October 9/19 14:37 pm - Mike Woods Wins Milano-Torino

Posted by Editoress on 10/9/19
 

Canada's Mike Woods (EF Education First) won the first major one day race of his professional career on Wednesday; the 100th edition of the Milano-Torino.  The 179 kilometre race is the traditional lead-in to Il Lombardia, the final WorldTour monument race of the season, which will take place on Saturday.  Three years ago, Woods finished second at Milano-Torino.

The race was held in wet and cool conditions, and finished with two ascents of the Superga climb, and on the second time up there were only six riders still in contention - Woods, Alejandro Valverde (Movistar), Adam Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) , Tiesj Benoot (Lotto Soudal), David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ) and Egan Bernal (Ineos).

Woods initiated the final selection with four kilometres to go, and was first joined by Gaudu, and then the others.  Woods attacked again just inside the final two kilometres, and again in the last 500 metres.  Valverde was the only one to stay on his wheel, but the Spaniard could not come round and finished a few bike lengths behind, with Yates taking third.

"I was questioning whether or not I should go hard," said Woods, "considering the weather conditions and Il Lombardia being a big goal of mine on Saturday, but at the same time, the finish suited me so well that it was hard to pass on the opportunity to go for the win today. I knew I was on a really good day; this climb favours somebody who attacks and is really offensive. That was the way to put everyone else under pressure and try to discourage them, and I think it really worked out. After what I achieved here, I'll be considered a favourite for Il Lombardia, but I haven't made the top-10 in that race yet, so my first goal will be to make the podium and win it later in my career."

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