Ridolfo Breaks away as Lozano holds firm at Adriatica Ionica

07 June 2022

Young Italian neo pro Filippo Ridolfo put the memories and stiffness of his stage one crash behind him at Adriatica Ionica today, jumping into the breakaway for Team Novo Nordisk as a hot and hilly fourth stage unfolded across Le Marche.

Filippo Ridolfo (ITA):

“It’s been a tough few days of racing, and after crashing on stage one I felt pretty sore on stages two and three but gradually I was feeling a little stronger and Joonas tried to attack early today and follow the first move, but it didn’t stick. So, I thought I’d give it a go and I was lucky because it turned out to be the right move.”

“At first, we were seven guys and the bunch were going full gas behind us, we were doing 55kph and couldn’t gain more than 40 seconds. Then another 15 guys came across and the bunch eased off. The pace in our group didn’t drop though and I hung on until we entered the closing circuits but got distanced on the last climbs. It was good to be up there though and I’m feeling better every day.”

David Lozano: (ESP)

“Filippo did a great job today, he really dug in on what was another hot and hard day of racing and I sat on in the group just behind him, but we started giving the gas on the closing circuits and the front of the race started to split. This kind of short and steep climbs are relentless here and for sure it makes for exciting racing, but it’s hard and I’m glad to have finished again close to the front.”

Head Sports director Massimo Podenzana:

“To be honest we didn’t expect Filippo to go in the break today, but I am happy that he did. We wanted him to recover after he crashed on the first day and he has ridden his way into this race and showed a lot of grit. One more day to come tomorrow and it’s going to be important for us to get in the breakaway again, the finish in Ascoli Piceno does not suit us, so we need to show ourselves early.”