber like Ricco.

The team displayed supreme power at the head of the peloton with their BIANCHI 928 SL ISAP clearly governing the pace and at the start of the penultimate climb it was Team Flaminia who turned the screws and exploded the bunch to pieces. As the climb got harder it was time for the Ricco Show and he attacked with confidence. See pics attached of just how aggressive his move was assisted only by the pure perfection of his Bianchi frame! The attack was far too strong for the crème of the peloton to go with him and he rode away.

Angered by not getting an invite to the Giro the team still rode strong back in the lead group, while Ricco kept the pressure on displaying fierce climbing ability. A small bunch of climbers got together and slowly worked hard together to pull Ricco back leaving a bunch of 6 riders to battle out the sprint. Ricco finished 3^rd in the sprint and his disappointment of not winning for the team and to show the world he is back was clear to see as he crossed the line.

Despite this Ricco and the teams display was dominant and they will have their chance again on Thursday when the stage heads to the Apennines hills near Modena for what is considered the toughest. It’s185.3km long and covers several loops around the village of Pavullo, with the climb of Valico del Barigazzo likely to split the peloton before a steep climb up to the finish where again we hope to see Celeste machines destroying the competition!

The Flaminia kit is awesome and its available through all Bianchi and Santini Stockist NOW!

Passione Celeste