FINAL CURTAIN ON 2016 SEASPN
On Saturday, at Il Lombardia, Bardiani-CSF has definitely closed 2016 season, fourth of #GreenTeam project. Started on February 3 at Volta Valenciana, the guys led by Bruno and Roberto Reverberi, Stefano Zanatta and coach Claudio Cucinotta raced for 131 days shared in 45 competitions.
Thirteen is the number of the victories, sealed by the first Italian Cup for teams (765 points, second place for Wilieri-Southeast with 612 and third Androni-Sidermec with 604) and Italian Cup for riders won, for third year on a row, by Sonny Colbrelli (326 points, second Gavazzi with 267 and third Ulissi with 214). Thanks to the thirteen successes, Bardiani-CSF has equalled the team record of 2014 season. Ten have been the podiums (seven times second, three third) and 58 the top ten placements.
Sonny Colbrelli has been the best performer of the team with seven wins, its personal record in a season – GP of Lugano, two stages at Tour du Limousin, one stage at Poitou Charantes, Coppa Agostoni, Coppa Sabatini and Tre Valli Varesine. Three wins for sprinter Nicola Ruffoni, with two stages at Tour of Austria and GP Beghelli. One success for Giulio Ciccone, protagonist of a great challenge during stage 10 of Giro d’Italia, Stefano Pirazzi, who won queen stage at Settimana Coppi & Bartali, and Simone Sterbini, who took a solo win at Tour of Austria.
Besides the victories, Bardiani-CSF presented bold performances all along the seasona and, in particular, thanks to Colbrelli, at Amstel Gold Race, where reached third place, and Milano-Sanremo, ninth. Sonny has been protagonist also with Italian National team at European Champ two weeks ago while on October 16 he will be one of the Azzurri’s key riders at World Champ in Qatar.
For the next two months Bardiani-CSF riders will have a deserved period of rest and active recovery, waiting for the first team camp. During next days the team will make official the final 2017 roster which will includes new signing Vincenzo Albanese, Luca Wackermann, Marco Maronese and Niccolò Pacinotti.