WorldTour
Tour of the Alps: Giulio Pellizzari wins and takes the overall lead
With an impressive team performance, Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe set an exclamation mark on the second stage of the Tour of the Alps. Giulio Pellizzari secured the win and is the new race leader.
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On the selective final climb of the 147.5 kilometre stage from Telfs to Martell/Val Martello, the riders from Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe were among the most active players in the race. After an attack by Thymen Arensman (Ineos Grenadiers), it was the Italian U23 world champion Lorenzo Finn who followed the Dutchman and thus paved the way for Giulio Pellizzari 's subsequent stage win. Pellizzari himself caught up with the leaders around three kilometres before the finish.
Pellizari after crossing the finish line.
© Werner Müller-Schell
The team then showed perfect coordination in the finale: Aleksandr Vlasov, who had also caught up to the front in the meantime, opened the sprint and forced the competition to react. Pellizzari made perfect use of this pattern and prevailed over Arensman in the final metres. Behind him, Mattia Gaffuri (Italy, Picnic PostNL), Egan Bernal (Colombia, Ineos Grenadiers) and Vlasov completed the top five. Finn crossed the finish line just behind in sixth place. With Giovanni Aleotti (13th) and Ben Zwiehoff (16th), two more Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe riders finished the race among the front runners.
I've ridden this race twice before and have finished third and second on both stages. So today's victory is all the better.
“It's an incredible day. I've ridden this race twice before and have already finished third and second in stages. So today's victory is all the better. I have to thank my team - everyone did an incredible job,” said a delighted stage winner Giulio Pellizzari at the finish.
U23 world champion Lorenzo Finn showed a strong performance in the final.
© Werner Müller-Schell
Lorenzo Finn was also overjoyed: “That was a really good day for us. With Giulio's victory and several riders at the front of the race, we showed how strong we are as a team. For me personally, it was also a very good stage. Being able to keep up with such big names means a lot to me.”
A big compliment to the boys, who implemented our plan perfectly on the road.
Christian Pömer, the Sports Director on site, particularly emphasised the cohesive team performance: “A big compliment to the boys, who implemented our plan perfectly on the road. Lorenzo was outstanding when he was able to go with Arensman. And when Aleks came back and was the first to accelerate in the sprint, that was a game changer. Big respect to the whole team - and congratulations to Giulio. A perfect day.”
Pellizzari celebrates the stage win on the podium.
© Werner Müller-Schell
Giulio Pellizzari starts tomorrow's third stage of the Tour of the Alps as the overall leader. The 22-year-old also leads the points and young rider rankings. Additionally, Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe is at the top of the team classification after two days of racing.
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