EUROTRASH News Round Up Monday!
It has been an action packed weekend in Spain, Germany and Belgium, we have all the reports, results and video from the Vuelta a España, Deutschland Tour and Schaal Sels. The Ochoa brothers – Top Story. In other cycling news: Vuelta’19 start, Tour of Britain, more rider contracts and Addio, Dario Pegoretti. Big coffee Monday EUROTRASH time.
TOP STORY: Ochoa Brothers RIP
The sad story of the Ochoa brothers, Ricardo and Javier, came to an end on Friday with the announcement of the passing of Javier. While training in Southern Spain in February 2001, the Ochoa brothers, then both riding for the Kelme team, were hit by a car. Ricardo was killed and Javier was in a coma with numerous injuries. The doctors at the time didn’t hold out much hope for Javier and had it not been for his parents his life support would have been disconnected. After two months he came out of the coma, but with severe brain damage. Javier needed a lot of help relearn the basics of normal life, but he went on to take two gold and two silver medals in the 2004 and 2008 Paralympics.
Ricardo Ochoa died in 2001, Javier in 2018
Monday’s stage 3 of the Vuelta a España finishes in Alhaurin de la Torre where the Ochoa family lived for most of their lives. A minutes silence was held at the start of the time trial stage 1 in Malaga on Saturday.
Javier Ochoa too the big win of his career on the Hautacam stage of the 2000 Tour de France:
Vuelta a España 2018
Rohan Dennis (BMC) is the first leader of La Vuelta 2018 after a dominant performance in the opening time-trial Stage 1, on Saturday at Malaga. The Australian champion covered the 8km course in 9:39, 6 seconds faster than Michal Kwiatkowski (Sky) to become the first non-European rider to win individual time-trials on all three Grand Tours after the Tour de France and the Giro d’Italia.
Dennis wore the leader’s jersey of La Vuelta last year in Nîmes and is the first rider to repeat success on two consecutive years since Roger Swerts in 1975. On Sunday Dennis will defend his red jersey en route to Caminito del Rey, the first uphill finish of La Vuelta’18.
Dylan Van Baarle (Sky) was the first rider to break the 10-minute barrier with 9:59. He then sat on the hot seat for almost two hours as the Sun was slowly setting down on the Mediterranean coast. BMC’s Alessandro De Marchi and Dylan Teuns both came short by a couple of seconds. Spanish champion Jonathan Castroviejo was only one second slower than his Sky teammate. It eventually took a strong ride from Nelson Oliveira (Movistar) to shake things up with a time of 9:56.
The Sky team still had strong cards up their sleeves as Michal Kwiatkowski finished with a time of 9:45, 11 seconds faster than Oliveira. This held off the European champion Victor Campenaerts (Lotto Soudal), trailing by one second. Rohan Dennis (BMC) trumped them all for the stage win and the overall leaders jersey.
Among GC contenders, Wilco Kelderman (Sunweb) was 10th at 22 seconds, just 2 seconds ahead of Movistar’s Alejandro Valverde, with Nairo Quintana at 30 seconds. Richie Porte (BMC) lost a disappointing 51 seconds.
Stage winner and overall leader, Rohan Dennis (BMC): “Kwiatkowski put on a lot of pressure. Honestly, I was hoping that the times would be a little bit slow, with obviously less stress going into. But, in the end, you cannot do what you can’t do. I just put everything out there and hope for a win. I knew that, basically, the race finished at the top of the hill. From there, you only can lose one or two seconds. I was just thinking about trying to get a stage win at La Vuelta. It is special to win an individual stage here in La Vuelta, specially after what I did in the Giro. It’s nice to get the first stage again and I think, from now on, it would have been pretty though to get the red. Kwiatkowski is flying and he might end up taking the jersey tomorrow.”
2nd on the stage and overall, Michal Kwiatkowski (Sky): “We are racing to win the races so of course when you are there on the hot seat you have to feel disappointment. It’s in our genes to try to win. But the Vuelta is three weeks long so I’m looking forward to the next days.”
58th on the stage. World champion, Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe): “Although I’m definitely getting better every day, I can feel that I still need more time to reach my top form. However, I tried my best in the time-trial in Malaga and I will try again tomorrow. I think that in addition to the goals I have at the Vuelta, it is important to work for and support Emmanuel, as much as I can.”
Vuelta a España Stage 1 Result:
1. Rohan Dennis (Aus) BMC in 9:39
2. Michal Kwiatkowski (Pol) Sky at 0:06
3. Victor Campenaerts (Bel) Lotto Soudal at 0:07
4. Nelson Oliveira (Por) Movistar at 0:17
5. Dylan van Baarle (Ned) Sky at 0:20
6. Alessandro De Marchi (Ita) BMC at 0:21
7. Jonathan Castroviejo (Spa) Sky
8. Simon Geschke (Ger) Sunweb
9. Ion Izagirre (Spa) Bahrain-Merida at 0:22
10. Wilco Kelderman (Ned) Sunweb.
Vuelta a España Overall After Stage 1:
1. Rohan Dennis (Aus) BMC in 9:39
2. Michal Kwiatkowski (Pol) Sky at 0:06
3. Victor Campenaerts (Bel) Lotto Soudal at 0:07
4. Nelson Oliveira (Por) Movistar at 0:17
5. Dylan van Baarle (Ned) Sky at 0:20
6. Alessandro De Marchi (Ita) BMC at 0:21
7. Jonathan Castroviejo (Spa) Sky
8. Simon Geschke (Ger) Sunweb
9. Ion Izagirre (Spa) Bahrain-Merida at 0:22
10. Wilco Kelderman (Ned) Sunweb.
Stage 1:
Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) took the uphill sprint at Caminito del Rey on Sunday to win Stage 2. The Spanish veteran jumped in the last 500 meters to pull back to Laurens De Plus (Quick-Step Floors) and hold off Michal Kwiatkowski (Sky) for the stage win. Kwiatkowski is the new overall leader with 14 seconds on Valverde and 25 on Wilco Kelderman (Sunweb).
Alexis Gougeard (AG2R-La Mondiale), Thomas De Gendt (Lotto Soudal), Pierre Rolland (EF Education First-Drapac), Pablo Torres (Burgos-BH), Jonathan Lastra (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA), Luis Angel Mate (Cofidis) and Hector Saez (Euskadi-Murias) attacked from the gun and 7.5km later they summited the first climb with a lead of 3 minutes. BMC controlled the pace for the red jersey, Rohan Dennis, to hold the gap steady.
