Enrico Battaglin (Bardiani Valvole-CSF Inox) darted ahead of the peloton on the stone slabs of Serra San Bruno to win Stage Five of the Giro d’Italia today, ahead of Fabio Felline (Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela) and Giovanni Visconti (Movistar). Overnight race leader Luca Paolini (Katusha) retained the Maglia Rosa.

“I was good yesterday and I hoped to win, but in the end it felt more like a Moto GP than a bike race and I was dropped. Today the climb suited me, the rain might have stopped some riders, and the gradient wasn’t too hard, and even though I attacked a bit early, it went well,” said the young Italian after the stage.
 

After a highly successful career as an amateur, Battaglin turned professional last year, but was unable to repeat his successes at the sport’s highest echelons.

“In 2011, after I had won everything as an amateur, I started my pro career winning at the end of 2011 [the Coppa Sabatini in October 2011]. Perhaps I thought it was easier than it really is. I may have paid for that last year [no wins in 2012]. This year, I was determined to show that I’m a good rider. I worked hard in the winter and I’m starting to reap the rewards.”
 

Speaking about his rivalry with the ‘other’ young Italian, Moreno Moser, Battaglin said:

“So far in our professional careers, Moser has been stronger than me. He demonstrated last year that he fears no one. But we know and respect each other, and this year I want to make up for lost time, and I’m on the right track now.”