BUITRAGO WINS THE GIRO’S QUEEN STAGE!
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| Bahrain Victorious conquered the epic Tre Cime di Lavaredo, as Santiago Buitrago soloed to victory from the day’s breakaway on the Queen stage of the Giro d’Italia, beating Derek Gee (IPT) and Magnus Cort Nielsen (EF). |
Stage 19 Longarone-Tre Cime di Lavaredo was a gruelling one, with the peloton tackling a typical Dolomite course of 183 km with more than 5000 m of elevation gain and featuring some classical Passes as Campolongo, Valparola, Giau and Tre Croci, before the brutal ramp to Tre Cime di Lavaredo (1st cat., 7.2 km at 7.6%). |
The 23 years old Colombian climber joined the breakaway that went clear only after more than 1 hour of racing. The break started to explode on the Passo Giau, but it was on the following Passes where the day’s strongest riders, including Buitrago, made the decisive attacks to open the gap from their breakaway companions. In the finale, it was a duel between Derek Gee and the Bahrain Victorious rider, with the Canadian attacking first. Buitrago managed his energy very well in the last km, controlling his rival and with 1.5km to go, accelerating to catch and overwhelm him to take a memorable second victory at the Giro after his maiden success of last year in Lavarone. |
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| “Soloed to win on that epic mountain was an emotional victory. ” Santiago commented. “I worked a lot to achieve it and the team as well. It was important to get it, especially because up to now, my Giro was a bit grey. Today I had good legs, and I think I played my cards well. My Sports Director Franco Pellizotti helped me from the team car with good suggestions and encouraged me. We knew that the last three kilometres were very tough, and it was fundamental to manage energy. Then it was just about giving it all. And I did it! This victory is for my girlfriend, my family and the team. Everyone knows the hard work that’s behind it”. |
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Tre Cime di Lavaredo finish, with its 2304m, was also the Cima Coppi of the 2023 edition of the Giro. A prestigious award for Buitrago alongside the Premio Torriani for the winner of the stage that features the Cima Coppi.
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| Bahrain Victorious also put another rider in the queen stage’s top ten: Damiano Caruso, 7th, and back up into 4th place in the GC. Outstanding results that are the outcome of strong teamwork at this Giro, where Bahrain Victorious is still leading the Team Classification. |
Last but not least, the team celebrated the 18th day in the ciclamino jersey for Jonathan Milan.
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| (All pictures can be used for editorial and non-commercial usages only and are copyright @Sprintcycling @TeamBahrainVictorious) |
