"What a pity for Vincenzo" was the immediate comment by Prime Minister Matteo Renzi for Vincenzo Nibali's unfortunate performance at the Rio Olympics. Nibali, well supported by the blue team led by coach Cassani, had nailed the right tactic and was beginning to look forward to his Olympic success. But Lady Luck turned her back on him at the crucial moment, when he was on the run and there were only 11km to go.
In the last descent Nibali crashed and broke his shoulder and wrist. Goodbye gold and goodbye Rio Olympics.
The gold thus went to the Belgian Avermaet.
Fabio Aru finished sixth but it will be difficult for the Azzurri to forget the disappointment.
