Ridolfo 13th on final stage at Giro di Sardegna

Team Novo Nordisk closed out the Giro di Sardegna with Italian rouleur Filippo Ridolfo in 13th place on the final stage, securing the best result of the week for the world’s first all diabetes pro cycling team.

Five days of challenging, scenic and ultimately fulfilling racing ended with 177km from Nuoro to the historic port of Olbia in the north close to where the race had started.

As had been the case on more than one occasion this week, the breakaway didn’t form as expected with only one rider eventually getting away over the false flats of the early kilometers. Gaining up to six minutes over the peloton as the pace eased and the focus shifted to the eventual sprint.

“Once the race situation had settled early on, I think most teams relaxed a little,” said Ridolfo. “There was definitely some tired legs after yesterday and with today’s profile there was never going to be a big challenge to shake up the GC. So a small break that was easy to control suited everyone.”

The first pass of Olbia took the race out of town around the Golfo di Aranci before heading back for the finish. The catch was made easily of the lone leader and despite some half-hearted late attacks, the anticipated sprint finale unfolded with Ridolfo in 13th. 

“We were well placed in the run-in,” continued Ridolfo. “But lost a few positions on the penultimate roundabout and spent some energy getting back in position before the last push.”

“There’s some fast guys here and for sure it would have been nice to be in the top ten, but we did well without an out-and-out sprinter and we can look ahead to Taiwan and Milano-Sanremo now.”