Davide Formolo took his first professional win and the first Grand Tour win of 2015 for Cannondale-Garmin Pro Cycling in style on Tuesday, soloing across the finish line in La Spezia to capture the fourth stage of the Giro d’Italia. The Italian was part of a large breakaway that repeatedly fractured and reformulated throughout the dramatic day.

“It feels amazing to win,” said Formolo. “I’m 22 years old, and I’ve dreamed of this for 22 years.”

Tom Danielson joined Formlo in the main escape of the 150 kilometer stage that began in Chiavari. Cannondale-Garmin were prepared for an aggressive day of racing and believed their best chance for a result would be from a breakaway.

“We really started the race aggressively and Davide was a part of that with Tommy Danielson in the break,” said Sport Director Charly Wegelius.

“Big breakaways can be very unstable,” Wegelius added. “They can split up and come back together again, just like it did today. It’s very important to keep your wits about you, and Davide did that really well.”

Formolo repeatedly fought to stay on the right end of any splits that formed. When there were only six riders powering their way up the penultimate climb that would eventually see the peloton split to pieces, Formolo was there. When a lone leader went away, Formolo was an integral part of the chase. Heading into the last categorized climb, Formolo rode strongly in the 12-rider group.

“It was a really hard day because it always up and down and never flat,” said Formolo. “The break always rode very hard except on the descents. It was a very difficult day, but I am so happy with the results for myself and the team.”

The second-year professional made the race-winning move just before the base of the Biassa. It was the final climb on the menu, topping out 10.1 kilometres before the finish.

“That attack – he did it all on his own,” said Wegelius. “It was his instinct in that moment.”

Formolo rode up the Biassa with two breakaway riders giving a spirited chase. Further back, the remnants of the peloton began to attack up the climb. Formolo’s gap to the two chasers remained steady as the overall contenders began to close in on the lone leader.

Formolo clung to his advantage on the final descent and hit the flat run-in to the finish 20 seconds ahead of the chase group that had swelled in size downhill. His chasers were in sight, barely, as Formolo crossed the finish line with a huge smile and hands thrown up in the air in celebration of his first professional victory at his first Grand Tour.

“He rode with a lot of class,” said Wegelius. “It’s a great result from a rider that we know has a lot of promise. He showed that promise to the world today. We are very proud.“

"I'm 22, I'm a second year pro and this is my first Giro d'Italia. I'm here to learn and find out about my limits. In a three week race, I don't know how my body will react. I wanted to ride calmly for the first week, but an opportunity came up today and I think I used it wisely," Formolo said.

"I take it day by day. I don't put limits or pressure on myself. I train as much as I can, then do what I can racing, and then I wait and see what comes. I'd define myself as the sort of climber who can dope with of changes of rhythm.

"My family has always been passionate about cycling. I was six years old when I started riding. There are no pros in the family but lots of passionate amateurs. I was one of them, and I've turned what I'm most enjoy doing into my profession, which is the best thing for anyone. It means that, when you get up in the morning, you're happy to go to work. Every day, there are new emotions and new limits. 

"I don't know how many kilometres I have in my legs, but I had 30 days of racing before this Giro d'Italia. My condition is good. I rode in the Algarve, then the Basque Country. I fell ill at Tirreno and I couldn't ride at my best, which I would have liked to. As an amateur I weighed 60kg, but you can't be that light as a pro because it means you are too tired when you get to the climbs."

The Giro d’Italia continues with stage five on Wednesday. The 152 kilometre day begins in La Spezia, where stage four finished, and ends in Abetone with a category two summit finish.