Ganna challenges himself in the TT, Atapuma is getting better

Filippo Ganna and his first appearance in a individual time trial in the pro category.

The course of the time trial was a flat road on the distance of 11,9 km, the use of the special frames was not allowed.

During his career in the youth cycling, he won Italian titles and a silver medal in the Under 23 European championship in 2016, however there’s nothing like a debut in the pro world for living special feelings and for sizing the ambitions of a specialist of the time trial.

“Before the start, I actually thought that this was my first appearance in a time trial as a pro rider, however immediately I moved my attention of the race – Ganna (photo Bettini) explained – Since the early meters I noticed that there was an additional opponents to deal with, which was the wind.

It was blowing fairly strongly and this was a problem on the long straight of the course. I was not able to make my pedaling lighter, this fact hinder me.
The result is not what I aimed, even if it must be taken into account that the wind became lighter after I raced.

I feel this has been a good experience, which will be useful to me for improving my skills“.

The 2o years old Italian rider was 20th in the stage standing, covering the course in 14’45”, 42″ more than Navardauskas, who win the stage.

Rui Costa, who felt more comfortable in pedaling in the wind, was 25th (+51″) and he’s 21st in the general classification, at 51″ to Navardauskas.

In the 4th stage, San Martin-San Martin (160,5 km) the sprinters will probably be protagonists once again.

News about Atapuma, who crashed in the final kilometers of the 2nd stage: he left the hospitale where on Monday night he had been under observation, now is in the team’s hotel and Dr Angelucci, Team UAE’s physician, is taking care of him.

STAGE RESULTS
1- Navardauskas 14’03”
2- Mollema 3″
3- Brandle 7″
4- Cavagna s.t.
5- Vargas 17″
21- Ganna 42″
25- Rui Costa 51″, 43- Niemiec 1’11”, 55- Troia 1’20”, 80- Guardini 1’42”

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION
1- Navardauskas 6h22’27”
2- Mollema 3″
3- Brandle 7″
4- Cavagna s.t.
5- Trillini 19″
21- Rui Costa 51″