Enrico Zanoncello (VF Group-Bardiani CSF-Faizanè) pipped Matteo Malucelli (JCL Crew UKYO) by the narrowest of margins to win the bunch dash on stage 1 of the revived Giro d’Abruzzo.
Max Kanter (Astana Qazaqstan) opened up the dash in a strong place after sturdy work from his workforce however nonetheless had 250 metres to go within the wind and was shortly overtaken by the 2 Italians and Manuel Peñalver (Polti Kometa) who completed third.
Malucelli seemed as if he had timed his dash completely as he slingshotted out of Kanter’s slipstream, however he had left simply sufficient of a niche for Zanoncello to steal the win on the road alongside the obstacles.
This was the Bardiani rider’s fourth skilled victory however his first in his residence nation, having solely beforehand gained in Asia.
“I am very completely happy. I had bookmarked this stage,” stated Zanoncello. “After an eventful stage, it got here all the way down to a head-to-head with Matteo Malucelli. It has been tight. I am glad I gained it.
“Fiorelli introduced me onto Malucelli’s wheel and I managed to move him. That is my first professional win in Europe and above all in Italy. Furthermore, that is the affirmation we have been in search of. Let’s hope this win will persuade my workforce to carry me to the Giro d’Italia.”
A seven-man break went up the street after the beginning of the 161km stage in Vasto, however solely thee would final nearly all of the day, Andrea Guerra (Zalf Euromobil Fior), Diego Bracalente (Crew MBH Financial institution Colpack Ballan), and Tommaso Dati (Biesse – Carrera).
The trio have been swept up 12km from the road after UAE Crew Emirates and Corratec-Vini Fantini did nearly all of controlling all through the run into Pescara.
Jan Christen was essentially the most energetic rider for the Emirati workforce, attacking every time the street went uphill within the ultimate 60km. The younger Swiss rider’s strikes prompted late assaults from the likes of George Bennett (Israel-Premier Tech) and Alexey Lutsenko (Astana Qazaqstan) however none caught with nearly all of groups keen on a bunch dash.
Racing continues on the revived stage race on Wednesday with 160km of uphill racing from Alanno to Magliano de’ Marsi. It ought to begin the GC battle with sturdy climbers like Bennett, Lutsenko, Adam Yates and Pavel Sivakov (UAE Crew Emirates) all current.
Outcomes
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