Primož Roglič takes chaotic Tre Valli Varesine 2019 after chase group led wrong way on course
A disastrous moment saw the chasers taken the wrong direction at a roundabout by the race motorbike
Primož Roglič powered away from an elite group in the final kilometre of Tre Valli Varesine 2019 to take another late-season victory.
The Slovenian Vuelta a España winner took the honours, despite a chaotic race that saw the chasing group taken the wrong way on the course by a race motorbike just over 10km from the line.
But the race wasn't decided by the mishap however, as Roglič and a large group of hitters entered the final kilometre and caught a solo Luis León Sánchez (Astana). Roglič (Jumbo-Visma) then powered away from the group in the final 600 metres as no one was willing to follow, comfortably finishing ahead of Giovanni Visconti (Neri Sottoli-Selle Italia-KTM) in second and Toms Skujinš (Trek-Segafredo) third, following up on his 2018 victory.
The victory is Roglič's second Italian one-day win in a week after the Giro dell'Emilia and only his second ever win in a one-day race.
How it happened
The 2019 edition of Tre Valli Varesine was fought over a 197.8km course from Saronno to Varese in Italy’s northern Lombardy region.
Riders faced a fairly mellow opening section before climbing at 75km then heading onto a shorter 13km circuit for five laps, and then two laps of a longer 25km loop that closed out the race, culminating in a sharp uphill finish.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
An early breakaway of four riders set off up the road early in the day, consisting of Michael Gogl (Trek-Segafredo), Davide Ballerini (Astana), José Herrada (Cofidis) and Umberto Marengo (Nero Sottoli-Selle Italia-KTM).
After building up a narrow advantage that never extended beyond 90 seconds, the breakaway began to fall apart inside 50km, with only Gogl and Ballerini remaining, before the were both caught with less than 40km to race.
Attacks for the victory then came thick and fast, as David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ) launched first, followed by George Bennett (Jumbo-Visma), which helped form an elite group of around 15 riders at the front, including Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain-Merida) Alejandro Valverde (Movistar), Dan Martin (UAE Team Emirates), Michael Woods (EF Education First), Davide Formolo (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Eddie Dunbar (Team Ineos).
The group rode as a unit and pulled out a 28-second advantage over the chasing peloton, when Luis León Sánchez (Astana) attacked from the front group with 22km to race.
Chaos then unfolded with around 13km to the line, as the chasing group appeared to be led the wrong way at a roundabout by a race motorbike and were forced to stop, turn around and retrace their steps to get back on the course.
Sánchez was able to extend his lead to 42 seconds amid the upheaval.
>>> Julian Alaphilippe ends season and skips Il Lombardia
But despite the disruption, the chasing group quickly began to close in on Sánchez and with 1km he had less than 10 seconds to spare.
Gianni Moscon (Team Ineos) launched a huge attack that reeled in Sánchez, but it was Roglič who countered almost immediately and pulled clear of his rivals.
There was no chase as Roglič time trialled his way to the line, with time to sit up and raise both hands at the line.
Results
Tre Valli Varesine 2019: Saronno to Varese (197.8km):
1. Primož Roglič (Slo) Jumbo-Visma, in 4-40-46
2. Giovanni Visconti (Ita) Neri Sottoli-Selle Italia-KTM, at 3 seconds
3. Toms Skujinš (Lat) Trek-Segafredo
4. Andrea Vendrame (Ita) Andron Giocattoli-Sidermec
5. Sergio Higuita (Col) EF Education First
6. Tiesj Benoot (Bel) Lotto-Soudal
7. Kristian Sbaragli (Ita) Israel Cycling Academy
8. Tao Geoghegan Hart (GBr) Team Ineos
9. Damiano Caruso (Ita) Bahrain-Merida
10. Tim Wellens (Bel) Lotto-Soudal, all at same time
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
Alex Ballinger is editor of BikeBiz magazine, the leading publication for the UK cycle industry, and is the former digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter, then as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output, and now as the editor of BikeBiz. Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) Alex covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers. Away from the desk, Alex can be found racing time trials, riding BMX and mountain bikes, or exploring off-road on his gravel bike. He’s also an avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
-
At just 5.5kg for under £1,000, Harley Widdowson's Scott CR1 Team hill climb special proves you can save the pennies and the pounds
Weighing just 5.5kg, and costing less than a grand, light and cheap can co-exist if you know where to look
By Luke Friend Published
-
The land of legends: Riding on Tadej Pogačar's home roads
As part of our New Worlds issue in Travel Month, Chris Marshall Bell travelled to Slovenia to find out why it produces so many WorldTour riders per head of population.
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
Cian Uijtdebroeks turns up to Jumbo-Visma training camp in black kit
The 20-year-old, at the centre of Bora-Hansgrohe v Jumbo-Visma storm, headed out on a ride with his new teammates
By Adam Becket Published
-
Jumbo-Visma's Michel Hessman facing lengthy doping ban
German rider previously suspended by Jumbo-Visma after positive anti-doping test
By Cycling Weekly Published
-
Wout van Aert to target Giro d'Italia general classification in 2024
Belgian will target top five finish at Italian Grand Tour as leader of Jumbo-Visma, according to reports
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers and Jumbo-Visma among teams working on new pro racing league
According to Reuters, around five teams are in the early talks for a new competition
By Adam Becket Published
-
Merger between Jumbo-Visma and Soudal Quick-Step is off, reports
The new super-team is apparently now not happening, according to the Belgian press
By Adam Becket Published
-
Primož Roglič joins Bora-Hansgrohe from Jumbo-Visma
'He's one of the best riders in the world' Bora boss Ralph Denk on German team's 'inspirational' new signing
By Tom Thewlis Last updated
-