Cimolai, second and furious: “A victory thrown away”

The Friulian beats Sagan and Viviani in the sprint, but the Dutch Van der Hoorne resists in front

CHANNEL. Second in a stage of the Giro, yet furious, Indeed, Davide Cimolai from the team bus that is taking him to the hotel on a long transfer to Piacenza says it bluntly on the phone, not even half an hour after the arrival: … black: my teammate Patrick Bevin had to pull me in the sprint instead of finishing fifth. I would have won ».

Furious with New Zealand and he has a good reason. Because in the sprint of the beaten tracks by the Dutch Carneade Taco van der Hoorne (Intermarchè Wanty) – a veteran of the escape to eight that characterized the third stage of the Giro Biella-Canale – the 31 year old Pordenone of the Israel Start Up Nation had beaten in order: the world champion Peter Sagan, the Olympic champion Elia Viviani (Cofidis). And, as if that weren’t enough, in addition to his “traitor” teammate, Fernando Gaviria (UAE), another big name.

In short, in Canale, Cimolai, in condition, as demonstrated also by the ninth place in Novara, has perhaps thrown away the opportunity of a career. The sprint was there, set up to perfection by the Bora Hansgrohe of the other Friulian (and perky) Matteo Fabbro who, to drive Sagan ahead of the pure sprinters for the undulating finish with three mountain grand prix and many ups and downs, had worked hard to mend. No way. The other teams, Uae, Cofidis, Viviani’s teams, from Friuli for love, and Gaviria, but also the same Israel of “Cimo”, woke up late and the omelette was made.

Mind you, the 27-year-old orange really liked the fried eggs enriched with a nice grated truffle, which even yesterday in the Roero, even if it’s not really the season, was dominating the tables. And last night he will also be granted a glass of excellent red wine produced in these parts. But for the beaten it is a real omelette.
“Bevin had to pull for me, it was a suitable finish for me, with a couple of his pulls we would have stitched up. Instead I found myself making the sprint watching the Dutchman win the stage that would have been mine », continues Cimolai, who does not do well to remember the past. “At Sanremo 2015 my partner Bonifazio made the sprint and didn’t help me, at the Tirreno two years ago as well and Alaphilippe beat me, I’m not really lucky”. Cimolai clarifies and thanks. «Alessandro De Marchi really helped me, the ‘red’ shot like crazy in the final». Honor to the other Friulian. “I would have liked so much to give a gift in advance to my child who will be born in a few days, I’ll try again, maybe in Gorizia, it would be a dream to win at home”. Father Lindo also thunders from Friuli: «When the team needs Davide, he’s there, but the opposite doesn’t happen».

Said of the furious “Cimo”, we need to go back to the one who celebrates with omelette and red wine. Small team, the Intermarchè, courage to sell. Fleeing from the morning in the rain with seven companions, up and down the hills, clarity and strength in breaking them one by one, iron resistance to the end. Bravo, when Davide beats Goliath cycling goes from sport to sport.

And Tuesday, fourth stage? Piacenza-Sestola, first uphill finish, even if technically the last three kilometers in the kingdom of Tomba are flat. Space for the big names. Will Filippo Ganna (Ineos) be able to keep the pink jersey? “No, from today I work for my captains Bernal and Sivakov,” he says confidently.