Bardiani-CSF rider making Maglia Azzurra his own despite taking second on both climbs
Stefano Pirazzi (Bardiani-CSF) moved further into the overall lead of the Giro d’Italia mountains classification in today’s sixth stage, between Valloire and Ivrea, as he was involved in the day’s main breakaway once more. The 26-year-old was beaten to first place on both of the day’s climbs - as Jackson Rodriguez (Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela) outsprinted him on the Col du Mont Cenis, and Carlos Betancur (AG2R La Mondiale) attacked from the peloton over Andrate - but has increased his lead in the standings over stage 15 winner Giovanni Visconti (Movistar).
“What a day!” exclaimed Pirazzi at the finish. “I made an incredible effort to conquer these points, especially in the last climb. On the [Mont Cenis] Rodriguez surprised me and I finished second, while the points of the second climb were too important and I pushed with all of my energy until the top.”
Pirazzi now has a total of 79 points to Visconti’s 42, with Rodriguez in third place on 41. Having been unable to stay with the big names on the big climbs, however, Pirazzi knows that he will have to continue his breakaway tactics to hold the Maglia Azzurra until the end of he race.
“I know that this way to race is very hard but that’s me and I think also is the only way to keep this jersey until Brescia”.
Even when in the break Pirazzi constantly attacked, to the point of appearing to irritate his companions, but was still able to stay with the leaders on the tight descent to the finish. His exploits earned him the daily combativity prize, moving him into the lead - ahead of Visconti again - in that classification.
“Pirazzi today was super with an incredible tenacity,” said Bardiani-CSF directeur sportif Roberto Reverberi. “On the second climb I think he attacked more than five times, he chased all the riders and at the end when the Maglia Rosa group caught him, he found the final energy to sprint. Awesome!
“Also I saw a good performance from [Edoardo] Zardini who helped Pirazzi a lot in the fist part of the stage and then [Francesco] Bongiorno who stayed with the best climbers during the final climb. He’s growing day by day and as neo-pro it means so much.”