Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team rider Carlos Verona finished 8th in the Japan Cup (151,3 km) on Sunday.
A group of 10 riders animated the first part of the race, which was held under rainy and cold conditions. Team Sky and OPQS controlled the bunch in order to limit the gap. With 3 laps to go a group of only 15 riders was in the front, with amongst them Verona and Pieter Serry of OPQS.
Michael Rogers (Team Saxo-Tinkoff) attacked on the final climb and secured a solo victory. Jack Bauer (Garmin-Sharp) and Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Merida) finished 2nd and 3rd. Verona finished 8th at 58", Serry crossed the line as 13th at almost 3 minutes.
A day before the road race the peloton raced in a criterium. Matteo Trentin finished 3rd in that criterium behind Steele van Hoff (Garmin-Sharp) and Bernhard Eisel (Team Sky).