Luis Angel Mate claimed the KOM points for the mountains jersey as the gap was down to 2:30 with 65 kilometers to go. Thomas De Gendt was dropped by the leading group with 55km to go while BMC and Bora-Hansgrohe worked together to drive the bunch.
Pierre Rolland was the last rider to be pulled in with 17 kilometers to go, as Sky took control of the bunch. Race leader Rohan Dennis (BMC) was dropped along with his teammate Richie Porte, who eventually lost 13 minutes. Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain-Merida) and Adam Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) were also in trouble. Laurens De Plus (Quick-Step Floors) made his late jump with 1.3km to go, but Alejandro Valverde pulled De Plus back and held off Michal Kwiatkowski to the line.
Stage winner and 2nd overall, Alejandro Valverde (Movistar): “Surprised? I am, but I’m not at the same time. I knew my legs were going to do well here. After the Tour de France, I tried to rest up as much as I could, spent a lot of time on flat roads next to the coastline in Murcia, trying to stay focused but calm and relaxed at the same time, making the right form come to me and hoping to progress over the next three weeks here in La Vuelta. The progress I followed throughout August has been proven to be the right one with this victory. Before the start, we already had clear instructions of going to the front with the whole team into the final circuit, because there were dangerous, narrow zones where you had to take over if you didn’t want to get caught out of position. The heat really hurt many people, I was surprised to see so many riders dropping back though. Hearing on the radio that real contenders for this win were getting out of contention, we were more motivated about seeking for this victory. I knew the biggest rival for today was ‘Kwiato’, but couldn’t wait to just launch the sprint because De Plus was ahead of us. I waited until the last 550-600 meters, thinking about having to go on one long attack through the last few turns. I think I timed that first effort well; Kwiatkowski was like one meter behind after my move, and you could see he had taken a big effort to follow my wheel. I let him overtake me because the last turn right, because I knew that the final slopes gave me a chance to go past, and once we were on that final straight, I just launched my sprint to come out on top. For the time being, we’ve already got a victory, and achieved one of the goals I had in mind coming into this Vuelta. The Tour de France just didn’t go as I expected. I didn’t feel my legs as I wanted them to. I was also eager to score a victory after two months, and coming back to winning ways in La Vuelta after missing last year’s race. La Vuelta – I love the race. The Giro is nice. The Tour is nice. However, the Vuelta is my race. I’m a Spaniard. I love it. We’ve got off to a great start, and it’s day-by-day for us again after this. Any GC plans? I don’t rule myself out of contention at all, since I’ve shown I’m doing great and we’re just getting started, but our only leader has to be Nairo, and I can’t say I’ll stay focused at every single stage not to lose time, 100%, because it just doesn’t work like that for me in this race. There are other goals in mind. And if Nairo needs me to work for him because he’s in a position to win the Vuelta outright, I won’t hesitate to offer him a hand.”
2nd on the stage and overall leader, Michal Kwiatkowski (Sky): “It’s a bit disappointing but I’m the leader of La Vuelta. I’m happy about yesterday and about my shape today. Let’s stay focused and try to win another one. I just want to celebrate this moment. La Vuelta is really long so I want to enjoy tonight and then racing in the red jersey tomorrow. The Vuelta has just started and we have to play it smart with the whole team. (Think about) how we’re going to race and what is the opportunity to bring success to Team Sky. It doesn’t mean only on the GC. We have to be flexible and take what is there, whether it’s with David, Tao, Sergio and any other riders.”
3rd on the stage and 4th overall, Laurens De Plus (Quick-Step Floors): “The plan was to put Dries in a good position, but as soon as I rode to the front and opened a gap, he told me to keep going and as I had some speed I decided to give it a try. The meters passed and as I was approaching the finish – 1000 meters, 600 meters, 300 meters – I began to think that maybe it will be my first pro victory, but in the end I got beaten by two world class riders, so I can’t be said. On the contrary, this is a morale-boosting result for the next three weeks.”
KOM, Luis Angel Maté (Cofidis): “I was motivated like never before by seeing my little boy, my wife, my family. I spent a day of madness and enjoying a maximum hearing the encouragement of all these fans on my training routes. It went well and I managed to win a majority of points for this ranking. I had managed to do the same on Paris-Nice but then I really enjoyed when it came to the podium. I’m not ready to forget these moments. Now, the hardest part remains to be done because I will have to defend it tomorrow on the 1st category climb scheduled just after the start.”
World champion, Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe): “I’m on the right track to get my form where it should be and I’m improving every day. But, I still need more time to recover from the crash at the Tour de France. I gave my best today, just like I do every time I race.”
Vuelta a España Stage 2 Result:
1. Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Movistar in 4:13:01
2. Michal Kwiatkowski (Pol) Sky
3. Laurens De Plus (Bel) Quick-Step Floors at 0:03
4. Wilco Kelderman (Ned) Sunweb
5. George Bennett (NZ) LottoNL-Jumbo
6. Tony Gallopin (Fra) AG2R-La Mondiale
7. Emanuel Buchmann (Ger) Bora-Hansgrohe
8. Rigoberto Uran (Col) EF Education First-Drapac p/b Cannondale
9. Nairo Quintana (Col) Movistar
10. Thibaut Pinot (Fra) Groupama-FDJ.
Vuelta a España Overall After Stage 2:
1. Michal Kwiatkowski (Pol) Sky in 4:22:40
2. Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Movistar at 0:14
3. Wilco Kelderman (Ned) Sunweb at 0:25
4. Laurens De Plus (Bel) Quick-Step Floors at 0:28
5. Ion Izagirre (Spa) Bahrain-Merida at 0:30
6. Fabio Felline (Ita) Trek-Segafredo
7. Emanuel Buchmann (Ger) Bora-Hansgrohe at 0:32
8. Tony Gallopin (Fra) AG2R-La Mondiale at 0:33
9. Nairo Quintana (Col) Movistar
10. Bauke Mollema (Ned) Trek-Segafredo at 0:35.
Stage 2:
Tour of Germany – Deutschland Tour 2018
The last time a rider raised his arm in the air on the finish line of the Deutschland Tour was ten years ago so who better then a young and promising sprinter to do so again on this brand new edition of the event. As expected Stage 1 of the race was decided in a bunched sprint on the final long straight in Bonn but while many were expecting German specialists Kittel, Greipel or Ackerman, Alvaro Hodeg (Quick-Step Floors) triumphantly powered to the line. The Colombian captured the win ahead of Pascal Ackerman (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Niccolò Bonifazio (Trek-Segafredo) and took the overall leader’s red jersey.
