Team Cannondale captain Elia Viviani on Tuesday won the first race of the Trittico Lombardo, a three-race cycling competition, which also features the Tre Valli Varesine and the Coppa Ugo Agostoni. Viviani's victory was a result of well-structured teamwork throughout the race. Viviani won the sprint against Team Lampre-Merida's Filippo Pozzato and Simone Ponzi of Team Neri Sottoli.

Cannondale's Peter Sagan, who has had a disappointing season, finished seventh after leading out Viviani in the final.

"We were here to win, and when you're named as the favorite it's never easy to do it," Viviani commented after being celebrated on the podium.

"I'm really happy with this success. This is a great reward for my teammates and the support they gave me. We built this win during the whole race, controlling the breakaway and then forcing a selection within the peloton. In the finale, even if the bunch was close to catching us, I was confident I'd be able to win."

"After the Tour de France I had a period of rest and this was very useful for the final part of the season. In Colorado I rediscovered the sense of victory but, most importantly, I improved the level of my condition. I had positive signals at Brussels Classics and GP de Fourmies. Today, I just exploited the result of these efforts. I've only one regret. That is not being included in the list of the Italian team for the World Championships in Ponferrada. Anyhow, I'll be there to support my girlfriend and my colleagues."

"It was a perfect race for our team and one of the few perfect races we've had during the season," Cannondale team director Alberto Volpi explained. "We did what we planned in the morning and I just have to congratulate all the guys on the great work they did."

The victory in Coppa Bernocchi is Vivani's 6th win in 2014 and the Cannondale Pro Cycling Team's 17th success of its final season before its planned merger with Team Garmin-Sharp. The Italian rider will compete in his final race of the season this Saturday at Memorial Pantani, which he won in 2010.