Published on : 01/20/2020
As he begins his first season with the professionals, the 23-year-old Italian rider won the sprint on Monday during the first stage of the Tropicale Amissa Bongo.
Viviani's name is a guarantee of success in cycling races. If Elia Viviani is getting ready to compete in the Santos Down Under Tour tomorrow, it is his little brother, Attilio, who made shine Cofidis' colours this Monday. He won the sprint on Monday in the first stage of the Tropical Amissa Bongo, which led the riders from Bitam (Gabon) to Ebolowa (Cameroon).
A great team effort
After 150 km of a very fast stage, Viviani won the sprint after a great work of the whole team. Pierre-Luc Périchon was the first to show himself by going out on the counter attack to control a breakaway of three riders. With about 30 km to go, when the breakaway was caught, Emmanuel Morin, Victor Lafay, Natnael Berhane and Eddy Finé worked hard to put Attilio in the best position.
At 23, Attilio once again confirmed his ability to make the difference in the final meters. At the end of August, he had already won the Schaal Sels in Belgium. After this great start, the Cofidis riders will be keen to continue their success at the Tropicale Amissa Bongo that Natnael Berhane won in 2014.
COMMENTS
Alain DELOEUIL, Sport director: "
It's a huge satisfaction. We wanted to bring the 1st victory this season and it’s done now. The team did a great job and it's a collective victory above all. Pierre-Luc Périchon had started well by attacking the peloton before the breakaway was over with 30 km to go. Then Morin, Lafay, Natnael worked hard in the last kilometers to enable Attilio Viviani to fight for the victory. Everybody got involved! We're going to enjoy this success before attacking the second stage with seriousness".
STAGE 2
MITZCIC - NDJOLÉ (180 km)
Alain Deloeuil: "
The profile of the stage is similar to today's day even if it will be a bit harder in the final because of a difficulty 1.5 km from the finish. This may cause issues to some sprinters but we have the riders to fight for stage victory again."
