"It was quite impossible to overcome them" - Filippo Zana thwarted by the numbers game at the Veneto Classic

Filippo Zana was forced to settle for third in his final race of 2023. The former Italian national champion looked well positioned but in the finale was outdone by a UAE Team Emirates double act.

“I’m happy to finish off my season with a podium," said Zana to the official website of Team Jayco AlUla in a post-race interview. The 24-year-old had looked good when he attacked on the gravelly climb at Diesel Farm and crested solo. On the descent though, he was joined by a pair of UAE Team Emirates riders in Davide Formolo and Marc Hirschi.

"I tried to go solo quite a few times, but the UAE riders were able to work as a double, and it was quite impossible to overcome them," Zana concluded his recap. "I knew the roads very well and gave it everything I had."

Nevertheless, it has been another impressive season for the Italian who became a Grand Tour stage winner earlier this year at the Giro d'Italia and took overall victory at the Tour of Slovenia. "Now I’ll look forward to a break, and to coming back for the new season refreshed and ready to go again!”