The Neri Sottoli Lucchini Energy team achieves a second victory at the Giro della Valdera. Following Colella's success on the opening day, Stefano Cavalli claimed victory with a brilliant final performance, breaking away from Mexican rider Delgado Rodriguez on the climb leading to the Chianni finish line to secure his first seasonal win. For the Mexican rider, meanwhile, the top position in the general classification and the white jersey of the Tuscany Region.
It was a very lively stage, though difficult and demanding. In the opening phase, Caloni was the protagonist, joined by Rigon in a breakaway that lasted until Terricciola at km 61 of the race when the pair was caught. This was followed by the attack of Bonciani and Verdirame, reached a few kilometers further ahead by Roggi. The trio at the final passage through Chianni, 26 km from the finish, was caught by eleven chasers while the fractured main group was 1'30" behind, with clear selection and significant gaps.
On the Garetto climb, Melini's attack gained him almost a minute's advantage over the 13 chasers, but on the final climb towards the finish line he was caught and dropped by Mexican rider Rodriguez and Cavalli. The latter accelerated further and went on alone to claim his first seasonal victory, to the delight of former professional Fabio Sabatini from Pistoia who follows the team and sports director Paolo Centi. The brilliant winner was followed by Delgado Rodriguez (A.R. Monex) and Lover (Team Tiepolo U19). For the Mexican rider, however, there was the conquest of the white jersey as leader of the classification by 17 seconds. Tomorrow, Sunday, the final stage with departure at 12:45 from the Mangini Warehouses at La Rosa and finish after 77 km in Piazza V. Veneto in Lajatico before 3 p.m.
FINISHING ORDER
1) Stefano Cavalli (Team Neri Sottoli Lucchini Energy) 107 km, in 2h56'53", at an average speed of 36.295 km/h; 2) Jose Delgado Rodriguez (A.R. Monex Pro Cycling) at 17"; 3) Tomaz Medeot Lover (Team Tiepolo U19 Devo) at 31"; 4) Giacomo Dalla Pria (Faizanè CSZ Sandrigo) at 37"; 5) Luca Battistutta (Gottardo Giochi Caneva) at 49"; 6) Gugnino at 1'01"; 7) Renzi; 8) Rosso; 9) Mazzarello; 10) Moreno Garcia.
GENERAL CLASSIFICATION
1) Jose Delgado Rodriguez (A.R. Monex Pro Cycling); 2) Lover at 11"; 3) Dalla Pria at 34"; 4) Battistutta at 35"; 5) Cavalli at 37"; 6) Gugnino at 47"; 7) Moreno Garcia at 50"; 8) Renzi s.t.; 9) Pinotti s.t.; 10) Mazzarello s.t.