Filippo Turconi, a young talent from team VF Group Bardiani-CSF Faizanè, shone in today’s stage from Fiorenzuola d’Arda to Gavi, delivering an excellent performance by joining the decisive breakaway. Turconi managed to stay with the group of attackers who contested the stage victory, finishing in an impressive second place behind Ireland’s Rafferty. Thanks to this result, the rider from Varese made a significant leap in the general classification, where he now sits in third place, just 36 seconds behind the new race leader, Australia’s Luke Tuckwell. Turconi also remains the best-placed Italian overall, proudly wearing the jersey reserved for the top Italian rider.

His comments: “I knew there would be important moves, especially on the longest climb, and that’s exactly how it went. In the final part, we were down to just a few riders, and without race radios and with only five riders per team, the race was difficult to control. I preferred to stay at the front: in such chaotic situations, it’s easier to manage from the front rather than chasing from behind. Without race radios, the race is much less tactical. In a stage race, having quick information can make a difference. So you have to be even more attentive, and it’s not easy to know who is really ahead. I focused mainly on the stage win. Unfortunately, with 4 km to go, Rafferty attacked, and we didn’t react quickly enough as a group, so he gained an advantage. In the finale, we tried to close the gap, but it was too late. It’s still a great satisfaction to be able to wear the jersey of best Italian again tomorrow; it definitely represents extra motivation.”

RESULTS – FIFTH STAGE – GIRO NEXT GEN:

1. Adam Rafferty (Hagens Berman Jayco) in 3h29’09”

2. Filippo Turconi (VF Group – Bardiani CSF – Faizanè) a 8″

3. Jakob Omrzel (Bahrain Victorious Development Team) s.t.

4. Arno Wallenborn (Tudor Pro Cycling Team U23) s.t.

5. Cesare Chesini (MBH Bank Ballan CSB) s.t.

6. Daniel Lima (Israel Premier Tech Academy) s.t.

7. Tim Rex (Team Visma | Lease a Bike Development) s.t.

8. Matteo Vanhuffel (Development Team Picnic PostNL) a 12″

9. Luke Tuckwell (Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe Rookies) a 13″

10. Rémi Daumas (Equipe continentale Groupama-FDJ) a 14″

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION – GIRO NEXT GEN:

1. Luke Tuckwell (Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe Rookies) in 13h13’52”

2. Jakob Omrzel (Bahrain Victorious Development Team) a 26″

3. Filippo Turconi (VF Group – Bardiani CSF – Faizanè) a 36″

4. Jarno Widar (Lotto Development Team) a 1’23”

5. Lorenzo Finn (Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe Rookies) a 1’30”

6. Adrià Pericas (UAE Team Emirates Gen Z) a 1’53”

7. Matteo Vanhuffel (Development Team Picnic PostNL) a 1’54”

8. Albert Withen Philipsen (Lidl – Trek) a 1’56”

9. Jørgen Nordhagen (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) a 1’57”

10. Adam Rafferty (Hagens Berman Jayco) a 2’19”