Maestri, a consoling podium

A third place for Mirco Maestri, who was good at sprinting (he who is not a pure sprinter) in the tight group of 11 riders that came to play for the Giro Città di Reggio Calabria: this is what EOLO KOMETA gathered after a day of protagonists trying to put Albanese in a position to win. In the end, Johnatan Restrepo (GW Shimano-Sidermec) came out on top ahead of Tivani (Team Corratec), after the small group of attackers managed to take advantage of the peloton on the second climb of the day (that of Colle Sant’Elia). The race had exploded on the first GPM precisely thanks to the action of EOLO KOMETA: the objective was to put the strongest sprinters in trouble, and in fact with the work of the men in blue the various Viviani, Colnaghi and Forelli went into trouble. On the next descent, the team attack continued, capable of creating a small group of 15 riders, including as many as five from EOLO KOMETA, before a puncture that happened to Maestri allowed the group to re-enter. Then the last climb, and the continuous attacks that cut off Albanese with Maestri trying to play the sprint by taking the podium.

Stefano Zanatta: “We tried from the start to make the race, taking the first climb hard to put the sprinters in trouble. Then we kept attacking even on the descent but unfortunately Maestri punctured and Pietrobon had to give him his bike, and the group was able to come back. On the last descent the continuous attacks formed this small group of 11 with Mirco trying to make the sprint: the podium consoles us a little for what is perhaps a missed opportunity. But that’s okay.”

Mirco Maestri: “In my opinion we raced well, the goal was to ride hard to skim the group and the race was decided on the last descent. I did it always in front because I was afraid that the group would break and in fact this is what happened, I found myself with 10 other riders and I never gave the change because I knew that behind there was Albanese who could come back. Then when we took a one-minute lead I took care not to get cut off and to watch out for attacks. In the sprint I tried, but Restrepo made a good sprint while I passed Tivani just after the finish line: maybe I started a little too late, but it’s still okay.”