Qhubeka-Assos’ Italian sprinter Giacomo Nizzolo finished fourth on the opening stage of the Etoile de Besseges race yesterday. Photo: Twitter @QhubekaAssos
Qhubeka-Assos’ Italian sprinter Giacomo Nizzolo finished fourth on the opening stage of the Etoile de Besseges race yesterday.
As anticipated, the first day of the five-stage race in France came down to a sprint finish after 143km around Bellegarde.
Home favourite Christophe Laporte (Cofidis) triumphed on the uphill finish, edging compatriot Nacer Bouhanni (Arkea-Samsic) across the line.
Former world champion Mads Pedersen (Trek-Segafredo) finished third, two seconds adrift.
Once time bonuses were factored in, Nizzolo will start Thursday’s second stage 12 seconds behind.
After the stage, Nizzolo said that despite an injury-hampered pre-season, he felt “good”.
“I felt good. I didn’t expect to have such good legs because of the preparation.
“I was well placed in the sprint, but I spent too much energy to get to the front.
“At the bottom of the climb I didn’t have too much confidence to go too early, but in the end I managed to finish in the top five so I am happy.
“I’m looking forward to the next stage,” Nizzolo concluded.
Thursday’s stage two over 154km from Saint-Genies to La Calmette should also finish in a bunch sprint, despite a category one and two category two climbs.
🇨🇵 #EDB2021
A strong, fighting 4th for @Giacomonizzolo on the opening stage of @Etoile_Besseges, after an excellent team effort.
Here’s what he had to say after the race ⤵️. #BicyclesChangeLives pic.twitter.com/6sNDAqqxGz
— Team Qhubeka ASSOS (@QhubekaAssos) February 3, 2021
Stage one
| 1 | Christophe Laporte | FRA | 3:14:32 |
| 2 | Nacer Bouhanni | FRA | |
| 3 | Mads Pedersen | DEN | +0:02 |
| 4 | Giacomo Nizzolo | ITA | |
| 5 | Michal Kwiatkowski | POL | |
| 6 | Jordi Meeus | BEL | |
| 7 | Bryan Coquard | FRA | |
| 8 | John Degenkolb | GER | |
| 9 | Jake Stewart | GBR | |
| 10 | Danny van Poppel | NED |
*Selected
| 114 | Morne van Niekerk | RSA | +0:02 |
