Yesterday started the Tour of Bulgaria with good news for the blue colors, on the first stage from Sofia to Plovdiv, it was Giovanni Lonardi to get ahead of everyone in the final sprint.
A great satisfaction for the 24 year old from Verona, a professional since 2019, who collects his fourth career successGiovanni's last victory came in the second stage of the Tour of Antalya in 2020.
We called him to tell us about the emotions he experienced in what was the first success of the season, the eighth for his team, the Bardiani-CSF-Faizanè.
It was your first victory of 2021, how does it feel and what are your feelings?
I am fine, Morally I'm very well, I've been missing a victory since February 2020 and given the complicated start to the season, this result was what I needed to best face the upcoming commitments.
Why do you say it was a complicated start?
In January, in Venezuela, I contracted Covid, which kept me out of action for a good two weeks, during which I had a complete stop in activity. In the following months I still felt exhausted and tiredAll of this negatively impacted my preparation. I stayed away from racing until April, when I went to the Tour of Türkiye, but even there I didn't feel good.
Last year he was first in Antalya in the Tour of the same name This year in Türkiye, 5th on the last day behind Cavendish
Last year he was first in Antalya in the Tour of the same name This year in Türkiye, 5th on the last day behind Cavendish
An important victory, which allowed you to wear the leader's jersey in the general classification. Do you think you can hold on to it for long?
A truly fundamental success in a long stage, 180 kilometers, and demanding, especially because of the heatThe jersey will be difficult to maintain starting today as the route becomes challenging with a long and very selective climb.
What are your goals now?
I don't know yet what races I will face, probably the Tour of Denmark but we are still deciding with the team, I certainly aim to do well and finish the remaining months in the best possible way.
What are your plans for the near future? Will you stay with Bardiani?
I don't think I'm staying here, I don't have any concrete proposals at the moment, but I'm looking around. Much, as I said, will depend on how I finish the races this season.
