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Finn Fisher Black put in a mighty show of strength to seize victory on stage 1 of the Giro di Sicilia in Italy today.
The Kiwi youngster set an infernal pace on the uphill climb to the finish from Marsala to Agrigento (159km), taking the front at -2km to go and riding away from the depleted bunch behind.
The team was initially working for Diego Ulissi on the stage, though a clever move from the Italian allowed Fisher-Black to slip away and forced the rivals to chase. Fisher-Black quickly opened a gap which was never bridged and sailed away to claim his first ever professional victory.
The strength of the squad was on full display with Ulissi taking 3rd behind and George Bennett taking 9th place, both at 8’’. The 21 year old also leads the overall classification heading into stage 2 from Canicattì to Vittoria (193km).
Finn Fisher Black: “My job was to pull into the bottom of the climb but I looked back at one point and no one was there and the DS on the radio just told me to go as hard as I could. I didn’t believe I could win until I saw the line. It’s a really important win for me. I broke my leg last year and coming back has been the hardest thing I’ve done, but this moment makes it all worth it.”
Stage 1 results & GC
1.Finn Fisher-Black (UAE Team Emirates) 3:24:07
2.Vincenzo Albanese (Eolo-Kometa) +8’’
3.Diego Ulissi (UAE Team Emirates) s.t
9.George Bennett (UAE Team Emirates) s.t
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