Stage winner and overall leader, Alvaro Hodeg (Quick-Step Floors): “I want to thank the team, because they gave me another opportunity to show what I can do against many of the world’s best sprinters. It was important for me to repay their trust and confidence and prove again that I can beat the best. I came here in good shape after racing Poland a few weeks ago and getting the maximum out of this stage gives me huge joy and satisfaction. We did a recon of the final yesterday, so I knew all those corners in the last kilometers and where I had to be going into them. Fortunately, I had Iljo by my side, who put me in the wheel of Greipel inside the closing 500 meters, from where all I had to do was find my line and wait for the best moment to kick out. Tasting victory for the fourth time this season feels amazing, but this wouldn’t have been possible without the help of my team, that’s why this result is for them. I’m proud to wear the first red jersey of this race. It’s my first time in Germany and I really love it. The fans were superb, they gave us a warm welcome at the team presentation and again today, so I’m looking forward to the remainder of the week here.”
2nd on the stage and overall,Pascal Ackermann (Bora-Hansgrohe): “Of course, I wanted to take the win today and the team did a great job to bring me into position. But on the final meters Hodeg was just too strong. Tomorrow will be another day and I am motivated to try it again.”
Tour of Germany – Deutschland Tour Stage 1 Result:
1. Alvaro Hodeg (Col) Quick-Step Floors in 3:35:08
2. Pascal Ackermann (Ger) Bora-Hansgrohe
3. Niccolò Bonifazio (Ita) Trek-Segafredo
4. Reinardt Janse Van Rensburg (RSA) Dimension Data
5. Alexander Krieger (Ger) Leopard Pro Cycling
6. Andre Greipel (Ger) Lotto Soudal
7. Aaron Grosser (Ger) Team Sauerland NRW p/b SKS Germany
8. Colin Joyce (USA) Rally Cycling
9. Rick Zabel (Ger) Katusha-Alpecin
10. Kristian Sbaragli (Ita) Israel Cycling Academy.
Tour of Germany – Deutschland Tour Overall After Stage 1:
1. Alvaro Hodeg (Col) Quick-Step Floors in 3:34:58
2. Pascal Ackermann (Ger) Bora-Hansgrohe at 0:04
3. Niccolò Bonifazio (Ita) Trek-Segafredo at 0:06
4. Jens Reynders (Bel) Leopard Pro Cycling at 0:07
5. Jorge Arcas (Spa) Movistar at 0:08
6. Kevin Van Melsen (Bel) Wanty-Groupe Gobert at 0:09
7. Reinardt Janse Van Rensburg (RSA) Dimension Data at 0:10
8. Alexander Krieger (Ger) Leopard Pro Cycling
9. Andre Greipel (Ger) Lotto Soudal
10. Aaron Grosser (Ger) Team Sauerland NRW p/b SKS Germany.
Stage 1:
After the battle of sprinters on Thursday, Stage 2 of the Deutschland Tour offered far more opportunities for the climbers and GC riders on a very demanding and hilly final part. And indeed victory was decided between four extremely strong men on the final straight in Trier. After taking off with Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb) on the last climb of the day, with 6kms to go, Maximilian Schachmann (Quick-Step Floors) took a prestigious win on home soil. The German out-sprinted Matej Mohoric (Bahrain-Merida) and Dumoulin, capturing at the same time the overall red jersey. At 24 years old he confirms what a promising rider he is after already winning at the Giro d’Italia this year and gives his Quick-Step Floors team its second success in a row in Germany.
Stage winner and overall leader, Maximilian Schachmann (Quick-Step Floors): “I had this race marked in the calendar, so to win here, in front of so many fans, it’s truly unbelievable! Moving to the top of the general classification is a bonus and it makes me proud to wear the jersey, but I don’t want to think of the GC yet, because we still have two tough stages left. Nevertheless, the team is strong and motivated, as you could see on these stages, and we will do everything to defend the jersey. The stage was very nervous and several groups tried their luck from afar, with 60 kilometers left. If it hadn’t been for my teammates, who contributed to the chase, things could have been really dangerous. When Dumoulin went I knew it was an important move, so I jumped and managed to close the gap pretty fast, while making sure I wouldn’t completely empty myself. We worked well together, but then Mohoric and Politt bridged across; knowing the latter would come fast I moved into his slipstream and recovered a bit before launching my sprint. Fortunately, I still had enough to hold off Mohoric and take this beautiful win in my home country.”
2nd on the stage and overall, Matej Mohorič (Bahrain-Merida): “In the last kilometer we played a little game. Nobody wanted to pull and Politt (Katusha-Alpecin) came from the behind. Schachmann (Quick-Step Floors) took his wheel. Unfortunately, I was not able to pass him at the finish line. I took 2nd on the stage. I was a bit tired from the attack, I did 30k to go with the other guys. So, I couldn’t follow in the last climb but I made a crossing over the top in the descent. 2nd place is not bad but I regret not be able to win today.”
10th, Patrick Konrad (Bora-Hansgrohe): “It was a difficult day, the race was dominated by attacks right from the start. I tried to be in a good position as the race tackled the climbs. Pascal made it into the new breakaway after the downhill and I was in the reduced bunch as we came into the finale. All in all, I crossed the line in 10th place, tomorrow will be a new day and we will give our best again.”
