Molano wins Stage 1 of Il Giro di Sicilia and leads the GC

Colombian sprinter catches late attacker Vincenzo Albanese at the eleventh hour

Colombia’s Juan Sebastian Molano (UAE Team Emirates) claimed a mass sprint victory in Licata at the end of Stage 1 of Il Giro di Sicilia Eolo after he overtook Vincenzo Albanese right before the line. The Italian from EOLO-Kometa had anticipated the bunch gallop at the approach of the last kilometre but Max Richeze, the lead-out man of UAE Team Emirates, kept him on a leash in service of his sprinter. Albanese and Richeze rounded out the podium. Earlier, three riders formed a long-lasting breakaway: Matteo Zurlo (Zalf Euromobil Fior), Jacopo Cortese (MG.K Vis VPM) and Charles-Etienne Chrétien (Rally Cycling), who took the race’s first King of the Mountains jersey.

STAGE RESULTS

1 – Juan Sebastian Molano (UAE Team Emirates) – 179 km in 4h40’58”, average speed 38.225 km/h

2 – Vincenzo Albanese (Eolo-Kometa Cycling Team) s.t.

3 – Maximiliano Richeze (UAE Team Emirates) s.t.

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION

1 – Juan Sebastian Molano (UAE Team Emirates)

2 – Vincenzo Albanese (Eolo-Kometa Cycling Team) at 4″

3 – Maximiliano Richeze (UAE Team Emirates) at 6″.

The leaders' Jerseys

Maglia Giallo Rossa, leader of the General Classification, sponsored by Regione Siciliana – Juan Sebastian Molano (UAE Team Emirates)

Maglia Ciclamino, leader of the Points Classification, sponsored by Segafredo Zanetti – Juan Sebastian Molano (UAE Team Emirates), worn by Maximiliano Richeze (UAE Team Emirates)

Maglia Verde Pistacchio, leader of the Mountains Classification, sponsored by Valsir – Charles-Etienne Chretien (Rally Cycling)

Maglia Bianca, Best Young Rider, sponsored by Work Service Group – Vincenzo Albanese (Eolo-Kometa Cycling Team)

The stage winner and Maglia Giallo Rossa Juan Sebastian Molano said: “Before the race, all the riders from our team got the instruction to be at the front at the last kilometre. We did that very well. Vincenzo Albanese rode away but we let him do that so we could take the bends without difficulty. We kept the distance we wanted. We knew we’d catch him but we didn’t want to catch him too early because it could have created attacks from others. At the end, Max [Richeze] produced his effort in the last curve with 250 metres to go. We did a nice sprint. It’s all thanks to the team, who did a beautiful and perfect job all day. I’m very happy and grateful to the team. I haven’t studied tomorrow’s course in great detail but I know there’s a bit more climbing than today. Today on the climb, I asked my team to ride harder because I had good legs. I hope to have the same legs tomorrow because I want to win one more time.”

Tomorrow's Stage

Stage 2: SELINUNTE (CASTELVETRANO) – MONDELLO (PALERMO), 173 KM

A stage characterised by a series of ‘easy’ undulations in the first part. It then climbs the Portella della Ginestra, with a series of tough climbs and descents until it reaches the coast after Partinico. The final 30km then begins where the riders will tackle the short but intense GPM of Carini and the subsequent approach to Palermo along challenging roads, some of which are markedly downhill and dotted with roundabouts.

Final km

A final section of the stage with just a few half-curves on an asphalt surface with no particular obstacles to report. The finale takes place on an 8m wide straight stretch on level asphalt road.

TV SCHEDULE

In Italy, RAI Sport +HD will broadcast the race live for two hours from 13:20 to 15:20 CEST. Il Giro di Sicilia will also be broadcast by Eurosport and Eurosport Player in Italy and across the rest of the European continent, live from 13:20 to 15:20. ESPN will televise the race in South America (13:20-15:20), while in Mexico and Central America TUDN will broadcast delayed images of each stage. Finally, the race will be available live on GCN+ every day for users located in Europe, Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent, North America, Australia, Japan, the Middle East and Africa.

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