Sobrero and Affini are strong, but Nibali is the salvation of Italy

The two chronomen 4th and 13th, the Shark at 37 is the only blue who can try to fit in among the big names. Male Ciccone and Fortunato

BUDAPEST. Strange life. A few years ago the Italian riders, with some exceptions, struggled with time trials. They dominated the classics, now they struggle. They won the big rounds, now they dream of them. Now there are time trial in Italy. There is not Filippo Gannawho will do the Tour, here is the “brother-in-law” Matteo Sobrero (Bike Exchange), super fourth at 12 ”from Yates and the man from Mantua Edoardo Affini (Jumbo), now a certainty against time, 13th to 19 ”behind the winner.

And for the final standings? Results of the young blue suitors: Giulio Ciccone (Trek Segafredo) over 50 “, Lorenzo Fortunato (Aeolus) over a minute. As if to say, one almost and one out of the rankings. After two stages. But there he is, the immense Vincenzo Nibali: 37 years of class. Yesterday he ran the best time trial in recent years: 12th at 18 ”from Yates and better than many big names. He has a nightmare spring behind him, due to Covid, long Covid and various ailments, he has been in the breach since 2005 and perhaps a secret.

Revealed yesterday at Rai’s “Trial at the Tappa”, which for three days in the meantime has sent a group of commentators to connect (and freeze) on Etna (!!!), father Salvatore da Messina: “Now he is happy again and has many reasons “. As if to say: the air of the newly found Astana is good for him.

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