Calabria Earns Most Aggressive Rider Jersey at Colorado Classic

Race: Colorado Classic, Stage 4

Start/Finish: Denver/Denver, Colorado

Distance: 120.1 kilometers

Denver, Colorado — Following a standout performance on the final stage of the four-day Colorado Classic, Team Novo Nordisk’s Fabio Calabria (AUS) closed out the race with the FIRSTBANK Most Aggressive rider jersey.  Calabria attacked first on the 10-lap course and raced assertively throughout the 120.1-kilometer stage.

“Today was the perfect ending to a great but challenging two weeks of racing in the United States. It felt great to show our jersey off the front throughout Denver today,” Calabria said. “The Colorado Classic has been an exciting race, and I was proud to represent Team Novo Nordisk on the podium for the final stage of a great race. Thanks to race organizers for putting on a dynamic and innovative event.”

Sunday’s Stage 4 of the inaugural Colorado Classic saw the peloton tackle a 12-km circuit around downtown Denver. When Calabria attacked from the start, two riders grabbed his wheel. Eventually, Christopher Blevins (Axeon Hagens Berman) bridged up making it a quartet. The peloton kept the group at a manageable gap that never earned more than a 1:45 gap. 

With 20 km remaining, Ruben Companioni (Holowesko-Citadel) attacked the break, and only Blevins followed. The duo remained off the front until the final lap before getting swept up by the chasing peloton. The day came down to a bunch sprint. Mihkel Raim (Israel Cycling Academy) took the win in a controversial finish with Manuel Senni (BMC Racing Team) holding on for the overall race win.

“Fabio was the first rider to sign with Team Type 1, Team Novo Nordisk’s predecessor, nearly a decade ago. He has been aggressive and fought hard every single stage and I couldn’t be any happier for him,” Team Novo Nordisk’s CEO and co-founder Phil Southerland said. “We proudly stood on the podium today representing the entire diabetes community and hope this jersey inspires and empowers everyone affected by diabetes to keep chasing their dreams.”
The world’s first all-diabetes pro cycling team returns to racing at the Tour of China I when the race kicks off on September 10^th.

Results: 

• 1^st: Mihkel Raim (Israel Cycling Academy): 2:32:50
• 2^nd: Travis McCabe (UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling): 0:00 behind Raim
• 3^rd: Jose Rodriguez (Elevate-KHS Pro Cycling): 0:00 behind Raim 

Team Novo Nordisk Results: 

• Umberto Poli: 17^th: same time as Raim
• Stephen Clancy: 55^th: 0:23 behind Raim
• Fabio Calabria: 73^rd: 2:24 behind Raim
• Sam Brand: 76^th: 2:47 behind Raim
• Rik van IJzendoorn: 80^th: 4:11 behind Raim

(Photos: ©VeloImages)