Team Bardiani Csf 7 Saber's Tour of Magnificent Qinghai concludes on a positive note, victory did not arrive, but the Italian team was always present at every stage. The balance sheet shows a fifth place and a seventh place in the general classification with Alex Tolio and Luca Covili, 2 stage podiums and above all the victory as best team ahead of Xds Astana and Polti Visit Malta. Even in the final stage, the Italian squad tried to make their mark, Enrico Zanoncello finished third in the final sprint.

«This year the Tour of Magnificent Qinghai was particularly tough, there were many climbs, many climbers and bad weather had a significant impact, it was often difficult to get over the passes. Yesterday our goal was to take the mountain jersey with Edward Cruz, but unfortunately we didn't manage it. In the end I did my sprint, I tried to do my best, but once again something was missing. In these days we came really close, but above all we wanted to try until the end.» Zanoncello told us, who on the final race day together with his team tried to reach the final podium. About 40 km from the finish line, Alex Tolio attacked with a small group of athletes and literally nurtured the dream of the podium. «Reaching the podium wasn't so impossible, after the climb a small group broke away, there was the first and second in the general classification and also our Tolio. They had managed to gain a good advantage and the podium was indeed within reach, we behind together with Caja Rural tried to break up the pace a bit, but at a certain point Burgos, Astana and unexpectedly Team Li Ning went to close the gap. It was a shame, but anyway we brought home a good third place on the day and a fifth in the general classification.»

Enrico Zanoncello has a special bond with the Tour of Magnificent Qinghai, a race that he considers among his favorites in China for its uniqueness, but also for the excellent results he has always achieved. «In China it's my favorite race, but for some years now I haven't been able to win a stage. It's a fascinating race, and I remember the first time I came and realized how special it was, it's essential to prepare beforehand. Usually I would spend 2-3 weeks at altitude, unfortunately this year I wasn't able to and so I always had to chase. Among all the Chinese races, it's the best organized one, the start and finish are in the same place, there are no major transfers and the crowd is really special. Often we're in the middle of nowhere and the public remains fascinated by us Europeans, they look at you with a particular eye and make you feel like a celebrity» Enrico explains, highlighting how victory seems to have become a curse. Yet he continues to try and concludes his umpteenth Chinese experience with a smile.

The trip to the Tour of Magnificent Qinghai for Team Bardiani Csf 7 Saber was meticulously prepared, thanks to the now considerable experience consolidated in these types of races. In the team, positivity was never lacking, Luca Amoriello constantly encouraged his riders who in 8 days of racing also managed to bring home a good haul of points. Zanoncello and his teammates are already on their way home, there will be time for some rest before diving back into the fray. Meanwhile, the next plans for the Venetian rider include the Tour of Denmark in August and given the proximity to his birthday, it could be the perfect opportunity to give himself a nice gift.

You can discover more about Team Bardiani CSF 7 Saber's Chinese adventure by listening to the new episode of Bla Bla Bike with the stories of Alex Tolio and sports director Luca Amoriello.