Jumping from the gun, Swedish national road champion Magnus Backstedt (above) kicked off a high-powered breakaway that eventually lapped the pack. Maggy was quickly joined by eventual race winner Italian Luca Damiani who admitted to struggling a bit to hold onto the former Paris-Roubaix winner. The two mismatched escapees were eventually joined by 11 other riders to form the break that lapped the field.
Maggy’s efforts for the day were rewarded when he was named the Most Aggressive rider (podium pic right). Said Maggy in a CyclingNews.com report:
“It’s hard racing but it is completely different than what I am used to,” he said. “It’s either in the mountains slugging away for seven hours or doing a two hour criterium full tilt – it’s just so different.
“I have a big engine on me and my body feels good but I don’t have the snap out of the corners,” he added. “I knew if I were going to be able to do anything today I would have to get out early and stay away in a break.”
