It was a positive day on two fronts for Bardiani-CSF 7 Saber, highlighted by Marco Manenti’s second place at the Rhodes Grand Prix, the first professional podium of his career.

The Greek race was decided in a sprint from a reduced group, where the young Italian came close to victory, finishing just behind local rider Nikiforos Arvanitou. For the team directed by Luca Amoriello, it was also a solid collective performance with Mattia Pinazzi 8th and Luca Colnaghi 9th, both finishing inside the top-10.

Marco Manenti: “I’m really happy with this result. It’s my first podium as a professional and finishing so close to the win gives me a lot of confidence for the next races.”

Marco Manenti: “The team worked very well throughout the race and in the finale I was able to play my cards. It’s a great way to start the season.”

Earlier in the day, Martin Marcellusi was among the protagonists at Strade Bianche. The rider from Rome joined the breakaway of the day, which formed after around 30 km of racing and included nine riders. The group was eventually caught by the peloton at the entrance of the Monte Sante Marie sector, after spending a long part of the race at the front.

Ordine d’arrivo – Rhodes Grand Prix:
1.Nikiforos Arvanitou (Team United Shipping) – 3:53:15
2. Marco Manenti (Bardiani-CSF 7 Saber) s.t.
3. Silas Koech (Team Lotto-Kern Haus Outlet Montabaur) s.t.
4. Alessio Delle Vedove (XDS Astana Development Team) s.t.
5. Valentino Kamberaj (Team Skyline) s.t.
6. Adrian Stieger (Schwingshandl Intralogistics) s.t.
7. Gustav Basson (Tshenolo Pro Cycling Team) s.t.
8. Mattia Pinazzi (Bardiani-CSF 7 Saber) s.t.
9. Luca Colnaghi (Bardiani-CSF 7 Saber) s.t.
10.Mattia Sambinello (Hagens Berman Jayco) s.t.