Álex Martín puts in a fantastic performance in Aosta: sixth on a very tough opening stage

57º Giro Ciclístico della Valle d´Aosta
Etapa 1: Pollein – Pollein (110,7 km)

In theory the easiest day, in practice another typical day in the Giro del Valle d’Aosta: hardness, hardness and more hardness. In the opening day of the Valdaostana race, victory for the Italian Alessandro Verre, also first leadership for him, and formidable performance for Álex Martín. The Catalan rider of the EOLO-KOMETA Cycling Team U23 finished in the top-ten, sixth, after being one of the strongest riders in the climb of Terreblanche.

Martin finished fifth on this climb, the penultimate of the day, in a small group that was ten seconds behind New Zealander Reuben Thompson. Terreblanche was Friday’s hot spot, before the regrouping that put an end to the breakaway attempts that had been sailing with more or less success since the initial flag-off.

Terreblanche and Les Fleurs, the final climb, practically overlapped and before the summit reached Verre a Thompson. On a steep climb, within the final five kilometres, Verre dropped back and left his breakaway companion behind. There he cemented his success. A minute and a half behind was the group of Álex Martín, six units, among which the Barcelona rider launched the sprint in first place. A formidable performance by Álex.

This Saturday, the queen stage. A stage without palliatives, by the entity of the final climb and by the entity of the previous terrain. Both the Col Tsecore and the Col St. Pantaleon are two difficult climbs, very demanding, with a hardness that will surely generate a wear that will be noticed in the final route to Cervinia. Extreme toughness amidst picture postcard landscapes.