The last stage in Tuscany – Terra de Cyclismo, partially disputed on dirt stretches, went wrong for the National Team/Liberty Seguros, as punctures and other damage prevented the Portuguese runners from discussing the race, which was won by Frenchman Axel Domont. Italian Fabio Aru won the competition.
The last 167 kilometers of the Tuscany – Land of Cycling, U23 Cup of Nations race, linked Greve in Chianti to Buonconvento. The 45 kilometers of the route disputed on dirt and stone paths ended up marking the destiny of Portuguese cyclists.
“When we entered the dirt roads, there were punctures and mechanical breakdowns, which deprived our runners from entering the lead group. We were unlucky in the lottery that turned the final stage of the stage”, laments national coach José Poeira.
Faced with the difficulties, Rafael Reis and Ricardo Ferreira ended up giving up, while the best Portuguese in the tirade was Luís Afonso, 41st ranked, 7m53s behind Axel Domont. The delay of the Portuguese in this stage was reflected in the final general classification. Amaro Antunes was the best, taking the 35th position, 14m14s behind the winner, Fabio Aru.
The National Team/Liberty Seguros remains in Italy until Wednesday, the day they will compete in the GP della Liberazione, a one-day event that commemorates the 25th of April transalpine, in the heart of Rome.
Classifications
5th Stage: Strike in Chianti – Buonconvento, 167 km
1st Axel Domont (France), 4:26:34
2nd Jay McCarthy (Australia), 30s
3rd Natnael Berhane (UCI Mixed Team), 35s
41nd Luís Afonso (Portugal), at 7m53s
48th Amaro Antunes (Portugal), at 12m50s
49th Fábio Silvestre (Portugal), mt
General Individual
1st Fabio Aru (Italy), 19:13:54
2rd Tim Wellens (Belgium), at 9s
3rd Manuel Bongiorno (Italy), 19s
35th Amaro Antunes (Portugal), at 14m14s
36rd Fábio Silvestre (Portugal), at 16m07s
43nd Luís Afonso (Portugal), at 19m23s
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