American climbing ace Matthew Riccitello roars into lead at Tour de l’Avenir

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Matthew Riccitello, the American climber on Israel Premier Tech, roared into the lead on the Tour de l’Avenir on Friday.

The French stage race is usually a precursor of rising expertise, and Riccitello put his stamp on the race Friday in dramatic trend on the Col de la Loze excessive within the French Alps.

“That is my profession finest second to this point,” he stated. “I felt very sturdy all day. I crashed and for 5 seconds I assumed it’s over however I got here again. I got here near the win in a really onerous battle however having the yellow is what’s necessary. It’s not over. I’ve three phases to defend it with my nice USA group.”

Mexican rider Isaac del Toro gained the stage, with Riccitello crossing the road second at 1 second again within the brutal climbing stage.

Two extra days and three phases — Saturday contains a cut up stage with a time trial and a brief highway stage — stay within the Avenir race.

Just one different American gained the Avenir, and that was Greg LeMond again in 1982.

Different riders corresponding to Felice Gimondi, Miguel Induráin, Laurent Fignon, Egan Bernal, and Tadej Pogačar gained the Tour de l’Avenir and went on to win the Tour de France.

Nothing is finished but. Riccitello holds a slender 25-second result in Davide Piganzoli (Italy), with Friday’s stage winner Del Toro climbing into third at 26 seconds again.