The 30th Giro di Sardegna, which returned to the calendar this year after a fifteen-year absence, concluded under the sign of Davide Donati. The Italian rider from Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe claimed the fifth and final stage, the Nuoro-Olbia route of 177 kilometers, with an impressive sprint finish that left Davide Persico (MBH Bank CSB Telecom Fort) and Tilen Finkšt (Solution Tech NIPPO Rali) unable to match the power of the Brescia native.

Alongside him, celebrating as the final line was crossed, was Filippo Zana, who managed his advantage without difficulty with the help of his team against his rivals for the overall classification, securing the blue jersey of the general classification with 46 seconds over teammate Gianmarco Garofoli and 1'39" ahead of a strong-performing Alessandro Verre (MBH Bank-CSB Telecom-Fort). For the former Italian champion, now with Soudal Quick-Step this season, this marks his fourth stage race victory following successes at the Sazka Tour in 2021, the Adriatica Ionica Race in 2022, and the Tour of Slovenia in 2023.

THE RACE

On the climb of Valico di Su Pradu immediately after the starting line, Riccardo Perani (Beltrami TSA Tre Colli) and Diego Uriarte (Equipo Kern Pharma) break away. In a second attempt to bridge the gap, Vittorio Friggi of Mg.K Vis Costruzioni e Ambiente tries to close in, but the rider from Terni is unsuccessful in his attack and, after cresting the summit 53 seconds behind the leading pair, is caught by the main group. Shortly after, Uriarte also decides to be reeled back in by the peloton, a decision that leaves Perani alone to animate the day's breakaway attempt.

With a strong pace, the Brescia-based athlete manages to build a lead of nearly 7 minutes, but the essentially flat terrain and lack of support mean that from behind, the peloton and especially the sprinters' teams have an easy time chasing. As soon as Polti VisitMalta and Red Bull BORA hansgrohe (followed by Petrolike, MBH Bank, and S.C. Padovani) increase the pace significantly, within a few kilometers the fugitive's advantage drops dramatically and inevitably disappears with 17 kilometers remaining.

In an attempt to prevent a bunch sprint, Diego Uriarte tries again, launching a solo attack. The peloton, however, maintains good control and with perfect timing catches the Spanish rider just 1,600 meters from the finish line, in time to launch the final sprint that, despite some tension in the final meters, is won by Donati ahead of Persico, Finkšt, Egholm, and Peñalver.

The Brescia native, thanks to his third professional victory (the second in four days following his success in Tortolì), takes the white jersey of the points classification from Filippo Zana, who, for his part, consoles himself admirably by taking the blue jersey of the overall classification on the podium in Olbia.

Along with these two, the eighteen-year-old Polish rider from Bahrain Victorious Development Team Jan Jackowiak (best young rider at the end of the five-day race) and Panamanian Roberto Carlos González are also honored. González, by securing the orange jersey for the King of the Mountains, puts the finishing touch on a positive week of racing for Solution Tech NIPPO Rali, one of four teams (along with Soudal Quick-Step, Team Ukyo, and Red Bull BORA hansgrohe Rookies) to secure at least one stage victory in Sardegna in these recent days.

FINAL STAGE RESULTS

1. Davide Donati (ITA/ Red Bull BORA hansgrohe Rookies) - 3:58:06

2. Davide Persico (ITA/MBH Bank-CSB Telecom-Fort) - s.t.

3. Tilen Finkšt (SLO/Solution Tech-Nippo-Rali) - s.t.

4. Kristian Egholm (DAN/Lidl-Trek Future Racing) - s.t.

5. Manuel Peñalver (SPA/Polti-VisitMalta) - s.t.

6. Enrico Zanoncello (ITA/Bardiani-CSF-7 Saber) - s.t.

7. Thomas Capra (ITA/Bahrain Victorious Development Team) - s.t.

8. Yoshiki Terada (JPN/Team Ukyo) - s.t.

9. Alessio Menghini (ITA/Technipes #inEmiliaRomagna) - s.t.

10. Nicolò Arrighetti (ITA/General Store) - s.t.

OVERALL CLASSIFICATION

1. Filippo Zana (ITA/Soudal Quick Step) - 19:29:20

2. Gianmarco Garofoli (ITA/Soudal Quick Step) at 0:46

3. Alessandro Verre (ITA/MBH Bank-CSB Telecom-Fort) at 1:39

4. Urko Berrade (SPA/Equipo Kern Pharma) at 1:43

5. Ibón Ruiz (SPA/Equipo Kern Pharma) at 1:45

6. Jan Michal Jackowiak (POL/Bahrain Victorious Development Team) at 1:45

7. Davide de Cassan (ITA/General Store) at 1:45

8. Adrià Pericas (SPA/UAE Emirates Gen-Z) at 1:45

9. Max Bock (GER/Red Bull BORA hansgrohe Rookies) at 2:10

10. Darren van Bekkum (NED/XDS-Astana) at 2:11

OTHER CLASSIFICATIONS

Points Classification: Davide Donati (ITA/ Red Bull BORA hansgrohe Rookies)

King of the Mountains Classification: Roberto Carlos González (PAN/Solution Tech NIPPO Rali)

Best Young Rider Classification: Jan Michal Jackowiak (POL/Bahrain-Victorious Development Team)