Alejandro Valverde just holds off the peloton to take the win in Rome
Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) just held off the peloton to win Roma Maxima by a slim margin in Italy on Sunday.
Valverde and Domenico Pozzovivo (Ag2r) had led the bunch in the closing kilometres of the race, but it was touch and go as to whether the duo would survive to the finish. Pozzovivo faded, but Valverde moved to the left of the rough, cobbled finish and just held on for the win.
Davide Appollonio (Ag2r) led the peloton home one second after Valverde, with Sonny Colbrelli (Bardiani) in third.
It’s Valverde’s second podium appearance of the weekend, after placing third in Saturday’s Strade Bianche.
Results
Roma Maxima 2014, 195km
1. Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Movistar in 4-45-45
2. Davide Appollonio (Ita) Ag2r at 1 sec
3. Sonny Colbrelli (Ita) Bardiani
4. Antonio Parrinello (Ita) Androni Giocattoli
5. Domenico Pozzovivo (Ita) Ag2r
6. Alessandro Bazzana (Ita) UnitedHealthcare
7. Jarlinson Pantano (Col) Colombia
8. Philippe Gilbert (Bel) BMC Racing
9. Simon Geschke (Ger) Giant-Shimano
10. Mauro Finaetto (Ita) Yellow Fluo all same time
Davide Appollonio, Alejandro Valverde and Sonny Colbrelli on the podium after the 2014 Roma Maxima
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