With a superb performance (not even a downhill crash 18 km from the finish line could stop him), Australian Nicholas Vinnie Manion, teammate of Italian Champion Vincenzo Carosi in the Work Service Coratti team, put a strong stamp on his potential overall victory in this 4th Valdera Tour. The second and penultimate stage confirmed predictions and proved difficult and challenging, completely reshaping the race and giving it a precise character. From Casciana Terme to Chianni, with three mountain grand prix and fierce heat, the stage was animated by a breakaway of about forty kilometers with Migheli and Cammisa as protagonists, who were caught 24 km from the finish on the climb towards Garetto by an unleashed Manion.

The Australian won the mountain grand prix but crashed during the descent and was caught by Morlino and Medway. However, as soon as the road started climbing again, Manion launched a vigorous and irresistible attack, breaking away and arriving alone at the finish line with a clear advantage. For Manion, considering that the standings saw Paolo Favero (Bustese Olonia) - winner of the first stage in Ponsacco with just a second over 95 athletes - as the leader, this meant not only the stage win but also the white Regional Tuscany jersey before tomorrow's final stage from La Rosa (start at 12:30) to Terricciola with a 111.5 km uphill finish. Among Manion's rivals, Morlino from GB Team Pool Cantù delivered a splendid performance, finishing second at 38", followed by Tuscan champion Ballerini in third place, then Guglielmi, Forlin, and Pascarella. Attending the "Valdera" stage, which after Davide Faraoni remembered Mario Rifiuti, were the Italian Junior National Team Coach Dino Salvoldi, Chianni Mayor Giacomo Tarrini, and Riccardo Magrini.

FINISH ORDER

1)Nicholas Vinni Manion (Work Service Coratti) km 85.700, in 2h13'48", average speed km 38.430; 2)Luca Morlino (GB Team Pool Cantù) at 38"; 3)Mattia Ballerini (Team Vangi Il Pirata) at 1'03"; 4)Lorenzo Guglielmi (Pedale Casalese Armofer) at 1'27"; 5)Daniele Forlin (Nordest Villadose); 6)Pascarella; 7)Medway at 1'37"; 8)Pavi Degl'Innocenti at 1'50"; 9)Turconi; 10)Fracasso.

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION

1)Nicholas Vinnie Manion (Work Service Coratti); 2)Morlino at 38"; 3)Ballerini at 1'03"; 4)Pascarella at 1'27"; 5)Guglielmi at 1'27"; 6)Forlin at 1'27"; 7)Medway at 1'37"; 8)Pavi Degl'Innocenti at 1'50"; 9)Turconi at 1'50; 10)Fracasso at 1'50".