The double European MTB champion claims Austria’s first-ever victory at the Giro della Lunigiana and takes the first Maglia Verde. Van Kerckhove and Del Cucina complete the podium
The 49th Giro della Lunigiana opened with a historic milestone as Anatol Friedl delivered Austria’s first stage victory in the race’s history.
The double European MTB champion attacked on the descent of the Passo del Bocco together with Riccardo Del Cucina (Lunigiana Selection). The duo was later joined near the center of Chiavari by Belgian rider Seff Van Kerckhove, setting up the decisive finale.
It was Van Kerckhove who launched the sprint first, but Friedl surged past in the final meters to claim the win and the first Green Jersey. The peloton of favorites crossed the line 12 seconds back, led by Magagnotti, with Piedmont’s Scagliola rounding out the day’s top five.
DOWNLOAD PHOTOS, RESULTS & RACE MATERIALS
GENERAL CLASSIFICATION
1 – Anatol Friedl (Austria)
2 – Seff Van Kerckhove (Belgium) s.t.
3 – Riccardo Del Cucina (Rapp. Lunigiana) a 1″
ORDINE D’ARRIVO
1 – Anatol Friedl (Austria), 92.4 km in 2h15’24” average speed 40.950 km/h
2 – Seff Van Kerckhove (Belgium) at 4″
3 – Riccardo Del Cucina (Rapp. Lunigiana) at 7″
THE OFFICIAL JERSEYS OF THE 49TH GIRO DELLA LUNIGIANA
The leader jerseys of the Giro della Lunigiana are designed and produced by Alka
- Maglia Verde, leader of the General Classification, sponsored by Spigas – Terre di Luni – Anatol Friedl (Austria)
- Maglia Blu, leader of the Points Classification, sponsored by Liguria 2025 Regione Europea dello Sport – Anatol Friedl (Austria)
- Maglia a Pois, leader of the KOM Classification, sponsored by Conad – Kristian Haugetun (Norway)
- Maglia Bianca, leader of the Young Riders Classification, sponsored by G.I.A.D.A. Progetti Arredi Personalizzati – Seff Van Kerckhove (Belgium)
- Maglia Arancione, leader of the Intermediate Sprints, Regione Liguria – Memorial Massimo Vanello – Mathias De Keersmaeker (Belgium)
- Maglia Celeste, leader of the Italian Riders Classification, sponsored by A.L.A. Area Ligure Apuana – Riccardo Del Cucina (Rapp. Lunigiana)
QUOTES
Anatol Friedl: “It’s a huge satisfaction to be the first Austrian to win a stage at the Giro della Lunigiana. I’m in great form, coming off a very positive period, and this confirms I’m at a high level. We pushed hard on the toughest section of the climb, then Del Cucina and I attacked on the descent to make the difference. Van Kerckhove came back and launched a very long sprint, but I managed to overtake him. Tomorrow will be another tough stage, the final circuit is selective, and I hope to be ready”.
Seff Van Kerckhove: “I felt very good on the climb, but at one point I almost crashed and lost several positions. I fought back to the front and tried to go for the win. This gives me a lot of confidence for the coming stages”.
Riccardo Del Cucina: “Honestly, I thought I could win, but I made a mistake in the final corner and lost my chance. Still, I’m happy with third place because the level here is very high. Norway controlled the peloton for much of the day, but the attacks came on the last climb. The Maglia Celeste is a target, and I hope to keep it as long as possible”.
Commenti recenti