Coppa Bernocchi - GP Banco BPM
Sprint sprint sprint...probably
Yesterday’s race, Agostoni, was due north of Milan; Bernocchi is dues west of Agostoni or northwest of Milan. This cat 4 race is the Italian Fall Classic Most Likely To End In A Bunch Sprint. Hey-somebody’s gotta do it.
Legnano, the start and finishing town, is a good 30 km south of the main circuit and that circuit has basically one pretty small climb which the riders do seven times. Then it’s back to Legnano, slightly downhill all the way with a probable tailwind to speed the riders along until the flat finish. Easy! Even Jens could do it.
There have been a few editions where the break stayed away so there is some suspence there. But look at the starlist here: https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/coppa-bernocchi/2024/startlist
Jeez. It would be nice to see a full startlist, right? Maybe the next race will do the trick. Anyway, most teams tend to back a sprinter thus lessening the chance for a winning break. On the other hand, most of the A-list sprinters are not here and the way that UAE has been bossing these races it wouldn’t surprise me if one of Hirschi, Fisher-Black, Sivakov, Wellens, etc. busts the race open. We’ll see-with the possibility that the finale will be rained on.
Jens’ Italian curse/pick of the day: Screw UAE! Its Axel Zingle’s time to shine.
Pictured- Zingle gazing at VLab’s bus.