Andrea Bagioli Wins Gran Piemonte, Securing Historical Victory for Soudal Quick-Step Team
Andrea Bagioli claimed an impressive victory at the Gran Piemonte, marking the 950th win for the Soudal Quick-Step team. Bagioli, supported by teammate Mattia Cattaneo’s strong performance, displayed exceptional skill and determination to emerge as the winner in front of his home crowd.
The race also served as a momentous occasion for Dries Devenyns, who celebrated his successful career as a professional cyclist. Devenyns, who has been a part of the Soudal Quick-Step team for twelve remarkable seasons, has accumulated an astonishing 200,000 kilometers over seventeen seasons, including participation in fourteen Grand Tours and 27 Monuments.
Soudal Quick-Step showcased their prowess throughout the race, taking control on the challenging Alpette climb. After initiating attacks with Louis Vervaeke and later Dries Devenyns, Mattia Cattaneo set an intense tempo on the steep gradients of the hill, ensuring that only a select group remained. Bagioli remained vigilant, staying in Cattaneo’s wheel and making his move on the final climb.
Despite the presence of strong contenders, Bagioli managed to establish a gap alongside a few other riders. Working together, they extended their lead to twenty seconds with two kilometers to go. In a tactical finale, the Italian rider displayed composure and executed a perfectly timed sprint, ultimately securing Soudal Quick-Step’s 55th triumph of the season.
Reflecting on his victory, Bagioli stated, “I felt good from the beginning today, and on the hard climb of Alpette, I asked Mattia to go full gas, and he did a great job. […] I remained confident in my chances. We shared the workload in the group all the way to the finish, where I gave my best and took this beautiful win, my first in an Italian one-day race.”
Bagioli expressed gratitude towards his team, emphasizing their role in his development as a rider. “It was my penultimate race in the colors of this amazing team with whom I spent my first four years as a pro rider, and I want to thank this group for all this incredible time. This fueled my motivation for today. I improved a lot here, and I am where I am today thanks to them,” he said emotionally.
The victory at Gran Piemonte adds another milestone to the illustrious history of the Soudal Quick-Step team, showcasing their dominance in the world of professional cycling.
