Gutierrez defeats two Olympic champions in Italy

Ivan Alvarez Gutierrez (Team Giant Italia)

Ivan Alvarez Gutierrez (Team Giant Italia) (Image credit: Team Giant Italia)

Initially, five racers led the men's race: Ralph Naef (Multivan Merida), Olympic champions Julien Absalon (Orbea) and Miguel Martinez (Felt), Marco Aurelio Fontana (Cannondale) and Alvarez. Martinez seemed to be able to go more quickly than the others on lap two, but Alvarez, Absalon and Fontana quickly caught him. Naef seemed to suffer and dropped off, leaving the four to compete for the victory.

Sue George is an editor at Cyclingnews.  She coordinates all of the site's mountain bike race coverage and assists with the road, 'cross and track coverage.