Filippo Fiorelli, rider for VF Group Bardiani-CSF Faizanè, delivered an impressive performance in the opening stage of the Giro d’Abruzzo, finishing second at the end of the 151-kilometer route from Scerni to Crecchio. Beaten only by Alessandro Covi, the Sicilian claimed his first podium of the season and now sits second in the general classification, just 4 seconds behind the UAE Team Emirates rider. Martin Marcellusi also put in a strong showing, launching an attack with seven other riders in the final 20 kilometers. Although the group was caught before the finish, the Roman still had enough left to contest the sprint, securing a solid sixth place.

These were Filippo Fiorelli’s words after the race:“The race started at a very high pace, but we stayed calm—we knew there were other teams in charge of controlling the situation. We still managed to stay at the front, and when the group of three broke away, we decided to wait for the finale. I knew the final stretch pretty well: we passed through here during the 2021 Giro d’Italia, when I even won an intermediate sprint with Sagan, so I had a good idea of what to expect. Maybe I made a mistake with gear selection—I was a bit too heavy, and in those moments, there’s no time to adjust. There’s a bit of regret, because finishing second always leaves a bitter taste, but it was a second place earned with my legs. I have nothing to blame myself for—I gave it everything I had.”

RESULTS – FIRST STAGE – GIRO D’ABRUZZO:

1.Covi Alessandro (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) in 03:34:10

2. Fiorelli Filippo (VF Group-Bardiani CSF-Faizané)

3. Fancellu Alessandro (JCL Team Ukyo)

4. Bennett George (Israel Premier Tech Academy)

5. Brenner Marco (Tudor Pro Cycling Team)

6. Marcellusi Martin (VF Group-Bardiani CSF-Faizané)

7. Raccani Simone (JCL Team Ukyo)

8. Howson Damien (Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team)

9. Conti Valerio (Solution Tech-Vini Fantini)

10. Rondel Mathys (Tudor Pro Cycling Team)

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION:

1. Covi Alessandro (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) in 03:34:10

2. Fiorelli Filippo (VF Group-Bardiani CSF-Faizanè) a 4”

3. Fancellu Alessandro (JCL Team Ukyo) a 6”

4. Bennett George (Israel Premier Tech Academy) a 10”

5. Brenner Marco (Tudor Pro Cycling Team)

6. Marcellusi Martin (VF Group-Bardiani CSF-Faizanè)

7. Raccani Simone (JCL Team Ukyo)

8. Howson Damien (Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team)

9. Conti Valerio (Solution Tech-Vini Fantini)

10. Rondel Mathys (Tudor Pro Cycling Team)