Tour of the Basque Country 2023, Andrea Bagioli: “I was there, so I did my sprint, but I finished second”

Bitter second place for Andrea Bagioli al Tour of the Basque Country 2023. The bearer of the Soudal – QuickStepin fact, closed today’s leg of the Spanish race behind Sergio Higuita (Bora-Hansgorhe). In the last kilometres, the blue had worked hard for his teammate Mauro Schmid, but in the chaotic final that decided the race, he found himself better positioned than the captain. However, the much energy expended previously did not allow the Lombard to overtake the Colombian, thus collecting the third second place for his team in this race.

“It was a very chaotic ending with these narrow and steep streets – the 1999-born declared to our microphones – With James (Knox, ed) and Mauro we found ourselves in front, so we tried not to allow Hayter (Ineos Grenadiers, ed) to return. That’s why we gave it all on the last climb. The final kilometer was still chaotic, with Higuita anticipating. I was there, so I tried to follow him and did my sprint, but I finished second. It was a shame because Mauro was already second twice, today it was my turn, but that’s how it is ”.

Tomorrow, the native of Sondrio could have another opportunity to try and show off, even if he believes that tomorrow there will only be room for classification men: “The team was very strong today, with Rémy and Mattia on the break. Tomorrow will be a very tough day, I think it will be for the men in the standings. I think Mas, Vingegaard, Gaudu and the others will go all out.”