Team Polti VisitMalta, aggresive on the longest day of Tirreno-Adriatico
The very long day of almost 240 kilometres in constant rain and low temperatures did not stop the momentum of Team Polti VisitMalta, present in the two breakaways with Davide Bais and Andrea Pietrobon, fighting for the mountains jersey and dreaming of victory. Davide Piganzoli managed to finish in the leading peloton, keeping intact his chances for the overall classification of the Tirreno Adriatico.
Almost 6 and a half hours on the bike. A day of real endurance and also an opportunity to show bravery. With the rain as a travelling companion, the peloton and the riders of Team Polti VisitMalta faced the route between Follonica and Colfiorito (Foligno) forming part of a first breakaway with Davide Bais who fought for the mountain points without success, as he could not keep the green jersey as the best climber. Despite the 6-minute margin, the breakaway was neutralised after 100 kilometres.
Then there was a second breakaway attempt in which Andrea Pietrobon could have been part of the breakaway. The gap was not so wide in this second attempt, although it was more than 3 minutes and invited to dream in the final part of the race. But the last climb to Valico di Colfiorito unleashed hostilities in the peloton, neutralising the attempt within the last 10 kilometres by a Pietrobon who held on until the end and was the last to be absorbed by the peloton.
Davide Piganzoli showed his good form and his desire to challenge for the overall classification of the Tirreno Adriatico, holding on in the main group with the favourites and crossing the finish line at the same time as the winner Vendrame (Decathlon), without giving in to the rest of the contenders for the title of the race.
Andrea Pietrobon: ‘After the flying finish, there were still 100 kilometres to go and the sport director asked us to keep an eye out for any movements that might happen. In the end, De Bondt (Decathlon) and I attacked we understood each other looking for the heroic move from far away, but they didn’t leave us enough margin with the level of this race. I tried until the end, but on the last climb the group went very, very fast and they neutralised me. There’s a high level, but I’m happy to have been able to give the team a leading role on a day like today’.
Stefano Zanatta, sport director: ‘In the first part we tried to fight for the mountains with Bais in the breakaway, but he was neutralised after 70 kilometres. The peloton was rained on all day, so we didn’t take any risks either. But when there was a second breakaway, we were also able to stay with Pietrobon, which is important for the team’s visibility. I’m satisfied with the performance, Pietrobon is still there and now it’s time to think about the next stages’
The competition faces this Thursday a 190-kilometre route between Norcia and Trasacco, which includes two climbs in the first half and a favourable terrain before the probable finish for the fastest riders of this Tirreno Adriatico.
