Fabio Aru to lead UAE Team Emirates at Giro d'Italia

David Cooper - Writer 17:16 27/04/2018
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  • Fabio Aru has so far endured a tough first season with UAE Team Emirates.

    Fabio Aru will lead UAE Team Emirates at the Giro d’Italia starting next Friday.

    The event is seen as the second most important race in cycling – behind the Tour de France – and favours strong climbers and puncheurs.

    The 27-year-old Sardinian, who finished second in the 2015 edition of the race, will be supported by an experienced team in Italy including compatriots Diego Ullisi, Valerio Conti, Manuele Mori and Marco Marcato.

    Joining them will be the promising trio of Jan Polanc, Darwin Atapuma and Vegard Stake Laengen.

    Aru, who achieved a season’s best top-six finish at the Tour of Alps last week, will be among the favourites to win the Giro.

    UAE Team Emirates General Manager Giuseppe Saronni said: “Fabio is going to the Giro d’Italia with a huge desire to make an impact. This feeling of strong sentiment towards the Corsa Rosa will allow him to give his best in every situation.

    “At his side are a group of riders who share the same emotions and are able to manage the possible scenarios correctly.

    “Four Italians in our team give this roster a strong local flavour to honour the Giro d’Italia and give the most attention to our fifth Italian Fabio Aru.

    “The three non-Italians Atapuma, Laengen and Polanc have shown their love for this race and their ability to contribute to the group.

    “Let’s not forget that these riders know about success, just think of the six stage wins by Ulissi, two by Polanc and three by Aru.”

    Line-up: Fabio Aru (Italy), Matteo Bono (Italy), Manuele Mori (Italy), Jan Polanc (Slovenia), Diego Ulissi (Italy), Valerio Conti (Italy), Darwin Atapuma (Colombia) and Vegard Stake Laengen (Norway)

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