Tour of Germany – Deutschland Tour Stage 2 Result:
1. Maximilian Schachmann (Ger) Quick-Step Floors in 4:50:36
2. Matej Mohoric (Slo) Bahrain-Merida
3. Tom Dumoulin (Ned) Sunweb
4. Nils Politt (Ger) Katusha-Alpecin
5. Reinardt Janse Van Rensburg (RSA) Dimension Data at 0:08
6. Pieter Vanspeybrouck (Bel) Wanty-Groupe Gobert
7. Frederik Backaert (Bel) Wanty-Groupe Gobert at 0:10
8. Damiano Caruso (Ita) BMC at 0:12
9. Odd Christian Eiking (Nor) Wanty-Groupe Gobert
10. Patrick Konrad (Aut) Bora-Hansgrohe.
Tour of Germany – Deutschland Tour Overall After Stage 2:
1. Maximilian Schachmann (Ger) Quick-Step Floors in 8:25:34
2. Matej Mohoric (Slo) Bahrain-Merida at 0:04
3. Tom Dumoulin (Ned) Sunweb
4. Nils Politt (Ger) Katusha-Alpecin at 0:10
5. Reinardt Janse Van Rensburg (RSA) Dimension Data at 0:18
6. Pieter Vanspeybrouck (Bel) Wanty-Groupe Gobert
7. Damiano Caruso (Ita) BMC at 0:19
8. Frederik Backaert (Bel) Wanty-Groupe Gobert at 0:20
9. Romain Bardet (Fra) AG2R-La Mondiale at 0:21
10. Nick van der Lijke (Ned) Roompot-Nederlandse Loterij at 0:22.
Stage 2:
The beautiful Saarland area of Germany offered all the ingredients for an eventful battle between the big guns of the Deutschland Tour. Second on stage 2 behind Schachmann (Quick-Step Floors), Matej Mohoric (Bahrain-Merida) enjoyed a sweet revenge claiming a fine victory on Stage 3. After the final hilly part of the day, the Slovenian proved to be the fastest of the reduced bunch, beating Nils Politt (Katusha-Alpecin) and Pieter Vanspeybrouck (Wanty-Groupe Gobert) to the line. Junior World champion, U23 World champion and recently winner of the Binck Bank Tour, Mohoric, took the overall lead with the final day tomorrow in Stuttgart.
Stage winner and overall leader, Matej Mohoric (Bahrain-Merida): “Today the plan was to try to attack and win the stage and maybe the jersey. I was more patient today than yesterday. In the first couple of climbs team-mates covered the attacks for me and I went only for the last climb. Heino brought me in a perfect position for the last climb. Unfortunately, due to the head wind I didn’t manage to make a difference. I decided to wait and focus on final sprint. I managed to get a good position before the sprint and, at the end, it all went perfect and I managed to win a stage which is great. Tomorrow is a very long and hard stage. We will have to fight to keep the red jersey to defend the leading GC. I think we have a strong team, as we showed today. We helped Quick-Step Floors to control the race, so I was even more motivated for my team Bahrain Merida to get them the stage team and, possibly, also the leading GC. Maybe we can also win this race.”
2nd on the stage and 3rd overall, Nils Politt (Katusha-Alpecin): “Again today we had a really hard stage in the Tour of Germany. We did everything we could today. Our stagiaire, Dmitry Strakhov, I can just say thank you to him. He’s a very strong rider. In the final he put in some good attacks that helped me. Then I had to suffer a bit on the last climb when Geraint Thomas upped the pace and it was really fast. In the end it was second place.”
3rd on the stage and 5th overall, Pieter Vanspeybrouck (Wanty-Groupe Gobert): “The stages are quite hilly here, so I feel à bloc on the climbs. But the fact that I am still with the last 25 riders is encouraging. Guillaume Martin made a great move at about 250 meters from the finish. Thus I moved all the way up to the front in his wheel, just before the sprint. I am grateful for what Guillaume did there. The team is also strong here, both yesterday and today we are still present with four riders in a leading group of 25 riders. Yesterday there was some miscommunication in the final, but today it was better. The level is also quite high. This is a 2.1 race, but thanks to organizer ASO, no less than 11 WorldTour teams participate, with a lot of top riders from Tour de France. After a crash in Tour of Norway mid-May, it took me longer than expected to get back on a high level. Apparently the crash had a strong impact on my body, which was not in balance anymore. I often visited the osteopath and I continued to work hard. So the performance in this Tour is a reward. Tomorrow I want to defend my top-5 final ranking, and maybe I can move up a little more.”
Tour of Germany – Deutschland Tour Stage 3 Result:
1. Matej Mohoric (Slo) Bahrain-Merida in 4:12:28
2. Nils Politt (Ger) Katusha-Alpecin
3. Pieter Vanspeybrouck (Bel) Wanty-Groupe Gobert
4. Jasha Sytterlin (Ger) Movistar
5. Nick van der Lijke (Ned) Roompot-Nederlandse Loterij
6. Vasil Kiryienka (Blr) Sky
7. Maximilian Schachmann (Ger) Quick-Step Floors
8. Guillaume Martin (Fra) Wanty-Groupe Gobert
9. Reinardt Janse Van Rensburg (RSA) Dimension Data
10. Jurgen Roelandts (Bel) BMC.
Tour of Germany – Deutschland Tour Overall After Stage 3:
1. Matej Mohoric (Slo) Bahrain-Merida in 12:37:56
2. Maximilian Schachmann (Ger) Quick-Step Floors at 0:06
3. Nils Politt (Ger) Katusha-Alpecin at 0:10
4. Tom Dumoulin (Ned) Sunweb
5. Pieter Vanspeybrouck (Bel) Wanty-Groupe Gobert at 0:20
6. Reinardt Janse Van Rensburg (RSA) Dimension Data at 0:24
7. Damiano Caruso (Ita) BMC at 0:25
8. Warren Barguil (Fra) Fortuneo-Samsic
9. Frederik Backaert (Bel) Wanty-Groupe Gobert at 0:26
10. Pieter Weening (Ned) Roompot-Nederlandse Loterij.
Stage 3:
After a splendid battle between the big guns of the Deutschland Tour all the way to the finish line of the Final Stage 4, Matej Mohoric managed to keep his overall leader’s red jersey and wins this 2018 edition of the race, ten years after its last appearance on the world cycling calendar. But the Slovenian had to give all he had to conquer the GC, threatened by all his rivals in the final loops around Stuttgart. The final day eventually saw Germany’s Nils Politt claim the win ahead of Mohoric and Caruso. At only 23 years of age, Mohoric conquers a second consecutive stage race after claiming the BinckBank Tour just a week ago. Mohoric finally wins the event with a 6’’ lead over Politt and 12’’ over Schachmann.
Stage winner, Nils Politt (Katusha-Alpecin): “It’s unbelievable. I really can’t believe it. I think I will have to watch the race again tomorrow and then maybe I can believe it. I was so close to the win in the last two days when I guess I made some small mistakes. But today I waited a little bit longer to go at 200 meters to the finish line. I am really, really happy. It’s so nice to have the Tour of Germany back. I am proud to be on the podium here.”
