Juan Sebastián Molano wins Stage 2 and keeps the Maglia Giallo-Rossa

Juan Sebastian Molano took back to back stage wins as he sprinted to victory alongside the spectacular beach of Mondello in the outskirts of Palermo. He beat on the line local rider Filippo Fiorelli, who was eventually relegated to the last place of the bunch and fined for deviation from the chosen line that obstructs another rider (Fiorelli also received a CHF 200 fine and 3 points penalty in the points classification).

Second in the day’s classification, Matteo Moschetti became the best young rider, while the new King of the Mountains is Stefano Gandin who was part of the 6-man breakaway along with Spain’s Txomin Juaristi, Emerson Oronte from the USA, and Italians Giacomo Cassarà, Niccolo Salvietti and Eric Paties Montagner. GC contenders David De La Cruz, Romain Bardet and Alejandro Valverde all went for a bonus sprint, claiming respectively two, one and zero seconds behind Davide Gabburo at Capaci with 12.5km to go. In doing so, they expressed their GC ambitions ahead of two stages suitable for climbers.

STAGE RESULTS

1 – Juan Sebastian Molano (UAE Team Emirates) – 173 km in 4h25’41”, average speed 39.069km/h

2 – Matteo Moschetti (Trek – Segafredo) s.t.

3 – Jakub Mareczko (Vini Zabu’) s.t.

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION

1 – Juan Sebastian Molano (UAE Team Emirates)

2 – Matteo Moschetti (Trek – Segafredo) at 14”

3 – Vincenzo Albanese (Eolo-Kometa Cycling Team) at 14”.

The leader's jerseys and quotes

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 Jakub Mareczko (Vini Zabu’)

Maglia Verde Pistacchio, leader of the Mountains Classification, sponsored by Valsir – Stefano Gandin (Zalf Euromobil Fior)

Maglia Bianca, Best Young Rider, sponsored by Work Service Group – Matteo Moschetti (Trek – Segafredo)

The new Maglia Bianca, Best Young Rider, sponsored by Work Service Group – Matteo Moschetti (Trek – Segafredo)

PRESS CONFERENCE

The stage winner and Maglia Giallo Rossa Juan Sebastian Molano said: “Brendan [McNulty] did a tremendous job to lead me out in the finale and Maxi [Richeze] launched in a spectacular way as he usually does. I did the last 180 metres at the front so we took a beautiful victory for me and for the whole team, who did a great job all day. I’m very happy with two wins. Tomorrow we’ll work for David [De La Cruz] and for Brendan. We can win the GC as well. I love to win in Sicily. It’s a beautiful part of the world. It’s the first time our team has participated in Il Giro di Sicilia, but I was also here for the start of the 2020 Giro d’Italia. I could see the sea from the stage podium during the prize giving ceremony and all the people who came to cheer for us.”