Giro di Sardegna, Donati wins the second stage in Carbonia

The Giro di Sardegna is giving the stage and glory to many young Italians. As it should be, because this is (also) the main function of the Italian Regions Cup, organized by the Professional Cycling League: to give the opportunity to race and compete to many riders who otherwise would not have the opportunity, due to the lack of races and invitations. The latter is a theme which unfortunately represents a great handicap for Italian professional formations. Just as these race days become a golden opportunity for our teams, starting with the Continentals, in a period of the season in which everyone wants to race but the space for participation is still limited because priority is always guaranteed to the WorldTour teams.

second stage

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On Wednesday in Bosa, in the first stage of the Giro di Sardegna, success for Nicolò Garibbo (team Ukyo), who owes his competitive resurrection to Maurizio Fondriest, his advisor and friend before being his agent. Today in Carbonia, in the second stage which winds along the western coast of the island, victory goes to Davide Donati, a twenty-year-old from Brescia of Red Bull-Bora Rookies, the Development team (youth) of the German giant who hired Remco Evenepoel this year. Italian champion of the under 23 time trial, Donati is another of the Italian talents who have found glory abroad in the youth teams of the big groups: he is in his second season with Red Bull and in 2025, on his debut, he won the Antoing stage of the Tour of Wallonia. In the sprint, in Carbonia, the Brescian clearly preceded Gianmarco Garofoli (Soudal Quick-Step), already fourth in the first stage, and the Dane Patrick Frydkjaer (Lidl-Trek Future Racing): on the podium Donati was rewarded by Gianni Bugno. Also present was Fabio Aru, the symbol of Sardinian cycling. Nothing changes in the general classification: Nicolò Garibbo (Team Ukyo) is still in command with 4″ on Garofoli and Zana, both from Soudal-Quick-Step.

Friday

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The Giro della Sardegna, organized by the GS Emilia and supported by the Autonomous Region of Sardinia, through the Department of Tourism, Crafts and Commerce, is the first round of the third edition of the Italian Regions Cup. The third stage takes place on Friday, Cagliari-Tortolì, 168.3 km and a difference in altitude of 1190 metres. It is the easiest day from an altitude point of view. After the departure (11.15 am) from Poetto, the beach of Cagliari, the first 20 km are perfectly flat, while in the following phase a series of undulations begins, more or less accentuated, which should not be underestimated. The last 20 km are also easy and finish in Tortolì, on the east coast, with a final straight of about 800 meters uphill slightly. Fourth stage on Saturday, Arbatax-Nuoro, 152.8 km and fifth and final stage on Sunday, Nuoro-Olbia, 183.6 km.