The tenacity of Team Polti VisitMalta in the Giro d’Italia’s “queen stage”

The queen stage of the Giro d’Italia, featuring 5000 meters of elevation gain almost entirely within the Aosta Valley, saw a breakaway of 35 riders establish itself once again today. Once again, a lone breakaway rider claimed victory (Prodhomme, Decathlon) and once again Team Polti VisitMalta was present: joining the early attackers on the brutal Col Tzecore was Alessandro Tonelli, who later earned the satisfaction of crossing first at the intermediate sprint in Châtillon. The experienced Polti VisitMalta man stayed at the front for 55 kilometers, was caught at the top of the Col Saint-Pantaléon and then helped Davide Piganzoli on the descent. On the following climbs of Col de Joux and Antagnod, Piganzoli lost some ground to the maglia rosa group but still finished in a solid 15th place. One last mountain stage in Piedmont remains.

Tonelli: “I managed to bridge across to a group of more than 30 riders together with Meintjes (Intermarché) but there was a lot of wind up front and little cooperation. I’m happy I was still able to support Piganzoli, we’ll all keep doing that tomorrow.”

Sports Director Stefano Zanatta: “Given the toughness of the route, we really wanted to have someone up front capable of attacking from afar and climbing well — Tonelli did well to join the move and later contribute after being reeled in. Also Piganzoli did well, fighting with his usual tenacity and not losing any ground in the GC. We’re still in the mix and we’ll honour the Giro all the way to the end!”