Final overall winner, Matej Mohoric (Bahrain-Merida): “Today’s win was a team effort and we did our best to control and to stay in front the whole race. In fact, the whole day we rode in front. The breakaway was strong with two really hard time trials and we had to pull out since the start. All of my team-mates did the great job, especially Antonio Nibali, Niccolò Bonifazio and Heinrich Haussler stayed with me till the finish to get a good position before the climbs. I drop a little in the last climb but I manage to catch the group and be back to second place on the sprint what was enough to keep the red jersey. I am super happy for myself and my team!”
10th on the stage and 3rd overall, Maximilian Schachmann (Quick-Step Floors): “I am a bit disappointed, but on the other hand I am proud and happy with my performance, because I went for the win today. The team did a great job, supporting me this week and showing the same fantastic Wolfpack spirit, as we made the race again and did our best to get the victory. Racing in Germany in front of so many fans and getting a win on the hardest stage of the Deutschland Tour was really special, and I hope to be back in the future for more.”
KOM, Robin Carpenter (Rally Cycling): “It’s a pleasure to win the KOM jersey and be able to stand on the final podium at a big race in Europe,” said Carpenter. “The races over here are challenging in many different ways and in order to survive you have to learn and adapt. Something the team has done an excellent job of. I really enjoyed this trip, we had a lot of success and the morale was always high. To have some personal success is a bonus for me. I’ve been really stoked with how the team is riding and my ability to help whenever I can.”
Tour of Germany – Deutschland Tour Stage 4 Result:
1. Nils Politt (Ger) Katusha-Alpecin in 4:49:20
2. Matej Mohoric (Slo) Bahrain-Merida
3. Damiano Caruso (Ita) BMC
4. Nick van der Lijke (Ned) Roompot-Nederlandse Loterij
5. Reinardt Janse Van Rensburg (RSA) Dimension Data
6. Romain Bardet (Fra) AG2R-La Mondiale
7. Alexis Vuillermoz (Fra) AG2R-La Mondiale
8. Warren Barguil (Fra) Fortuneo-Samsic
9. Patrick Konrad (Aut) Bora-Hansgrohe
10. Maximilian Schachmann (Ger) Quick-Step Floors.
Tour of Germany – Deutschland Tour Overall Result:
1. Matej Mohoric (Slo) Bahrain-Merida in 17:27:10
2. Nils Politt (Ger) Katusha-Alpecin at 0:06
3. Maximilian Schachmann (Ger) Quick-Step Floors at 0:12
4. Tom Dumoulin (Ned) Sunweb at 0:16
5. Damiano Caruso (Ita) BMC at 0:26
6. Warren Barguil (Fra) Fortuneo-Samsic at 0:28
7. Reinardt Janse Van Rensburg (RSA) Dimension Data at 0:30
8. Romain Bardet (Fra) AG2R-La Mondiale at 0:31
9. Guillaume Martin (Fra) Wanty-Groupe Gober at 0:33
10. Nick van der Lijke (Ned) Roompot-Nederlandse Loterij at 0:34.
Final stage 4:
Schaal Sels 2018
In Schaal Sels (1.1, 26/08) Timothy Dupont sprinted to his first season victory after great teamwork. Wanty-Groupe Gobert was attentive all day. Guillaume Van Keirsbulck and trainee Jasper de Laat were part of a large breakaway in Merksem. Slightly past half-course, a group of six riders accelerated, including Van Keirsbulck.
The peloton, however, did not let go and closed the gap in the last 20 kilometers. Wanty-Groupe Gobert wanted to ensure a sprint and they performed impressively. The team launched Timothy Dupont to victory. Trainee Alfdan De Decker made the 1-2 complete with a brilliant second place.
Race winner, Timothy Dupont (Wanty-Groupe Gobert): “I don’t feel too good these past days. I have been racing for three days in a row and today was the last day that I took antibiotics after illness. But in the bunch sprint my instinct came up and at that moment you forget all the pain from before. We rode an excellent race as a team. It was difficult to control the race, but we were able to send a rider in every break. In the final lap everyone was called to prepare the sprint. Mark, Boris, Wesley, Pierre, Jasper and Guillaume did their job excellent. I can only express a big thanks to them all. Alfdan rode an excellent sprint. To finish second as a 21-year-old trainee is just amazing. It was a hectic sprint preparation. In the final kilometer he would normally launch the sprint, but we lost each other. So I started the sprint early. For a moment I thought he would even pass me! I certainly cannot complain about my season. I perform very regularly and have been able to finish a difficult Tour. I finished top 10 for 25 times, but the victory was missing. Today we ensured that precious victory. My next races are Brussels Cycling Classic and GP Fourmies. My condition is good after the Tour, so it can only improve.”
2nd, Alfdan De Decker (Wanty-Groupe Gobert): “It was a fairly tough race! The pace never went down. We always had a man in front, so that was ideal. Because of the many turns there were a lot of accelerations, which made it a difficult race. In the final lap the team had to go hard in order to reel Sefa in. In the final kilometer I lost Timothy. I could still come back and just came in his wheel again. I wanted to cause a gap, but behind us there was already a small gap behind me. Thus I sprinted all in for second place. I am very satisfied! This podium spot is an extra nice because we are in my area. The finish is right before Sint-Eduardus, where I went to school. A few weeks ago I had a lesser period, but now my body is back in perfect shape.”
Schaal Sels Result:
1. Timothy Dupont (Bel) Wanty-Groupe Gobert in 4:10:50
2. Alfdan De Decker (Bel) Wanty-Groupe Gobert
3. Christophe Noppe (Bel) Sport Vlaanderen-Baloise
4. Kenny Dehaes (Bel) WB Aqua Protect-Veranclassic
5. Kevyn Ista (Bel) WB Aqua Protect-Veranclassic
6. David Van Der Poel (Ned) Corendon-Circus
7. Jelle Cant (Bel) Tarteletto-Isorex
8. Alexander Geuens (Bel) Sovac-Natura4Ever
9. Frantisek Sisr (Cze) CCC Sprandi Polkowice
10. Dries De Bondt (Bel) Vérandas Willems-Crelan.
Schaal Sels podium:
La Vuelta’19 Will Start from Salinas de Torrevieja
The Salinas de Torrevieja, on the Costa Blanca, will welcome the start of the 74th edition of La Vuelta. Eduardo Dolón, vice-president of the province of Alicante, and Juanjo Castelló, sports deputy, made the announcement on Friday in presence of Francisco De La Torre, mayor of Málaga, and Elias Bendodo, president of the Provincial Deputation of Málaga.
