Maestri gets a second place from the breakaway in the Giro d’Italia
Mirco Maestri was really close to the win in the 18th stage of the Giro d’Italia. The Team Polti VisitMalta rider fought from the breakaway for the win and was the fastest of the chasing group to finish second, only behind the winner Denz (Red Bull).
A short stage in the middle of the final week of the Giro, without the hardness of the mountain days but with enough terrain for adventure. With these ingredients, a very large group of 35 riders made their way, opening up a gap of over 11 minutes.
And obviously, from such a large group, a new attempt had to be made in search of the fight for the victory. Mirco Maestri was attentive, but he couldn’t get away from the winning move of Denz (Red Bull). The Italian fought back with a long sprint and was second, angry to see himself the fastest and to be so close to victory in the Giro d’Italia.
Davide Piganzoli, in the stage that started from his homeland and went through his usual roads, received all the support of the public and saved the day in anticipation of the remaining mountain stages.
Mirco Maestri: “I had this stage marked out before the start of the Giro. I was very close to winning, but even though I knew Denz’s abilities in these types of finishes very well, I wasn’t able to stop all the attacks from those I considered to be stronger riders. At the finish, I got second place, which is a great result, but it’s annoying to have come even closer to victory. I would have loved to give a victory of this level to the sponsors, to Polti, but it’s still a great result.”
Stefano Zanatta, sport director: “It’s a great second place for Mirco today. After yesterday’s stage, the goal today was to be in the breakaway, and we were able to have three reliable riders in: Lonardi, Mattia Bais, and Maestri. They rode focused and attentive to the moves, with Mirco able to get into the final breaks, and I think second place is very valuable given the level of the riders. We’re giving our all with each rider in this Giro, and with that morale, we face the remaining three stages.”
The Giro d’Italia enters its final days and this Friday tackles a 166-kilometer stage, with five climbs (three of them HC: Tzecore, Saint-Pantaléon, and Joux) before the finish in Champoluc.
