Chaves (Orica-BikeExchange) timed his attack in the final two-kilometre climb to finish a handful of seconds ahead of Romain Bardet (AG2R) and Rigoberto Uran (Cannondale-Drapac).
“It was a really good day for the team,” Chaves said. “I know the climb because I did this race four years ago so I know that everyone usually attacks early in the final."
“I stayed calm and just followed Fabio Aru because his team Astana were working a lot. In the last 500 metres when everyone was without fire I tried.
“It is good that I had the legs to win as the team today was unbelievable. We had (Jens) Keukeleire in the break and then Jack Haig, Damien Howson and Amets Txurruka put me in good position before the final circuit so it was really good.”
Giro dell’Emilia Men: 213km, Bologna to San Luca
1. Esteban Chaves (ORICA-BikeExchange) 5hr 27min 28sec
2. Romain Bardet (AG2R) 0:00:02
3. Rigoberto Uran (Cannondale-Drapac) 0:00:03
The women’s race was won by Wiggle High5’s Elisa Longo Borghini in similar fashion when she overpowered Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio (Cervélo-Bigla) by three seconds with Alena Amialiusik (Canyon-SRAM)third at 10 seconds.
Elisa Longo Borghini successfully defended her 2015 Giro dell’Emilia title. Source: Wiggle High5
“I followed Moolman when she attacked,” Longo Borghini said “At first she go some metres, but then I came back on her. At 250 metres I started my sprint, because I know I need a long sprint, and I was able to win.
“It was a very good race, it was a fast one and we worked really well,” “Chloe (Hosking) managed to be always in the top three in the sprints, and in the end the team led me out before the climb.
“Chloe was very, very good, Gio (Giorgia Bronzini) pulled a lot, and Emma (Johansson) was able to help me to find a good position.”
Giro dell’Emilia Women: 98.8km, Bologna
1. Elisa Longo Borghini (Wiggle High5) 2hr 20min 59sec
2. Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio (Cervélo-Bigla) 0:00:03
3. Alena Amialiusik (Canyon-SRAM) 0:00:13
