GIRO - STAGE 2 
ELIA VIVIANI,
THIRD IN THE FIRST SPRINT!

The Cofidis team has done its best to be among the main competitors at the end of this second stage By finishing 3rd, Elia Viviani demonstrated his excellent form, the cohesion he has with his teammates and, above all, his willingness to try his luck again as soon as possible.

At the finish in Novara on Sunday, there was inevitably a touch of disappointment. In the final of this easy stage, where everything was decided in an expected massive sprint, the Cofidis team followed perfectly what had been planned in the morning briefing. Each rider was active throughout the stage to support Elia Viviani. Nicolas Edet was at the front of the pack with 20 kilometers to go, before the trio of Attilio Viviani, Fabio Sabatini and Simone Consonni took over.

The commitment of the whole team and the great work of Simone Consonni allowed Elia Viviani to enter the final section in a more than favourable position. Even though the former European champion just missed out on victory, he took the third place and showed that he has the strength and determination to win. For Elia Viviani, this is his first podium finish in a Grand Tour stage since 2019. The team is ready to try again on Wednesday between Modena and Cattolica, where another battle between the sprinters has been announced.

THEY SAID

ELIA VIVANI, 3rd of the stage: "We did a very good collective work. Attilio and Simone were very strong and followed the plan of the stage perfectly. In the sprint, I got on Juan Sebastian Molano's wheel and that was my mistake because when he lost speed, he didn't give me a free pass. As a result, I was blocked and Tom Merlier took off. Tom made a very good sprint and we have to congratulate him. After that, it's good to be at this level. We know that the final tomorrow will be difficult but we are already looking ahead to the next sprint on Wednesday where we will have to give our best again. " 

ROBERTO DAMIANI, Sporting Director: "We witnessed how united the team was around Elia. Everyone played their role perfectly and there is also all the work done that you don't really see on television. In the final, Simone Consonni was exceptional. We also know that the sprint is not an exact science. Obviously, we are disappointed not to have won because we are convinced that Elia has the possibility to do it. "

STAGE 3 (190 KM)