Dutchman Robert Gesink made up for his Tour of Spain disappointment by winning the 100th edition of the Tour of Emilia on Saturday.

The Rabobank rider beat Denmark’s Jakob Fuglsang and Swede Thomas Lovkvist in a sprint finish after 198.2km and five ascents of the San Luca climb.

Australia’s new world champion Cadel Evans finished fourth ahead of Kazakhstan’s Alexander Vinokourov.
It was Geesink’s first win since a crash forced him out of Vuelta contention last month.

Fuglsang attacked and was joined by Geesink, Lovkvist and Vinokourov, the four opening up a 10 second lead by the top of the fourth climb of San Luca.

The Dane attacked again before the final ascent but Vinokourov led his fellow chasers back up to the Dane, an effort he paid for in the final ramps of the San Luca as the other three pulled away from him.

Leading results of the Tour of Emilia on
Saturday:

1. Robert Gesink (NED) Rabobank 4hr 49min 31sec (average of 41.240 km/h),
2. Jakob Fuglsang (DEN) same time, 3. Thomas Lovkvist (SWE) s.t., 4. Cadel Evans (AUS) at 25sec, 5. Alexandre Vinokourov (KAZ) at 31, 6. Fredrik Kessiakoff (SWE) at 35, 7. Alexandr Kolobnev (RUS) at 43, 8. Chris Sorensen
(DEN) at 45, 9. Alberto Fernandez (ESP) at 46, 10. Paolo Tiralongo (ITA) at 53

Photo by: CorVos Pro