The Italian classics move toward the Adriatic sea in the name of Marco Pantani

With the Tuscan triptych behind us, the series of September Italian classics moves eastward, toward the Adriatic Sea: tomorrow the Memorial Pantani will start in Cesena and finish after 195 kilometers in Cesenatico, in front of the monument dedicated to the unforgettable Pirate. The heart of the race is the fivefold ascent to Diolaguardia, not overly demanding in absolute terms but challenging for the legs with its staircase structure, both uphill and downhill.

The last climb, 50 km from the finish, still offers hope for the fast riders: that’s why Team Polti Kometa is fielding Javier Serrano, suited for a reduced sprint. However, the gradients and the likely high pace in the flat opening section mean that both climbers and attackers will be necessary in the lineup. Alongside Serrano will be teammates with these qualities, indee: three who raced with him yesterday at the Coppa Sabatini, namely Davide Piganzoli, Fernando Tercero and Davide Bais, and three who raced the day before at the Giro della Toscana (with Piganzoli and Tercero, who have completed the entire Tuscan triptych): Mattia Bais, Paul Double and Alex Martín.

It’s been since June that Mattia Bais last raced alongside his brother Davide. Here’s Mattia’s comment on the eve of the race: “It will be a tough day with a solid selection and we’ll fight hard. Romagna already brought me luck in the spring, I had a long break in the summer and over the past few days in Tuscany I’ve felt my form improving!”

Here’s the analysis from sporting director Giovanni Ellena: “It’s a course that returns to its roots, with the circuit in the Cesena Apennines which I believe will split the peloton and form the small pack that will contest the victory”.