Sesto Fiorentino (Florence), 23 June 2024 – That bicycle raised to the sky as a sign of victory. That look upward in memory of Alfredo Martini. And a tricolor jersey that he will now wear at the Tour de France starting from Florence.
Historic day for Tuscan cycling: Alberto Bettiolthe rider from Castelfiorentino, won the Italian championships to the “Per Semper Alfredo”, the race in memory of the late Alfredo Martini, immense technical commissioner of the national cycling team who passed away a few years ago.
A foster father for many athletes and in some ways too for Bettiol, athlete of Ef Easypost, who he had met when he was very young. Bettiol crossed the finish line alone Sesto Fiorentinowith a great move that led him to have about fifteen seconds on his pursuers, Zambanini and Rota.
The other Tuscan, Elba Simone Velasco, holder of the jersey won a year ago, must therefore give up the symbol of primacy. But he’s handsome handover, which honors Tuscany. In short, the shirt will somehow remain “at home” within the regional borders.
The athletes covered 228 km from the start from Florence and arrive in Sesto Fiorentino. A race that was certainly not simple, nervous, with many climbs that took the riders from Calenzano to Mugello and then back towards the Sesto Fiorentino plain.
A special moment therefore for Bettiol: now the Italian tricolor jersey will be on his shoulders in the Tour de France which starts on Saturday 29 June from Florence. For the boy from Castelfiorentino, a great honor but also a great responsibility at the Grand Boucle, where the Tuscan fans hope that he will be able to place winning moves.
The order of arrival:
1 Alberto Bettiol (EF Education – EasyPost) 2 Lorenzo Rota (Intermarché Wanty) 3 Edoardo Zambanini (Bahrain Victorious) 4 Filippo Ganna (Ineos Grenadiers) 5 Davide Formolo (Movistar Team) 6 Giovanni Aleotti (Bora hangrohe) 7 Giulio Ciccone (Lidl – Trek) 8 Simone Velasco (Astana Qazaqstan Team) 9 Filippo Fiorelli (VF Group – Bardiani CSF – Faizané) 10 Diego Ulissi (UAE Emirates Team)
