Il Giro d’Abruzzo 2025 is quickly turning into a playground for UAE Team Emirates–XRG riders who, up until now, haven’t had many chances to chase personal glory. Yesterday, it was Alessandro Covi’s return to the top step. Today, it was Ivo Oliveira’s turn – claiming victory in the 138 km stage from Tocco da Casauria to Penne, his first road race win in UAE colours (excluding national championships and prologues).
The Portuguese rider, born in 1996, has been with UAE Team Emirates–XRG since 2019. His opportunities to chase victories have been few and far between – fewer even than Covi’s – since he’s typically one of the first domestiques to go to work, taking the wind in the early kilometres and then cruising to the finish well outside the spotlight. But in Abruzzo, he got his chance and made the most of it. His strong legs were already evident yesterday, when he expertly guided Covi through the finale. Today, the Puma of Taino returned the favour.
“This stage was supposed to be for Covi,” said Oliveira, who has a strong background on the track. “With 4 km to go, I told him to stay on my wheel, try to anticipate, and we’d have two cards to play. He said, ‘You go for it, no problem.’” So Oliveira went, launching a searing acceleration with 1,300 metres to go – an effort even a solid rider like Georg Zimmermann (Intermarché–Wanty) couldn’t match. With 500 metres left, Oliveira was at his limit, but so was everyone else. He gritted his teeth, pushed through, and claimed a meaningful victory.
Covi made space for his teammate, but in doing so, unintentionally opened the door for Filippo Fiorelli (VF Group–Bardiani CSF–Faizanè). Thanks to his second-place finish and the bonus seconds, Fiorelli took the Maglia BiancoVerdeBlu as the new general classification leader. No big deal, though, tomorrow’s summit finish in Roccaraso is a prime opportunity for Covi to take it back. That said, he won’t be the only one with that jersey in his sights: the top 24 riders in the GC are separated by just 30 seconds. Game on.
