ABU DHABI 3 April 2019: UAE cycling national champion, Yousif Mirza, has returned to action following a successful ride in the Tour of Egypt where the Emirati picked up an impressive Stage win.
Mirza will provide support at the Giro di Sicilia (3rd to 6th April, 2019) for General Classification hopeful, Kristijan Durasek. Joining the team will be Jan Polanc, Simone Petilli, Ivo Oliveira, Roberto Ferrari and Juan Sebastian Molano.
The Giro di Sicilia debuts on the Union Cycliste Internationale, UCI, calendar, in 2019, and provides spectators in Southern Italy a chance to get a taste of road racing ahead of the Giro d’Italia this May. The four-stage race will play out across the hills of Sicily, with Stage one setting off from the town of Catania on the east coast of the island. With a relatively short 165km route ahead and just one significant climb, a bunched sprint finish is to be expected, said Wam.
Stage Two
Stage two will be a slightly different affair, with riders battling a hilly course and a difficult climb midway through the 236km race. The Parcours could favour the breakaway, especially if they get to the final 30km with a large enough time gap from the chasing group. Stage three will be another tricky test for the riders, particularly in the final 40km with a difficult climb that peaks 20km from the finish line; it could provide the perfect opportunity for an attack. The final stage is where this race will likely be won – a mammoth summit finish on Mount Etna. The 122km route starts off with an uphill battle of over 50km, followed by a flatter section offering riders a brief respite before they start the ascent of Etna at 93km. UAE Team Emirates rider Jan Polanc knows this climb extremely well, having won the Giro d’Italia stage here in 2017.
Commenting ahead of Wednesday’s race, Polanc said, “It is always beautiful for me to return to Sicily and above all, to Etna. I would like to repeat that show that gave me the Giro win. I like that climb and my condition after Tirreno-Adriatico is still good. I am not going to be under any sort of pressure, but I will ride with optimism and courage.”
Yousif Mirza added, “I maintained the race rhythm that I had in the UAE championships, so I am going to be heading to Sicily in good form. The team is competitive, and I will try to give my best and of course, and I am motivated to race in Italy.”