Giro d'Abruzzo: Ivo Oliveira sprints to victory in second stage

Ivo Oliveira (UAE Team Emirates XRG) sprinted to victory in the 138-kilometer-long Tocco da Casauria-Penne, the second stage of the Giro d’Abruzzo. Decisive was the attack at one kilometer from the finish by the Portuguese rider, who preceded Filippo Fiorelli (VF Group BardianiCSF-Faizanè) and Marco Brenner (Tudor Pro Cycling Team), who placed second and third, respectively.

Filippo Fiorelli (VF Group BardianiCSF-Faizanè) is the new white-and-blue leader’s jersey in the general classification, ahead of Alessandro Covi, who, after Tuesday’s success in Crecchio, finished fourth at the finish in Penne.

“I almost can’t believe it! After so many difficult moments and so much work for the team, I am really happy to have taken the chance today and brought home the victory – Oliveira said hot on his heels. “This stage was supposed to be for [Alessandro] Covi. With 4 km to go I told him to stay on the wheel, to try to anticipate and thus have two cards to play. He replied, “you go, no problem”.

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“When I attacked with 1.5 kilometers to go, the climb was tougher than I thought it would be – added the UAE’bishop -. In the last 500 meters I was running out of energy, but that was enough. I am very excited because, excluding prologues and national championships, I think this is my first victory on the line with the team and I am super proud of it”.

“This win is for the team, my girlfriend, my family. In this team we are very close, we work as a family. We have a lot of options. I know I have a very good fast cue and I really like finals like this one. I knew it would be difficult for the others to close in on me” concluded the stage 2 winner.