FlavioZappi’s Blog

Giro d’Italia Bio under27 report

Stage 9 and last stage

No luck for Peter Kennaugh again!

Last stage of GiroBio on the “strade bianche” of Tuscany and Peter punched again he came back but by then a group of 6/7 people was in a break away with Colombian Cayetano Sarmiento and finish the race as overall leader and winner.

Peter Kennaugh finished third overall and showed great potential as pro rider, I was told that many teams are looking to get him….rider of the future!

June 21, 2009 Posted by flaviozappi | Race reports | Leave a Comment

Giro d’Italia Bio under27 report

Stage 8

Just spoke with Antonio U.C. Bergamasca direttore tecnico, nothing today major to general classification, big bunch sprint. But tomorrow……

last stage of Girobio will be a kind of “Eroica” or like in England “Rutland”, therefore in Antonio (and mine) point of view great chances for Peter Kennaugh of taking the overall leadership.

Race will be in Tuscany set up with 156km of small climbs but with 8 sectors of what they called “strade bianche” gravel for total amount of 38km.

Keep you posted.

June 20, 2009 Posted by flaviozappi | Race reports | Leave a Comment

Giro d’Italia Bio under27 report

Stage 7

Great performance of British young rider Peter Kennaugh today at stage 7 168km with final climb on the Carpegna (Pantani’s training territory).

Race leader Benedetti lost almost 3minutes of Peter who came 6th today.

Is now sitting at only 11seconds  to the new race leader Caddeo Manuele and been born  on the 15 /6 /1989 is the youngest rider on the top 15 of general classification. Without the unlucky double puncture few days ago he will be race leader with 1 or 2 minute of advantage.

Tomorrow stage is quiet hard but not major climbs, but because of the mixed terrain in the Tuscany hills could give some more surprises and opportunities for attacks. So good luck Peter!

June 19, 2009 Posted by flaviozappi | Race reports | Leave a Comment

Giro d’Italia Bio under27 report

Just spoke to my friend Antonio Bevilaqua direttore tecnico of U.C. Bergamasca to know the latest development at the Giro d’Italia for under 27 where GB Peter Kennaugh from the British Academy is challenging Cesare Benedetti from U.C. Bergamasca for overall leader position.

After stage 4 Peter was only 2 seconds away from the lead, but today, stage 5 was very unlucky for him and he punctured twice at a critical time of the race and lost 1 and half minutes to the leader.

Tomorrow is a rest day, then stage 6 totally flat race, so should be no changing in general classification.

I’ll keep you posted with my personal feeder from Italy.

June 16, 2009 Posted by flaviozappi | Race reports | Leave a Comment

Lincoln Grand Prix

I must say that the this race is a very interesting race for spectators and riders, the short and steep climb to the cathedral in “pave” made quiet hard, but selection was done mainly before and after the climb.

Before because of the speed, especially at the first two rounds were 200 riders trying to take the climb in front  of the peloton and of course a crash is guarantied and after because of the long stretch of riders trying to get together and the elastic affect made very hard for the riders behind.

Got disqualified 4 alps to go when riding with the bunch of remain 50 riders and take en off the race for riding over the pavement (had no choice, crash in the middle of the road), no comments!

Very easy solution for avoiding this incredible risky initial speed of the race.

Make race longer, why are pro-continental teams in the UK racing 120 km race? add another 5 or 6 laps and people will take the race a bit

more careful and still very selective, and riders will be more competitive abroad.

Anyway beautiful setting and very well organized, best premier calendar race so far.

May 13, 2009 Posted by flaviozappi | Race reports | 1 Comment