“The province of Alicante is a cycling paradise, commented Javier Guillén, general director of La Vuelta. There is the sea, the mountain, hills and flat, and a perfect weather to ride a bike. It’s not for nothing that many teams chose this area for training camps ahead of the season. In 2019 it will be the sixth time La Vuelta starts from the Costa Blanca, a significative number that shows the province’s abilities to welcome global sports events. The Salinas de Torrevieja are an unprecedented sight for La Vuelta and will for sure offer an exceptional setting to bring originality and innovation, the special touch of La Vuelta.”
The province of Alicante already welcomed the first stages of La Vuelta in Benidorm (1964, 1987 and 2011), Calpe (1973) and Dehesa de Campoamor (1977). It will be a first for the Salinas de Torrevieja, a unique enclave with salt lagoons famous for their pink-hued waters. Three stages will be held on the Costa Blanca, highlighting the inlands as well the seaside.
“La Vuelta is not only about promoting sports, it also means an extraordinary event and a unique platform to display our most spectacular sites to the whole world, Eduardo Dolón said. We want to make the most of one of the most powerful tools that exists when it comes to tourism promotion. In addition of being an unprecedented start, it also happens as Costa Blanca recently added to its extensive tourism offer a guided visit to this exceptional enclave and the tourism authorities thought it would be a unique opportunity to highlight it on national and global levels. We can anticipate an economic impact around three million euros, taking into consideration all the preliminary events and the three stages.”
“Cycling is a unique opportunity to display our province in large scale, in relation with the values of a sport whose popularity increases every year in the province of Alicante, Juanjo Castelló added. The stages set in our territory will be the most followed,” added Juanjo Castelló.
The 22 teams participating in La Vuelta 19 will thus have the opportunity to make the most in competition of grounds they already know from training sessions.
Aqua Blue Sport Name Three Current and Former National Champions in strong OVO Energy Tour of Britain Squad
National champions past and present Adam Blythe, Conor Dunne and Larry Warbasse feature in Aqua Blue Sport’s strong line-up for their debut OVO Energy Tour of Britain, which begins in Carmarthenshire, Wales on Sunday 2 September.
The Irish team, who have already won stages of the Vuelta a España, Tour de Suisse and Tour of Denmark, have also selected Mark Christian, Eddie Dunbar and Casper Pedersen as they target success on several fronts during the eight-day race.
Dane Nicki Sørensen, who finished eleventh in the first edition of the modern Tour of Britain in 2004, will manage the team.
Yorkshireman Blythe, who won the British Road Race title in 2016, will ride his third edition of his home tour in September. One of the fastest sprinters in the peloton, he famously won the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey Classic one-day race on The Mall – barely 500m away from where the Tour of Britain ends on Sunday 9 September – in 2014. Earlier in August, the 28-year-old represented Great Britain at the European Championships in Glasgow.
“I’m super happy to have been picked to compete in the 2018 OVO Energy Tour of Britain,” Blythe commented. “It’s been a couple of years since I last took part in the race and I’m very excited to be able to return.
“I think that the team we have for the race is a very strong selection that will enable us to specifically focus on targeting stage wins. Our intention in the race will be to make the most of our opportunities, to enjoy the experience, to get the best out of each other and to try to win a stage.”
Like Blythe, reigning Irish champion Conor Dunne returns to the race after a two-year absence. He wore the Eisberg Sprints jersey for one day in the 2015 edition, and became popular with home crowds thanks to his combative appearances in multiple breakaways since his Tour of Britain debut. Dunne will be easily recognizable in the race: his Irish champion’s jersey is notable for its striking white base; green band and subtle shamrock detail; and the iconic gold chevron of Aqua Blue Sport.
“Racing in the jersey of the Irish National Road Race champion will be extra special for me,” Dunne said. “It’s one of the biggest races in the calendar close to Irish soil, so you always get a lot of home support – and it’s also nice to be racing in the same time zone as your friends and family!
“I’ve had this race in my sights for a while now and hope to ride aggressively and show myself well in the Irish colors. We’ve got a strong team going to the OVO Energy Tour of Britain and I will be support the boys in every way I can so that we come away with a good result.”
Alongside Pedersen, Warbasse will make his OVO Energy Tour of Britain in September. The 28-year-old, who comes from Traverse City, Michigan, memorably won the American National Championships last year. A three-time Vuelta a España finisher, he took the biggest (and first) victory of his professional career on Stage Four of the 2017 Tour de Suisse.
Manxman Christian is a Tour of Britain regular, notably placing 12th overall two years ago, while the highly-rated Irish neo-pro Dunbar last competed in 2015.
Online cycling marketplace Aqua Blue Sport’s role in the race extends beyond their talented competing team: they are also the Official Digital Partner of the Tour of Britain, Tour Series and Women’s Tour. For more information, visit www.aquabluesport.com.
Race Director Mick Bennett said: “Aqua Blue Sport have already made a huge impact in the world of cycling; not only with their fledgling UCI ProContinental team, but their revolutionary online marketplace.
“We’re thrilled to have them on board as Official Digital Partner of the OVO Energy Tour of Britain, as well as competing in this year’s race. With their strong line-up featuring riders who can challenge across all eight stages, their debut participation could prove to be extremely memorable.”
Estonian Time Trial Champion Tanel Kangert Signs with #PinkArgyle for 2019
Estonian Tanel Kangert will join the #PinkArgyle family in 2019. The 31-year-old has spent the last eight years riding for Astana and previously spent two seasons with AG2R La Mondiale. The move to EF Education First – Drapac p/b Cannondale offers him a new opportunity on a diverse squad.
“I have wondered if there is more in professional cycling for me to see and try,” said Kangert. “I have had a good time with my current team, but after eight years, I felt that the time to move on was now. I wanted to get out of my comfort zone. I have raced for a French team and a Kazakh team with Italian influence, so I was looking for a completely different environment.
“I’m looking forward to new training methods, different race programs and new equipment,” Kangert added. “I also aim to push myself a little bit further physically. EF Education First – Drapac p/b Cannondale ticked all the boxes for me when I started to look for a team.”
“Tanel is a proven and stable asset at the largest races in the world,” said EF Pro Cycling CEO and founder Jonathan Vaughters. “He adds value as a teammate and as a winner on his own right. We hope to help him reach his full potential and are happy he chose our team.”
