Gabriele Raccagni 4th in the last stage of a Volta a Portugal do Futuro won by Luca Bagnara
The last stage of the Volta a Portugal do Futuro started with Luca Bagnara wearing the race leader’s yellow jersey. During the stage a breakaway was the protagonist that, once again, would reach the finish line. Gabriele Raccangi was the fastest of the bunch finishing in fourth position. Bagnara was 10th at the finish and secured the victory in the general classification.
The stage started with two climbs during the opening kilometres. Luca Bagnara himself appeared in the leading positions of the peloton crossing fourth at the top of the first climb. During the following kilometres, the breakaway of the day was formed, first with two riders who would be joined shortly after by two more units of a chasing group that would be neutralized after chasing down the rest of the riders of the group.
During the intermediate and final zone of the stage, with more favorable terrain, the bunch tried to hunt down the escapees, who had a lead of four minutes. Despite losing one unit, the breakaway was able to hold on and fight for the victory. Raccagni led a main group, that arrived very reduced, in fourth position with Dario 9th and Luca 10th.
Bagnara won the overall classification and Antonio Gonzalez was fourth. The team also took the prize for the best team in the overall classification.
“It wasn’t easy. The Portuguese terrain is not as flat as the altimetries show. The first kilometres were complicated. Gerard worked hard yesterday and today at kilometre 50 he couldn’t do any more. At that point, we let the breakaway break away. The breakaway didn’t bother us. The Caja Rural team, along with other teams at times, started to pull, but the four minutes were a big burden. They reached the finish with very little difference. We have done a great job preparing for the Giro, now we have to recover a little and think about what’s next”, explained Rafael Diaz Justo at the end of the Volta a Portugal do Futuro with the individual and collective victory.
Gabriele Raccagni came close to victory for the second time during the Portuguese round: “We controlled the race to defend Luca’s jersey, there was a breakaway and at the end Caja started to pull and couldn’t catch it. I had the task of sprinting and I think I did it in the best possible way”.
“The team was great and I had a really good feeling, so I was hoping I could win. I did because the team was amazing the last two days keeping the race under control on a tough stage on Saturday and the same on Sunday. They kept me covered and really, a big part of the victory is theirs. I finished with good legs and a lot of morale for the Giro,” explained Luca Bagnara. The young Italian will take part in his home race from 9 to 16 June.
