Team Polti Kometa strong on the Slovenian walls, another top-10 for Lonardi

Tough sprinters’ day at the Tour of Slovenia, with numerous small uphills causing the initial breakaway to be caught 67 km from the finish and prompting a second attack that was neutralized just two kilometers from the line. It was a hard chase, during which several pure sprinters (including yesterday’s winner Groenewegen) were dropped. During this chase Davide Piganzoli, who had fallen out of GC contention due to yesterday’s crash, generously contributed by pulling the peloton for several kilometers.

Team Polti Kometa stayed united to protect Paul Double with an eye on the three remaining stages. As the final maneuvers unfolded Giovanni Lonardi naturally positioned himself well, climbed up the ranks and secured 8th place in the sprint won by Bauhaus (Bahrain) thus moving up to 4th in the points classification. However, the overall standings will start to take shape from tomorrow when opportunities for attackers and grimpeurs begin.

Lonardi: “I held on with my teammates to help them and to play my own chances, taking advantage of the absence of some key rivals in the main bunch. But it wasn’t easy because I had a slightly deflated tire due to a puncture in the last kilometers.”

Sports director Jesús Hernández (who shares the team car with Stefano Zanatta): “Another top-10 for Lona, who comes off a long series of races (Turkey, Giro, ZLM) and always fights with grit and fairness. Moreover today, before focusing on the finale, he participated in the fantastic teamwork alongside Double.”