Alessandro Covi succeeds Isaac del Toro in the Giro del Veneto's roll of honour. The rider from Varese with Jayco Alula celebrates his first victory with the Australian team at the conclusion of the 167 kilometres that today engaged the peloton from Verona to Vicenza: on the uphill finish at Monte Berico, the 28-year-old Italian launched his sprint approximately 200 metres from the line and managed to leave behind Danish rider Anthon Charmig (Uno X) and Frenchman Benoît Cosnefroy (UAE). Among the best performers of the day were also Christian Scaroni (XDS Astana Team), Alessandro Fancellu (MBH Bank CSB Telecom Fort), Ludovico Crescioli (Team Polti VisitMalta) and Simone Velasco (XDS Astana Team) who finished the race in fifth, sixth, ninth and tenth place respectively.

THE RACE. After approximately thirty kilometres from the start in Verona, the first breakaway of the day was formed, initiated by eight riders: Tommaso Nencini (Solution Tech NIPPO Rali), Francesco Carollo (Swatt Club), Giacomo Garavaglia (Swatt Club), Kevin Pezzo Rosola (General Store - Essegibi - F.Lli Curia), Thomas Rossetti (General Store - Essegibi - F.Lli Curia), Leonardo Volpato (Campana Imballagi - Morbiato - Trentino), Riccardo Lorello (S.C. Padovani Polo Cherry Bank) and Andrea Scarso (S.C. Padovani Polo Cherry Bank).

The advantage of the breakaway riders increased very quickly, reaching over two minutes. When approximately ninety kilometres remained to the finish, Andrea Scarso lost the wheel of his breakaway companions and therefore seven riders continued to lead the race.

At the first passage through the finish zone, the breakaway riders were timed at 2'10" ahead of the peloton. Then, thanks to the work of Filippo Baroncini and his UAE Team Emirates – XRG teammates, the gap was reduced.

The situation changed pedal stroke by pedal stroke, and at approximately fifty kilometres from the finish, the leading group consisted of Francesco Carollo (Swatt Club), Giacomo Garavaglia (Swatt Club), Thomas Rossetti (General Store - Essegibi - F.Lli Curia), Leonardo Volpato (Campana Imballagi - Morbiato - Trentino) and Riccardo Lorello (S.C. Padovani Polo Cherry Bank).

Just before entering the final forty kilometres, the peloton regrouped under the pressure of UAE. On the descent, Andrea Pietrobon (Team Polti VisitMalta) took courage and launched himself into a solo attack, gaining approximately ten seconds advantage over his pursuers.

Two laps from the finish, the Emirati team, with world champion Brandon McNulty, regrouped the peloton once again, but the real selection came at the bell: world champion Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates - XRG) attacked together with Jonas Abrahamsen (Uno-X Mobility), Christian Scaroni (XDS Astana Team) and Fabio Christen (Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team), but failed to make the difference. Shortly after, with a new acceleration, Christen and Marc Hirschi (Tudor Pro Cycling Team) gained an advantage and led the race until six kilometres remained to the finish.

Once the Swiss duo was caught, the group of contenders remained compact and the teams of the race favourites battled for positions. At the red triangle marking the final kilometre, Benoît Cosnefroy (UAE Team Emirates - XRG) made his move, but the decisive attack came from Alessandro Covi, who was thus able to celebrate victory.

FINISHING ORDER

1 COVI Alessandro Team Jayco AlUla 03:35:52

2 CHARMIG Anthon Uno-X Mobility ,,

3 COSNEFROY Benoît UAE Team Emirates - XRG ,,

4 CHRISTEN Fabio Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team ,,

5 SCARONI Christian XDS Astana Team ,,

6 FANCELLU Alessandro MBH Bank CSB Telecom Fort ,,

7 ADRIÀ Roger Movistar Team ,,

8 IZQUIERDO Clément Cofidis ,,

9 CRESCIOLI Ludovico Team Polti VisitMalta ,,

10 VELASCO Simone XDS Astana Team ,,