The Giro d’Italia rests in Naples today and we look back at the last four stages. It isn’t all Giro – We also have all the results. reports, rider quotes and video from the Itzulia Women, Tour du Finistère and the Circuit de Wallonie.
Pogačar in purple shorts again, but with UCI approval – TOP STORY.
Rider news: CAS rules that Miguel Ángel López’s doping use can’t be proven, Biniam Girmay returns to racing next week, Movistar is interest in Marlen Reusser, Ruben Guerreiro fears the end of his career, Laurence Pithie still having knee problems and Patrick Lefevere sees a better Julian Alaphilippe.
Team news: The Soudal-Quick-Step roster for the 2024 Tour de France and BORA-hansgrohe gets the Red Bull look for the Tour de France.
Plus: The Wolfpack Howls: Davide Bramati.
Giro rest day EUROTRASH coffee time.
TOP STORY: Pogačar in Purple Shorts Again, but With UCI Approval
The colour of Tadej Pogacar’s Giro race shorts still remains as important as his domination of the Italian Grand Tour. The Slovenian champion has been seen in black, purple, pink and back to purple again for Friday’s time trial. The UCI threatened to ban Pogačar if he raced in the purple shorts again after he first wore them on Monday in stage 3. In the stage 7 time trial, the overall leader is obliged to wear the clothing of the sponsor of the Giro.
The pink/purple skinsuit is a colour combination supplied by Giro jersey sponsor Castelli. This combination was banned by the UCI, but now it is allowed. In the time trial, the leader of the classification is obliged to wear Castelli’s speed suit and this supplied suit has purple shorts.
The UCI seems to have decided not to oppose the use of the suit. This all has to do with a new explanation of the situation by the Giro organisers, according to Eurosport. The colour of the shorts is no longer described as granata (pomegranate), but as marrone (chestnut brown). This change has convinced the UCI that the pants are allowed.
So from Friday we won’t see the ‘Pink Panther’ or ‘Peppa Pogi’ on the bike, as Pogačar has been called. But it will still be a guess as to which colour shorts the UAE Team Emirates leader will be wearing when he leaves the team bus each morning.
Pink, purple or black, he is still dominant:
Giro d’Italia 2024
The gravel sections of stage 6 caused a few splits, but if it had been mud and not dust… A break of three: Pelayo Sánchez (Movistar), Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal Quick-Step) and Luke Plapp (Jayco AlUla) held off what was left of the peloton to fight for the stage victory. Sánchez had the final jump ahead of the Frenchman and the Australian. Tadej Pogačar finished with the chase group to hold the dusty pink jersey.
The sixth stage was around Siena, the famous Strade Bianche area and there are three gravel sections. The peloton heads inland from Viareggio on the coast to Rapolano Terme. The stage is 180 kilometres with 1,900 metres of climbing. The first stretch of gravel comes 50 kilometres from the finish, around Vidritta and is 4.4 kilometres long. 600 metres later the second section comes and contains the second categorised climb of the day, the Grotti (2.5km at 6.0%). The third gravel section is 2.4 kilometres and ends with the second intermediate sprint of the day about 20 kilometres from the finish. The final kilometres are raced on undulating and twisting roads. With nearly 5km out, the route kicks up sharply through Serre di Rapolano, with gradients topping out at 20%. The home straight (450m, 6% uphill gradient) is on 6m wide tarmac.
It looked like the whole peloton wanted to be in the break of the day. There was a big battle to be part of the escape, but no one could get away. Danny van Poppel, Fernando Gaviria and an inspired Julian Alaphilippe got the biggest lead in the first hour: 10 seconds. Next it was Simon Clarke (Israel-Premier Tech) who tried. He opened a similar sized gap, but on his own was impossible. Cian Uijtdebroeks punctured, but was able to rejoin the peloton, despite the high pace. Everything was still together when the riders reached the start of the first climb of the day after about 70 kilometres. Tim van Dijke had a 22 metre lead on the peloton when he started the Volterra (9.8km at 4.2%). The Dutchman was caught on the first steep section, after which the better climbers started their work. Gijs Leemreize tried to push on, but he was unable to get away, unlike Filippo Fiorelli, Aurélien Paret-Peintre and again Alaphilippe. They managed to make a big gap. Ten kilometres later there was a regrouping. About 20 riders caught the three at the front, while the peloton led by UAE Team Emirates was also coming back. A new attack came from the front group and it was Alpecin-Deceuninck’s Kaden Groves. The Australian had Pelayo Sánchez and Julian Alaphilippe (again) on his wheel. Then Luke Plapp, Matteo Trentin and Martin Marcellusi crossed to them. Then the peloton then eased off the gas.
There were seven riders in the lead, as Andrea Vendrame managed to jump to the group. Groves took the intermediate sprint to get closer to the points jersey of Jonathan Milan. The lead increased to over 3 minutes, this made Plapp the virtual leader. The Jayco AlUla rider was 21st overall at 33 seconds behind Pogačar. On the first gravel section, the 4.4 kilometre Vidritta, the break lost time, they now only had 2 minutes on the peloton, where INEOS Grenadiers were on the front. Plapp lifted the pace on the second gravel section of Bagnaia. He dropped all the other riders, except Alaphilippe and Sánchez. The peloton was still getting closer, thanks to the work of Jonathan Milan, then by Thymen Arensman. The Dutchman pushed hard on the Grotti (2.5km at 6%). On that gravel climb the peloton was slowed and GC riders Ben O’Connor, Cian Uijtdebroeks and Daniel Felipe Martínez had to stop. They were delayed for a short time, but all managed to get back to the bunch. Between the second and third gravel sections, Mikkel Frølich Honoré tried to cross from the peloton to Trentin, Marcellusi, Groves and Vendrame. However, the Dane, who is racing with a broken rib after a crash on the 4th stage, ended up stuck between the two groups. The break took a little more time from the peloton as INEOS Grenadiers, which had been working hard, stopped chasing. UAE Team Emirates were now in control, but they were not that interested in closing the gap.
