Team Bahrain Victorious rider Alberto Bruttomesso claimed an impressive podium yesterday on the fourth stage of the fifth Gree Tour of Guangxi in China.
A rolling stage seemed like it would be the ideal opportunity for breakaway specialists, but in the end the fast men survived the hills, and fought it out at Jinchengjiang. They included Bruttomesso, who launched his sprint in the final 250 metres and finished third, just behind Ethan Vernon and Max Kanter. It was the 20-year-old Italian’s first podium in his debut year competing in the UCI WorldTour – international cycling’s most prestigious global road racing series held annually.
“Actually, this last part of the season I am feeling very good,” said Bruttomesso. “I have three top 10s and one podium in the CRO race. And also the second day here was good. “Actually, all the stages have been. Today I was struggling a lot on the last climb. I was dropped. I came back with around 20, 30 riders and then full focused in the sprint. I recovered well.
“Maybe I started a bit too early, but if I waited more I could have been boxed in, so in the end it’s okay like this. A good final of the season, and hopefully a good start of 2025. “Actually, it was a crazy final. We did not find each other, so in the end I took the wheel of Max Kanter, later on Ethan Vernon’s wheel. I followed my instinct and it’s okay like this.”
Bruttomesso concluded with his ambition for the coming season. “I am happy with my first season because it started well. In Antalya with a podium, and I got a lot of experiences also in Belgium races. “And here in the final race of the season I have some opportunities. I tried to catch them and get the best result possible. It’s my first time going to China. The Tour of Guangxi is a really nice race. Super warm welcome, never seen warmer welcome.”