Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d?Epargne) started the Tour of Lombardy on Saturday morning after his team decided against boycotting the race because of the organiser?s decision not to award Valverde the ProTour winner?s jersey after the finish.
After a team manager?s meeting on Friday Caisse d?Epargne said Valverde would not start but then changed their minds before the start to end the brinkmanship with race director Angelo Zomegnan.
"Valverde is supposed to fulfill his obligations to the Pro Tour while not picking up the expected benefits," the team complained. However Zomegnan was determined that the 100th edition of the Tour of Lombardy would not include the awarding on the ProTour jersey.
"There is no way we are going to agree to promoting the Pro Tour brand next to the Tour of Lombardy brand," Zomegnan said.
The Tour of Lombardy started as planned in Mendrisio at 10:25. Early attackers Diego Caccia (Barloworld) and Sven Krauss (Gerolsteiner) had a 13-minute lead after 80km of the 245km race.
More from the race later
Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
-
-
MADE Bike Show outgrows original venue; opens ticket sales
A new handmade bike show is coming to Portland, Oregon, this fall with 200+ builders and brands from the globe over displaying their goods.
-
From doubts to a first pro win: Mikkel Bjerg takes stage four and yellow jersey at Critérium du Dauphiné
Jonas Vingegaard most impressive of general classification contenders on hot day in the Loire
