The Baku-Khankendi Azerbaijan came to an end today with the fifth and decisive stage, the queen stage of the Azerbaijani race, where Bardiani-CSF 7 Saber delivered an outstanding team performance, placing three riders in the day’s top 10: Alessio Martinelli 4th, Luca Covili 7th, and Alex Tolio 8th.

A strong performance from the Italian team’s climbers, who played a leading role on the ascent to Susa thanks to an attack by Luca Covili, who animated the race and stood out at the key moment of the stage.

The stage victory went to Burnett with a solo effort, while behind him Martinelli narrowly missed out on the podium by winning the sprint of the chasing group to take an excellent 4th place. Completing the team’s impressive collective result were Covili in 7th and Tolio in 8th, confirming the squad’s strength also in the team classification.

In the final general classification, Luca Covili was the best Italian rider, delivering a consistent performance throughout the week and finishing 5th overall. Alessio Martinelli ended the race in 9th place overall, allowing Bardiani-CSF 7 Saber to place two riders in the final top 10.

These were the comments of Sports Director Alessandro Donati:

“We raced at a very high level, interpreting every stage well and always racing as protagonists. Today the riders were excellent at the decisive moment on the climb, with Covili very active and Martinelli close to the podium. We return home with a stage victory, many strong results, and a great collective performance that confirms the growth of the group.”

The team therefore leaves Azerbaijan with 7 top-10 finishes, the stage victory taken by Marco Manenti in the fourth stage, and two riders among the top ten in the final general classification.

RESULTS – FIFTH STAGE:

1.Josh Burnett (Burgos Burpellet BH) — 4h 16′ 35″

2.Henok Mulubrhan (XDS Astana Team) — a 12″

3.Eric Antonio Fagúndez (Burgos Burpellet BH) — s.t.

4.Alessio Martinelli (Bardiani CSF 7 Saber) — s.t.

5.Santiago Umba (Solution Tech NIPPO Rali) — s.t.

6.Gianni Marchand (Tarteletto–Isorex) — s.t.

7.Luca Covili (Bardiani CSF 7 Saber) — s.t.

8.Alex Tolio (Bardiani CSF 7 Saber) — s.t.

9.Urko Berrade (Equipo Kern Pharma) — s.t.

10.Diego Uriarte (Equipo Kern Pharma) — s.t.

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION:

1.Josh Burnett (Burgos Burpellet BH) — 19h 06′ 43″

2.Henok Mulubrhan (XDS Astana Team) — a 3″

3.Alexandre Balmer (Solution Tech NIPPO Rali) — a 7″

4.Eric Antonio Fagúndez (Burgos Burpellet BH) — a 14″

5.Luca Covili (Bardiani CSF 7 Saber) — a 22″

6.Urko Berrade (Equipo Kern Pharma) — s.t.

7.Santiago Umba (Solution Tech NIPPO Rali) — s.t.

8.Diego Uriarte (Equipo Kern Pharma) — s.t.

9.Alessio Martinelli (Bardiani CSF 7 Saber) — s.t.

10.Carlos García Pierna (Burgos Burpellet BH) — s.t.