/ TREVISO
Zalf prophet at home at the Giro del Veneto. And with a dedication that touches the heart. The third stage, from Trissino to Castelfranco, “home” of the Zalfini, sees Alessio Portello exalt himself in the sprint. And the 19-year-old from Friuli had a special thought for his companion Alex Tolio, a 21-year-old climber from Pieve del Grappa, hit Wednesday by a car in training (only barrel, discharged yesterday from the Bassano hospital after a night under observation) near Bassano: «After the accident in Tolio there was a bit of apprehension in the whole team, but luckily in the evening it became known that nothing was broken. This victory is for him, so that he can recover quickly and be back in the group as soon as possible ». Second acute 2021 for Portello, which in the city of Giorgione overtakes Cristian Rocchetta (General Store) and Matteo Pongiluppi (Gallina). “Winning is always nice, being able to do it on the roads of home is even more so”, remarked Portello, already a stocker in the season in Vigasio. But, two stages from the end (today we arrive on the Trissino wall, tomorrow the Falcade-Sospirolo), Zalf also dominates the general, with the leadership of Matteo Zurlo from Vicenza (at 6 “comrade Verza, at 1’33” Luca Colnaghi of Trevigiani), benefited in the second stage with perfect team action. Order of arrival: 1) Alessio Portello (Zalf) 2h50’05 “, 2) Cristian Rocchetta (General Store), 3) Matteo Pongiluppi (Gallina Colosio), 4) Giulio Masotto (Zalf), 5) Luca Regalli (Iseo) .
Tour Women. The Giro d’Italia is to pink cycling as the Tour is to the men’s pedal. There are all the strongest, it is the most heartfelt event of the year. And in 2021 it also acquires an extra meaning: the last test before the Tokyo Olympics. Thus, from today’s Cuneo team time trial, all the possible protagonists on Japanese roads will be seen. Including Soraya Paladin, already certain of the best call of her career. But the pink race also turns the spotlight on those who will not go to the Games: Sofia Bertizzolo, very perky in the latest releases; Laura Tomasi, in evidence in the first year with Alé, and Nadia Quagliotto, looking for redemption after two troubled years (also keep an eye on Sierra’s Monex and Silvestri’s Top Girls-Fassa Bortolo). Paladin will be able to count on the greetings of the fans in the San Vendemiano-Mortegliano on 9 July. «I’m leaving without ranking goals, I’ll try to play it in some stages», the 28-year-old from Cimadolmo said, «The important thing will be to leave the Giro with a good condition in terms of the Games. The “big” are hiding, making the excuse of the Olympics. But the favorites are always the same: van der Breggen and Ludwig, but I also include Longo Borghini ». On the adventure in Tokyo: «I am excited, I am thinking of the Olympics seen on TV. I am reminded of Viviani’s gold or Longo Borghini’s bronze in Rio, but also the title of Bettini in Athens 2004. I was small, but already in love with cycling. I was able to give the signals I wanted to the Tricolori and the Course, but I only got the certainty with the call from the city ». –