First Italian race, first #OrangeBlue podium. Second place of Nicola Bagioli at Trofeo Laigueglia, the opening race of the Italian calendar. Wonderful action a perfect sprint just behind the winner of today Velasco.
Laigueglia, 17th of February 2019.
Italian debut with podium for the #OrangeBlue team in this 2019, thanks to a wonderful action of Nicola Bagioli that was able to be inside the group that arrived to play the final sprint just behind the solo winner Veloso.
Breakaway since the first km of race, but the group was able to close just before the passage in Laigueglia. The first action around 40km before the finish line is the one of the winner of today, Velasco of the team Neri – Selle Italia. Many actions behind in the following laps with with Nicola Bagioli able to be in the right action to play the final sprint for the second place.
First podium of the season for the NIPPO Vini Fantini Faizanè, with Nicola Bagioli that confirms his good feeling with the Trofeo Laigueglia. 4th place in the 2018 edition and 2nd place in this 2019 season.
These the words of Nicola Bagioli, just after the podium: “I knew to be in a good condition and I want to play my chance. I’ve seen Velasco starting his action but I was thinking that was too early to start. We made a very good action behind coming back to all the riders in front of us reaching also Giulio Ciccone, but Velasco was able to resist also to our final forcing, so congratulation to him. Last year I made fourth and now I’m happy to improve with this podium my second place in this important race. To precede Gavazzi in the sprint it was not easy.”
1 VELASCO Simone Neri Sottoli – Selle Italia – KTM
2 BAGIOLI Nicola NIPPO Vini Fantini Faizanè
3 SOBRERO Matteo Italy
4 GAVAZZI Francesco Androni Giocattoli – Sidermec
5 PETERS Nans AG2R La Mondiale
6 CICCONE Giulio Italy
7 FRANKINY Kilian Groupama – FDJ
8 ARSLANOV Ildar Gazprom-RusVelo
9 BIDARD François AG2R La Mondiale
10 CIMOLAI Davide Israel Cycling Academy