Vincenzo Albanese closes on victory at the start of the Vuelta a Asturias

Second position for Vincenzo Albanese in Pola de Lena, where he concluded an initial day of the Vuelta a Asturias that controlled the EOLO KOMETA. The team looked for his options and played outstanding protagonism so much to throw down the breakway as in the ascent of Carabanzo, where Lorenzo Fortunato tried to attack.

The team, which came close to victory in the first stage of the Vuelta a Asturias, was once again left wanting more. It was a day of working together, trying to reach the finish with the best possible chances, and where the planned role was fulfilled. The breakaway made its way for more than 120 kilometres, always with the EOLO KOMETA blues controlling a gap that did not reach 4 minutes.

Already in the decisive part, with the climbs of the day, the breakaway was neutralised and the team placed Lorenzo Fortunato, Vincenzo Albanese and the young Fernando Tercero in the 25 cyclists at the head of the race. The movements on the climb to Carabanzo did not manage to break the main group, which headed at full speed to the finish line in Pola de Lena with EOLO KOMETA in control.

However, the lack of collaboration gave way to several attack attempts, with Howson (Q36.5) succeeding to get ahead of the group. Vincenzo Albanese showed once again his enormous level in this type of finishes to win the sprint in the bunch of favourites and take second place. He occupies the same position in the overall, with Fortunato also in the best times before tomorrow’s queen stage of the Vuelta a Asturias.

Vincenzo Albanese: “Once the selection was made, there were only a few riders left and with the attack of the winner we couldn’t react. It’s a pity because I was feeling good and at least I was able to come second (again). I hope to get the win in the opportunities that we have left in the race”.

Jesús Hernández: “The team rode very well, taking responsibility from the start, always thinking about Albanese’s chances in the sprint finish. With 2 kilometres to go, after the last climb, we had three riders in the front group. I want to highlight the work of Tercero to maintain a high pace and avoid attacks, but Howson’s attack caught the team with no breath, unable to react, and we are left with this bittersweet result: second position for Albanese”.