The 3 increased their lead again to 2:30, after which INEOS Grenadiers started to chase again. After the last gravel section the difference was reduced to less than 1 minute. Plapp was now out of the virtual pink, but he, and Alaphilippe or Sánchez could still win the stage. Although Sánchez misjudged a roundabout 11 kilometres from the finish and Alaphilippe had to brake hard. The Australian was now in the lead and solo, so he pushed on. Alaphilippe came within a few meters of the Australian, but then cracked. Sánchez wasn’t finished and came back from behind and the Spaniard and Frenchman worked together to close down Plapp, and so the two-time World champion was again in with a chance of the stage win. Five kilometres from the finish, on the last steep ramp of the day, Alaphilippe attacked, putting Plapp in trouble. The three were still together and fighting for the victory, although the peloton was getting very close. Three kilometres from the finish they only had 20 seconds. As it turned, this was just enough time. Behind; Andrea Piccolo jumped away from the peloton, but the three started the last metres with enough of a lead. Plapp had ridden very hard in the final kilometre to keep the three away, so he was not involved in the sprint. Alaphilippe started the sprint first, but Sánchez fought back to the Frenchman and came past him before the finish line. This was the Movistar rider’s biggest victory of his career. Alaphilippe was second, Plapp third.
# You can see lots more photos in the full PEZ ‘Stage Report’ HERE. #
Stage winner, Pelayo Sánchez (Movistar): “It was a really hard day. All the teams wanted to be at the front because there was a good chance for the breakaway, so it’s been a really tough and crazy beginning of stage but we waited for our chance. In the hour of racing, some guy finally and I closed the gap, but I knew it would be hard with the sterrato (gravel) and the hilly roads, so I tried to be the strongest or the fastest one at the end. Since I was in the main breakaway, I only waited for the other riders to get tired. Julian Alaphilippe attacked on the last climb, I tried to follow him, it was really hard. I knew I’m fast but this was Alaphilippe, so I was obviously a bit nervous to fight with him, however I remained confident that I had my chance as well and luckily I could win. Julian is an idol of mine. To be in the breakaway with him was an honour, but to beat him is something special that I’ll always remember. It’s crazy to win my first Grand Tour stage in the first week of the Giro.”
Maglia Rosa, Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates): “I didn’t mind to lose the Maglia Rosa today. Luke Plapp in pink, that was fine with me. We just rode tempo for ourselves, my team did a good job, but Ineos went really hard on gravel sectors, so the gap went down quickly. Never in my cycling career I have considered riding a time trial in a conservative way. They’re crazy fast and you need to be really good. I have not done any TT since the world championship last year, It’s a new challenge, but I’m ready and I’ll full gas tomorrow.”
2nd on the stage, Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal Quick-Step): “When I crossed the finish line I was disappointed, because I rode for victory the entire day and it would have been nice to get it. I gave my best and did a strong race, but another rider was faster in the end. On the other hand, I can be happy about the way I felt and the solid effort I could produce on such a hard stage. We’re only six days into the Giro and we’ll keep fighting, and hopefully we will have other opportunities before we reach Rome.”
Giro d’Italia Stage 6 Result:
1. Pelayo Sánchez (Spa) Movistar in 4:01:08
2. Julian Alaphilippe (Fra) Soudal Quick-Step
3. Luke Plapp (Aus) Jayco AlUla at 0:01
4. Andrea Piccolo (Ita) EF Education-EasyPost at 0:24
5. Jhonatan Narváez (Ecu) INEOS Grenadiers at 0:29
6. Luka Mezgec (Slo) Jayco AlUla
7. Quinten Hermans (Bel) Alpecin-Deceuninck
8. Nick Schultz (Aus) Israel-Premier Tech
9. Daniel Felipe Martínez (Col) BORA-hansgrohe
10. Alexey Lutsenko (Kaz) Astana Qazaqstan.
Giro d’Italia Overall After Stage 6:
1. Tadej Pogačar (Slo) UAE Team Emirates in 23:20:52
2. Geraint Thomas (GB) INEOS Grenadiers at 0:46
3. Daniel Felipe Martínez (Col) BORA-hansgrohe at 0:47
4. Cian Uijtdebroeks (Bel) Visma | Lease a Bike at 0:55
5. Einer Rubio (Col) Movistar at 0:56
6. Lorenzo Fortunato (Ita) Astana Qazaqstan at 1:07
7. Juan Pedro López (Spa) Lidl-Trek at 1:11
8. Jan Hirt (CZ) Soudal Quick-Step at 1:13
9. Alexey Lutsenko (Kaz) Astana Qazaqstan at 1:26
10. Esteban Chaves (Col) EF Education – EasyPost.
Giro’23 stage 6:
The Stage 7 time trial was always going to be a battle for the day’s victory, but would there be any change on GC? The answer was no. Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) won the stage by 17 seconds from Filippo Ganna (INEOS Grenadiers) and boosted his overall lead on everyone else. As long as there is no problem with the Slovenian’s shorts.
The first time trial comes on day seven. The test is mostly flat, but there is a climb to the finish which also has KOM points. Despite the final climb, there are opportunities for the pure time trialist as the course is not too technical, just right for Filippo Ganna. On the flat part of the 38.5 kilometre course, the riders can use their strength on the long roads through the valley. The first timing point is at 16.6 kilometres, the second point is 6.5 kilometres from the finish, where the first part of the climb (1.5km at 10.7%) starts. From the top of this section the climb continues to the finish, 6.5km at 4.0%. There were quite a few early crashes in the stage 7 time trial. Tim van Dijke and Tobias Lund Andresen were the first victims. Lund crashed on a corner at the start of the time trial. On zebra crossing on a bent, he slid on the paint. Then Daan Hoole also almost crashed ion the same bend, but was able to just stay upright.
Van Dijke and Lund were able to continue, but Hoole had lost his rhythm. The Dutchman of Lidl-Trek set a time of 54:16, which was faster than some of the other time trial specialists: Edoardo Affini, Tobias Foss and Josef Cerny. This was the early target time, but Hoole couldn’t sit in the ‘Hot Seat’ for long. Lorenzo Milesi, former World time trial champion, was 20 seconds faster than Hoole. Milesi could enjoy his lead for a while, but the real TT favourites were yet to finish. Mikkel Bjerg was the first to under cut Milesi’s time, but Filippo Ganna was not that far behind. The Italian time trial champion, who had to contend with a fan just after the start, thrashed Bjerg’s time. Ganna set a new top time of 52:01, 1:39 faster than Bjerg. The first rider to come within 1 minute of Ganna was Maximilian Schachmann. The German rode a strong climb in the final, to finish 47 seconds slower than Ganna. Magnus Sheffield, one of the favourites, was slightly better than Schachmann and was 32 seconds down on Ganna. After Schachmann and Sheffield there was a wait for the first of the GC riders. Thymen Arensman was the first of the overall contenders to finish. The Dutchman had a good TT, to finish third fastest behind Ganna, his ride helped him in the general classification. Antonio Tiberi was the next GC hopeful to set a good time, he was 1 minute and 4 seconds slower than Ganna.
