site.btaAfter Strong Showing, Sevilla Optimistic ahead of Tougher Giro Stage Two

Spaniard Diego Pablo Sevilla of the Polti VisitMalta team said he had attained his objective in the Giro d'Italia Stage 1.

Sevilla was one of two riders, along with Italian Manuele Tarozzi (Bardiani), who broke away from kilometer zero on Friday's Grand Partenza opening stage (Nessebar - Burgas). However, with about 20 kilometers to go, the two were caught up by the peloton. Nevertheless, Sevilla's performance earned him the Maglia Azzurra, given to the leader of the KOM Classification.

Sevilla said he was feeling excellent after winning the Blue Jersey, adding that the result left him delighted. He explained that after coming out first in the first intermediate sprint, he and Manuele realized that they had to team up, although they knew it would be difficult for the two-man move to survive until the finish. He said his main objective was to stay near the front and compete aggressively, which ultimately landed him on the podium. He also admitted that getting the General Classification leader's Maglia Rosa was a formidable challenge and that winning from a breakaway was especially difficult.

In Saturday's Stage 2 (Burgas-Veliko Tarnovo), Sevilla expects an even tougher competition with more riders likely to join the breakaway, but said he would once again target the Maglia Azzurra.