U23
Giro di Sardegna: Davide Donati takes first season win for the Rookies
The Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe Rookies win the second stage of the Giro di Sardegna with Davide Donati. After a cohesive team performance, the Italian came out on top in the sprint.
With a commanding team performance, the Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe Rookies claimed their first victory of the season on the second stage of the 30th Giro di Sardegna (UCI 2.1). Davide Donati won the 136.3 kilometre stage from Oristano to Carbonia in a sprint of a reduced group and celebrated his second professional victory.
On the undulating course through the south of Sardinia, the team consistently controlled the race and did not allow any dangerous attacks. Especially in the hectic final phase, it was above all Gijs Schoonvelde who kept the peloton together at high speed and created the ideal conditions for a sprint.
Because of a late attack, I opened my sprint early and gave it my all.
Donati kept the overview in the twisty finale. With an early, powerful attack, he clearly prevailed and left Gianmarco Garofoli (Soudal Quick-Step) and Patrick Boje Frydkjær (Lidl - Trek Future Racing) behind him.
Davide Donati: "I got over the last climb well and knew that I was one of the fastest in the group. Because of a late attack, I opened my sprint early and gave it all. What's important to me is that we rode really well as a team today, so we can be really satisfied. Now we want to continue in the same vein over the next few days."
The whole team rode extremely strongly and cohesively, controlled all the attacks and prepared the sprint perfectly.
DS Gregor Gazvoda: "Our goal here in Sardinia is a stage win and a strong GC performance. We have now achieved the former. The last climb wasn't easy, but Davide showed how well he can climb. The whole team rode extremely strong and united, controlled all the attacks and prepared the sprint perfectly. We are incredibly proud of the whole team's performance today."
Davide Donati on the podium at Giro di Sardegna
© sirotti.it
Tomorrow the third stage of the Giro di Sardegna from Cagliari to Tortolì over 168.1 kilometres awaits the peloton. The Rookies want to build on today's cohesive team performance and fight for another top result.
