Vincenzo Albanese takes 7th place in the queen stage of the Belgium Tour

A tremendously demanding day, with a course that was perfectly adapted to Vincenzo Albanese’s conditions. The hardest day of the Baloise Belgium Tour was really good for EOLO KOMETA thanks to the top-10 of the Italian rider, who even tried to move in the last kilometres.

There were more than 20 climbs in a day that was presented as a real classic for specialists. That’s where Vincenzo Albanese grows and becomes a contender. Already in the first stages of the stage, David Martín tried to do it. In search of the breakaway, of a group that would give him the option to shine. In the end, he didn’t make it and returned to the main group.

Already past the halfway of the stage, Van der Poel (Alpecin) was on the attack, looking hard for both the stage and the overall. He did not succeed in his first attempt, but he did succeed in another of his attempts. Albanese was able to overcome the selection of the favourites and found himself in a group of just 20 riders who had to play for the places of honour. He attacked to move the race, to look for a chance, but he was given no chance.

On the final climb to the finish, Albanese confirmed his quality in this type of finish to cross the line in seventh position. A transcendental top-10 that demonstrates attitude, strength and gives the team hope for the final day of the Baloise Belgium Tour.

Stefano Zanatta: “It was certainly the hardest stage, when the group broke and was selected we had Fetter, Maestri and Albanese. Then Van der Poel tried again and our Alba kept up with the rest of the favourites. Against the best WorldTour riders, he got a very valuable seventh place both for tomorrow’s final stage and for next week’s National Championships”.