A few hours have passed but his voice still trembles with emotion. Ludovico Crescioli, he almost can't believe it, but it's all true: he won a stage at Future Tower. It's almost eight o'clock in the evening and the blue sky is about to descend for dinner.
"I just finished the massages. Between awards, checks, and everything else, we took a bit long," the Tuscan said.
Crescioli thus won the third stage of this particular Avenir, which from tomorrow until the end will see a lot, but really a lot, of climbing.
Everything in the final
Towards Plateau d'Hauteville, the peloton once again delivered a blisteringly fast stage. "An average of 48 in the first two hours of the race and 44 at the end. It's incredible how they're going and the level they're at. It was tough… Morgado, not a random one, took almost 8' yesterday», underlines the city Marino Amadori.
Finally the escape begins. Seven of them escape and Pietro Mattio is also inside.But in the challenging and technical finale, everything comes to a screeching halt.
German Ole Theiler takes off and Ludovico Crescioli swoops down on him, who with a sprint of legs clearly pierces him.
«Mamma mia, how beautiful – Crescioli continues – It couldn't have gone better. The ending was beautiful. It was all ups and downs, treacherous and tough. They couldn't find an agreement up front and Denmark was pushing hard at the back. Furthermore, the road before the climb was narrow, so everyone wanted to stay ahead. This contributed significantly to closing the gap on the breakaway.
«The German pulled away and I had to make a great effort to get back. I did it all by myself, I gave it my all but I succeeded."
Forward with confidence
This is a significant victory. A success at Avenir means a lot. The words of its sporting director come to mind. Technipes #InEmiliaRomagna, Francesco Chicchi, when after the Tour of the Aosta Valley He told us that Ludovico now only needed victory. Chicchi was sure it would come. He wasn't wrong.
«It's a heavy victory, it's true – says Ludovico, always emotional – in fact it's been a while since I won (this is the first victory as an under 23, ed.), I was missing a result like this. I had it in my sights and now having achieved it is wonderful.».
"We'll start tomorrow (today for those reading this, ed.) with a crowning stage. There's a lot of climbing, and it'll be tough. But this victory gives me and the other guys a lot of motivation. We're all pedaling well. The motivation is strong.
«In the group I saw many of them pedaling well. I believe that Jarno Widar both the favorite, but Blackmore also impressed me, I can tell I'm in good shape. But we'll see from tomorrow (today, ed.) onwards."
Joy Amadori
"Marino (Amadori, ed.) was very happy. This victory belongs to all the Azzurri," concluded Crescioli, now finally having dinner with his teammates.
«This is a great group, despite those who criticized us. – says Amadori – We won't have a super leader, but we knew that, but I can guarantee that these are the best men for the climb we have. I'm happy, we need to give them time and remember that Our motto is: “We are here to grow and learn.” Even in the first stage the boys had tried, but they were unable to catch the breakaway. Yesterday they did it with Mattio. Pietro He knew these first two stages were the best for him. From today on, he'll struggle. His orders were precisely these: join the breakaways, especially with Mattio."
Yesterday, a lot of people worked hard towards the end, and few had the legs to finish. That's also why Crescioli and the German boy managed to break away. Ludovico held him back. Yes, he missed a few substitutions, but he had put in a great effort to finish. And believe me, he was very good, it wasn't easy at all given how he started.».
Testat low
We asked the manager what we could expect from Crescioli. After all, he finished third in the Valle d'Aosta, a race packed with climbs, and Starting today we'll be gaining altitude with the arrival on La Rosiere. Arrival that the Azzurri saw during the days in Sestriere.
«Crescioli – explains Amadori – has had a good calendar this year. He raced abroad, he had good performances… He missed the mark at Giro Next, But then he did well against Valle d'Aosta. This victory boosts morale, but we're keeping our feet on the ground. It'll take patience. There's no point in making proclamations now. Today we go up and down. From this evening we will know more about who will be fighting for the standings."
