Gabriele Bessega close to the victory on the first stage of Vuelta Ávila

The team returned to competition in Ávila and one of the protagonists of the team’s last races was back. Gabriele Bessega, the team’s fast man, finished second in Las Navas del Marqués, as he had done in Mungia, the last race he rode before the Italian national championship.

The stage started under a heavy downpour that would worsen until hail fell for a few moments on the bunch. Once the storm had passed and with a breakaway of four riders established at the head of the race, hostilities began on the main group. Luca Bagnara and Álex García were the men who responded to the attacks on the climb to the Cruz de Hierro (3rd). Between the descent and the terrain to the second and final climb, there was again a succession of attacks in the main group and both Antonio González and Riccardo Archetti covered them with solvency.

Only one rider managed to open up an advantage and was 30″ ahead with 10 kilometres to go. The team worked to neutralize the rider and they did so in the last 200 meters where Gabriele Bessega responded and sprinted to take second place. The Italian also managed to take the best young rider’s jersey of the race.

Gabriele Bessega explained at the end of the stage his gratitude for the team’s work, despite the fact that he did not took the victory. He added that in the days to come, the team would again have opportunities to lift their arms.

“We thought that if Gabriele got through the climbs he could fight for the victory. We rode very calmly to see how he was moving. There was a small group with five riders and we worked hard to catch the rider in front. The last kilometre was complicated. We had wind and hail, it was a tough day. We will see how the rivals are tomorrow to try to win the race,” said Rafael Diaz Justo, director of the under-23 team.