Published on : 05/17/2022
The day after the rest day, the peloton took the road again. The stage became more and more animated in the last 20 km and Guillaume Martin was well protected until the end by his team-mates (20th of the stage). He is still 6th overall.
The ascent of Italy, through the East of the country, continues. Yesterday, the riders finally had a rest day, ideal for resting their bodies before another week of competition. This stage between Pescara and Jesi was composed of a first flat part where a break of 3 riders took up to 6 minutes of advantage on the peloton. These 3 riders were caught again with 20km to go in the second part of the stage where there were 6 small climbs with very steep sections.
Tomorrow, one of the longest stages
For the Cofidis team, the most important thing was to protect Guillaume Martin. The rider from Normandy, who had a great weekend, wanted to keep his 6th place in the general classification, the result of so many efforts during the weekend. Well supported by the whole team, like Davide Villella in the last 15 kilometres, he held his position and managed to reach the finish line without any major problems.
In the final, the pace increased again with the Alpecin-Fenix team at the front, then on the last climb of the Monsanto with a 11% gradient, where the main sprinters couldn't follow the rhythm and the different attacks. Guillaume Martin took 20th place in a stage won by Biniam Girmay.
Tomorrow, he will have to be patient. It is a new stage with more than 200 km (203 km) between Santarcangelo di Romagna and Reggio Emilia. The peloton will pass through the towns and villages that were affected by the earthquake in Emilia Romagna in 2012. A stage without any difficulties that should end in a sprint, the opportunity for Simone Consonni and Davide Cimolai to try their luck.
THEY SAID
Guillaume Martin: "My legs were pretty good after the rest day. In the end, it was quite a nervous stage, whereas we were expecting a more relaxed day. Because of the breakaway with only 3 riders, many teams had ideas in the final, on quite narrow and hilly roads. Placement was important and I was once again well looked after on this side. I was able to reach the finish without any problems and that is the most important thing on a day like this. Tomorrow it should be calmer. We will have to watch out for the risk of crashes in the final part of the race and above all we will have to continue with the same dynamic.
Roberto Damiani, Directeur Sportif: "It was a good stage for Guillaume who stayed with the leaders. Of course, Simone Consonni dropped out 200m from the top of the last climb. We had a good day for the team, we knew that the last kilometres were difficult. It is therefore another stage where Guillaume remains well placed in the general classification. And tomorrow, it will be the turn of our sprinters to shine.