Marangoni ends 11-year career with first professional victory

12 November 2018 10:53
Italy's Alan Marangoni enjoyed an emotional, fairy-tale ending to his 11-year professional career, winning for the first time in his last ever race.  The 34-year-old spent much of his career as a domestique with the Cannondale team, sacrificing his own chances to help teammates such as Peter Sagan, Vincenzo Nibali, Ivan Basso and Rigoberto Urán. He went close to victory in a stage of the 2015 Giro d’Italia near his home in Forli but seemed set - and content - to retire without ever winning a professional race.ADVERTISEMENT Destiny stepped in at the final hour, at the one-day Tour de Okinawa in Japan, with Marangoni - now riding for Nippo-Vini Fantini - winning alone after a late attack from the breakaway. He beat Australia’s Freddy Ovett, who was riding for BMC as a stagiaire, and Chun Kai Feng (Bahrain-Merida), finishing alone with his arms in the air for the first time in his professional career. "It was the perfect day I’ve always looked for in my career and I found it today," Marangoni said emotionally after shedding a few tears immediately after crossing the line. You can read more at Cyclingnews.com.read full article

Source: Cycling News