A Gavazzi crash ruined the EOLO-KOMETA Italian racing debut
58th Trofeo Laigueglia
Laigueglia-Laigueglia (202 km)
A good dose of bad luck was put into it, very bad luck: it arrived immediately, unexpected and cursed, to ruin the plans of the EOLO-KOMETA for the debut in Italian racing at the Laigueglia Trophy. Francesco Gavazzi was the rider on whom the team had aimed with the aim of putting him in the best conditions to get to fight for the victory in the final. And instead, here it is: bad luck. It materialized after a handful of kilometers from the start (about 25) with a bad fall that involved our Gavazzi, who ended up on the ground and forced to abandon the race (for him, abrasions, lacerations and some bruising).
A cold shower for the whole team, who was immediately forced to change plans during the race. A good day, instead, for John Archibald: able to enter the first break of the day made up of 12 riders. The EOLO-KOMETA Scotsman then surrendered after passing the Testico GPM, before entering the final circuit which the riders repeated four times.
On the roughness of Colla Micheri, then, the race literally exploded with the big names – Bernal, Ciccone, Mollema, Nibali … – to fight without holds barred giving life to a series of beautiful duels that rewarded Bauke Mollema thanks to a splendid solitary action started 15 km from the end. It was the Dutchman of Trek Segafredo who triumphed, ahead of Bernal and Vansevenant.
The first man of the EOLO-KOMETA to pass under the banner of the finish line was Vincenzo Albanese, 44th, 5’57 ” behind the winner. Now all the attention of the team is focused on the next two commitments: Saturday at the Strade Bianche, debut for the team in a WorldTour race, and Sunday at the Gp Industria e Artigianato in Larciano.
John Archibald: “The goal of the day, for Marton Dina and me, was to get into the breaks and divide the work between the two of us. I managed to get into the breakaway, but the roads were really very narrow and it was not easy to stick together: we left in a group of 12 riders, and when the climb started we took a bit of advantage. Then, on the descent I was able to go well and make a good speed, increasing the advantage even more. After the descent, the fatigue began to be felt and I was reached and overcome. In the end, I can say that I am satisfied with my day: I pedaled well, I managed to get into a breakaway, and I think the spectators had a chance to see the EOLO-KOMETA team jersey for a while”.
[ PhotoGomezSport]
