With 2 days to go with night opener in Mestre (Venice mainland), the former World Champion unveils the secrets of 2019 AIRace (July 24-28). “Perfect mix of climbs and nervous courses, with some dirt roads: an all-around rider will definitely win”
With its intriguing, explosive and very demanding course, the 2019 Adriatica Ionica Race – starting in Mestre (Venice mainland) on Wednesday July 24th – is a promise of a big show between Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia, two Italian regions that have a special place in the cycling history. Could not be otherwise with the former World Champion Moreno Argentin in the organizing committee leader’s office: after an excellent first edition, AIRace now aims to consolidate its status in the international calendar, able to attract the World cycling’s best teams and riders.
“Compared to last year, when Passo Giau climb was the key point of the race, we drew a better balanced course, this time – Argentin explained. – It will be a perfect blend of climbs and nervous routes, with some dirt roads. I look forward an all-around overall winner afterwards”. A rider very similar to the best Moreno Argentin of yesteryear, indeed.
Since day one, AIRace promises a great show with the night opener suited to the sprinters. “The formula of criterium as stage races’ opening round is nothing new, I can remember plenty of them when I was a rider. It’s a very spectacular race, very unusual actually – said the World Champion in Colorado Springs. – I would like to thank the International Cycling Union (UCI) for having agreed with our proposal, neutralizing the stage in terms of gaps. The Intermediate sprints will assign the first Points Classification jersey, whilst the winner of the final sprint will wear the overall leader jersey. The favourites are the sprinters, but this formula gives an opportunity to the track specialists too”.
After the sprinter stage, the race’s favourites will rise into the limelight, facing the “Friuli’s dirt roads”, the “Venetian Dolomites” and the “Gorizia’s Collio” hills, ahead of the final showdown in Trieste ofSunday July 28th. “The overall rank could change day by day. The the stage 2 dirt roads will be very demanding and cobbles specialists, such as Gilbert and Vanmarcke, can make a difference. This is one of the race’s key points approaching the queen stage in the Dolomites with 4000 mt. of overall altitude and a very tough finale in the Misurina lake. Likewise the insidious stage of Cormons’ Monte Quarin should not be understimated”.
Trieste’s final showdown will feature a nervous circuit in the old town. “It’s a difficult finale. In case of short gaps, the last hill might be crucial for the overall win. The hill is perfect for explosive riders, but the difficulties of the previous days will play a decisive role. I expect a duel between sprinters and puncheurs”.
Tomorrow, Tuesday July 23rd, 2019 Adriatica Ionica Race’s programme will start in Mestre (Venice) with the preliminary operations and the teams’ presentation scheduled at 6.00 PM in Piazza Ferretto.
