Adriano Malori shattered to miss out in Trentino opener
Director understands disappointment but only sees positives
The Giro del Trentino marks a return to Italian racing for Lampre - ISD and it was very nearly a happy homecoming for the team, with young-gun Adriano Malori narrowly beaten in the day’s opening time trial.
Malori, 23, is a former under 23 world champion in the time trial, and has just come off an impressive performance in the Coppi e Bartali, where the Italian won a stage and finished 5th overall.
The Lampre - ISD rider was clearly disappointed that he had come so close and not taken the win.
"What a pity," Malori reacted. "The only thing that makes me happy is that Kloden is a top rider in the time trial."
He was however positive about his prospects in the future, and is treating every race as a learning experience.
"I did my best and that is most important. Every time trial will help me to get closer to the level of the top riders".
A star in the making, Malori is undoubtedly a rider with a lot of potential and one to watch. Roberto Damiani recently said that a new-look Lampre-ISD under his stewardship would be shaped heavily around the Parma native. Despite this, team sports-director Tebaldi Valerio is trying to keep the young Italian grounded and put his result in perspective.
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"I think that Adriano should not be angry for taking 2nd place considering he performed a very good time trial and only Kloden, a specialist, could do better", the sports director said.
The Giro Del Trentino continues tomorrow with the second stage from Dro to Ledro Beccaza.