Second consecutive podium for Pierpaolo De Negri at Tour de Hokkaido. The #OrangeBlue sprinter achieved the 3rd position on the second stage of Japanese race, at the end of the sprint marked by the wind.
9 September 2017, Tour de Hokkaido – Stage 2.
Second stage of Tour de Hokkaido and second podium achieved by #OrangeBlue Team.Pierpaolo De Negri, after the 2nd place in the first stage, achieved the 3rd position on today stage at the end of a race controlled by the group and ended with the final sprint. Great job made by the NIPPO Vini Fantini Team that controlled the breakaway and worked for the Italian sprinter.
THE RACE
Ends with a final sprint the second stage of Tour de Hokkaido (Hokuto-Kikonai, 182,3km). From the first kilometres several riders try to make the breakaway. Team of General Ranking leader and the #OrangeBlue Marino Kobayashi, Nicola Bagioli, Giacomo Berlato and Hideto Nakane controlled the escape attempts. 3 riders made the action of the day, but the group closed the breakaway before the final.
Pierpaolo De Negri achieved the 3rd position in a fotofinish arrival won by the Japanese Hayato Okamoto from Aisan Racing Team.
THE DECLARATION OF THE RIDER
Regret on the Pierpaolo De Negri words at the end of the stage: “Again close to the stage victory, with a 3rd place decided by the fotofinish. There was some cross wind and I didn’t sprint in the way I wished. I want to congrats with my team for the great job made today, who gives me the possibilities to be in a good position for the final sprint.”
Tomorrow the NIPPO Vini Fantini team will be committed on the final stage of Tour de Hokkaido.
STAGE RANKING
1 OKAMOTO Hayato (Aisan Racing Team)
2 KUROEDA Saya
3 DE NEGRI Pier Paolo (Nippo – Vini Fantini)
4 YOSHIDA Hayato (Matrix Powertag)
5 SUZUKI Ryu (Bridgestone Anchor Cycling Team)