The 36th Giro del Trentino was pure climbers’ stuff. Colombian Darwin Atapuma scored a wonderful solo win on the Passo Pordoi in light snowy conditions, capping the first success of new Claudio Corti’s ambitious outfit Colombia Coldeportes. Domenico Pozzovivo (Colnago-CSF), yesterday’s winner atop Punta Veleno, brilliantly dealt with his opponents’ attacks, making himself a very worthy overall winner of one of the hardest and most spectacular editions ever.

Along with the short-sized rider from Basilicata, Southern Italy, Damiano Cunego (Lampre) and Polish Sylvester Szmyd (Liquigas) stepped on the podium after battling up to the final line, even though it was Atapuma to distance everyone with a strong attack with 400 metres to go, edging fellow countryman Carlos Betancur (Acqua&Sapone) and Pozzovivo himself in the day’s classification.”

“I grew up following Herrera’s great wins at the Tour de France, and it’s a dream to win on such a climb. I can guess how happy they are in Colombia right now…  I came from a farmers’ family, so I know what fatigue is about… It’s an amazing result, as it’s also the first ever for my team, and I want to dedicate it to our manager Claudio Corti, because he made this great project possible.”

Pozzovivo just held his opponents under control to defend his overall leadership with authority. “It was very cold, for sure – Domenico explained – but legs were good so I knew I wasn’t going to blow this chance. It’s a great win for me, and also brings our team to a higher level as a whole. Colnago-CSF’s outfit is young but very ambitious, we showed we can hold our own even in team time trials, and we got a very strong sprinter like Modolo. I am sure we are a very strong team, and this win will help us to increase our confidence.”

More good news from Giro del Trentino came for Damiano Cunego, overall second 40” behind Pozzovivo and looking in excellent shape: next on are Liege – with strong ambitions – and the Giro. Despite being heavily distanced, Ivan Basso showed signs of progression day after day. Josè Rujano performed well too, while Roman Kreuziger’s effort was slightly under the early expectations. The biggest disappointment came from last year’s winner Michele Scaproni and by Danilo Di Luca, who never looked able to compete with the strongest men in the race.

Results: 1) Atapuma Darwin (Colombia-Coldeportes) 177 km in 4:37'03”, average speed 38,332 km/h;  2) Betancur Carlos Alberto (Acqua & Sapone) +0:03;  3) Pozzovivo Domenico (Colnago CSF) +0:06; 4) Szmyd Sylvester (Liquigas Cannondale) +0:17;  5) Cunego Damiano (Lampre ISD) +0:17;  6) Rujano José (Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela) +0:21  7. Dupont Hubert (AG2R La Mondiale) +0:30; 8) Seeldraeyers Kevin (Astana Pro Team) +1:06;  9) Rubiano Miguel (Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela) +1:20;  10. Rolland Pierre (Europcar) +1:27.

General classification: 1) Pozzovivo Domenico (Colnago CSF), km 506,60 in 12:57'47, average speed 39.069 km/h;  2) Cunego Damiano (Lampre ISD) +0:40;  3) Szmyd Sylvester (Liquigas Cannondale) +1:04; 4) Betancur Carlos Alberto (Acqua & Sapone) +1:42;  5) Rujano José (Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela) +2:07;  6) Kreuziger Roman (Astana Pro Team) +2:33;  7) Dupont Hubert (AG2R La Mondiale) + 2:34;  8) Atapuma Darwin (Colombia-Coldeportes) +3:55;  9. Pinotti Marco (BMC Racing Team)  +4:01;  10) Frank Mathias (BMC Racing Team) +4:05.