Development Widar dedicates Giro della Valle d’Aosta stage win to late Privitera

The third stage of the Giro della Valle d’Aosta, starting in Pré-Saint-Didier and finishing atop the Colle del Gran San Bernardo, began with a 40-kilometre neutral section in memory of Samuele Privitera. The young rider had a serious crash during the first stage of the Italian stage race and later passed away in hospital. After the neutral zone, 70 kilometres remained before the peloton reached the summit finish at 2,500 metres altitude.

With 30 kilometres to go, the Lotto Development Team picked up the pace. A few kilometres later, Widar launched his attack with 27 kilometres remaining, gradually reeling in the breakaway riders one by one. He ultimately claimed the stage with a lead of nearly two minutes.

“Two years ago, I still shared a room with Samuele (Privitera),” an emotional Jarno Widar said. “This victory is for him. It really wasn’t easy. He gave me the motivation for that final climb — I wanted to do it for him.”

With his stage win, Widar also takes the leader’s jersey in Italy. Two mountain stages are still on the program for Saturday and Sunday.

Picture: Giro della Valle d'Aosta