The first stage of the Giro d’Abruzzo Crédit Agricole is decided by a stroke of genius. In fact, the 160 km from Vasto to Pescara saw Enrico Zanoncello sprint to beat Matteo Malucelli in a duel down to the last meter which allowed the Venetian runner to obtain in one fell swoop his first success in Italy as a professional and the first Maglia Azzurra of leader of the general classification. The stage saw the breakaway of the day, whose last survivors were Tommaso Dati, Diego Bracalente and Andrea Guerra – first leader in the Green Jersey classification – reabsorbed 12 km from the finish. On the last bump in Spoltore we saw the attacks of George Bennett, Valerio Conti and the duo formed by Alexey Lutsenko and Diego Ulissi, all repelled by the group which presented itself compactly at the last km. Max Kanter launched the sprint at 250 meters but was overtaken at 150 by Malucelli who in turn could do nothing against Zanoncello’s comeback at the hurdles.
Enrico Zanoncello (VF Group-Bardiani CSF-Faizanè) it is also the first Maglia Azzurra of the leader of the general classification.
ORDER OF ARRIVAL
1 – Enrico Zanoncello (VF Group-Bardiani CSF-Faizanè) – 160 km in 3h38’41”, average 43,899 km/h
2 – Matteo Malucelli (JCL Team Ukyo) st
3 – Manuel Peñalver (Team Polti Kometa) st
GENERAL RANKING
1 – Enrico Zanoncello (VF Group-Bardiani CSF-Faizanè)
2 – Matteo Malucelli (JCL Team Ukyo) at 4″
3 – Manuel Peñalver (Team Polti Kometa) at 6″
THE GIRO D’ABRUZZO JERSEYS CRAGRICULTURAL EDIT
The Il Giro d’Abruzzo Crédit Agricole leader jerseys are designed and handmade by PISSEI
- Blue shirtleader of the General Ranking, sponsored by Abruzzo Region – Enrico Zanoncello (VF Group-Bardiani CSF – Faizanè)
- Cyclamen sweaterleader of the Points Classification, sponsored by Ice Agency with the brand madeinitaly.gov.it – Enrico Zanoncello (VF Group-Bardiani CSF-Faizanè)
- Green Jerseyleader of the Mountain Grand Prix, sponsored by Enel – Andrea Guerra (Zalf Euromobil Fior)
- White shirtleader of the Young People’s Ranking, born after 01/01/1999, sponsored by Crédit Agricole – Thomas Pesenti (JCL Team Ukyo)
