First win of season for Italian, Almeida 3rd overall in Catalunya
Diego Ulissi took the victory in the 44th edition of the GP Industria in Larciano (192km), marking his first triumph of the year on home soil.
The veteran played his tactics well, choosing the perfect moments to pounce for victory ahead of his compatriot Alessandro Fedeli (Italy), and third place Xando Meurisse (Alpecin-Fenix).
The win marks the 43rd win in the career of Ulissi and the 22nd of the season for UAE Team Emirates.
Diego Ulissi : “It feels amazing to take my first win of the season and to do it here in front of a home crowd is even more special. My teammates played a great role and really worked hard for me so hats off to them. We are working really well together in this group and the results are showing on the road. I’ll take a short break now and build up to the next block of racing. With really high motivation after the victory today.”
On the final day of the Volta Catalunya in Spain, Joao Almeida cemented his 3rd place podium on a testing city circuit in Barcelona (138.6km).
After some aggressive riding by the young duo of Almeida and Ayuso, a small elite group came to the line where Italian Andrea Bagioli (Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl) took the victory in a sprint.
Ayuso finished just behind in 4th place, ending his first World Tour stage race on a high-note.
Almeida’s podium is the result of a hard-fought week which saw highlights including a stage victory and a stint in the leaders jersey for the Portuguese, who is showing good form with the Giro d’Italia just around the corner.
Joao Almeida: “I’m really happy with how this week turned out. We rode well as a team, we won a stage and we were strong on the climbs and showed our power so I think we can be happy with the podium place . Of course we wanted the win but I think we can be pleased overall. Next week I’ll do the GP Indurain and then I’ll turn my focus to my main goal of the year for me ,the Giro d’Italia.”
GP Industria Results
1.Diego Ulissi (UAE Team Emirates) 4:30:34
2.Alessandro Fedeli (Italy) s.t
3.Xandro Meurisse (Alpecin-Fenix) s.t
Volta Catalunya stage 7 results
1.Andrea Bagioli (Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl) 3:18:09
2.Attila Valter (Groupama-FDJ) s.t
3.Fernando Barcelo (Caja Rural) s.t
4.Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates) s.t
Volta Catalunya Final classification
1.Sergio Higuita (Bora-Hansgrohe) 29:53:33
2.Richard Carapaz (Ineos-Grenadiers) +16’’
3.Joao Almeida (UAE Team Emirates) +52’’
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