Fabio Christen sprints to fourth place in Gran Piemonte

Gran Piemonte is one of the many autumnal classics in northern Italy. They are all full of history and race through amazing landscapes. The Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team always loves to show their team colours in Italy and today it was up to Fabio to take the main stage.

“There was an early breakaway of six riders who were caught at two laps from the end,” he says about the race scenario. “Then a group of eight riders anticipated. Brambi and I stayed in the big group. On the last big climb to Castelletto d’Erro I tried to follow the move by Isaac Del Toro but parked a bit. I know I have a good sprint so I relied on that and stayed calm. I stayed with the group and in the end we sprinted for the fourth place which I got.”

Christen had a breakthrough season with his first professional wins in Murcía and Slovenia, strong results in Tour de Suisse, a sixth place in Brabantse Pijl and his debut in a Grand Tour last month in La Vuelta.

“Of course I was tired after the Vuelta but I recovered well from that and from the World Championships in Rwanda. My coach and I did some good training and it gives me confidence I still have this form after a long season. Next up is the gravel world championships for me on Sunday in the Netherlands. It’s a special event, all self-supported but I will be there with Tom. The motivation is high, form is good and it will be good fun.”