National Championships
Movistar Team specialist claims convincing win in Bogogno, extends national crown for an additional twelve months before heading into the Tour de France next week
A technical route with plenty of pace changes, not entirely for specialists -"especially into the first kilometers", as explained by Movistar Team sports director José Luis Arrieta-, yet which Adriano Malori dominated as he usually does when against the clock. The Parma-born rider claimed his third Italian time trial title after smashing the 36.6km course in Bogogno, in the province of Novara, Piedmont.
Malori, who came into the national event just three days after taking 4th in the final TT of the Tour de Suisse, already clocked the fastest time through the only intermediate point (18km) -23" ahead of Daniele Bennati (TCS), second through-, before opening the gaps even more in the remainder -44'13", 1'01" against Moser (TCG)-. "Having put almost half a minute over the rest into that demanding section, he really had to feel strong", Arrieta said.
It's Malori's fourth victory of the season -after TT wins in San Luis, Tirreno-Adriatico (prologue) and La Sarthe (also taking the GC lead)-, the Italian increasing the Movistar Team's victory tally to 24 this year and now setting his sights on the Tour de France, as one of the main favourites for the opening stage in Utrecht.
REACTION / Adriano Malori: “After making 'Arri' and the whole team coming to guide me into the TT, I really had to win – otherwise, if I didn't keep the jersey, Eusebio would kick me out of the building (laughs.) It was quite a technical course, with lots of turns, climbing… it wasn't easy at all. Fortunately, I felt really great, stronger than in the Tour de Suisse, and as there were many descents between the climbs, I was able to give my everything from the very start. Now it's time to start thinking about next Saturday: the competition will be quite stronger, it'll be a difficult day for me… but I feel strong and motivated. There's not much work to go: some specific training on the TT bike, with short, fast sessions… from a physical point of view, I'm ready for the Tour."