It was now the turn of the last three starters, who are also good riders against the clock: Daniel Felipe Martínez, Geraint Thomas and Tadej Pogačar in pink. Martínez was down at the first intermediate time check point, at more than a minute to Ganna. Thomas was 30 seconds better than Martínez. Pogačar didn’t look great at 44 seconds slower than Ganna. Were we looking at a disappointment for the Slovenian? The next intermediate time was taken at the start of the climb to the finish line. Pogačar, unlike Martínez and Thomas, didn’t lose any more time to Ganna between the two check points, but he was still 47 seconds behind the Italian. His time was the third fastest time at the second intermediate point. It was becoming obvious that Pogačar had planned his time trial well and had saved himself for the finale. Martínez also had the same plan and lifted his pace a lot on the final climb. The Colombian pulled back more than half a minute on the climb to the finish. Geraint Thomas was in trouble and lost a lot of time over the last tough kilometres and nearly out of the Top-10. We then had to wait to see what Pogačar could pull out of the bag. The Slovenian flew up the climb to beat Ganna by 17 seconds. Pogačar had made up more than a minute and on the climb. This pushed Arensman out of the Top-3. On the general classification, Pogačar now has a lead of 2:36 over Martínez, who jumped over Thomas.
# You can see lots more photos in the full PEZ ‘Stage Report’ HERE. #
Stage winner and Maglia Rosa, Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates): “Since last year, we have a new TT bike. I changed my position and I tried to work on this to be comfortable on the bike. In a super long TT like today, I still managed to push lot of power. It proves that work pays off. I’m positively surprised by myself and super happy with my feelings on the bike. I expected Geraint Thomas and Dani Martinez to be closer, but there’s still a long way to Rome. We didn’t start proper climbing stages yet. Everyone will try to attack from far, looking for opportunities, so it’ll be really tough to control the race in the next few days till the end. I have a super strong team, everyone is in good shape and a super good job was done by the whole team today. I enjoy to have the Maglia Rosa, it’s fantastic to race with it. Yesterday I could hear the fans cheering for me and UAE, it gave me an extra motivation.”
2nd on the stage, Flippo Ganna (INEOS Grenadiers): “It’s not over yet, so let’s see. Today was a bad day for me, I couldn’t go any further. We will see the values. Let’s hope it turns out well. Better at the end than at the beginning. At first I couldn’t keep up, I was looking for proportion. I could never find the right pedal stroke, when the wind gusts came you could feel it. Let’s see when the last ones will cross the finish line, I don’t want to be pessimistic but I see it as difficult.”
7th on the stage, 5th overall and best young rider, Luke Plapp (Jayco AlUla): “I’m happy, it was a super nice day. I haven’t had the best time trials in Europe since I started my professional career, so I’m happy to have a good time trial here today. It definitely wasn’t my best, I felt the legs after yesterday, but I am happy with the result in the end. We got the white jersey, so it wasn’t a bad day at all!”
3rd overall, Geraint Thomas (INEOS Grenadiers): “The wind didn’t influence the result. I tried to ride at my own pace and stay focused on myself, but when it came time to send it I was a little lacking, although I felt good. I couldn’t overcome it, and yes, that’s right… It was one of those days.”
4th overall, Ben O’Connor (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale): “I am physically very satisfied with my performance and I think I have managed my pace well. But I suffered a chain break at the wrong time, which forced me to stop and call a mechanic to put it back on. So I lost about 20 to 30 seconds because of this little mechanical issue. It’s a bit disappointing because I couldn’t get the most out of the time trial and I definitely deserved to be in the top 10 today. Without this mechanical issue, I probably would have finished 7th or 8th in the time trial. It’s a little frustrating.”
7th overall, Cian Uijtdebroeks (Visma | Lease a Bike): “Light cyclists like me had no advantage in the first part. I knew beforehand that I would lose time there with other fast runners. That was taken into account. Today I went to the deepest and gave it my all. I realise that I have already made a lot of progress compared to last year in time trials. It was definitely one of the toughest time trials of my life. It is a trip of almost an hour against the clock. But I think we managed well. We can be satisfied with the result and it is not a disaster that we have lost that white jersey. In the high mountains I will continue to give everything for a good general classification, and therefore also for the youth classification. “Today we emptied the tank and managed to limit the losses.”
Josef Cerny (Soudal Quick-Step): “It was quite windy today. I had some crosswinds in the first part and had to push there, and then I was a little bit on the limit on the climb. Overall, the course was beautiful, but that demanding climb was too much for me. I am happy with my effort and I hope for an even better start in the second time trial of the race.”
Romain Bardet (dsm-firmenich-PostNL): “It was a tough time trial with the long flat section and some wind. Then we had the climb to the line with the steep parts at the start. I tried to save something for the climb, and gave it my all on the line. “I feel better every day, satisfied with this result and looking forward to the stages to come.”
Giro d’Italia Stage 7 Result:
1. Tadej Pogačar (Slo) UAE Team Emirates at 51:44
2. Filippo Ganna (Ita) INEOS Grenadiers at 0:17
3. Magnus Sheffield (USA) INEOS Grenadiers at 0:49
4. Thymen Arensman (Ned) INEOS Grenadiers at 1:00
5. Maximilian Schachmann (Ger) BORA-hansgrohe at 1:05
6. Antonio Tiberi (Ita) Bahrain Victorious at 1:21
7. Luke Plapp (Aus) Jayco AlUla at 1:45
8. Daniel Felipe Martínez (Col) BORA-hansgrohe at 1:49
9. Mikkel Bjerg (Den) UAE Team Emirates at 1:56
10. Geraint Thomas (GB) INEOS Grenadiers at 2:00.
Giro d’Italia Overall After Stage 7:
1. Tadej Pogačar (Slo) UAE Team Emirates at 24:12:36
2. Daniel Felipe Martínez (Col) BORA-hansgrohe at 2:36
3. Geraint Thomas (GB) INEOS Grenadiers at 2:46
4. Ben O’Connor (Aus) Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale at 3:33
5. Luke Plapp (Aus) Jayco AlUla at 3:42
6. Alexey Lutsenko (Kaz) Astana Qazaqstan at 3:49
7. Cian Uijtdebroeks (Bel) Visma | Lease a Bike at 3:50
8. Antonio Tiberi (Ita) Bahrain Victorious at 4:11
9. Filippo Zana (Ita) Jayco AlUla at 4:41
10. Lorenzo Fortunato (Ita) Astana Qazaqstan at 4:44.
Giro’23 stage 7:
It looked like Valentin Paret-Peintre (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale) was going to pull off a surprise stage win, but only 4,2 kilometres from the finish of Stage 8, the UAE Team Emirates pulled him in. Rafal Majka towed his pink leader, Tadej Pogačar, into the final 2 kilometres and then the attacks started from the group of favourites. The Slovenian covered all the moves before Majka lead him out for his third stage victory.
