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Peter Sagan wins inaugural Giro d’Italia Criterium at Expo 2020 Dubai

  • Ron 

Peter Sagan won the first-ever Giro d’Italia Criterium, organised by RCS Sport with the support of MadeinItaly.gov.it, Dubai Sports Council and Expo 2020 Dubai. Sagan crossed the finish line of the Giro d’Italia Criterium in first place, after completing 30 laps of a 2.1km circuit, within the Expo 2020 Dubai – the first World Expo ever hosted in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region, where the ‘Made in Italy’ campaign is showcasing Italian excellence. Egan Bernal and Marc Hirschi were second and third, respectively.

The winner of the first-ever Giro d’Italia Criterium, Peter Sagan, said: “This was a very special race, it is incredible to be here and have the opportunity to ride the Giro d’Italia Criterium at Expo 2020 Dubai,” said Sagan at the finish. “I am very happy I could take the win in this unique place. I want to thank my teammates that kept the race under control. In the first part of the Criterium, I tried to be in the front and contest the sprints to win the Points Classification but I soon realised Elia Viviani was faster than me today. I decided to change my tactic. I tried to recover for 10-15 laps, it was a very fast race. Then in the last few laps Bernal, Hirschi and Bouchard attacked and I decided to follow them – it was the right move. After Bernal attacked again, I managed to stay with him and beat him on the line. I am very happy with this success!”

Final Podium

  1. Peter Sagan (Bora–Hansgrohe)
  2. Egan Bernal (INEOS Grenadiers)
  3. Marc Hirschi (UAE Team Emirates)

Points Classification: Elia Viviani (Cofidis)

Most Combative Rider: Attila Valter (Groupama–FDJ)

Fastest Lap: Filippo Ganna (INEOS Grenadiers)

“I have great memories of Dubai – having won the Dubai Tour in 2018 – and of the Giro d’Italia, especially from 2018 when I won the Maglia Ciclamino in the Points Classification,” Elia Viviani told reporters. “Being an Italian rider I am proud of having taken part in the first Giro d’Italia Criterium at Expo 2020 Dubai and of having been awarded the Points Classification on the stage in front of Italy Pavilion”.

The kick-off cycling parade was given from the Italy Pavilion by Ahmed Al Khatib, Chief Development and Delivery Officer of Expo 2020 Dubai, accompanied by H.E Saeed Hareb, Secretary General Dubai Sports Council and Paolo Bellino, CEO of RCS Sport. Carlo Ferro, President of Agenzia ICE, gave the official start to the race.

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