Gianni Moscon makes winning return to racing with victory at Coppa Agostoni
The Italian returned from a five-week ban at the Italian one-day race, winning from the breakaway
Gianni Moscon (Team Sky) marked his return to racing in style after taking victory from the breakaway at the one-day Italian race the Coppa Agostoni on Saturday.
The Italian made his racing return from a five-week ban he received for attempting to punch French rider Elie Gesbert (Fortuneo-Samsic) at the 2018 Tour de France in July.
The 24-year-old broke clear of the peloton within the final 60km of the race in northern Italy, catching the day's main breakaway out front and grouping together with Damiano Caruso (Italy) and Angel Madrazo (Delko Marseille).
Rein Taaramäe (Direct Energie) was able to bridge across from a chasing group and went clear with Moscon, with the pair reaching the final kilometre together.
There was nothing the Estonian could do in the final sprint however, and was comfortably beaten by Moscon on his return to to racing.
The Coppa Agostoni also marked debuts for three Team Sky riders. Ethan Hayter and Mark Donovan both took part in their first race as stagiaires with the team, while Irishman Eddie Dunbar also competed in Sky colours for the first time after signing a mid-season contract with the team.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Sport director Dario Cioni said on the race to TeamSky.com: "It was a hard race and also a long way from the local circuit to the finish line. This was a challenge, but Gianni was very motivated to work and he's done a lot of training up on the Stelvio. Obviously today he also wanted to show to the Italian team ahead of the World Championships that he is ready to race.
"He did a ride very similar to what Egan (Bernal) did last year and we decided to take it on. Mark Donovan was pulling early on, and then Eddie and (Michal) Golas took it up before the last two climbs. That is where Gianni went and he managed to get away. It was a long way with a small gap, but we know he is a good time triallist so we were confident that he could hold on.
"When Taaramäe came across that was a good thing and that helped a lot for the last 10km. Gianni played it really smart at the finish. He put himself in the best position and started the last kilometre on the wheel. He was very smart."
Results
Coppa Agostoni 2018 (199.9km)
1. Gianni Moscon (Ita) Team Sky
2. Rein Taaramäe (Est) Direct Energie
3. Enrico Gasparotto (Ita) Bahrain-Merida
Thank you for reading 20 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
Follow on Twitter: @richwindy
Richard is digital editor of Cycling Weekly. Joining the team in 2013, Richard became editor of the website in 2014 and coordinates site content and strategy, leading the news team in coverage of the world's biggest races and working with the tech editor to deliver comprehensive buying guides, reviews, and the latest product news.
An occasional racer, Richard spends most of his time preparing for long-distance touring rides these days, or getting out to the Surrey Hills on the weekend on his Specialized Tarmac SL6 (with an obligatory pub stop of course).
-
Collapsed lung, concussion and multiple fractures: Fundraiser set up for first ever Tour de France Féminin winner following crash
Marianne Martin crashed earlier in October and is looking to raise $20,000 to help her get back on her feet
By Adam Becket Published
-
Gravel riders - get ready, set, register! A guide to 2025's biggest gravel events and key registration dates
Here are the registration dates for gravel’s biggest events around the globe
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
'I can help get the team back to where it was' - 20-year-old Artem Shmidt looks to the future after Ineos Grenadiers' disappointing season
Shmidt hoping to help revitalise team backed by Jim Ratcliffe after season of woes and as star rider Tom Pidcock gets set to move on
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I don’t think the people around Tom help' - Geraint Thomas on the Tom Pidcock and Ineos Grenadiers situation
Pidcock was "deselected" from Il Lombardia on Saturday, with the rider taking to Instagram to discuss decision
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tom Pidcock 'deselected' from Ineos Grenadiers squad for Il Lombardia
British rider says 'I guess off season starts early' in Instagram post
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers have had their worst season ever, and the woes appear not to be over. What’s next for the super-team of a bygone era?
With Tom Pidcock possibly off to Q36.5 and Luke Rowe leaving, the news is not quiet around the British WorldTour squad
By Adam Becket Published
-
Remco Evenepoel puts transfer speculation to bed ahead of World Championships road race
'I'll stay where I am' says Double Olympic champion as he confirms he will remain at Soudal Quick-Step next season
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'You can't sugarcoat it' - Luke Rowe says Ineos Grenadiers are 'underperforming'
British squad's experienced road captain believes his team has been "overtaken" by others
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Steve Cummings replaced by Tom Pidcock's coach in Tour of Britain management team shake-up at Ineos Grenadiers
Cummings was on the provisional start list submitted to the race organiser, but was replaced by Kurt Bogaerts
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Dan Bigham becomes Head of Engineering at Red Bull-Bora Hansgrohe after leaving Ineos Grenadiers
After winning a silver medal at the Paris Olympics, Bigham then left his role at Ineos due to his frustrations with the setup currently in place at the team
By Tom Thewlis Published