The diesse from Ponza on the flagship of the winner of the day. And what a party in the Marca for Vendrame and Cimolai
/ TREVISO
The escape of the day, the embrace of Andrea Vendrame and Davide Cimolai to fans and relatives. There is no shortage of news items related to the Treviso 60 km of the Cittadella-Monte Zoncolan. The adventure of the 11 daredevils takes shape in Castelfranco and on our roads the advantage also becomes reassuring: between Montebelluna and Arcade, the daring push on the accelerator and build the dream of fighting for the victory over the monster of Carnia. An attack that counts on Bauke Mollema, led on the Trek-Segafredo by Paolo Slongo, and on a well-matched tricolor quintet: Vincenzo Albanese, Lorenzo Fortunato, Jacopo Mosca, Alessandro Covi and Edoardo Affini. An escape that will have glory, with the solitary undertaking of Lorenzo Fortunato.
Satisfaction with a dip in the memories for his sporting director at Eolo-Kometa, the Ponzanese Stefano Zanatta: on the Zoncolan he had driven Ivan Basso to the triumph at the 2010 Giro, now the Varese champion is manager of the Fortunato team. «Zanatta told me to go on the break, I listened to him», the words of the stage winner. But the landing in the Marca is also an opportunity to greet the heroes. All the more so, if they grew up on the same roads as the Giro.
Beyond the champions, the Bernal and Nibali, there is Vendrame and Cimolai to celebrate. The fans of the 26-year-old from Santa Lucia, on target Thursday in the Bagno di Romagna stage, met in Ponte della Priula and San Vendemiano. The group passes in front of the “Da John” restaurant, home to the Fans Club, animated by the Dalla Cia sisters and a noisy hoard of friends. Vendrame, warned on the eve, allows himself a double “relatives-fans” visit: he widens to the right, slows down, waves “hello” with his hand. Quiet phase of the race, there’s time for the unscheduled. In Ponte della Priula, the very fan Lino Bet peeps out, unmistakable with the shirt of the glorious Trevigiani: he brought his father’s “Mickey Mouse”, polished it and decorated it with flags dedicated to Vendrame. «Dad took me to see the Vicenza-Bolzano at the Giro 1950 with that car», says Bet, citing a stage won by Gino Bartali in an edition dominated by the Swiss Hugo Koblet, «Since that day I have been passionate about cycling. Applauding the Treviso riders is always a great emotion ».
In San Vendemiano, there is Lorena Dalla Cia, soul of the Fans Club: «The victory in Bagno di Romagna filled me with joy». And who knows if Vendrame will also try to escape today in Grado-Gorizia, a “mixed” stage not too dissimilar to the one tamed in Romagna. But yesterday was also a day of “visits” for Cimolai, the 31-year-old from Friuli who has lived in Villa di Villa for a couple of years. His pink race deserves to be underlined: five top ten sprints, a couple of second places in Canale and Termoli. His Fans Club awaits him in Cordignano and Caneva. “Cimo” breaks away from the group to enjoy the party, raises his arms in victory. Going with the Giro on “your” roads has a unique charm. Thrilling seconds, to be kept in the secret of the heart. But there are not only escapes and hugs in the Treviso segment.
At Caonada, about twenty kilometers from the start, there is a fall: the curve betrays Lawrence Naesan (Ag2r) and Nicolas Edet (Cofidis). The Frenchman beats his collarbone and is forced to leave. –