Drone Hopper race Trofeo Laigueglia with special Ukraine jersey in dedication of teammate Andrii Ponomar

The Italian squad has taken a visible stance against the Russian invasion of Ukraine by racing in a special equipment today at the Trofeo Laigueglia, in support of their teammate Andrii Ponomar aswell.

Drone Hopper - Androni Giocatolli have taken to the startline of Trofeo Laigueglia having all of their seven riders wear the Ukrainian national champion jersey of Andrii Ponomar, the 19-year Ukraine native who is one of the most promising riders in the peloton. Despite being in Italy for the racing season, and racing Gran Camiño when the attack has started to take place, Ponomar is from Chernihiv, a city just northeast of Kyiv which is currently under attack by Russian troops and has seen multiple explosions reported.

Gianni Savio has explained the Ukrainian has not heard of his dad for five days as he is a soldier in the frontline of the war, whist his mother and sister are living in an air-raid shelter.