Cycling Stars Criterium, Nibali wins ahead of Cavendish and Ciccone

The Shark’s Bite in Valdobbiadene! Vincenzo Nibali wins the Cycling Stars Criterium ahead of Cavendish and Ciccone. After writing memorable pages in the history of the pink race, this year Vincenzo Nibali also conquers the “22nd stage of the Giro”, as the Cycling Stars Criterium is now known by all. The Squalo was applauded during all three weeks of the Giro d’Italia, from Hungary to Verona, and was welcomed with incredible warmth even by the fans who came to Valdobbiadene to see the champion in action in one of his last performances as a runner. .

How many stars at the start

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The race reserved for professionals included 40 laps of the 1.2 km circuit in the center of the Treviso town, and an exceptional parterre. Cavendish, Ciccone, Ballerini, Pozzovivo, Formolo, Oldani, Puccio and Dainese, just to name the best known names. From the beginning there was a brawl, with continuous shuffling due to constant attacks and counterattacks facilitated by a nervous path that required to relaunch the bicycle after every curve. Already halfway through the race, Bilbao and Nibali tried to make a void, gaining up to 15 ”. The two gave each other regular changes until the Shark attacked and left alone, prompted by the ovation of the fans who came to see just such an action. Behind, however, the Trek organized itself for Ciccone and at -8 laps from the end the exceptional fugitives were resumed. With the new compact group he tried to stretch the eternal Davide Rebellin, who gave himself a very applauded lap of honor, before an unleashed Nibali tried again – this time definitively. He attacked at -3 laps from the end, he immediately took off and for the others there was nothing to do: at 1000 meters from the finish he still had about ten seconds of advantage that allowed him to conquer the Cycling Stars Criterium. Second comes the fastest wheel among the starters, Mark Cavendish, excellently driven by his teammate Davide Ballerini, his faithful squire also in the Giro. Third Giulio Ciccone, who confirms a condition of form in continuous growth. The race average is worth noting, which gives the meter of the level of the runners: 48.5 km / h. Fans filled the streets and squares of Valdobbiadene hoping to enjoy one of the last great performances of the Shark, together with those of the other champions. And the Cycling Stars Criterium 2022 satisfied them.

Smile Balm

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She was the most awaited, the most acclaimed (together with Longo Borghini), the most suitable for the route and at the finish in Valdobbiadene Elisa Balsamo did not betray the expectations of the fans, going to conquer the first edition of the Cycling Stars Criterium for women. During all 25 laps the athletes fought in a show that inflamed the thousands of people who flocked here not only to see the big names in action from the Giro d’Italia, but also these champions who in recent years have made the women’s cycling very popular all over the world. First Guazzini tried but with no luck, then Guderzo, but the group regrouped up to ten laps from the end when the world champion took off at the finish, accompanied by an explosion of applause from thousands of people. present. In short, a stellar quintet formed by Elisa Balsamo, Elisa Longo Borghini, Silvia Persico, Vittoria Guazzini and Soraya Paladin was formed, which took off. On the last lap they further stretched the two of the Trek who went to fight for the victory. Balsamo took Longo Borghini’s wheel and passed it just before the last corner, making her the first edition of the Women’s Cycling Stars Criterium. According to Elisa Longo Borghini, third is the home athlete Soraya Paladin.