Spectacular solo on the finish line in Sirolo for the rider coming from Rovereto (Tn); nothing changed in the general classification, Zana remains leader when one stage is left
The Marche Region welcomed the Adriatica Ionica Race caravan with open arms, which today was able to repay the expectations giving a fantastic stage that found its worthy ending on the breathtaking final on Riviera del Conero. Winning his first victory among professionals was Riccardo Lucca (Work Service Vitalcare Videa) arriving alone across the finish line. All unchanged in the general classification with Filippo Zana (Bardiani) who managed Natnael ‘s Tesfatsion (Drone Hopper) and Vadim Pronskiy (Astana) attacks.
THE STAGE REPORT – 105 athletes started from Fano to complete the 164.5 km with arrival in Sirolo. The breakaway is formed after about twenty km: initially 7 riders make it, then further 15 are added. The small group is gradually thinning out along the climbs of Recanati and Poggio: 5 lead the head of the race, another 3 rejoin them. Among these, there is Lucca, who -immediately after the start of the second ascent of the KOM of Poggio – takes advantage. At 10 minutes to go, the competition among the leaders of the classification kicks in: the Kazakh Vadimir Pronskiy (Astana) third in the general classification, is attacking, followed by the blue jersey of Geo & Tex 2000 Filippo Zana (Bardiani CSF) and the Eritrean Natnael Tesfazion (Drone Hopper), second at 15”. Pronskiy acquires a slight advantage, stitched up in the final by the two most immediate chasers. Lucca is now unattainable and crowns his great action with the first, splendid victory as a professional.
STATEMENTS – “I managed to get into the breakaway of the day and attack, even if the ending was completely open. I kept a high pace, the group got closer in the final, but in the end, I grabbed the victory. The rivals I feared most were Giovanni Carboni and Antonio Nibali” concluded happily and satisfied Riccardo Lucca (Work Service), winner of today’s stage.
“Even today it went well: I tried to do my best to keep the leader’s jersey. It was known that in the end someone would attack for the victory, that’s fine” said Filippo Zana – leader of the general classification, wearing the blue jersey of Geo & Tex 2000.
OFFICIAL JERSEY
Geo & Tex 2000 blue jersey (general classification): Filippo Zana (Bardiani)
Enit green jersey (KOM classification): Natnael Tesfatsion (Drone Hopper)
Suzuki red jersey (sprinter classification): Riccardo Lucca (Work Service) Gabetti white jersey (youth classification): Filippo Zana (Bardiani)
FSA orange jersey (the most combative): Riccardo Lucca (Work Service)
THE WINNER – In the fourth stage of AIR 2022 Riccardo Lucca (Work Service Vitalcare Videa) obtained his first victory as a professional. The 25-year-old from Rovereto (Tn) in 2021 achieved six successes among the Elite-U23s including the prestigious Alcide De Gasperi Trophy, while this year he finished twelfth in the Giro di Sicilia youth ranking.
STAGE RESULTS:
1° Riccardo Lucca (Work Service Vitalcare Videa) 3h47’41”
2° Emil Dima (Giotti Victoria Savini Due) a 24″
3° Riccardo Verza (Zalf Euromobil Désirée Fior) a 28″
4° Enrico Battaglin (Bardiani CSF Faizanè)
5° Joan Bou Company (Euskaltel Euskadi) a 32″
6° Antonio Nibali (Astana) a 34″
7° Raul Garcia Pierna (Kern Pharma) a 40″
8° Natnael Tesfatsion (Drone Hopper Androni) a 1’10”
9° Filippo Zana (Bardiani CSF)
10° Vadim Pronskiy (Astana)
GENERAL CLASSIFICATION
1° Filippo Zana (Bardiani CSF)
2° Natnael Tesfatsion (Drone Hopper) a 15″
3° Vadim Pronskiy (Astana) a 30″
4° Luca Covili (Bardiani CSF) a 51″
5° Jefferson Cepeda (Drone Hopper) a 1’16”
6° Mikel Bizkarra (Euskaltel Euskadi) a 2’04”
7° Lorenzo Fortunato (Eolo Kometa) a 4’26”
8° Edoardo Sandri (CTF) a 5’08”
9° Paul Double (MG K Vis) a 5’19”
10° Oliver Stockwell (CTF) a 6’41”
CURIOSITY: THE DISH OF THE DAY – Two dishes have been the protagonists in today’s hospitality area. The chef Roberta Carotti of the Carotti Restaurant has prepared the “Stockfish with potatoes all’anconetana”, a typical dish of the tradition that combines the sea and the land. It is in fact made with simple local ingredients (Marche extra virgin olive oil, dried cod, Verdicchio wine) and flavoured with vegetables from the land. It requires cooking over a low heat and a procedure to be carried out with care and skill.
The second dish, presented by chef Elis Marchetti, consists of a “Potato and anchovy pie” that recalls the recipe of the past, when a few simple ingredients were available. Another tasty proposal is the “Wild Mosciolo di Portonovo with tomato and basil”, made with mosciolo, a typical mussel caught in the Conero Riviera, spontaneously reproducing, together with the peeled tomato and left to rest with the basil.
TOMORROW’S STAGE – From Castelraimondo to Ascoli Piceno: the final act of the Adriatica Ionica Race 2022 will be 152.3 kilometers long. An easy leg on paper, but which could reserve many surprises, ending with two laps to be tackled on the circuit of Ascoli. Ready, steady, go……and the road will begin to climb towards Camerino. From there a long downhill stretch to then return to altitude to face the Sarnano KOM.
The last kilometers
The finale of Ascoli Piceno can become an authentic occasion for the protagonists of the Adriatica Ionica Race 2022 or turn into the last stage useful for assigning precious seconds. The circuit along the streets of the center of Ascoli is just over 9 kilometers and will lead to the final finish line in Piazza Roma which could reward the sprinters who will be able to overcome five days of challenging and exciting racing.
