Battistella takes aim at Ardennes after Veneto Classic victory

Samuele Battistella of Astana-Premier Tech wins the 2021 Veneto Classic
Samuele Battistella of Astana-Premier Tech wins the 2021 Veneto Classic (Image credit: Bettini Photo)

“I’m from Rossano Veneto, not even 10 kilometres from here. These are my home roads, my training roads,” Samuele Battistella (Astana-Premier Tech) smiled in the press room following the inaugural edition of the Veneto Classic, but local knowledge was only part of the story of his dramatic victory.

When Battistella escaped in the company of Matteo Trentin (UAE Team Emirates) with a shade under 40km to go, it already looked like the winning break, given that the race’s two strongest teams were now united in ensuring its success. 

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Barry Ryan
Head of Features

Barry Ryan is Head of Features at Cyclingnews. He has covered professional cycling since 2010, reporting from the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and events from Argentina to Japan. His writing has appeared in The Independent, Procycling and Cycling Plus. He is the author of The Ascent: Sean Kelly, Stephen Roche and the Rise of Irish Cycling’s Golden Generation, published by Gill Books.