BOLANO – The third day of the Tour of Lunigiana puts on the menu two semi-stages that are completely different from each otherIn the morning, starting from Sarzana, a stage dedicated to sprinters took place. The peloton covered just 37 kilometers in less than an hour. Belgian Aldo Taillieu wins in Marina di Massa, ahead of Umbrian Cornacchini and Frenchman Sparfel.The Belgian bagged another important victory after the Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne and the national time trial championships. In Bolano, Remelli won, and Seixas confirmed his leadership.
«A great sprint – he comments – we knew we had to stay ahead for the entire stage and that's what we did. I have to thank my teammates for guiding me in the best way possible. and allowed to win. It's a good sign in view of the European Championships, what I needed to arrive with maximum confidence."
Busy afternoon
The second half-stage of the day, from Sestri Levante to Bolano, is shaping up to be a rollercoaster ride, with plenty of surprises to look forward to. The biggest is the victory of Venetian Cristian Remelli, the Autozai Contri rider was good at outwitting the favourites, anticipating them before the final sprint. A 4-kilometer climb with ramps exceeding 15 percent that look you in the eye, flushing out any uncertainty. Remelli had none of them, who took the climb head on and with his head down took home his third victory of the season.
«The most beautiful of the year – he says while still trying to understand with his gaze if it's all a dream or if it really happened – despite everything. I knew that if I waited for Finn and the Frenchman (Seixas, ed.) I wouldn't have had any chances.Before the final climb, two kilometers from the finish, I got ahead of everyone else, along with Garbi. We are teammates at Autozai and today he gave me a big hand, I have to thank him. Unfortunately, on the first day I immediately dropped out of the rankings, but today's victory makes up for the disappointment, in fact I'd say it surpasses it."
Finn boarding
The azure sea of Sestri Levante's Bay of Silence is just a color against the backdrop of Bolano's landscape. From the sea, the boys moved to the mountains, caressing the rolling hills of Liguria. But behind these he hid Lorenzo Finn, who tried to upset France's plans.
«I attacked from the first kilometers – he explains while heading towards the rollers – because I thought I could put the French in crisisIn the end I waited for the last climb and maybe it wasn't the best decision, but my legs were good. The group was still large at the foot of Bolano, I expected a larger selectionThere were several attacks and counter-attacks, I had to close the gap on the French. The race is certainly not over today, Tomorrow is a new day with just as many opportunities to seize».
France smiles
Paul Seixas maintains the top of the general classification. In fact, it also increases the advantage over Finn Thanks to the bonus of second place and the two-second gap between him and the Ligurian. He shook his fist in satisfaction when he was told of the increased lead. It makes it clear that the race for transalpine talent was completely directed towards Finn.
"Keeping the jersey," Seixas said, "is a great result today. At the start of the stage, my legs weren't feeling great. I didn't do any warm-up before the start and my muscles felt a bit stiff.When Finn attacked at the start of the stage I followed him with a bit of difficulty but then the sensations improved kilometre after kilometre. So much so that in the final stage I attacked in person, I felt super goodI made a huge effort to finish second and get the bonus. I didn't follow the Venetian's attack because the stage wasn't my priority."
«Our strategy – continues the green jersey – was to put pressure on Finn and that's what we did. During the final climb we attacked in turns forcing him to move since he was aloneAt the start of the stage I told myself he was a very strong contender, then towards the end I saw he was in a bit of difficulty and I took advantage of it. Our tactic was to wear him down and it worked quite well thanks to the work of my teammates.Tomorrow we will still have to work hard, the gap is not so large that we can be comfortable."
