Still on the streets of Tour of the Aosta Valley. And more emotions. On the day of the German Georg Steinhauser, his attack on the final climb was beautiful, he rejoices Reuben Thompson, 20 years since New Zealand took home the overall ranking.
Today's race was different from the previous days. It was much more of a pro race than an under-23 race. More regular, more "controlled," if you will. Perhaps it was the effort that calmed the spirits of the 86 riders who remained in the race.
Italian-New Zealand duel
After yesterday's feat, all attention was focused on the duel between Thompson and Gianmarco Garofoli. A great clash was expected not only between the two of them but also between their respective teams. Groupama-FDJ was all lined up in front right under the starting arch. The white-red-blue boys didn't want to leave anything to their young colleagues from the DSM Development, not even a possible surprise attack, given that kilometre zero was just 500 metres after the start, which took place from the beautiful castle of Fénis.
But these attacks don't arrive. And it happens that: «What I tried – says Garofoli – on the penultimate climb but I immediately understood that my legs were not the same as yesterday. At that point I didn't want to take any risks and thought about taking home the podium. And then I was left alone very soon. In fact Vandenabeele He wasn't feeling well (this morning he looked very tired, ed.) and he stopped, another guy dropped out shortly after and yet another dropped out on the penultimate climb. Anyway, that's okay. A good result."
The beauty queen is also preparing for the team presentation in Fenis. El Gouzi (4th at the end) fills up on sandwiches and bars Thompson warms up before the start from Fenis With Garofoli there is his brother Gabriele, the first fan
The beauty queen is also preparing for the team presentation in Fenis. El Gouzi (4th at the end) fills up on sandwiches and bars Thompson warms up before the start from Fenis With Garofoli there is his brother Gabriele, the first fan
Thompson's Guard
The one who was very attentive throughout the stage was the leader, Thompson. We had seen him warming up before the start, on his Stone complete with yellow badges in honor of his jersey. For many kilometers on the final climb, he pedaled looking backward. He was positioned to one side of the road and constantly checking the men behind him, just like a track cyclist would.
Jerome Gannat, Groupama's sports director told us that Thompson is in his second year, but it feels like his first. "Thompson had an unfortunate experience with a team in his first year. He hadn't competed in many international competitions. This is actually his first full season among the under-23s. He's a serious guy, he gives a lot of importance to his power meter and often works too hard. In competition, he didn't perform as well as he did in training – something he also confirmed to us. Lorenzo Germani – but now he's finally doing well and he's lost weight.
"Today we controlled the race. They attacked us where we expected. DSM is a well-equipped team, but we had to try. It was hot today and in New Zealand temperatures never get above 25° but we saw that Reuben tolerates it all in all. He rested well last night, but he was certainly under a bit of stress."
His sports director says the New Zealander has lost weight, but he doesn't seem that "tight" to us. "Hey, look at his legs," Germani exclaims.
Former triathlete
Thompson isn't exactly skinny, and Thompson is strong in training but not very good in competition. Why? It clarifies everything. Manuel Quintiate, New Zealand attorney.
«Reuben comes from triathlon – explains the South Tyrolean manager – he was second in a junior world championship. Then one day he wanted to try road racing, and here he is. He had achieved some victories in France as a junior. He had pointed him out to me. Alessandro Mazzurana, My friend and an expert in youth cycling. Last year he was involved with Team Monti, but then the team fell through, and I brought him to Spain. In March, he was at home and was hospitalized for five days with Covid. That summer, he insisted on returning to Europe, and he ended up finishing second in the Spanish Cup. He's a good guy. Serious, meticulous, polite..."
Now we understand why Reuben has such a “massive” build. Or at least different and less spindly than her colleagues who grew up on bikes. Swimming and running have a significant impact, especially when done during the developmental stage. But she's changing. And for that, she has enormous potential.
Groupama compact
Today, the Giro della Valle d'Aosta offered once again some unique scenery. The third and final stage arrives in Cogne, more precisely in the fraction Valnontey, last outpost towards the high altitudes: then only mountain dirt roads, woods, meadows and the Gran Paradiso in the background.
"Ah, Manuel (Quinziato, ed.)," says Thompson, sitting at an e-bike charging station waiting to get on the podium, "a wonderful guy who helps me a lot, gives me advice... Was today easy? I wouldn't say easy at all. Garofoli and others tried to attack me on the penultimate climb, but I have to thank my team. The guys did a fantastic job and controlled the race very well.
"It's true that I was looking back, but it only happened in the final kilometers when I was alone and wanted to check. But I was fine and in the end I was calm. I would have chased down any attacks. I'm really satisfied. It's my first international victory, but I've worked hard in the past few weeks. In Tignes I put in a lot of hours in the saddle, a lot of kilometers. I didn't expect to win, but it was a fantastic experience for me that I want to dedicate to so many people. To my family, to my team and to everyone close to me."
Thompson says that even where he lives in New Zealand there are significant climbs, mountains where you can ski and all in all he is used to "going up and down", as he put it.
De Cassan in action in the final climb close to Hellemose Verre changes at the end of the stage
De Cassan in action on the final climb Verre changes at the end of the stage
Colpack and Italy present
What we haven't told you yet is that today for over 100 kilometers he was the only one to lead the race Alexander Verres. Yes, that's right. The Lucanian was looking to make up for yesterday's poor performance, when he'd finished almost half an hour late and lost the yellow jersey.
“My attack wasn’t planned,” he says with his usual calm at the end of the stage. “I didn’t even have a map on my computer, I didn’t know anything about the climbs. I was very sorry for what happened yesterday and today I wanted to send a message. I tried to win the GPM jersey, but I think I lost it by a couple of points."
The team led by Gianluca Valoti she still managed to get on the overall podium with Mattia Petrucci, third, and just missed out on the team classification prize.
A round of applause also to Davide De Cassan of the Ctf, a first year, able to hold the wheels of the Danish fort Asbjorn Hellemose in the final climb and to detach the big names in the general classification.
