Francesco Reda (Team Idea 2010 ASD), who was kicked out of An Post Rás last month, has today claimed the silver medal in the Italian Road Race Championships. Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) won ahead of Reda and Diego Ulissi (Lampre-Merida). It’s the second consecutive victory for Nibali in the Italian Championships, and shows he’s coming into good form ahead of the Tour de France.
It has been a very eventful season for 32 year-old Reda. Earlier this season, he came back from a ban after evading a doping test while racing for Team Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela. His ban was reduced after he gave evidence to the Cycling Independent Reform Commission.
Reda then took victories in Trofeo Edil C1 and Stage 1 of An Post Rás. However, it was while wearing the yellow jersey of race leader that he was kicked out of the Rás for taking a tow from a race vehicle. He subsequently tweeted a message saying “the stench of s**t Irish sheep from the head to the UCI jury the tour Ireland and the organizations.”
Today Reda told Tuttobiciweb. “I am very satisfied with this result. In the finale, Nibali was a too strong for me, even on the descen he put us in difficulty. I haven’t been racing for a month. This season I have won two races but being in a small team it is difficult to ride at the highest level. Today is a good day for me and I enjoy it. It is the greatest satisfaction of my career. V incenzo is a champion, to finish behind him is a great satisfaction.”
