all words by Mike Franchetti
Here we go! I haven’t felt Giro fever this much since May 2019. The calendar was chopped up beyond recognition during the COVID-19 pandemic and – possibly due to the comparatively short turnaround – last year’s race just didn’t hit me. Egan Bernal was a brilliant winner. Damiano Caruso and Giacomo Nizzolo were hugely popular
Congratulations to Damiano Cima! Today’s victory will be the highlight of his career – and he deserves it for the way he has approached the 102nd Giro d’Italia. Ackermann looked frustrated with the peloton’s inability to catch the runaway Italian but has deservedly wrestled the points jersey back from Arnaud Demare. The Just Profile A
The AG2R win I have been waiting for finally arrived! It was Nans Peters! Landa pinched some seconds at the end as Nibali and Roglic followed Movistar up the final climb. Tomorrow is a calmer affair as the race leaves the Alps behind and heads towards the difficult weekend. It’s an odd stage… The Just
I was right about one thing; Nibali, Landa, Carapaz and (just about) Lopez are the strongest climbers in this race. Yates is trying to back up his bark but is yet to deal any damage. Roglic’s on the edge of a blow up… can he survive until Verona? As a Nibali fan, I have obviously
We’re back from a rest day and this time – unlike stage 10 – the peloton is going to be blown to shreds. Tomorrow’s stage has everything needed for high drama; we’ve just had a rest day, we’re climbing from the start, and the route has been replaced at the last minute due to an
Stage 13 was a good day for Primoz Roglic, a great day for Mikel Landa, and an even better one for stage winner Ilnur Zakarin. Meanwhile, we’re still waiting for insight into just how good the stealthy Vincenzo Nibali is feeling. More mountains tomorrow. The Just Profile An early category two climb guarantees another bold
One mountain was all it took to divide the GC favourites. Miguel Angel Lopez and Mikel Landa wriggled free on the Montoso; and held off the chasers by 28 seconds at the finish in Pinerolo. The popular Cesare Benedetti took a brilliant stage win as a mixture of unfamiliar names fought for stage honours. I’m
Tomorrow’s stage ends in Pinerolo, not too far from the Palazzo dei Principi d’Acaia. Near to the palace is the San Maurizio church known for it’s beautiful view of the nearby Alps. This is quite fitting as tomorrow’s Giro d’italia stage acts as the gateway for a long weekend of hard riding in the alps.
Just Pro Cycling 