For some cyclocross riders the race to Vermiglio It didn't end at the finish line, or rather, another one began at that point, towards the airport and then Gallipoli, in Lecce, on the other side of the boot. The final stage of the Tour of Italy, for many, the hunt for the pink jersey was the key event to put a stop to the season.
The racing conditions were almost the opposite of those of the World Cup. While snow and, above all, cold prevailed there, in Puglia the weather conditions were very different: temperature above 20°, almost as if it were the beginning of the season at the end of summer, a smooth route with passages on the beach and then on the sandA huge leap, yet one absorbed almost nonchalantly by the protagonists.
The most complete rider
For example from Marco Pavan, absolute dominator of the challenge, who wetted his pink jersey with another victory: «It was a great experience. I had never won the Giro d'Italia as an elite rider and that's no small feat because this challenge ultimately rewards the most complete rider.». On this aspect the standard-bearer of the Cingolani Cycles (who immediately after the end of the race took his boys on a pre-Christmas retreat in Pianetto d'Ostra, near Senigallia in the area of the shop) emphasizes the emphasis.
«This year's Giro d'Italia really crossed Italy, offering ever-changing races: it went to the North and the South, it went by sea and by mountains, there were routes with steep climbs but also sandy ones, in short many varieties also from a landscape point of view and this has also influenced the technical point of view, because we had to be competitive on every terrain."
The consequences of Vermiglio
Pavan led the race in Gallipoli, demonstrating that he had fully absorbed the effort of less than 24 hours earlier: «My luck was to get out of Vermiglio unscathed… The Gallipoli race was clearly on a different level, I adapted quite well to the different route in a race that, as always, was well-managed."
Like Pavan, his color partner Rebecca too Gariboldi He signed his first pink jersey in Gallipoli, sealing it with a victory: «Unlike Marco, I left Vermiglio almost with broken bones. I started from behind, I found many obstacles along the way in terms of opponents to overtake and sometimes the stops led to crashes on that treacherous course, so I finished with a lot of bruises that made themselves felt in Gallipoli".
Everything changes in 24 hours
The sudden transition from such different climatic conditions was not a problem: «From cold to hot it's not that bad, the opposite would have been much worseThe trip wasn't that hard, since I took the plane. My only difficulty was the… bumps. On the other hand, we cyclocross riders are used to racing continuously. There are weeks with up to four races. You have to organize your travel well, but it's part of the game.
The Apulian route was decidedly easier: "There was a lot of walking involved, but at 20°C it's easy to tackle. I also really appreciated the fact that the Giro brings together such diverse cyclocross experiences. This one in Gallipoli was my first time on the top step of the podium, and it was a great satisfaction, especially at a time when I'm still not feeling my best."
A rose that arrived in extremis
Traditionally, the Giro d'Italia always reserves surprises in the last stage and the Gallipoli one was no different: in the junior race, everyone on the eve would have bet on the victory of the Italian-Albanian Nelia Cabetaj, instead the standard-bearer of the Zhiraf Guerciotti she had a bad day that ended with a retirement, paving the way for Alice to triumph Sabatino (Jam's Bike Team Buja): «I didn't expect it, even though I was one point behind her in the standings. I didn't come to Gallipoli for the white jersey, but now I'm enjoying it, especially having faced the race in difficult conditions., managing to arrive in extremis after our flight had been cancelled."
The guys from Team Cingolani underlined how the Giro always knows how to reward consistency in performance in ever-changing conditions and the final victory of Ettore Pra Among the juniors it seems to be the confirmation. The standard-bearer of the Hellas Monteforte he won the jersey only in the last stage: «I hope this is enough to earn me a call-up to the national team, my dream. My condition is improving, I'm getting better in every match.Gallipoli was ideal for me. I feel great in races where there's a lot of running, but the course wasn't easy, with its wind and puddles. A jersey to dedicate to the coaches: I flew with the athletes and was here in an hour and a half, while the others drove for 12 hours in the van..."
And now, Tour of the Regions…
The Giro d'Italia is thus archived, but not so much for the Asd Romano Scotti who is already sharpening its weapons to launch itself into the new adventure of Tour of the Regions, which will host the first of two stages of its "experimental edition" on December 23rd in Noci. The women's event will remain true to its tradition, which is so important and deeply felt on the national scene, especially in its current format, which positions the challenge primarily as the first real test of the season with its October stages. There are still many stories to be written...
