At the finish line in Sesto Fiorentino, a short distance from the house of Alfredo Martini to whom this edition of the tricolor race is dedicated, Alberto Bettiol confirms himself as the strongest Italian of the moment in one-day races and wears his first tricolor jersey, confirming his predictions on the eve. The EF Education-EasyPost standard bearer launched the decisive action in the last pass on Monte Morello, separating his breakaway companions Lorenzo Rota and Edoardo Zambanini by a handful of seconds, second and third respectively. For the 30-year-old from Poggibonsi it is confirmation that the current one is one of the best seasons as a pro, with today’s successes and that of Milano Torino and a remarkable continuity of performance which allows him to look forward to the next events with confidence, starting with the Tour de France.
“I didn’t expect to go so fast – he said immediately after arriving -. After the fall in Switzerland it was hard to get back into the rhythm. But this race gave me the right motivation and the fact of carrying the tricolor on my shoulders at the Tour It makes me really proud. I’m pleased to have won in a race dedicated to Alfredo Martini, who has always been a point of reference for me.”
The winner receives compliments from the president of the Italian Cycling Federation Cordiano Dagnoni: “Alberto deserves this jersey. He is one of our most talented riders and the fact that he won as the favourite, in Tuscany as a Tuscan, in front of a fantastic audience, makes his feat even more difficult. Having seen him at work today, with an uncertain condition after the fall, he comforts us and gives us hope for the future starting from the Tour, in which he will participate with the tricolor jersey on his shoulders. This, for the entire Italian cycling movement, is the greatest satisfaction.”
At the end of a busy week, the president broadens his gaze to the entire Toscana Tricolore 2024 event: “With the dispute of the Italian junior track championships at the Enzo Sacchi Velodrome in Florence, last week, the Toscana Tricolore 2024 event has started and will end in October with the Italian MTB Enduro championship. The Italian Championships are a heritage of the Italian Cycling Federation that the current Federal Council has decided to enhance through an increase in quality standards and a unique format capable of providing greater visibility.
Those in Tuscany are not the only ones of the season which, thanks to the commitment of the Federation, will enjoy extensive television coverage. I thank the RAI leaders for this, for the sensitivity shown during the various meetings we had to be able to guarantee live broadcasts for this weekend’s events and a summary for future ones. The broadcast of the numerous Italian championships is part of a general agreement with RAI which also provides for the valorization of amateur and youth activities in all cycling specialties.”
In the SprintCyclingAgency photos: above, the podium; below: the arrival and Bettiol with president Dagnoni and president Toscanametti
