13/03/2024

Brilliant Alberto Bettiol holds off chase to take Milano - Torino with stunning 30km solo

The brilliant Alberto Bettiol has taken the win at the 105th edition of Milano - Torino with a stunning 30km solo, narrowly holding off a frantic chase.

The oldest classic in professional cycling, Milano - Torino is a race with a long and storied history. Hoping to spring a surprise and add their name to the illustrious winner's list via the breakaway were Marco Murgano, Marcel Camprubí and Mattéo Vercher.

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One of the pre-race favourites, Mark Cavendish was then forced to abandon the race having been suffering will illness as he mentioned in his interview at the start.

With just over 35km to go, the break was swallowed up by the bunch.

On the penultimate climb, UAE Team Emirates, who started the race without a recognised sprinter started upping the pace at the front of the peloton with numerous quick-men dropping out the back of the bunch.

The pace wasn't quick enough for Alberto Bettiol though as the Italian launched clear like he was sprinting for the finish line. At the top of the climb, there was clear distance between Bettiol and the chase group at 24 seconds.

At the start of the final climb, Bettiol's lead had extended to 41 seconds and the EF Education-EasyPost rider was dreaming of a famous win.

With Bob Jungels leading the chase behind, Bettiol's lead had been cut to just 15 seconds at the top of the final climb with 17km to go.

Marc Hirschi was the fancied UAE Team Emirates man in the group behind but the Swiss was clearly having issues and as the camera cut to him he was seen with a very bloody nose.

Sadly for Bettiol, it wasn't looking good. With 5km to go he was in sight of the chasers, just 9 seconds up the road.

The Italian was refusing to give up though, fighting with all his will to keep himself ahead and actually extending his advantage to 11 seconds with 3km to go.

With the chase behind stalling and riders attacking instead of working together, Bettiol was still the leader as they went under the Flamme Rouge.

UAE Team Emirates' Jan Christen launched a big attack from the chase group, breaking free but he couldn't quite catch Alberto Bettiol who won in style. Christen held on for second with a sprint for third from the bunch behind.