ALE FANCELLU FINALMENTE VITTORIA!

The 26-year-old from Como, riding for MBH Bank CSB Telecom Fort, outsprinted race leader Andrew August (Netcompany INEOS) uphill, with Nicolas Breuillard (TotalEnergies) finishing third. Fancellu capped an impressive performance, demonstrating strength and consistency throughout the race.

Thanks to this victory, Fancellu finished the Czech Tour second overall, just seven seconds behind winner Andrew August. The Italian rider also took second place in the points classification and third in the mountains classification.

MBH Bank CSB Telecom Fort also secured third place in the team classification. Fancellu came extremely close to completing the overall triumph, but his result nevertheless represents the first major breakthrough of his professional career.

STATEMENTS: Fancellu crossed the finish line with one finger pointing toward the sky. He explained the gesture immediately after the finish:

“My thoughts go to 19-year-old Welsh rider Finlay Tarling, who died in an accident during a stage of the Volta Portugal. I cannot imagine the pain his family is going through.”

Fancellu also dedicated the victory to others: “I also dedicate it to my family and the team, who are always ready to support me. My teammates were also outstanding today.”

Fancellu then revealed a moment that put his victory at risk: “I felt good today and wanted to try something on the climb, but there were three Netcompany INEOS riders positioned there, and the climb was not particularly steep, so it was easy to stay in the wheels. I decided to wait for the sprint, knowing that I could launch it first because I had good legs.

“Then I got a little worried when my pedal came unclipped as I was starting the sprint. Luckily, I managed to clip back in and immediately get going again. Raising my arms was an amazing feeling. This is my first professional victory, since my previous win came in a .2-level race.”

TEAM MANAGEMENT: Valoti and Martinelli commented:

“We were aiming for both the general classification and the stage victory. We had a united team that put itself at the service of a leader who showed determination and consistency, the result of a great deal of hard work. “Alessandro came to the start in excellent condition, and we now hope he can continue to make the most of it in the Italian races in September and October.”

STAGE RESULTS

1. Alessandro Fancellu (MBH Bank CSB Telecom Fort) — 3:42:16
2. Andrew August (Netcompany INEOS) — same time
3. Nicolas Breuillard (TotalEnergies) — +4″
4. Václav Ježek (Kasper crypto4me) — +5″

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION

1. Andrew August — Netcompany INEOS — 11:26:02
2. Alessandro Fancellu — MBH Bank CSB Telecom Fort — +0:07
3. Domenico Pozzovivo — Solution Tech NIPPO-Rali — +0:40

Tour du Limousin

From 18 to 21 August, the team will compete in France at the Tour du Limousin with the following riders:

• Mark Valent
• Zsombor Takács
• Filippo D’Aiuto
• Samuele Zoccarato
• Luca Cretti

The team directors in the team car will be:

• Flavio Miozzo
• Orlando Maini

There will also be another race in Italy: the GP Rovescala, scheduled for 23 August in Rovescala, in the province of Pavia.

Five MBH Bank CSB Telecom Fort riders will take the start:

• Diego Bracalente
• Cesare Chesini
• Filip Gruszczyński
• Florian Kajamini
• Lorenzo Nespoli

The sports director will be Gianluca Valoti.