This is a short stage with no flat drags. Right after the start, the route goes over the Forca di Cerro and Forca Capistrello (over 16km), passes near the Terminillo massif and reaches Capitignano, rising and falling continuously, and then ascends along the western side of the Passo Capannelle. The climb ends a short distance from the pass, in Croce Abbio, and a lengthy descent of nearly 30km will lead to the foot of the closing climb. The roads are ever bending, with two well lit tunnels along the route. The last 14 km rise steadily towards the ski resort. The closing climb (14.5km) has a 7% average gradient (with peaks topping out at 12%) and 22 hairpin bends. The slopes are sharper in the first part, touching the steepest gradients in Pietracamela, where the intermediate sprint is set. The final three kilometres have a steady 7% pitch. The home straight (approx. 300m) is on 6m wide tarmac.
It was action from the start of stage 8. Most of the peloton wanted to be in the ‘break of the day’ so there were many attacks on the first uncategorised climb of the day. Georg Steinhauser (EF Education-EasyPost) and Ewen Costiou (Arkéa-B&B Hotels) managed to get away, but at the start of the Forca Capistrello (16.3km at 5.6%), the first categorised climb, the race was all together. On the first kilometres of the climb, a very large leading group was allowed to split off the front. This included Romain Bardet, Nairo Quintana, Jhonathan Narváez, Michael Storer and Julian Alaphilippe. The French double ex-World champion attacked twice, this caused the group to split. From this thinned group, Steinhauser, Simon Geschke and Bardet (the best-placed in the break), rode away. Valentin Paret-Peintre managed to cross to them on the second part of the climb. The four came over the top of the Forca Capistrello 30 seconds ahead of the next chase group, including Magnus Sheffield (INEOS Grenadiers) and Alessandro Verre (Arkéa-B&B Hotels). Narváez and Alaphilippe were not far behind and had a few seconds on Storer, Quintana, Pelayo Sánchez (Movistar), Alessandro De Marchi (Jayco AlUla), Martin Marcellusi (VF Group-Bardiani CSF-Faizanè) and Henok Mulubhran (Astana Qazaqstan).
After the descent of the Forca Capistrello, the groups came together off the front of the peloton. There was now a lead break of 14 of riders. The peloton had UAE Team Emirates setting the pace, this kept the break close. They were never allowed more than 2:30, so Pogačar’s overall lead was never in danger. Bardet was more than 5 minutes down. Forty-five kilometres from the finish, the leaders only had just 1 one minute, this led to some unrest on the Passo Capannelle (8.1km at 4.7%), the penultimate climb of the day. But things calmed down and the break managed to take a little more time. At the foot of Prati di Tivo, their lead was less than 30 seconds. Valentin Paret-Peintre decided he had a better chance on his own. The French climber left the other escapees and put up a brave fight against the chasing favourites. The group had thinned out quite a bit. Juan Pedro López, Luke Plapp and Alexey Lutsenko and others, had to let go early on the climb. At the front, Valentin Paret-Peintre continued to push on, but just over 4 kilometres from the finish line, the chase group, led by Rafal Majka, caught the Frenchman. Majka then kept the pace high, which prevented any attacks. Pogačar was sat comfortably on the Polish rider’s wheel, waiting for any moves from the others.
It was Antonio Tiberi who shook the tree, just under 2 kilometres from the finish. Pogačar jumped on his wheel, as did Cian Uijtdebroeks, Einer Rubio, Ben O’Connor, Daniel Felipe Martínez, Geraint Thomas and Thymen Arensman. The Dutchman then launched an attack as soon as he caught the group. Pogačar wasn’t going to let him go and then covered a second attempt by Tiberi. Attacks by Storer and another by Arensman were all shut down by the pink jersey. Arensman came to the front to pace Geraint Thomas, but Majka also came back to the head of the race to lead-out Pogačar. He launched Pogačar to the line, but he had no competition in the sprint, in what looked like an easy win. Martínez was best of the rest and finished second, ahead of O’Connor.
# You can see lots more photos in the full PEZ ‘Stage Report’ HERE. #
Stage winner, KOM and Maglia Rosa, Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates): “For sure the other riders are frustrated but I’m racing for the team that pays me and my team-mates ride for me to win. They’ve worked super hard to prepare for the Giro and they’ve showed that we’re so strong that we can win, so hadn’t we won, it would have been a hard work that didn’t pay off, so I’m super happy that we could win today. But the other GC contenders rode very strongly in the last climb so I think they took some confidence back and we can some big battles in the coming stages. At the start of the stage, the plan was to keep our team together as long as possible. There were many attacks at the beginning so we had to set a pace. Mikkel Bjerg and Vegard Stake Laengen survived the long climb, then the guys discussed if we’d go for the stage win or not. So we did. We were climbing so fast that the slipstream was very helpful. I tried to respond to every attack. I knew it was going to hurt my legs but when Rafal [Majka] came back to lead me out, I knew I had a good chance to win. When we are strong enough, we go for the win, that’s it. But we have won three stages out of eight so we didn’t win five of them… My nose is a little bit blocked by allergies or something but it doesn’t affect me too much.”
2nd on the stage and overall, Daniel Felipe Martínez (BORA-hansgrohe): “We arrived at this difficult stage in second position overall and we anticipated that Pogačar would continue to be super strong. The team ran at a good pace on the last climb, thank you very much for the support. When the attacks came, I stayed focused on Pogačar and in the last 2 km I thought I might have a chance to win the stage. But he was very strong and in the end they pushed me to the limit in the sprint. But I’m pleased with this performance as we approach the first day of rest. The hardest part of the Giro is yet to come.”
5th on the stage and 3rd overall, Geraint Thomas (INEOS Grenadiers): “Today was much better. I didn’t feel great at first, but it was a solid start. I felt good on the last climb and I expected UAE to push a little harder. It went well, I just stalled a little bit in that sprint and didn’t have the legs anyway. But everything is fine and better than yesterday.”
