Ryan Gibbons wins Trofeo Calvia

Ryan Gibbons put in a determined display on day one of the Challenge Mallorca to win the Trofeo Calvia (1.1) in a two-man sprint after spending a large part of the day in the breakaway .

In what was a tough day including 3’400 metres of climbing, Gibbons set out on the attack with 70km to go in a group of 7 riders initially which reduced to just 2, with Anthony Delaplace (Arkea-Samsic) the other member of the final escape.

The African Continental Champion outpaced the Frenchman in the final dash to the line, lifting his arms in celebration, with the main group a further 41’’ behind the pair.

The win marks the 11th triumph of the year for UAE Team Emirates and Gibbons’ first road race victory since becoming African Continental Campion.

 
Sven Erik Bystrom also showed his good form with aggressive racing throughout the day and 6th place overall.

Tomorrow the Mallorca Challenge continues with the Trofeo Serra de Tramuntana (1.1) which should favour Alexander Kristoff and the other sprinters.

 
Gibbons: “ I’m really thrilled with this victory. I started the race very aggressively and made sure I got in the move along with Bystrom who was also attacking all day. After about 70-80km I slipped away in a group of 7 riders and then 2 of us. It was a really tough day and I was definitely feeling it in the legs at the end but I knew when it came down to a two-up sprint I had a good chance. I’m very grateful to get the win. We have three more races here in Mallorca this week so we’re really motivated to do well in them all.”

 
Results Trofeo Calvia

1.Ryan Gibbons (UAE Tam Emirates) 4:21:04
2.Anthony Delaplace (Arkea Samsic) s.t
3.Rune Herregodts (Sport Vlaanderen-Baloise) +41’’
6.Sven Erik Bystrom (UAE Team Emirates) s.t.

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Formolo moves up GC on hard day to Ascoli Piceno

Davide Formolo continues to gain momentum in the Giro d’Italia General Classification battle after Stage 6, with the Italian now sitting in 11th place at just 55’’ from new race leader Attila Valter (Groupama-FDJ).

UAE Team Emirates started the day a rider down with the unfortunate news Joe Dombrowski would not be able to continue the race due to concussion following his crash on Stage 5. Swiss rider Gino Mader (Bahrain -Victorious) took the stage spoils with a solo victory.

The team will now focus on Stage 7 tomorrow from Notaresco to Termoli (181km) which should be another chance for the sprinters.

Giro d’Italia Stage 6 results

1.Gino Mader (Bahrain-Victorious) 4:17:52
2.Egan Bernal (Ineos-Grenadiers) +12’’
3.Dan Martin (Israel Start Up Nation) s.t

 
Giro d’Italia General Classification after stage 6

1.Attila Valter (Groupama-FDJ) 22:17:06
2. Remco Evenepoel (Deceuninck-Quickstep) +11’’
3. Egan Bernal (Ineos-Grenadiers) +16’’
11. Davide Formolo (UAE Team Emirates) +55’’