The second half of the Giro d'Italia has not liven up to expectations for Lampre-Merida but their youngsters have given signs of hope for the future. Yesterday 23-year-old Mattia Cattaneo finished 11th on the feared Monte Zoncolan.

With two stage wins for Diego Ulissi, Lampre-Merida had a fantastic start to the Giro d'Italia but in the second half the home team has been way more anonymous. With Przemyslaw Niemiec and Damiano Cunego both having fallen out of GC contention, however, this has opened the door for the team's youngsters to shine.

Jan Polanc and Mattia Cattaneo both delivered a great performance in the stage to Oropa where they both finished in the top 10 and yesterday Cattaneo again showed off his climbing skills. The 23-year-old Italian made it into the successful breakaway in the stage to Monte Zoncolan and ended the stage in 11th.

"Our riders were attentive from the first kilometers of the race to try to join the break," sports director Orlando Maini said. "Cattaneo found the right moment and realized that the break could be a good one. In fact, the escape had a good composition and stayed away to the finish.

"Both I and the rest of the Lampre-Merida staff are pleased to see Cattaneo be so good at the end of a a grand tour. He was in search of feedback from the Giro and he certainly got them. His skills, concentration, shape and seriousness means that he has delivered an exemplary performance."