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After winning the Giro Next Gen, Jarno Widar now also claims victory in the Giro Valle d'Aosta

Jarno Widar has dominantly claimed the Giro Valle d'Aosta. His yellow jersey was never in danger during the final stage to Breuil-Cervinia, allowing Widar to add this Italian climbing race to his list of victories after the Giro Next Gen.
Race 21 July 2024
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The relatively short final stage of the Giro Ciclistico della Valle d'Aosta-Mont Blanc was run in the rain, but with a reassuring lead of 2 minutes and 20 seconds over the second-placed rider, Jarno Widar mainly needed to maintain his position. The first attack of the day by Spaniard Pablo Torres (UAE Team Emirates Gen Z)—eighth overall, more than 10 minutes behind Widar—could be watched with little concern. The riders faced the Colle St. Pantaleon (16.3 km at 7.3%) and the final climb to Breuil-Cervinia (15.4 km at 6%), situated at an altitude of 2,000 meters. Although there were several attacks on the final climb, they proved to be unsuccessful. Early escapee Torres eventually won the stage, while Widar finished in the background alongside Ilkan Dostiyev (Astana Development Team). The Kazakh finished second, with Widar taking third.

"I was really cold at the start of the stage and had to get a jacket from the team car," Jarno Widar explained. "At that moment, a gap opened up in the peloton, but I never panicked. I relied on my own strength and didn’t feel any pressure to win the stage today. The 2-minute margin in the general classification gave me the confidence to finish strong on the final climb."

The young Belgian from the Lotto Dstny Development Team ultimately finished with a substantial lead of four and a half minutes over Dostiyev, who placed second in the overall standings. His yellow jersey was never in danger today. Jarno Widar thus adds the Giro Valle d'Aosta to his achievements following his victory in the Giro Next Gen.

 

Picture: Giro Valle d'Aosta