02 Oct 2022
Viviani wins Cro Race finale
Related riders
Elia Viviani
Cro Race - Stage 6 » Sveta Nedelja › Zagreb, 158km
Elia Viviani sprinted to victory on the final stage in Zagreb to make it a perfect finish to Cro Race.
The Italian capitalised on some brilliant work from his INEOS Grenadiers teammates to secure his second win of the season, while Brandon Rivera also wrapped up one of his career best results with sixth overall.
The Italian capitalised on some brilliant work from his INEOS Grenadiers teammates to secure his second win of the season, while Brandon Rivera also wrapped up one of his career best results with sixth overall.
A technical, narrow and cobbled finishing circuit lay ahead, with the team taking the race on from the front. Omar Fraile and Kim Heiduk hit the front over the late climb, positioning Viviani and Rivera well. Michal Kwiatkowski drove the pace into the final kilometres, before Fraile and Heiduk combined again for a perfect leadout for Viviani.
Heiduk and Rivera were able to cheer their teammate home with a great view, finishing eighth and ninth respectively. For Rivera is was a strong end to a consistent race, one of his best to date for the Grenadiers. Fraile was also able to elevate himself to 10th overall on the final day.
At the line bonus seconds allowed Matej Mohoric (Bahrain Victorious) to claim the overall victory.
At the line bonus seconds allowed Matej Mohoric (Bahrain Victorious) to claim the overall victory.
Reaction
- Elia Viviani
"Today we really committed for a bunch sprint. We looked this morning at last year’s stage and we were worried about some attacks in the last lap. We knew Mohoric needed to attack if he wanted to win the GC. Once on the circuit we knew if we got in front and we kept our position it was the best way to approach it. Then the guys did even better, after the climb we committed again and we did I think the best leadout of the year. It’s just my second win this year but when the win comes like that it’s thanks to the team absolutely.
- Elia Viviani
"Today we really committed for a bunch sprint. We looked this morning at last year’s stage and we were worried about some attacks in the last lap. We knew Mohoric needed to attack if he wanted to win the GC. Once on the circuit we knew if we got in front and we kept our position it was the best way to approach it. Then the guys did even better, after the climb we committed again and we did I think the best leadout of the year. It’s just my second win this year but when the win comes like that it’s thanks to the team absolutely.
"It means a lot. When you are a sprinter and you don’t win for a long time, the next win is always really important. I really hope to end the season in the best way possible and give some wins to my team."
