Today’s second stage of the Giro del Trentino featured the first of three summit finishes. After 164.5 kilometers in rainy conditions, Edoardo Zardini (Bardiani - CSF) triumphed in San Giacomo di Brentonico to win the stage with a solo ride, clearly finishing ahead of Przemyslaw Niemiec (Lampre Merida) and Fabio Durarte (Colombia). Tiago Machado crossed the finish line in tenth place, improving his position in the general classification to fifth place.

 

“On the final climb we focused on sticking with the favorites. Tiago’s result is completely fine. Also, after Jose’s training phase and for David who prepared in the altitude, today’s race was fine. Tiago’s fifth place in the general classification still leaves a lot of options open for us. He achieved our goal for today,” said Enrico Poitschke, Sport Director for Team NetApp - Endura, commenting on the race. 

After multiple attacks at the start, three riders finally managed to pull away 30 kilometers into the race. Since the field allowed them to escape, they were quickly able to build up nearly a nine-minute lead. At the halfway mark, just in time before the first mountain classifications, the peloton began its pursuit and neutralized the breakaway attempt right at the start of the final climb. The group of favorites launched several attacks over the last 10 kilometers, which ultimately allowed the later winner of the stage to pull away. Three kilometers before the finish line the field had been cut down so much that Zardini on his own was comfortably ahead of his pursuers and was able to hold onto the lead all the way to the finish line.

Tomorrow’s third and penultimate stage of the tour covers 184.4 kilometers from Mori to Roncone. From the very start, this stage will have a very hilly profile. After second and first category mountain classifications, the finale will be especially difficult. A short, steep climb with as much as a 15% gradient will decide the day’s winner.

“Tomorrow there will be several climbs and then a short, steep summit finish. We have two options. The riders with more than a five-minute deficit in the general classification can attack. The three riders who are still in a promising position will save their energy for the finale over the course of the stage. Our goal is to hold onto our excellent positions in the general classification or even improve if we can,” Poitschke added.

 

Website Giro del Trentino

1. Stage (TTT): Riva del Garda – Arco, 13,4 km
2. Stage: Limone sul Garda – San Giacomo di Brentonico, 164,5 km 
3. Stage: Mori – Roncone, 184,4 km
4. Stage: Val Daone – Monte Bondone, 175 km