What a time trial (2nd stage) so far.
Tom Dumoulin came in with a few seconds to spare to take 1st,
immediately after him, Simon Yates knocked him off the hot seat even before Dumoulin get to sit down.
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Brilliant sprint by Mark Cavendish. I thought that he went in front too early, but still have enough power to cross the line ahead (actually pulled further ahead) of everyone else. Good lead out train by Quick Step.
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Mt Etna tomorrow. Something stupid like 23km at average 6.6% to end the stage.
Its actually not until Tuesday, I’m assuming that’s due to the length of transit between Hungary and Sicily. Been a good Giro so far, is it gonna be a change in pink after Etna?
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What a sprint finish today. Photo finish. Arnaud Démare just sneaked out in front of Ewen - by a hair, also beat out Cavendish who went just a fraction too early today.
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Loosing his second to last lead-out man cost it for cav imo. That said Démare looks in cracking form atm.
Fantasic team play by Jumbo Visma today. Dumoulin clawed back to lead and pace the last few kilometres for the break away of 4 riders, which launched his teammate Koen Bouwman for the final uphill sprint in the last metres to achieve his first stage win, beating out Mollema and Davide Formolo.
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Biniam Girmay outsprinted Mathieu van der Poel in today’s Stage 10 GC sprint finish. van der Poel gave a thumbs up with perhaps 10 metres to go and could not keep up with Girmay.
A first by an Eritrean rider and the first by a Black African rider to win a grand tour stage. Hope that will open more doors for the regions in pro cycling.
Edit: Popping the champagne cork is dangerous. Girmay is off to hospital to have his eye checked.
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Italy picked up the first win in this year’s Giro. Amazing sprint coming out of nowhere from Alberto Dainese.
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Bernal is obviously much younger, but I remember Froome saying his numbers were back to pre-injury levels, and he was NOWHERE near it when he returned.
I hope I’m wrong, but I would be gobsmacked if Bernal wins another GT.
Such a harsh animal @SBYM. Other than his weight I’m not sure Froome has ever stated he’s back where he was. But man you’re right in how he’s fallen away. He did a proper job of breaking himself when he fell off.
I think he knows it too given how he’s doing things that drive an interest beyond retirement.
I hope Bernal fares better. The peloton needs a proper challenge to the Pog
He has definitely said it with reference to his data…will dig it out.
Problem is, that doesn’t always translate to wins out on the road.
Well I seem to be slowly getting into the cycling mood again, which is good. I watched a film called “The Flying Scotsman” this evening which was a fascinating biopic of Graeme Obree. Stuff in there I did not know about or have any recollection of. He’s had some battles.
After Stage 16. Hindley outsprinted Carapaz and snatched the 3rd place bonus seconds to narrow the gap.
General Classifications:
01 [ECU] Richard Carapaz (INEOS Grenadiers)…68:49:06
02 [AUS] Jai Hindley (BORA-hansgrohe)…+ 03
03 [POR] Joao Almeida (UAE Team Emirates)…+ 44
04 [ESP] Mikel Landa (Bahrain Victorious)…+ 59
05 [ITA] Vincenzo Nibali (Astana Qazaqstan Team)…+ 03:40
06 [ITA] Domenico Pozzovivo (Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert)…+ 03:48
07 [ESP] Pello Bilbao (Bahrain Victorious)…+ 03:51
JAI HINDLEY!!!
Stage 18: Break away survived by approx 15 seconds. Photo finish, won by Dries de Bondt. Peloton miscalculated the chase. Hindley did not lose time to the GC leader due to mechanical issues within 3km. He was coming into the finishing line without urgency, report came in that he had a flat.
I may have heard that Almeida dropped out due to Covid.
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Story of today’s Stage 18 winner, Dries de Bondt.
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GC just blew up with the final mountain stage before the ultimate stage (Time Trial).
Hindley cracked Carapaz on the final climb. Looks like Hindley will have a minute advantage for tomorrow’s TT.
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Gonna be a good weekend!!