Alessandro Covi: "I suffered a lot in the last few metres"

After taking his first win as a professional last weekend at the Vuelta a Murcia, Alessandro Covi has transfered that form into the Vuelta a Andalucia where he has entered the race in flying form and has taken another win.

"I’m in a good bit of form at the moment : I worked hard over the winter and managed to lose a bit of weight and I’m just making the most of the good legs I have at the moment and enjoying my cycling," Covi said after the finish.

After climbing the final hilltop finish quite faster than the peloton on the opening stage, Covi repeated the performance today to take a stage win: “In the last kilometre I followed the move of Poels and when I saw him slowing up a bit I saw my moment to strike. I suffered a lot in the last few metres but I’m so happy to be able to take this win for the team, and repay their hard work."

"I have the yellow jersey now which is exciting, and I know it will be hard to defend but I’m just going to keep trying hard and take it day by day," he completed.

Tomorrow shouldn't be too complicated for the Italian puncheur to keep the lead, however in the weekend it is certain that UAE Team Emirates will be attacked from all sides by the climber-filled peloton.