4th on the stage and 6th overall, Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain Victorious): “It was a really positive day. Sure, it would have been nice to get in the top 3 on the stage, but it’s all about climbing up the overall, so with what I did today, how I felt, and the progress we made in the classifications, I’m super happy. I tried a few attacks, and I showed I’m in good shape. It’s a long race, and we’re doing exactly what we need to. The climb wasn’t too hard or too long, but everyone seemed content just to sit behind the 3 UAE wheels of Majka, Großschartner & Tadej, so I thought I would try to mix it up a bit rather than just follow. No-one’s invincible and we love to see real racing! This is just the start of the Giro really. We’re 8 stages in, and I know myself – I get stronger as the days go by. It was like that at La Vuelta last year, and hopefully it will be the same at this Giro. Even on the Oropa stage I felt strong, and if it weren’t for a bit of bad luck that day, I’d be second on GC. But that’s our sport, I only look forwards, and everyone’s going to have a bit of misfortune between now and Rome. After the time trial yesterday I felt super good, and with the rest day coming after tomorrow’s stage to Napoli, that will give me a good chance to recover and prepare for the second week. Hearing the fans on the roadside, and feeling how the Italian public is getting behind me, I want to thank everyone for their support, and ask for even more! I would love to give the people of my home country something to really cheer about in my home race!”
7th on the stage and 5th overall, Cian Uijtdebroeks (Bel) Visma | Lease a Bike): “The finish was too flat to be able to attack. The legs were fine. However, I prefer it a little steeper to attack. The pace was very high, so escape was almost impossible. Antonio Tiberi tried several times, but I was always right behind his wheel. The white jersey is not what I have in mind to compete. My goal is to achieve the highest possible result in the general classification. We have already had some difficult days, but everything is going satisfactorily for me. We also had another good battle today. Obviously it gives me a lot of confidence to regain the white jersey and also move up two places in the general standings. We can get on with it again.”
Nairo Quintana (Movistar): “We were on the run, which was the objective. We were with Pelayo and in the end we raced to where they gave us the opportunity. He moved very quickly. Behind they did not want to let the break go too far, since Bardet was a few minutes behind in the general standings. The race was very fast, but there were people who didn’t take over and that means that a break does not go far. The terrain also allowed a team to control very well. In the end we tried, which was the goal. We also wanted Einer to get to the front and be able to climb positions. It was important to start making efforts and prepare for the following week.”
Davide Piganzoli (Polti Kometa): “There was a lot of intensity from the beginning and at the beginning of the final climb there were only about fifty riders, as I climbed I adjusted my pace watching my sensations to try to last as long as possible with the best.”
Giro d’Italia Stage 8 Result:
1. Tadej Pogačar (Slo) UAE Team Emirates in 4:02:16
2. Daniel Felipe Martínez (Col) BORA-hansgrohe
3. Ben O’Connor (Aus) Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale
4. Antonio Tiberi (Ita) Bahrain-Victorious at 0:02
5. Geraint Thomas (GB) INEOS Grenadiers
6. Einer Rubio (Col) Movistar
7. Cian Uijtdebroeks (Bel) Visma | Lease a Bike
8. Thymen Arensman (Ned) INEOS Grenadiers at 0:11
9. Michael Storer (Aus) Tudor at 0:13
10. Alex Baudin Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale at 0:21.
Giro d’Italia Overall After Stage 8:
1. Tadej Pogačar (Slo) UAE Team Emirates in 28:14:42
2. Daniel Felipe Martínez (Col) BORA-hansgrohe at 2:40
3. Geraint Thomas (GB) INEOS Grenadiers at 2:58
4. Ben O’Connor (Aus) Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale at 3:39
5. Cian Uijtdebroeks (Bel) Visma | Lease a Bike at 4:02
6. Antonio Tiberi (Ita) Bahrain Victorious at 4:23
7. Lorenzo Fortunato (Ita) Astana Qazaqstan at 5:15
8. Einer Rubio (Col) Movistar at 5:28
9. Thymen Arensman (Ned) INEOS Grenadiers at 5:30
10. Jan Hirt (CZ) Soudal Quick-Step at 5:53.
Giro’23 stage 8:
Everyone thought Stage 9 was going to be one sprinters, except Jhonathan Narváez (INEOS Grenadiers). The Ecuadorian attacked on the climb before the finish to solo to the finish in Naples. His plan nearly worked, as the sprinters only caught him 50 metres from the finish line. Olav Kooij (Visma | Lease a Bike) took the win by the slimmest of margins ahead of points leader, Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek). There was no change at the top of the leader board going into the first rest day. Tadej Pogačar stays in pink.
The route is divided into two parts, with the first 180km serving as an approach to the challenging stage finale. The route begins on fast and mostly straight roads, passing through several tunnels, runs along the Tyrrhenian coast and reaches Monte di Procida for a tough stage finale. The roads are well surfaced but narrow, with a succession of bends, and constantly changing gradients. Past Torregaveta, in Baia, the route kicks up at a 14% gradient to Lago Lucrino, heads towards Pozzuoli and Posillipo, and then takes a lengthy descent down the Via Petrarca leading to the final kilometres in the city centre. The last 3 pan flat kilometres run eastwards along the Via Dohrn and Via Caracciolo. At the last km, the route takes a U-turn at a roundabout, and returns along the Via Caracciolo all the way to the finish. The home straight (900m) is on 9m wide tarmac.
The stage looked to be for the strong sprinters, but it could also suit a late attacker. Non starter today was Alexey Lutsenko, the Kazakh champion of Astana Qazaqstan, who had a bad in the mountain stage to Prato di Tivo on Saturday, wasn’t at the start due to illness. After a delay due to a puncture by Roel van Sintmaartensdijk, the 163 remaining riders started the last stage before the first rest day. After the official start, two riders from Team Polti Kometa attacked immediately. They were the Italians Mirco Maestri and Andrea Pietrobon. Manuele Tarozzi (VF Group-Bardiani CSF-Faizanè) gave chase, but was not strong enough to get across. The peloton were not too bothered and let Maestri and Pietrobon go. The lead of the two Polti-Kometa riders was just over 2 minutes after 20 kilometres. In the peloton, it was Alpecin-Deceuninck who set the pace, but it wasn’t fast. The Belgian team were working for their sprinter, Kaden Groves. The lead of the two fluctuated around 2:30 for a long time, but Alpecin-Deceuninck let the difference increase to 4 minutes. This was to be the maximum advantage for Maestri and Pietrobon, who had no chance of a possible stage victory. There would be an inevitable regrouping, but Davide Ballerini counter-attacked.
