Mattia Bais almost in the top-10 of the Giro d’Italia from the breakaway
Team Polti Kometa fought from the real start for the breakaway in stage 19 of the Giro d’Italia, with Mattia Bais managing to be the team’s leading man in a large front group, selected in the demanding final part. At the finish, he was able to finish 12th, a great result.
The battle in the first kilometres to be in the leading group even placed Lonardi in some of the groups in front. But it was finally Mattia Bais after 70 kilometres who joined the breakaway that was approved by the peloton. More riders joined the first group and the gap quickly exceeded ten minutes.
The descent of Duron broke up the breakaway, with Mattia Bais unable to stay with the chosen riders and fighting for the top-10 from the chasing group. Finally, Bais crossed the finish line in 12th position, wearing the Team Polti Kometa jersey for another day in the fight for the Giro d’Italia stage win, which today went to Vendrame (Decathlon).
Davide Piganzoli managed to hold on in the group of leader of the race, Tadej Pogacar, and faces the last big mountain stage in 13th position in the general classification.
Mattia Bais: ‘It was a hard stage where I had the clear objective of being in the breakaway, but we all wanted to try because it was quite likely that we could reach the finish and fight for the victory. I spent a lot of energy to get to the front and then it got even harder with the big riders on the breakaway. I stayed in the chasing group, we were just 30 seconds off the lead and we collaborate well, but on the last climb I couldn’t keep up the chase’.
Stefano Zanatta, sport director: ‘A very fast stage with our guys very active and brave, first Lonardi tried and then Mattia Bais went in front. In the end we made it with him to take the lead even though the group was big. He tried to do his best. It’s not a top-10 but I think it’s a good result. Besides, Piga managed to finish with the leader’s group’.
This Saturday is the last big stage of the Giro d’Italia with 184 kilometres from Alpago to Bassano del Grappa, with two ascents of Monte Grappa of 18 kilometres at 8% gradient to decide the Giro d’Italia.