Kangert has achieved nine professional victories, including stage wins at Tour de Suisse, Giro del Trentino and Abu Dhabi, where he also won the general classification. He finished 16th overall at the 2018 Tour de France and animated the 67-kilometer three-mountain stage with what Vaughters has called “his swashbuckling breakaway.” Yet Kangert, the reigning Estonian time trial champion looks toward his contribution in collective performances rather than individual results to define himself as a rider.
“I have always known that if in a team there is a leader who has a better chance for a result than I do, I should help him as much as possible, and most often, there is someone who has a better chance than me,” said Kangert. “I enjoy my role as an important helper who can sometimes go for a personal result.”
Kangert has humble ambitions that fit with his down-to-earth nature for his first season in his new team.
“I would like to be physically good already in the beginning of the season,” he said. “This is something I’ve been able to achieve so far. I’d like to find my time trial legs, and, of course, I hope to secure some great results with the team.”
Tanel Kangert:
Richie Porte Pens Two-Year Deal with Trek-Segafredo
Trek-Segafredo is honored to confirm that 33-year-old Australian Richie Porte will be joining the pinstriped team in 2019. Porte, who needs little introduction, is a proven GC-rider and has been a favorite for Grand Tour podiums.
Porte has won multiple one-week stage races in addition to numerous stages in those events but has never reached the top three of a Grand Tour after crashing out of the Tour de France the last two years. Trek-Segafredo will look to Porte to lead them at the Tour in 2019.
Porte: “I am thrilled to finally confirm that I will join Trek-Segafredo in 2019. I had a great time at BMC Racing Team, and I want to thank them for the past three years, but I feel ready to take on another challenge, which I am certain I will find at Trek-Segafredo. I am particularly looking forward to focusing on more races throughout the year. Of course, the Tour de France will still be a huge goal for me, and I am excited to go there to race with a super strong team alongside me, but I will also aim for one-week stage races, like the ones I have won before, and the ones I have never raced. Honestly, I am really excited to start this new chapter in my career – I can’t wait!”
General Manager Luca Guercilena: “Richie is a remarkable cyclist that has shown his capacities in the past, and I am confident he still has great results in him for the next few years. Obviously, he has a lot of experience and leadership to share with our young riders, something I believe the whole team will benefit from. I am sure he will fit in well with the group of riders we are assembling for next year. We are excited to have him on board!”
Richie Porte:
Teunissen Returns to Team LottoNL-Jumbo
Mike Teunissen returns to Team LottoNL-Jumbo. The Dutchman made his professional debut with the squad in 2015. In 2017, he moved to Sunweb. Teunissen has signed a contract for four years with the formation of manager Richard Plugge.
“Two years ago we separated in a good way and we have kept in touch ever since”, Teunissen says. “In the meantime, the team has made some good progression. It marks a good time for me to return. I look forward to meeting various old friends and getting to know the new people on the team.”
Sports director Nico Verhoeven is pleased with Teunissen’s upcoming return. “He is a very nice asset. In the classics we want to do better than last year and Mike will make us stronger. He is very all-round. Not only will he be of value in the classics, but he will also be strong in the preparation of the sprint and as a helper of our classification riders. He himself is a fast finisher too and he will get his chances to sprint for a good result.”
When Team LottoNL-Jumbo showed renewed interest in him, Teunissen did not hesitate. “More than any other team, this team expressed confidence in my abilities in the spring races and they have a clear plan for my further development. Besides performing in the spring, I want to make myself useful by supporting the sprinters and climbers”, he concludes.
Saturday, on his 26th birthday, Teunissen will start in the Vuelta. It means his comeback to racing after a heavy crash in the Tour of Poland.
Mike Teunissen:
Josef Cerny Brings Czech Road Race and Time Trial Champion Jerseys to Continuum Sports
Czech road race and time trial champion Josef Černý is set to make his WorldTour debut in 2019 when he joins Continuum Sports, stepping up after racing at the Continental level for the past two years.
The 25-year-old previously raced with CCC Sprandi Polkowice from 2013 to 2016 before joining Czech Continental team Elkov – Author Cycling Team for the 2017 and 2018 seasons.
“We are thrilled to have Josef Černý join Continuum Sports in 2019 and welcome the Czech road race and time trial champion jerseys to the team for the first time. Despite his young age, Josef has already gained valuable experience at the Professional Continental level and recorded some impressive results, including the road race and time trial double against some very established Czech riders which is no easy feat. Josef also claimed a stage win and the overall victory at the Czech Cycling Tour in 2017 which is a sign of what we can expect in the future,” General Manager Jim Ochowicz said.
“Josef is clearly already a good time trialist and will be an asset to the team for both individual and team time trials. With our focus on the discipline, we can help Josef to develop further. In his time with CCC Sprandi Polkowice, Josef raced some of the bigger spring classics and will now have the opportunity to learn from some of the best riders in the business, including Greg Van Avermaet.”
The opportunity to join Continuum Sports and make his WorldTour debut is a dream come true for Černý.
“It is such a great feeling to sign with Continuum Sports. It has been my dream to sign for a WorldTour team since I started cycling, so I am very happy that all of my hard work has paid off and I am really motivated to show both Czech jerseys in the peloton,” Černý admitted.
“I would love to ride some of the spring classics like Paris-Roubaix and the Ardennes should fit my style of riding. To be part of a Grand Tour team in the future would fulfill my childhood dream and I know there is a lot of hard work to do to make it to the start line of a Grand Tour, so I’m looking forward to this. I will work as hard as I can for the team leaders and I am eager to learn from the other riders and pick up new skills along the way.”
In keeping with team policy, no other details of the contract were released.
Josef Cerny:
Welcome Covi and Pogacar
The Slovenian will ride with UAE Team Emirates starting in 2019; future deal with the young Italian.
Alessandro Covi has reached an agreement with the Emirati team that will lead him to a future move to the pros. The nineteen-year-old was born in Borgomanero on 28/09/1998 and today he has won the 6th stage of the Tour de l’Avenir; in the two years he spent in the Under23 class he has shown enormous potential, which makes him one of the most interesting prospects in Italian cycling. Covi has been a UAE Team Emirates trainee since August 1, 2018, and in the 2019 season he will be riding for Team Colpack.