The Italian didn’t manage to get away, but he did encourage other riders to make a move. There was then a lot of nervousness in the peloton, with more attacks. Alpecin-Deceuninck and BORA-hansgrohe, for Danny van Poppel, covered all the attacks and shut down all the moves. It then became a lot calmer in the peloton and the escapees took a little more time. Maestri and Pietrobon came through first intermediate sprint of the day. In Mondragone, Pietrobon took full points ahead of his teammate. In the peloton, Tim Merlier, who is struggling with a painful groin after a fall in the time trial, was too fast for the purple jersey Jonathan Milan, Olav Kooij and Kaden Groves for 6 points. After the intermediate sprint in Mondragone, the pace in the peloton increased, with the hilly finale in mind. 57 kilometres to go, there was a crash in the peloton. Geraint Thomas crashed just after a roundabout. The 37-year-old INEOS rider didn’t look injured and quickly got back on the bike and was brought back to the peloton by Tobias Foss and Ben Swift.
After a short chase, Thomas managed to rejoin the peloton, just in time for the crucial hills towards the finish in Naples. After the second and last intermediate sprint in Giugliano in Campania, where Groves took the points, it was time for the only categorised climb of the day: the Monte di Procida (4.1km at 3%). On the climb, sprinters Fabio Jakobsen and Merlier were dropped. While not much happened on the first climb, the race came alive on the next climb to Lucrino (1.1km at 6.7%). It was Julian Alaphilippe who started the action and passed the break of Pietrobon and Maestri. The Frenchman, who was second on the gravel stage to Rapolano Terme, had Nicola Conci on his wheel. Lewis Askey (Groupama-FDJ), Kevin Vermaerke (DSM-Firmenich) and Ewen Costiou (Arkéa-B&B Hotels) also joined them. These seven riders, Pietrobon and Maestri managed to hold on, created a lead of about 20 seconds. The peloton was not far behind and still had the situation under control. In the leading group, Conci didn’t want to work and this didn’t help the co-operation. Alaphilippe and Costiou decided to jump away from the group and push on to the final climb of the day. The two Frenchmen hoped to start the final climb (3.2km at 4.4%) to Posillipo, a historic district in the southwest of Naples, with a winning lead. In the thinned out peloton, Alpecin-Deceuninck and Lidl-Trek worked together in their desire for a sprint. The lead of Alaphilippe and Costiou continued to come down and just before the start of the final climb it looked like they would be caught. The two leaders started the last climb with a small very advantage, but they had little chance.
Alaphilippe was not going to give up. The double World champion had something left and said goodbye to Costiou and hoped to solo to the finish in Naples. In the group behind them, the knives were being sharpened for a counter attack. Just before the summit, Jhonathan Narváez saw his chance. The winner of the opening stage to Turin accelerated past the suffering Alaphilippe. Alaphilippe was caught and left behind by the peloton, Narváez started the last 7 flat kilometres with a lead. Two kilometres from the finish, his lead was 10 seconds, but was this enough? It looked like it for a long time, but Narváez turned out to be unable to maintain his lead to the line. Due to a strong pull on the front by pink jersey wearer Pogačar for his teammate Juan Sebastián Molano, the sprinters were thundering to the line. Narváez was passed by Milan and Kooij just 50 meters from the finish. The Italian was the first to start the sprint, but this time he was beaten by the Dutchman. Kooij took the win, his first in a GT. Milan came second, Molano third.
# You can see lots more photos in the full PEZ ‘Stage Report’ HERE. #
Stage winner, Olav Kooij (Visma | Lease a Bike): “In the absence of Christophe Laporte who could have also won a stage in this Giro d’Italia, I had to improvise my moves in the sprint. Cian Uijtdebroeks came in help in the last few kilometres. I had no choice but let the initiative to Alpecin-Deceuninck and Lidl-Trek. I didn’t look where Narvaez was. I only saw him when we overtook him. Pogacar’s pull has been decisive for that. When he made his move, I presumed it was for Molano. I’ve won important races in the past two years but my first win in a Grand Tour is a big one. In the first two sprints of the Giro, I felt inferior to the other sprinters, I wasn’t at 100%.”
Maglia Rosa, Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates): “Molano is a friend, he’s a team-mate, he’s a sprinter and he was there in the finale. It was a hard finale and he was super strong. Since he worked for me all the week, it was natural for me to work for him today. I knew I could give him a lead-out this time because the difficult parcours allowed that but I cannot when it’s super straight and super fast. He got a great third place that will give him some confidence for the next stages. If the weather tomorrow is super good like today, it should be a nice rest day. On the bike with the boys, we may stop for café and enjoy the nice views. It’s my first time in Naples, I’ll see it without going full gas.”
2nd on the stage and points leader, Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trak): “Just like last year, I finished second in the stage to Naples. It was a tough final, I must say. We did our best with Lidl-Trek, the boys did the perfect lead-out. I missed my legs a bit, the climbs hurt me at the end. Fortunately, tomorrow is a rest day. I’m going to try to rest as much as possible, and then we’ll look ahead. We’re going for a little ride with a coffee and maybe a little dessert. This should give us some freshness again.”
3rd overall, Geraint Thomas (INEOS Grenadiers): “We talk a lot about safety these days, but this really wasn’t safe. Sometimes we’re like clowns in a circus. You heard chains jumping off bicycles all the time. That’s not nice. It’s quite scary when riders are constantly coming under to pass you. There were also a lot of holes in the road. I’m glad I made it through the stage unscathed. It was really chaotic in the final, but the boys managed to protect me well again today. This way I almost always rode in a good position. I’m glad that I don’t have to see anyone from the peloton right now. I’m a grumpy old man now. I’m looking forward to the rest day.”
3rd on the stage, Juan Sebastián Molano (UAE Team Emirates): “I had a lot of motivation from Tadej today. He was in my ear on the radio in the last kilometres guiding me through and spurring me on and it gave me an extra push. I was measuring my efforts a bit on the climbs and drifting a lot but thanks to a Tadej and the whole team I was looked after really well. Honestly when you have Tadej helping you in this situation you feel the need to rise to the occasion. I’m pleased enough with third today though I would have loved to have taken a win to repay the hard work from the guys. We’ll try again in the next weeks but for sure our priority will be the pink jersey.”
