The last (very hot) stage of the Giro d’Italia for young people crossed the Marca At the finish line first was the Irish Healy and behind him the Menegotto from Sandona
CASTELFRANCO
Spanish flags, jerseys of the La Roja national football team. You look around and Piazza Giorgione – a party for a thousand fans – makes you travel with your mind to Alicante and its surroundings.
From there comes Juan Ayuso, the Colpack-Ballan phenomenon born in Barcelona and destined to fill the history books of the pedal. The pink jersey of the Giro Under 23 number 44 is his and one day he will be able to say that the Brand has launched him in the cycling that counts: after having dominated the Piva Trophy in Col San Martino and Giro del Belvedere in Villa di Villa under Easter coronation of “predestined of the great tours” takes place in the living room of Castelfranco with the conquest of the most important stage race for young people.
But the hottest day (so far) of 2021 also thrives on other emotions: the counter-attack in the last act (departure from San Vito al Tagliamento) by Irishman Ben Healy; the second place of a splendid Jacopo Menegotto. Yes, the 20-year-old from San Donà, brought to cycling by his father Roberto, former amateur tricolor, has given yet another confirmation of the leap in quality achieved this year. Already second in San Vendemiano and fifth at Piva, the boy from the General Store is missing only the weight success. In Castelfranco he goes very close, seeing the dream evaporate at less than 4 km, when Healy gets rid of Menegotto himself and the Dutch Dan Hoole. A trio took advantage about sixty kilometers from the finish line, when the son of art attempts the adventure on the Muro di Ca ‘del Poggio. An action that seems illusory, in a day dedicated to sprinters fate seems sealed. But it will not be like this: on the first pass below the finish line the margin is 2’34 “, at the sound of the bell it drops to 1’45”. Nothing to do for the group: Healy shuffles the cards, Menegotto manages to get the better of Hoole for the prestigious square.
«No regrets», comments Menegotto, «Second in the last stage of the Giro is a great result. At minus 4, we opened up a bit: Healy had more and was smarter. I closed the Giro in crescendo, I built the escape on Ca ‘del Poggio. I used the last chance. When I saw the path with my father, the thought was immediate: “I aim for Castelfranco.” I succeeded. This year I grew up, now I dream of professionalism ».
The ruler Ayuso, 18 years old and three stages won, will be able to become familiar with the greats in a short time: the Emirates of Pogacar has already signed him. The debut on June 24 in the Apennines, then the permanent move from August. «It was my first time in 10 stages, an excellent test for the future», he reflects, devouring a bag of sweets, «The only difficult day I had in the time trial for a saddle trouble. Did he call me Contador? For now he has written some posts about me ». Will Ayuso be the heir to the Gunslinger? –
Mattia Toffoletto