“I’m very happy, I feel UAE Team Emirates can be the best team for becoming a pro rider” Covi explained. “I won’t join the pros in the next season, I feel it’s better to wait for one more year, during which I’ll do my best to improve my skills. Meanwhile, I’ll race as trainee in my new team in this final part of the season.”
Meanwhile, Tadej Pogacar, a very talented young Slovenian cyclist who’s participating in the Tour de l’Avenir too, has signed a two year contract with UAE Team Emirates that will seal his 2019 debut on a World Tour team.
Born in Komenda (Slovenia) on 21/09/1998, Pogacar is already savvy enough to know how to show off his skills, combining agility on climbs with impressive power that makes him efficient on flat terrain and in sprints. The young Slovenian’s 2018 portfolio boasts Under23 National Titles in time trial and road racing, one stage and the general classification in the Grand Prix Priessnitz and 4th place in the general classification for the Tour of Slovenia, a race in which he captured the title as best young rider in 2017.
“I am honored to be able to ride in a World Tour team and it makes me even happier to know that I am joining an ambitious formation that knows how to value their riders,” emphasized Pogacar. “I’d like to thank Saronni and all the sponsors for the faith they’ve shown in me.”
Covi and Pogacar:
Winder, Hanson to Join Trek’s Women’s Team
American Ruth Winder, 25, and Australian Lauretta Hanson, 23, have signed with Trek’s Women’s team for 2019, boosting the new squad with two impending young talents. Ruth will join the new team after racing one season in Europe with Team Sunweb, and Lauretta arrives from the USA-based UnitedHealthcare team.
Ruth Winder began racing when she was 15, taking an unexpected win in the 2009 junior road national championships, but her focus over the next years was in track cycling. After joining UnitedHealthcare for the 2014-2015 seasons, she returned to the track full-time in 2016 with the US National endurance track program and made the Rio Olympic team.
When Ruth was not selected to race the team pursuit final that battled for gold with Great Britain, she turned her disappointment into a breakthrough 2017 road season. She won two of the most prominent American stage races in the Redlands Bicycle Classic and Joe Martin Stage Race and while racing abroad, claimed two stages and the overall in the Czech Republic at the Tour de Feminin, finished second in the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race, and second overall in the Lotto Belisol Belgium Tour.
2018 has been the first full European season for Ruth, and she has risen to the new challenge by capturing her most significant victory to date: winning stage five in the Giro d’Italia Internazionale Femminile and with it donning the coveted maglia rosa.
Ruth Winder: “I’m really excited to be joining the new Trek program! As soon as I heard about the team, I was interested, and after talking with Trek, it sounded like a great fit. Not just with the athletic program that is being built, but also as an American working with such a loved American brand.
“I’ve spent a really good year in Europe learning a lot about the races and [positioning in the] peloton. I feel fully ready to take that into next year with what’s going to be a really strong team. Along with Lizzie (Deignan), I was actually born in Yorkshire, and I am really looking to the 2019 World Championships there. The upcoming year is full of goals to get there, and I’m excited to see what we will achieve.”
Lauretta Hanson is currently racing for UnitedHealthcare (UHC) after joining the US-based powerhouse team in 2017. Lauretta is a strong all-rounder with a big engine and has embraced her role in supporting her teammates on UHC.
While Lauretta is still developing and building her palmarès, she already has shown sparks. In 2016, while racing with the Australian National Team, Lauretta finished 10th overall in the Ladies Tour of Qatar against a star-studded field. A third place in stage three proved she could battle amongst a top-class European peloton in the demanding conditions of Qatar.
This past July she took a surprise victory in the stage three time trial at the Tour de Feminin (Czech Republic) and went on to finish second in stage four the next day. While helping her teammate win the overall, Lauretta still managed seventh place in the GC. These results may have been surprising for her but were only a matter of time.
With cycling opportunities limited in Australia, Lauretta has opted to race in the USA for the last six years and now is looking to make the next step to Europe with Trek.
Lauretta Hanson: “I am really excited to be joining Trek in 2019. I have raced in America for the past six years, but I was looking to make the transition to Europe. When I was approached by Trek, I knew it would be the perfect environment for me to learn and grow.
Trek has put together a program with fantastic support and a world-class roster filled with experience and strength. I have idolized a lot of these women throughout my career, and I am looking forward to racing alongside them, and under their guidance.”
Winder and Hanson:
Uttrup Ludwig Extends her Contract with Cervélo Bigla
The Cervélo Bigla Pro Cycling Team is pleased to announce the contract extension of Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig.
The 22-year-old joined Cervélo Bigla in 2017 and immediately began a breakout season. She won the UCI World Tour youth category and Setmana Ciclista Valenciana.
Uttrup Ludwig has also won the Danish time trial title the past three seasons. Recently she received a significant amount of media attention for animating La Course by Le Tour de France alongside her teammates. She went on to finish fourth in the race.
“It’s a great pleasure to receive her decision and her trust,” team manager, Thomas Campana said. “To choose our project as the one to continue to build her future is really a testament to our structure we’ve built. She’s worked really hard on the team to get to the top of women’s cycling. When it comes to long-term development, we like looking at things in a holistic way. Even at such a young age, Cecilie has been able to understand that and is very impressive in the way she plans her career for the future. We’re looking forward to continuing this momentum the next few years.”
The Danish rider has played a crucial role in the team the past two seasons and has chosen to extend her contract to continue her development.
“I’m extremely excited about the extension,” she said. “I’ve learnt so much the past two years on this team. And now I have a unique possibility to continue my development and taking more responsibility. This challenge is exactly what I believe will make me grow even more as a rider and I feel I’m ready for this. I’m so motivated and happy to get this opportunity. This is such a special project driven by passionate and competent people.”
Uttrup Ludwig:
Addio, Dario
It is with profound sadness that Gita Sporting Goods shares the news that Dario Pegoretti has passed away suddenly on August 23, 2018.
It was a great privilege to know Dario and to work so closely with him over many decades. He loved working with customers, everyone to him was a friend, and he was a genuinely good person.
Dario was one-of-a-kind. Professionally considered one of the finest frame-builders of our time, and personally a truly amazing spirit. His talent, friendship, and humor were boundless and will be deeply missed.
Giorgio Andretta, founder and CEO said, “Dario was my best friend. He was family to all of us at Gita and a brother to me. I am shocked and saddened by his passing. Please keep his family in your prayers.”
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