Muñoz’s adventure: 132.5 km alone at the front under the Apulian sun

One hundred and thirty-two and a half kilometers. That’s how long Fran Muñoz rode alone at the front. With his teammate Alessandro Tonelli in cyclamen (which he won’t wear tomorrow, though he still leads the breakaway and intermediate sprint classifications) the young Spaniard from Team Polti VisitMalta made sure to leave his mark on this first day of the Giro in Italy. From the moment the stage officially began to the town of San Pancrazio Salentino, the Catalan-Asturian rider showed off his determination and the team’s jersey with a nearly three-hour solo effort. A journey through wind, sun and sea, in a stunning landscape and an enthusiastic crowd.

In the bunch sprint won by Van Uden (Picnic) on a tricky final circuit, Giovanni Lonardi finished 12th expertly guided in the run-in by Mirco Maestri. Safely shepherded in the peloton by Tonelli, Maestri himself, the Bais brothers and Andrea Pietrobon, Davide Piganzoli moved up another spot in the GC and now sits 16th overall.

Muñoz: “When I saw no one followed me as I attacked from the start, I shook my head a bit because with today’s wind I think a larger group could have done something. Still, I went for it — to honor the Giro d’Italia and our presence here — and it turned out to be a good day of racing. I’m also relieved I didn’t suffer any consequences from the crash I was involved in with the maglia rosa and others 22 km from the finish.”

Sport Director Stefano Zanatta: “This morning, we expected other teams might try to make a move and play their cards in what looked to be a tense finale. That didn’t happen, but we’re pleased with the work done by Fran and the whole squad. Everyone gave their best and that’s what matters most, we’ll now focus on what we can improve in the stages to come.”