Less than a month after he took fourth on Mount Baldy and finished a twelfth overall in the Tour of California, 21 year old Joe Dombrowski further underlined why he is seen as one of the USA’s top young talents when he grabbed a stage win and the pink jersey in the Baby Giro yesterday.
The US National Team rider, who usually competes in the colours of Bontrager Livestrong, attacked on the final climb of the mist-covered Monte Terminillo. He opened a clear gap over the other GC riders and hit the line fifty seconds clear of Fabio Aru (Team Palazzago), and a further five seconds ahead of Ilnur Zakarin (Russia).
Previous race leader Davide Villella lost two minutes and 24 seconds, placing sixteenth, and lost the pink jersey to Dombrowski by six seconds.
"I was not very sure of my condition, even though I had good impressions a few weeks ago at the Tour of California,” said Dombrowski. “In the end I had a good gap and I was able to succeed despite the fog and wet roads.”
Like the French Tour de l’Avenir, the GiroBio amateur race is seen as one of the best predictors of talent. Its list of winners includes Francesco Moser, Marco Pantani, Gilberto Simoni, Leonardo Piepoli and Danilo Di Luca, illustrating the importance of the event.
It’s clear that Dombrowski is a hugely promising young rider, with his Tour of California performance coming after he placed fourth overall in the Tour of Utah. Continuing well in the GiroBio will be a priority, particularly as it would practically guarantee a big pro contract.
Four stages remain in the race, with today’s leg covering 156 kilometres from Perugia to Gaiole in Chianti. Dombrowski has six seconds on Villella and seventeen on both Zakarin and Nicola Gaffurini (Delio Gallina Colosio).
Pierre Paolo Penasa (Zalf Euromobil Fior), Fabio Aru (Team Palazzago) and Matteo Ciavatta (Monturano Civitanova Cascinare) are the other riders less than a minute back.
The crucial stage will be the penultimate one, and providing Dombrowski and the USA team can ride well between now and then, he can use his climbing ability on the summit finish to once again get a gap on the other riders.
"I think the eighth stage will be decisive,” he said. “I don’t care too much if I lose a few seconds in the next stages. The GiroBio will be decided on the Gavia Pass,” he said.
GiroBio stage 4, Avezzano to Monte Terminillo:
1, Joseph Dombrowski (USA) 168.4 km in in 4 hours 32 mins 20 secs
2, Fabio Aru (Team Palazzago) at 50 secs
3, Ilnur Zakarin (Russia) at 55 secs
4, Francesco Manuel Bongiorno (Hopplà Vega Truck Italia) at 1 min 14 secs
5, Matteo Di Serafino (Vega Montappone) at one min 44 secs
6, Edoardo Zardini (Team Colpack) at one min 57 secs
7, Lorenzo Di Remigio (Aran D'Angelo & Antenucci) at two mins 12 secs
8, Pierre Paolo Penasa (Zalf Euromobil Fior) at two mins 14 secs
9, Soler Abreu (MgKVis Norda) at two mins 14 secs
10, Davide Formolo (Petroli Firenze) at two mins 14 secs
General classification after four stages:
1, Joseph Dombrowski (USA) 603.6 kms in 15 hours 18 mins 9 secs
2, Davide Villella (Team Colpack) at six secs
3, Ilnur Zakarin (Russia) at 17 secs
4, Nicola Gaffurini (Delio Gallina Colosio) same
5, Pierre Paolo Penasa (Zalf Euromobil Fior) at 36 secs
6, Fabio Aru (Team Palazzago) same
7, Matteo Ciavatta (Monturano Civitanova Cascinare) at 44 secs
8, Francesco Manuel Bongiorno (Hopplà Vega Truck Italia) at 1 min 23 secs
9, Matteo Di Serafino (Vega Montappone) at 1 min 37 secs
10, Edoardo Zardini (Team Colpack) at 1 min 38 secs