Third for Valerio Conti at Tour de l’Ain

Italian rider Valerio Conti put in a brave display to fight his way to a podium place on stage 2 of the Tour de l’Ain in France.

In the final sprint from an elite reduced group, the UAE Team Emirates rider was bettered only by reigning Vuelta España winner Primoz Roglic (Jumbo Visma) and reigning Tour de France champion Egan Bernal (Ineos). Following close behind was Fabio Aru in 7th place after fighting his way back closely to the main group.

Conti now lies in 3rd place overall with Aru climbing into 7th place heading into the final mountain showdown from Saint-Vulbas to Grand Colombier (144.5k).

Conti : “This year the Tour de l’Ain is an important race in the preparation of the Tour de France, so the level of the field is very high.Today was one of my greatest uphill performances. I was very happy to be climbing with the strongest in the world, namely Quintana, Roglic, Kruijswijk and Bernal.I gave my all because I wanted to get to the final sprint.In the sprint I had the right position behind Mollema but, when he started, he had a problem with the pedals, so I had to overtake him and follow Roglic and Bernal.Unfortunately I didn’t manage to pass Roglic, he was the strongest.”

Stage 2 Results
Primoz Roglic (Jumbo Visma) 3:58:14
Egan Bernal (Ineos) “
Valerio Conti (UAE Team Emirates) “
7. Fabio Aru (UAE Team Emirates) @14”

 
General Classification after stage 2

1.Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma)
2.Egan Bernal (Ineos) “
3. Valerio Conti (UAE Team Emirates) @12”
7.Fabio Aru (UAE Team Emirates) @31”