Mattia Bais, most combative climber of the Trofeo Laigueglia
A powerful breakaway was the protagonist of the Trofeo Laigueglia with the presence of Mattia Bais as a representative of Team Polti VisitMalta. He managed to win the classification of the best Italian climbers (Laigueglia is the opening event of the new Coppa Italia delle Regioni) and was named the most combative rider.
An exciting start to the Italian calendar for Team Polti VisitMalta. In the more than 190 kilometres of the Trofeo Laigueglia, the super combative Mattia Bais wanted to be part of the breakaway that was the protagonist of the race. Nine riders with a lead of no more than two and a half minutes went away and reached the final circuit where Bais selected the leading group and scored more mountain points. Together with Eiking (Unibet) and Badilatti (Q36.5) they held on until the last 20 kilometres, neutralised by the favourites.
Mattia Bais: ‘I tried it from a distance with a group of quite a high level, with strong riders and that we could make our way. But the bunch didn’t let us take advantage. Even so, on the final circuit I tried to give it my all with a move to stand out on the penultimate lap. But they neutralised me and I couldn’t stay in front, so we’ll keep trying!
Juan Ayuso (UAE) took the win, with Zoccarato fighting at the end in the chasing groups. Crashes affected De Cassan and Serrano in the peloton, with no injuries to any of them after the incidents.
Stefano Zanatta, sport director: ‘We approached the race in an active way, wanting to be protagonists. Mattia Bais could have been in the breakaway of nine riders and it was a high level breakaway, with riders from WorldTeam and ProTeam teams. Despite the advantage, in the final circuit they were approached from behind and they ended up neutralising them. I think that getting on the podium with the mountains jersey in the first Italian race is a good result. The crashes have weighed us down at the back, with Zoccarato the best placed and the ambition to continue to aspire to good results in the intense calendar that awaits us’.
Team Polti VisitMalta will race the Strade Bianche this Saturday.
