Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux concluded the week of national championships with the best harvest in its history. After two time trial titles (Girmay, Taaramäe), a silver medal (Peák) and two bronze medals (Peák, van der Hoorn), the World Team was represented in the road race of eight different countries this Sunday.
In Italy, Lorenzo Rota flirted with the victory on the hilly circuit in Puglia. The rider from Lombardia chose to anticipate by attacking after the entry on the local laps in Alberobello and joining the breakaway 40 kilometer before the finish. He was then member of a quartet which sprinted for the title. Rota was only defeated by Filippo Zana, the new Italian champion.
« I really want to thank the team for the support today. Our sports director Valerio Piva, our soigneur Hans, our mechanic Andrea and of course my teammate Simone Petilli did what they could to bring me as close to the victory as possible. We established a strategy, together we were convinced that we had to make the final hard if we wanted to get rid of the sprinters and have a chance on the win. It was of course not easy, as our team was only composed of two riders. During the second local lap, Simone Petilli accelerated on the climb enabling me to take over in the final hectometers and escape with four others. We had to ride full gas to the finish to stay ahead. I learned from my sprint in the Giro, starting my effort a little earlier this time. I gave all I had and I shouldn't have regrets, but nevertheless I feel a big disappointment. I'll stay a couple of days in Puglia for holidays before heading to an altitude camp. In the Tour de Wallonie I want to return to competition with the same agressive racing style. This new prestigious result is excellent for my confidence. »
