Second consecutive podium for Filippo Fiorelli. The Sicilian rider from VF Group Bardiani-CSF Faizanè took another second place in the second stage of the Giro d’Abruzzo, from Tocco di Casauria to Penne, covering 138 km. Fiorelli won the bunch sprint behind Ivo Oliveira, a result that earned him the lead in both the general and points classifications of the Abruzzo race.

These were his words:“Today hurts more than yesterday. I was really aiming for the win because I’m in good shape, I felt strong, and I truly believed it was the right day. Yesterday I had a bit of regret, but on that kind of course, my legs just didn’t let me do more, so in the end I accepted the result for what it was. But today is different—today really stings, because I knew I could fight for it until the very end. It’s one of those days that sticks in your head, that you keep going over a thousand times when the evening comes.
Friday in San Gabriele? Yes, it could be a stage that suits me. It will also depend on how my teammates are feeling, especially the sprinters, and then we’ll decide how to approach it. In any case, the team is doing well, it’s clear—we’re always present, always attacking. We really planned this Giro d’Abruzzo to be like this, with an aggressive mindset, and we’re executing it in the best way. At Tirreno I proved I could stay with the best, and that’s also why I came here determined to achieve a great result.”

RESULTS – SECOND STAGE – GIRO D’ABRUZZO:

1. Oliveira Ivo (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) in 03:21:19
2. Fiorelli Filippo (VF Group-Bardiani CSF-Faizanè) + 04
3. Brenner Marco (Tudor Pro Cycling Team)
4. Covi Alessandro (UAE Team Emirates-XRG)
5. Bennett George (Israel Premier Tech Academy)
6. Fancellu Alessandro (JCL Team Ukyo)
7. Raccani Simone (JCL Team Ukyo)
8. Zeray Nahom (JCL Team Ukyo)
9. Lock Dennis (General Store-Essegibi-F.Ili Curia)
10. Prieto José Juan (Petrolike)

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION:

1  Fiorelli Filippo VF Group-Bardiani CSF-Faizanè 06:55:21

2  Covi Alessandro UAE Team Emirates-XRG + 02

3  Brenner Marco Tudor Pro Cycling Team + 08

4  Fancellu Alessandro JCL Team Ukyo + 08

5  Bennett George Israel Premier Tech Academy + 12

6  Raccani Simone JCL Team Ukyo + 12

7  Howson Damien Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team + 12

8  Conti Valerio Solution Tech-Vini Fantini + 12

9  Zimmermann Georg Intermarché-Wanty + 19

10 Vanhoucke Harm Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team + 19