20.06.2021 · In evidence

The third step of the podium of the Italian championship is for the Bardiani CSF Faizanè, thanks to Samuele Zoccarato who with a fantastic third place crowns a splendid team performance. After the great return on the breakaway of Colbrelli and Masnada, only Samuele Zoccarato can resist, who previously wisely escorted by the expert escape companions Mirco Maestri and Alessandro Tonelli, managed to maintain the necessary energy for the great final effort.

Behind him, in the chasing group a brilliant Giovanni Carboni takes the sixth place of the day. Bardiani CSF Faizanè in fact managed to include at least one man in every important action of the race with impeccable race tactics.

The bronze medalist of these Italian championships, Samuele Zoccarato, said: “An incredible race, I still have to really realize what happened. This morning I left on the breakaway but without believing I could reach the finish line in that position. After the Giro d’Italia, which helped me grow, I thought I was falling, in Belgium I was unable to express myself at my level. Today on the run I found two expert companions like Tonelli and Maestri who were fundamental for me. DS Roberto Reverberi asked them to work for me. They not only helped me, they advised me on how to stay hydrated, when to drink, when not to spend too much, they played a key role with their experience I owe a lot to them on this podium, as well as to the team that from the beginning, despite I am a neo-pros has always given me the opportunity to play my chances. This is the real added value for a young player to be able to move to a team like this before making the big jump into the World Tour in the future. The whole team ran very well, when I was picked up by Masnada and Colbrelli I managed to hold on on the first climb unlike the other escape companions and on the second I always tried to keep them in sight. I honestly don’t think that in any case I would have had the strength and ability to do better than this position behind two great riders like Fausto and Sonny, I can only be happy.“

THE RACE:

The national road championships took place today starting from Bellaria Igea Marina and arriving in Imola after 225 km of running. After the first 60 km substantially flat a circuit to be covered 5 times with the double GPM Mazzolano and Cima Gallisterna, which made the route very selective.

The breakaway composed by up of 13 attackers of the day starts immediately. Among them 3 athletes of Bardiani CSF Faizanè: Mirco Maestri, Alessandro Tonelli and Samuele Zoccarato. Immediately a good understanding between the fugitives with the advantage over the group that rises to about 5’20 ” with an average run in the first hour of the race of about 50 km / h.

With less than 40 km from the finish in front, 7 remain, the 3 athletes of the #GreenTeam resist, while a group of top-level counterattackers part, including Colbrelli, Masnada, Nibali and Giovanni Carboni.Masnada and Colbrelli return to the first fugitives, detaching everyone except Samuele Zoccarato who loses their wheels by a few hundred meters only on the last climb. At less than 10km, he still has a 2 minute lead over his rivals, finishing with a great third place. Behind him in the sprint of the chasing group Giovanni Carboni closes in sixth place overall, bringing another prestigious result to the team.

FINAL RANKING:

1. Sonny Colbrelli (Bahrain Victorious) in 5:29:25
2. Fausto Masnada (Deceuninck-Quick Step) + 02
3. Samuele Zoccarato (Bardiani CSF Faizanè) + 37   
4. Gianni Moscon (INEOS Grenadiers) + 2:30
5. Alexander Konychev (Team BikeExchange)
6. Giovanni Carboni (Bardiani CSF Faizanè)   
7. Edoardo Affini (Jumbo-Visma)
8. Giulio Ciccone (Trek-Segafredo)
9. Vincenzo Nibali (Trek-Segafredo)
10. Domenico Pozzovivo (Qhubeka ASSOS)