Seasonal debut with podium in Vuelta a San Juan. In the first race of the season great result of Nicolas Marini, third in the sprint behind Gaviria and Viviani.
San Juan, Argentina.
First stage of the Vuelta San Juan, first race of the year for the NIPPO Vini Fantini team, and yet first podium. An arrival for sprinter was expected and this has been the only “standard” of the last km of the race. 500 meters before the finish line a detour without signals confused the group launched in the sprint. The right way have been chosen by the “Quick-Step Floors”. After a moment of confusion, very good job has been made by Riccardo Stacchiotti followed by Nicolas Marini that together were able to come back on the “Quick-Step Floors” riders. A great effort that remains in the legs of Nicolas Marini in the final sprint were he was able to reach the podium, but not to fight for the victory until the last meters.
“We could play better in that final part, without the inconvenient” declared the Sports Director Mario Manzoni “but Stacchiotti made a great job closing a hole of 50 meters on the launched Quick-Step Floors riders. This podium comes from a great team-work. Today the role of all the team was to help Nicolas Marini to save energies during the race to have him at the top for the final sprint. And this has been done very well, with also an extra effort made by Stacchiotti in the final part. First of all I’m happy for this team-work that can help us to reach great results.”
A little bit sad the sprinter of the NIPPO Vini Fantini, that is the most winning rider of 2015 and 2016 season among #OrangeBlue: “To the last corner it happens everything. Some motorcycles to take the detour, cut the road to all the group and someone take the wrong way missing the “Quick-Step Floors” riders launched. Riccardo Stacchiotti helps me a lot to come back on them, but then unfortunately Malucelli makes another hole between me and them. At that point I spent too much to play until the end for the victory against to top riders as Gaviria and Viviani, but I’m happy for the podium and for my condition that let me with great hope looking forward to next flat stages.”
The Vuelta San Juan, will continue untile Sunday, January 29th, with the following stages:
Stage 2: San Juan › San Juan. 128,8 km
Stage 3: (ITT) San Juan › San Juan. 11.9 km
Stage 4: San Martín › San Martín. 160.5 km
Stage 5: Chimbas › Alto Colorado. 162.4 km
Stage 6: Pocito › Pocito. 185.7 km
Stage 7: San Juan › San Juan. 138.2 km