Polga Battles Through in Tuscany at Coppa Sabatini

Team Novo Nordisk faced a challenging day of racing in Tuscany at the Gran Premio Città di Peccioli – Coppa Sabatini. The 197.6-kilometer course featured repeated laps on a demanding circuit around Peccioli, where short but relentless climbs tested the peloton throughout.

The race was animated by an early breakaway. Despite the team’s efforts, we were unable to place a rider in the move, leaving our riders to battle in the bunch as the race split apart over the climbs.

Italian rider Antonio Polga showed determination on home soil, digging deep to stay in the race as groups fragmented on the final circuits. Polga was the team’s sole finisher on the day, crossing the line in 90th place, a result that reflected the attritional nature of the race.

“Every circuit was harder than the last and I was really feeling it at the end,” said Polga. “Once the bunch split with what would become the winning attacks, I knew I had to go at my own pace and try to hold on to the group I was in.

A lot of guys were suffering out there today and the climbs, although short were punchy and relentless. We had such great support out here for the last few days and I kept thinking I just want to do my best for all these people we met.”

While it wasn’t the result the team had hoped for, the experience gained on Tuscany’s challenging roads will serve as important preparation for the next races on the calendar.