Adam Gilsenan has won the Memorial Antonio Colo in Italy today, his first victory in Europe. The Canturino 1902 ASD rider was almost one minute up on the line after attacking the breakaway on the penultimate climb.
He finished 53 seconds up on the five-man group sprinting for the runner-up spot. Edoardo Burani (Team Fortebraccio Toscana) was 2nd with Matteo Scalo (Borgo Molino Rinascita Ormelle) taking 3rd.
The 112km race based around the Lunigiana region of Tuscany was held on undulating terrain. Gilsenan - from the Bohermeen CC club at home - was clearly going well today and when the race split after about 70km he was to the fore.
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At that point the Meath teenager, who has been racing in Italy for periods this season and last, got clear in an eight-man breakaway group that was never seen again by those they left behind.
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The escapees worked well to put enough time between themselves and the nearest chasers to ensure they would fight it out for victory. In the finale there were two climbs of around 4km, one immediately after the other, and as the breakaway approached them, Gilsenan was biding his time.
The Irish rider attacked about 1km from the top of the first
climb and was strong enough to gain a decent gap on the rest of the breakaway
men. From that point, with about 10km to go to the finish, Gilsenan descended
the first climb solo and raced onto the second incline, towards the finish line
at the top, on his own and rode to an impressive victory.
Memorial Antonio Colo | Top 10
- GILSENAN Adam Canturino 1902 Asd 3:00:52
- BURANI Edoardo Team Fortebraccio Toscana +53
- SCALCO Matteo Borgo Molino Rinascita Ormelle +53
- SAMBINELLO Mattia Canturino 1902 Asd +53
- NESPOLI Lorenzo Giovani Giussanesi +53
- BESSEGA Tommaso UC Bustese Olonia ASD +53
- PRIVITERA Samuele Team Fratelli Giorgi +01:10
- CATTANI Alessandro UC Bustese Olonia ASD +01:10
- CETTOLIN Matteo Borgo Molino Rinascita Ormelle +1:10
- ARRIGHETTI Nicolo GS Massi-Supermercati +2:02
