CYCLING – EDOARDO Zambanini sprinted to second place on stage 18 of the Giro d’Italia yesterday, giving Team Bahrain Victorious another strong result after a fast and selective finale into Pieve di Soligo.
The 171-kilometre leg from Fai della Paganella to Pieve di Soligo was a day with very little flat road, especially in the first part, where the race was fast and difficult to control. After a chaotic opening hour, a small breakaway was allowed to go, but the peloton kept the gap under control and brought the move back with around 25km to go.
From there, the final part of the stage became more intense. The riders faced a series of short climbs – the last one coming inside the final 10km. Ca’ del Poggio gave the attackers one final chance to open the race, but the group came back together before the run into Pieve di Soligo.
Paul Magnier of Soudal Quick-Step took the stage victory, with Zambanini finishing second and Jonathan Milan of Lidl-Trek completing the podium.
For Zambanini, it was a strong performance close to home and another sign of his progression in the final part of the Giro. After a difficult start to the race, the Italian used a finale he knew well, staying with the reduced group over Ca’ del Poggio before sprinting to second place.
“Today was a nice stage for me,” said Zambanini. “I was looking forward to it, and also yesterday we were in my area, so I think having my friends and my parents there gave me a bit more energy for this last part of the Giro.
“It was a Giro that didn’t start very well for me because, after the crash, I had some problems. But day by day, with the help of the team, we fixed everything. We are really supported by everyone, and I have to thank all the team and all the staff for that. They give us 100 per cent every day, so I try every day to give back 100 per cent.
“The start today was really chaotic and demanding because the first part was all up and down, and the first hour was really fast. Then the peloton started to control the race and let just a few riders go in the breakaway. For me, that was good, so I decided to play my cards in the finale.
“I know I have a good sprint if we arrive in a reduced group, and I also knew the finale because I have done Ca’ del Poggio many times. It is an explosive finale that really suits me, so I tried to give everything.
“The victory was close, but Magnier is one of the strongest sprinters in the world, and he has shown that also in this Giro. So I am happy with this second place, and I hope the victory will come soon.”
Bahrain Victorious teammate Afonso Eulalio also retained the Maglia Bianca, or white jersey, for being the best young rider. He had a crash during the stage but recovered well and powered forward to rejoin the peloton en route to the finish. Post-race medical checks confirmed some small abrasions.
“A crash is never a good thing, and for sure tomorrow I’ll feel more pain, but I don’t think it’s anything serious,” said Eulalio, who maintained a lead of more than two minutes in the best young rider classification.
“Today the team rode perfectly. We came back to the bunch calmly and got back into the race. In the final, I felt good legs and tried to take my opportunity.
“Then at the finish, our ‘Zamba’ did a super job to take second place, only losing to the best sprinter in the race. I think the whole team can be happy with today.
“Tomorrow will be a super hard day, but we’ll keep fighting and I’ll do my best.”
In the general classification, Eulalio stayed in fifth place overall and Damiano Caruso ninth for Bahrain Victorious.
The Giro continues today with the 151km 19th stage – one of the key mountain legs of the final week from Feltre to Alleghe.
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