Molano claims Giro di Sicilia opener

Juan Sebastián Molano (UAE Team Emirates) caught late attacker Vincenzo Albanese (Eolo-Kometa) just before the line to win the opening 179km stage of the Giro di Sicilia in Licata. 

Albanese surged clear with 1.5km to go and opened a gap in the twisting city streets. UAE Team Emirates lead the chase with experienced lead-out man Maximiliano Richeze perfectly piloting Molano so he could jump cross to and then pass Albanese on the line.

Thanks to his win, Molano is the first leader of the end of season four-day stage race and pulled on the red and yellow leader’s jersey. Time bonuses mean Albanese is second overall at four seconds, with Richeze third overall at six seconds.

“The team was spectacular. They controlled the stage all day, and in the end it was a final that suited me and Maxi very well. In the final kilometre, Maxi and I knew there was an attacker ahead. We were both very strong,” Molano explained.

“I dedicate this win to my team, my family and those who believe in me. It’s a victory that says that I was good at the Vuelta. I crashed in the Vuelta and I couldn’t finish it, but I didn’t let my head drop. Tomorrow suits me too, the climbs are perfect for me, I feel strong so I’ll try again tomorrow.”

The 179km stage started in Avola and crossed the south of Sicily via Noto, Scicli, Ragusa and Vittoria before heading to the coast for a fast ride to the finish. The stunning Baroque towns and villages recalled Sicily’s rich heritage and culture and were those used for the backdrop of the popular Inspector Montalbano television series.

The 28°C temperatures were perfect for a late summer holiday but the riders were keen to race from kilometre zero and the early break of the day formed rapidly with Charles-Etienne Chretien (Rally Cycling), Jacopo Cortese (MG.K Vis VPM) and Matteo Zurlo (Zalf Euromobil Fior) jumping away.

They had a 45-second gap after just 10km and the peloton let them push it to 8:15 after 60km. However, Trek-Segfredo and then UAE Team Emirates took up the chase and the climbs inland near Ragusa meant the break returned back under control.

Chretien was first to the top of the Ragusa climb to take the pistachio-coloured mountains jersey but the climbing cut into the break’s lead, reducing it to 3:45 with 75km to race.

The sprint teams sensed their chance on the gradual descent to the coast and UAE Team Emirates did much of the work, confident in Molano’s finishing speed.

Zurlo won the intermediate sprint in Gela with 35km to go and took off alone to try to hang onto a 2:00 lead. However a strong breeze was blowing across the coast and slowed his effort when the peloton gradually increased the chase. He was caught with 14km to create a gruppo compatto.  

UAE Team Emirates, Trek-Segfredo, Movistar, Israel Start-Up Nation were careful to stay up front to avoid any crashes and lead the peloton towards Licata. Albanese upset the lead out, with only UAE Team Emirates and Molano able to take back control before the finish line.