Giro di Sicilia: Molano 5th & best young rider

Colombian sprinter Sebastian Molano returned to racing with a fifth place in the opening stage of the Giro di Sicilia. He’d broken his thumb in the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad early in March, but now is completely healed with a top 5  to show for it and the best young rider lead.

Molano was fast, but could not hold off the charge from eventual winner Riccardo Stacchiotti (Giotti Victoria-Palomar). Only in the final metres did he lose ground. As the best young rider of the day, he will wear the white jersey tomorrow when the race travels 236km from Capo d’Orlando to Palermo.

“It was good to return after a month stopped. I couldn’t wait to put a number on my back again,” Molano said. “My hand is find and my legs are clearly going well.
In the sprint, I wanted to replay the team for the good work they did today during the stage.
I ended up in a spot where I needed to start my sprint a little early. At that point, I just tried to drive it to the line, but I lacked that little spark needed to hold off my rivals after such a long period out.
It’s normal that I’m not yet at my best.
It’ll be great, however, to put on that white jersey tomorrow.”

Stage 1 results
1 Riccardo Stacchiotti (Ita) Giotti Victoria-Palomar 3h48’02”
2 Manuel Belletti (Ita) Androni-Sidermec s.t.
3 Luca Pacioni (Ita) Neri Sottoli s.t.
5 Sebastian Molano (Col) UAE Team Emirates s.t.

General classification after stage 1
1 Riccardo Stacchiotti (Ita) Giotti Victoria-Palomar 3h47’52”
2 Manuel Belletti (Ita) Androni-Sidermec 4″
3 Luca Pacioni (Ita) Neri Sottoli 6″
6 Sebastian Molano (Col) UAE Team Emirates 10″