Synergy Baku Cycling Project’s Rumac third in Giro del Belvedere
By Laman Ismayilova
Synergy Baku Cycling Project’s Josip Rumac finished third in the
Giro del Belvedere U-23 race. The young Croatian rider had been in
the break group during the day and still had enough left to sprint
on to the podium, Azerbaijan Cycling Federation reports.
Rumac, 21, last rode the Settimana Internazionale Coppi e Bartali,
which ended Sunday. He brought his good form into this race, which
featured numerous climbs along the 166 km course.
The break group of the day, including Rumac, got away at the start
of third of 11 laps of an opening 12km circuit. By the time they
moved on to the closing circuit, the group had dropped to five
riders. Three stayed together, and they were joined by 10 others
near the finish. It was this 13-rider group which sprinted for the
win.
“Long day!! All day in the breakaway and I worked hard,” Rumac
said. “I had the legs for the win for sure, but I had bad position
in the last corner. I am very happy! Thanks for everything, team!
Small team but big heart!”
“Races like the Giro del Belvedere see the cream of the crop of
espoir riders take to the start line every year. Several big names
and future stars are in the start list every edition without fail,”
said team manager David McQuaid. “Today Josip took the race to them
and together with a few others fought valiantly to animate the race
from start to finish. In the end they couldn’t avoid being joined
by fresh legs at the very end and whilst Josip will be disappointed
with his sprint he shouldn’t be, he put in an excellent performance
today proving what a talented bike rider he is. The wins will come
for this young rider.”
Synergy Baku Cycling Project for the Giro del Belvedere and the GP Palio del Recioto included Elgun Alizada, Enver Asanov, Ismail Iliasov, Kanan Gahramanli, and Josip Rumac
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