6th on the stage, Madis Mihkels (Intermarché-Wanty): “We started this Giro d’Italia very well, with a podium for Biniam Girmay and the KOM jersey for Lilian Calmejane. Biniam was our greatest hope for a stage victory in this Tour of Italy, but unfortunately he was forced to abandon following a double crash. So I took on the role of sprinter. But on my turn, during the gravel stage in Tuscany, I was also involved in a heavy crash. My body is suffering a lot, so this morning at the start I was more focused on my recovery and survival. We did race well collectively, and I was eventually able to secure another top ten. Considering the circumstances this is nice. As this is my first Grand Tour, I don’t know how I will feel in the second and third week. I hope to recover well and seize other opportunities.”
Jhonatan Narváez (INEOS Grenadiers): “I actually thought it was going to get, but now I’m standing here empty-handed. We did great in the first stage and today I came very close. It was a disappointment, but this is part of cycling. The moment I went was the last chance to get away. It wasn’t too early. I was fine, but that’s the beauty of cycling. Sometimes you get good results, sometimes bad, it teaches you to fight. The most important thing is that I showed that the preparation was good to get this far. But fun is also an important factor in my racing style. The best thing is to sometimes do something different than most riders, more how the fans would like to race. The most important thing is to enjoy and keep trying.”
Break rider, Andrea Pietrobon (Polti Kometa): “This route was on paper for sprinters, but the finale was quite tricky and for this reason we thought it was a good opportunity to break away. The other teams waited in the peloton, on our part it was a positive performance where we once again showed the attacking spirit that distinguishes us.”
Break rider, Mirco Maestri (Polti Kometa): “I feel very good and we had circled this day on the calendar. Honestly, we thought someone would follow us: when we saw that it was just us two, we knew it would be very long and we wanted to honour the race, giving our best and not giving up even when Alaphilippe and the others caught up with us. It was great to have all the crowd cheering for us, now we really need this Monday of rest to relax body and mind and start again from Pompeii with even more determination!”
Giro d’Italia Stage 9 Result:
1. Olav Kooij (Ned) Visma | Lease a Bike in 4:44:22
2. Jonathan Milan (Ita) Lidl-Trek
3. Juan Sebastián Molano (Col) UAE Team Emirates
4. Alberto Dainese (Ita) Tudor
5. Danny van Poppel (Ned) BORA-hansgrohe
6. Madis Mihkels (Est) Intermarché-Wanty
7. Kaden Groves (Aus) Alpecin-Deceuninck
8. Andrea Vendrame (Ita) Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale
9. Davide Ballerini (Ita) Astana Qazaqstan
10. Max Kanter (Ger) Astana Qazaqstan.
Giro d’Italia Overall After Stage 9:
1. Tadej Pogačar (Slo) UAE Team Emirates in 32:59:04
2. Daniel Felipe Martínez (Col) BORA-hansgrohe at 2:40
3. Geraint Thomas (GB) INEOS Grenadiers at 2:58
4. Ben O’Connor (Aus) Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale at 3:39
5. Cian Uijtdebroeks (Bel) Visma | Lease a Bike at 4:02
6. Antonio Tiberi (Ita) Bahrain-Victorious at 4:23
7. Lorenzo Fortunato (Ita) Astana Qazaqstan at 5:15
8. Einer Rubio (Col) Movistar at 5:28
9. Thymen Arensman (Ned) INEOS Grenadiers at 5:30
10. Jan Hirt (CZ) Soudal Quick-Step at 5:53.
Giro’23 stage 9:
Itzulia Women 2024
Mischa Bredewold won Stage 1 of the Itzulia Women, the Basque Country tour for women, in a bunch sprint. The European champion had a top lead-out from Dutch champion Demi Vollering.
The third Tour of the Basque Country for women started in Vitoria-Gasteiz. It was a relatively easy stage of 140 kilometres, with only the climbs of the Olaeta (Cat.3), Azkarate (Cat.2) and Itziar (Cat.3). From the summit of the last climb, there were 20 kilometre to the finish in Elgoibar.
There was no early escape, and on the climb of the Oleata, where Olivia Baril (Movistar) took the mountain points, after 37 kilometres there was still no break. With 75 kilometres to go, the Swiss rider, Petra Stiasny (Fenix-Deceuninck) was the first rider able to make a gap, shortly followed by the Norwegian Stine Dale (Coop-Repsol). Stiasny had to let Dale go on the Azkarate, who was later joined by the Austrian Valentina Cavallar (Arkéa-B&B Hotels). The two leaders worked well together and had more than 1:30. Towards the final climb, the nervousness in the peloton increased and the lead shrank. They lost more time on the climb, but Cavallar managed to survive to the top, to take the first KOM jersey. There were attacks in the peloton, but not enough to drop many riders or to set up a break.
Cavallar was caught on the flat road towards Elgoibar, but that set up an escape. Alice Maria Arzuffi (Ceratizit-WNT), Demi Vollering (SD Worx-Protime) and Carina Schrempf (Fenix-Deceuninck) were among the attackers. Although a group of five was able to take a slight lead, Lidl-Trek ensured that there would be a sprint. Movistar gave a perfect lead-out for Arlenis Sierra, except that Marlen Reusser (SD Worx-Protime) brought leader Demi Vollering and sprinter Mischa Bredewold to the front at the right time. Vollering then took over and provided the perfect lead-out for Bredewold, who started the sprint first and held the others off.
Stage winner and overall leader, Mischa Bredewold (SD Worx-Protime): “I am happy, relieved and very grateful. The riders and staff believed in me all day and you need that trust. I felt good and I was able to save myself during the stage. I didn’t have to make any extra effort because the girls protected me very well. It was a technical last 500 meters. We knew that time would be important. We entered at the right time and I got a super exit. In the last corner, 400 metres from the finish, DSM approached the left and for a moment I lost Demi’s wheel. I got stressed for a moment, but luckily there was room to get back into position. Because Demi also ran at full speed, no one could pass. Having a lead from such a strong team is fantastic. I’m glad I was able to finish it. It is truly crazy that SD Worx has won all seven stages so far since the arrival of this stage race in 2022. I am honoured to also be on the list alongside Demi Vollering and Marlen Reusser.”
4th on the stage and 7th overall, Josie Nelson (dsm-firmenich PostNL): “There were some tough climbs on today’s stage and some breakaways, but nothing stayed away for long. It was pretty quiet in the peloton until the last ten kilometres, when the pace picked up and there were some late attacks. The girls left me perfectly at the last roundabout 400 metres from the finish line. It was a very technical finish, with speed bumps in the corners that made it quite difficult to get up to speed. I am happy with the result and happy to wear the best under-23 jersey for tomorrow’s stage.”
