Team Polti VisitMalta overcomes the Mortirolo stage

A very hard day, in which the breakaway eluded the Team Polti VisitMalta riders and where Piganzoli fought to keep his place in the general classification, although he is now 14th with four days still to go.

‘The riders tried to be in the very large break that formed at the start of the stage,’ explained sports director Stefano Zanatta. Maestri and Tonelli tried to be in a breakaway of 38 riders, but were unable to make it into the group. ‘We worked at the back, pulling the main group to avoid the breakaway’s advantage from shooting up, and also giving visibility to the team. Of course, we protected Piganzoli, who held up well on the Mortirolo climb, although he suffered in the final metres and lost some time in the general classification’, added the sport director.

There are still opportunities left in this Giro d’Italia, the next one will be tomorrow’s stage 18 with 144 kilometres on the road to Cesano Maderno with a chance for the sprinters as long as they get through the demanding central part of the day.