STEFANO GANDIN BRINGS HOME THE MAGLIA VERDE PISTACCHIO 

The Veneto rider, who entered the breakaway of the day, defends lead in the KOM classification

Monte Etna, 15/04/2022

Team corratec went on the ceremony stage also at the end of the last stage of Il Giro di Sicilia, the only Uci Continental Team to succeed, thanks to the courage and strength of Stefano Gandin who, after having conquered it in the first stage, he defended the Maglia Verde Pistacchio until the end.

After crossing the finish line Gandin said: “We started with the goal to try to keep the jersey. We knew it would have been really hard, and it was. When we caught the early breakaway, I saw we had a chance. I would like to thank my teammate, Stojnic, that helped me going clear. I told myself “I have to give everything until the second Kom and take as much points as I can”. Yesterday I was really tired, but today I felt better. I had good legs, I recovered well. I’m really happy for my team, my teammates and myself.”

#NeverGiveUp

Gandin’s two main rivals, the Canadian Pierre-Andrè Cotè and the Colombian German Dario Gomez who, however, could not do anything against the rider of Team corratec who was able to manage himself with great intelligence on the first two KOMs of the day, conquering enough points to maintain the lead after fighting for over 60 km at the head of the group as many attack attempts were caught by the peloton.

Sports Director Francesco Frassi was enthusiastic about the performances of Team corratec and declared: “It is a great result, it was already an honor to be at the start of Il Giro di Sicilia, a race organized by RCS Sport and therefore of great importance. We started with the intention of doing well and I think we succeeded both by entering all the breakaways of the day and with the Maglia Verde Pistacchio won by Gandin. Today there were many points up for grabs and yet the team has always been careful because the escape was born only after 65 km where the elevation gain was already challenging. Stefano was good at controlling the situation, showing that he has good legs. The only regret is not being able to conquer the podium in yesterday’s stage with Stojnic even if he has shown us to be in a better shape after a period made difficult by the flu. It’s nice to work with a group of guys like this, we will take away a lot of satisfaction.”

The final victory of Il Giro di Sicilia went to Damiano Caruso, also winner of today’s stage.

PHOTO: CREDITS SIROTTI / LAPRESSE