Aru arrives 10th in the Tour of the Alps stage 1

Fabio Aru raced to 10th place in the Tour of the Alps’s first stage, from Arco to Folgaria.

The short and nervous stage, 134.6 kilometres, was the first of two high-altitude finishes in this edition, which unites Trentino with Austria.

“The stage was strung out from start to the end,” said Fabio Aru. “As for me, I am happy with how I feel, even if I clearly lack a little bit of race rhythm. I’m looking stage by stage to refine the work that I’ve done up until now in the best way possible. Even the accelerations in the final of the stage serve a purpose with that in mind.

“Tomorrow, it’s going to be different with a harder climb. I am going to try to give my best and honour the race.”

Pello Bilbao (Astana) took the stage win by surprising the small group of favourites in the final. His team-mate Luis León Sánchez took second place. Third went to Ivan Ramiro Sosa (Androni Giocattoli-Sidermec).

The stage tomorrow is considered the Queen stage. It covers 145.5 kilometres from Lavarone to Alpe di Pampeago.

Stage 1 results

1 Bilbao Pello (Astana Pro Team) 3h26’41”

2 Sanchez Luis Leon (Astana Pro Team) 6″

3 Sosa Ivan Ramiro (Androni – Sidermec – Bottecchia) 6″

10 Aru Fabio (UAE Team Emirates) 14″

General classification after stage 1

1 Bilbao Pello (Astana Pro Team) 3h26’41”

2 Sanchez Luis Leon (Astana Pro Team) 6″

3 Sosa Ivan Ramiro (Androni – Sidermec – Bottecchia) 6″

10 Aru Fabio (UAE Team Emirates) 14″