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Mark Donovan second in Settimana Coppi e Bartali
Mark Donovan finished the Settimana Internazionale Coppi e Bartali in second place after a really strong and consistent race. He finished inside the top eleven in four of the five stages this Italian race has.
30 March 2025
Saturday was the final stage of 132,5 kilometers with three categorized climbs. After a great result on stage four where Donovan finished in third place and moved up to second in the general classification, the Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team with Walter Calzoni, Marcel Camprubí, Milan Vader, Matteo Badilatti and Donovan set out to defend or improve that position.
Mark eventually found himself in the first group, finishing the stage in fifth place and thus keeping his second place in the general classification.
Mark Donovan reacted: “It was a chaotic final because everyone realized it was the last day and it was still quite close in the general classification. I knew the riders I had to keep an eye on and others were watching me. There was a short-lived break and my teammates did a great job bringing it back. In the final hour there were many attacks and the first group became smaller. My job was to follow and take an opportunity when one came along but it was quite hard to ride away. In the end I am happy with second place.”
My job was to follow and take an opportunity when one came along but it was quite hard to ride away. In the end I am happy with second place.”
Donovan already had his fair share of abysmal weather conditions having finished Tirreno Adriatico and this week in Italy was equally wet and cold. He took confidence knowing he does quite well in these circumstances.
“I try not to think about the weather too much. I do quite well in the cold and rain and know what works for me and what Q36.5 clothing to chose. I knew that if I was suffering everyone else was too,” Donovan concluded.
The British rider will now recover and join the team in preparation for the Ardennes Classics in April.
Finally sports director Michael Albasini reacted: “It was a fast and furious stage with lots of attacks which was hard to control. There wasn’t even a breakaway today. Mark did a really classy ride and was always there where he needed to be. He never missed a beat and it was a big ride from him. Generally I look back upon a great week here with riders and staff being very committed.”
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