Giro di Sicilia: the goal is to win
Stage 1: Marsala – Agrigento (159 km)
Stage 2: Canicattì – Vittoria (193 km)
Stage 3: Enna – Termini Imerse (150km)
Stage 4: Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto – Giarre (216km)
Less than a month to go until the start of the Giro d’Italia, with all that it means. Less than four weeks to start the most important race of our calendar, the one that gives meaning to the preparation and effort of the whole EOLO KOMETA. On that road, there are still several races in which we are not only looking to improve our physical form or to polish technical and material details. But also to shine, to achieve good results, to win.
The Giro di Sicilia will also be very special for Vincenzo Albanese. It will be his competitive return, his real debut in this 2023 that he had hoped to see him face to face with the best since January. In which he had prepared every detail to win in the most spectacular races. In which an accident and his injuries have postponed his start of the season until April.
These four stages in Sicily are the stage on which he will ambitiously seek victory. Together with the rest of EOLO KOMETA, also with Giovanni Lonardi, Erik Fetter, Andrea Pietrobon, Samuele Rivi, Mirco Maestri and Diego Sevilla, they will work with great objectives, concentration and ambition. A route and roads that really call for action with Albanese: the uphill finishes of Agrigento (first stage) and Termini Imerese (third day) ideal for his qualities, the second day with a sprint where Lonardi can do very well, but above all the fourth stage that includes Etna and its more than 1600 metres of altitude as well as the climb to Scorciavacca before the decisive finish in Giarre. The winner of the general classification will also be announced there.
Vincenzo Albanese: “How do I feel? I am like a child on Christmas Eve: overjoyed, ready to discover what he will find under the tree. I’m really happy to be running again because this very difficult period has been very long and complicated. I want to race and above all, I feel great: I have very good sensations, which I have rarely felt in recent years and I am convinced that already in Sicily I will be in front to play for the victory. I know perfectly well that from now until October I will have to try to take advantage of every opportunity to try to get results but I am very optimistic, for me and for the team. Because we are all ready and convinced. We have some very important weeks ahead, which will lead us to a Giro d’Italia where I am sure EOLO KOMETA will be a protagonist: you will see. We are ready, I am ready. And when I look back at these months, only one word comes to mind: thank you. Thank you to the doctors, the trainers, the sports directors, Ivan, Fran and Alberto: the team has been very close to me, there hasn’t been a day without someone calling me to ask how I was doing. This closeness is not normal, it doesn’t happen in every team: the EOLO KOMETA showed me how much they care about me, and I want to give back all this trust.”
Stefano Zanatta: “It will be Vincenzo Albanese’s debut this season, after his accident at the beginning of the year. He has prepared well and we are looking forward to see him in his best condition to do well, he is really motivated and I think he will give us great results. Speaking of the race, the four stages are undoubtedly demanding: the first one with a 3-kilometre finish with 6-7% gradients will force us to fight. We will clearly have a sprint on the second day with the option of Lonardi and in general the team will try to take advantage of the high level of our riders not only to work together and give an image, but also to prepare for the Giro d’Italia which is getting closer and closer”.
