Volta Valenciana, 2nd stage and 2nd place: Lonardi endures through the plateau and sprints on the flat

After animating the opening day with the breakaway set up by Fran Muñoz, Team Polti Kometa also leaves its mark in Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana‘s with a great result by Lonardi, winning the sprint group.

Second stage, second place: well supported also by his teammates, including Paul Double and Davide Piganzoli (now in 8th and 16th place respectively in the general classification, a minute and a half behind the yellow jersey), Giovanni Lonardi endures through the Corrals plateau and wins the sprint behind the solo winner Matej Mohoric!

After finishing last season with a podium in Turkey, the veronese sprinter today showcased his qualities in the Mancomunitat de la Valldigna.

“Our riders interpreted the race very well again,” comments sports director Stefano Zanatta. “We knew that after yesterday, the breakaway wouldn’t make it all the way, so we didn’t seek it. We imagined that the stage would be resolved in a reduced sprint and we bet on Giovanni. At the beginning of the last climb, not too difficult but very narrow, they did a great job especially Maestri, Sevilla and Muñoz. Lona managed to stay with the first group together with Double and Piganzoli and completed a more than positive day. Now we stay focused and hope to do even better in the coming days.”

And here he is, the lively Lonardi: “I felt really good, we knew that Mohoric could make the difference in the descent but in the sprint I did everything right, staying on Consonni’s wheel. Tomorrow, with only one KOM halfway through, it will be another opportunity to make the most of it. I’m confident for the upcoming stages and races!”