23 Apr 2025

Triple breakaway and Piganzoli on the attack in the Tour of the Alps

Tour of the Alps (2.PRO)

Stage 3: Sterzing - Innichen (145'5km)

Team Polti VisitMalta faced the third stage of the Tour of the Alps with ambition. A very demanding route where the team did not lose face to the race and was protagonist at all times, first with the breakaway of Davide Bais, Fran Muñoz and Samuele Zoccarato; later with Davide Piganzoli trying to look for the victory.

The breakaway was formed through attacks and counter-attacks on the main group in the early part of the day. The first to move was Zoccarato, who was joined later by Davide Bais and Fran Muñoz. Three of the team’s riders in a break of 21 riders, but they were unable to keep up with the strong pace in the decisive part of the day.

It was then, with a very selected main group, when with 14 kilometres to go on the last climb to Monte Versciaco, Davide Piganzoli made a brave move in search of victory. That attempt did not end well, and Piga was caught by the rest of the favourites who fought for the podium places behind the winner Frigo (Israel). Now, the Italian climber is ninth in the general classification.

Fran Muñoz: “It was a tough day. We managed to stay with three team-mates in the breakaway, it was a very big group complicated to manage, we couldn’t make our way, but once we were neutralised and we had already overcome some of the climbs, we helped Piga to maintain his good general classification”.

Stefano Zanatta, sports director: “The team was very attentive to be in the breakaway, first with Zoccarato and then adding Bais and Fran Muñoz. There wasn’t much understanding in the leading group, so once they were neutralised, it was Piganzoli’s turn to launch a powerful attack but he couldn’t make a difference. In any case, we have been good as a team and we will try to maintain the level in the remaining two days”.

This Thursday the Tour of the Alps will contest the fourth stage with 167 kilometres between Sillian and Obertilliach with a complicated finish with three climbs in search of clarifying the general classification of the race.