Itzulia Women Stage 1 Result:
1. Mischa Bredewold (Ned) SD Worx-Protime in 3:25:45
2. Arlenis Sierra (Cub) Movistar
3. Demi Vollering (Ned) SD Worx-Protime
4. Josie Nelson (GB) dsm-firmenich PostNL
5. Fleur Moors (Bel) Lidl-Trek
6. Olivia Baril (Can) Movistar
7. Amber Pate (Aus) Liv AlUla Jayco
8. Thalita de Jong (Ned) Lotto Dstny Ladies
9. Shirin van Anrooij (Ned) Lidl-Trek
10. Nadia Quagliotto (Ita) Laboral Kutxa-Fundación Euskadi.
Itzulia Women Overall After Stage 1:
1. Mischa Bredewold (Ned) SD Worx-Protime in 3:25:35
2. Arlenis Sierra (Cub) Movistar at 0:04
3. Demi Vollering (Ned) SD Worx-Protime at 0:06
4. Olivia Baril (Can) Movistar at 0:07
5. Stine Dale (Nor) Coop-Repsol
6. Juliette Labous (Fra) dsm-firmenich PostNL at 0:09
7. Josie Nelson (GB) dsm-firmenich PostNL at 0:10
8. Fleur Moors (Bel) Lidl-Trek
9. Amber Pate (Aus) Liv AlUla Jayco
10. Thalita de Jong (Ned) Lotto Dstny.
Itzulia’24 stage 1:
Mischa Bredewold won the Stage 2 of the Tour of the Basque Country. The SD Worx-Protime rider beat Mavi García and Juliette Labous in Basauri. Bredewold won for the second day in a row and is still the overall leader.
After the flatter first stage, which was won by European champion Mischa Bredewold, it was the punchers’ turn on day two. The stage started and finished in Basauri on the menu with a lot of elevation gain and the last kilometre was uphill.
The riders realised that the GC riders would fight for victory. Only Valentina Cavallar of Arkéa-B&B Hotels gave it a try, but she was pulled back by the peloton. The favourites eventually decided to open the race up. Marlen Reusser and Demi Vollering went on the attack. The two riders of SD Worx-Protime were joined by Pauliena Rooijakkers, Elise Chabbey, Ricarda Bauernfeind, Juliette Labous, Evita Muzic and Mavi García. The strong leading group of eight soon had a big lead, but after a few kilometres the co-operation ended. The peloton came very close again and the race came together just under 15 kilometres from the finish.
A little later Labous tried go on her own. The French rider was joined by García and Bredewold. Since there were three large teams represented at the front, the three soon had a lead. Movistar was not happy, so they gave chase. This ensured that the three leaders started the last 5 kilometres with a lead of only 20 seconds. The peloton made up little time, so the three front riders entered the tough final kilometre together. García set a high pace, but could not compete with Bredewold’s strong sprint. The Dutch rider sprinted home ahead of Garcia and Labous, triumph for the second day in a row. Olivia Baril sprinted to fourth place, ahead of Demi Vollering. SD Worx-Protime has won every stage of the Itzulia Women since the inception of the race.
Stage winner and overall leader, Mischa Bredewold (SD Worx-Protime): “It’s very special to win twice in a row. After a less Classic spring, the ball seems to be rolling for me now. This is so special, so unexpected and I am incredibly happy and grateful towards my team. It was a tough stage with two tough climbs. But again the team did a super job as I was able to save as much as possible, as did Demi Vollering, Niamh Fisher-Black and Marlen Reusser. At the steep climb, I knew it would be tricky to go over the top in the first ten. I tried to lose as little time as possible without blowing myself up. When everything came together, it rained attacks. Our plan was also to respond to the attacks while keeping Demi Vollering behind for the sprint. When Julliette Labous attacked, I couldn’t respond right away. My body didn’t feel 100 percent right for a while. When I recovered somewhat, I was able to place the jump. The cooperation at the front was super good. I was riding with good climbers, so I was a little nervous before the finish. But luckily my climber’s legs are feeling good this weekend and I was able to finish it off in the uphill sprint. Another tough day awaits us tomorrow, but with Niamh Fisher-Black, Demi Vollering and Marlen Reusser we have strong climbers at the start. I’m also going to try to hang on as long as possible on the climb. So we can play multiple cards. We are going to do everything we can to keep the leader’s jersey within the team.”
2nd on the stage and 3rd overall, Mavi García (Liv AlUla Jayco): “After going through a tough period during La Vuelta after the cold of the Ardennes, I had not been able to feel well, but I have been recovering and finally yesterday and today have been good days and I feel strong again. I think tomorrow we will have to fight for the podium.”
Itzulia Women Stage 2 Result:
1. Mischa Bredewold (Ned) SD Worx-Protime in 2:34:37
2. Mavi García (Spa) Liv AlUla Jayco at 0:01
3. Juliette Labous (Fra) dsm-firmenich PostNL
4. Olivia Baril (Can) Movistar at 0:04
5. Demi Vollering (Ned) SD Worx-Protime
6. Elise Chabbey (Sui) Canyon//SRAM
7. Arlenis Sierra (Cub) Movistar at 0:09
8. Évita Muzic (Fra) FDJ-SUEZ
9. Thalita de Jong (Ned) Lotto Dstny
10. Ane Santesteban (Spa) Laboral Kutxa-Fundación Euskadi.
Itzulia Women Overall After Stage 2:
1. Mischa Bredewold (Ned) SD Worx-Protime in 6:00:02
2. Juliette Labous (Fra) dsm-firmenich PostNL at 0:14
3. Mavi García (Spa) Liv AlUla Jayco at 0:15
4. Elise Chabbey (Sui) Canyon//SRAM at 0:18
5. Demi Vollering (Ned) SD Worx-Protime at 0:19
6. Olivia Baril (Can) Movistar at 0:21
7. Arlenis Sierra (Cub) Movistar at 0:23
8. Marlen Reusser (Sui) SD Worx-Protime at 0:27
9. Évita Muzic (Fra) FDJ-SUEZ at 0:28
10. Thalita de Jong (Ned) Lotto Dstny at 0:29.
Itzulia’24 stage 2:
Demi Vollering continued to show her top form from the Vuelta for women with a final victory in the Itzulia (Tour of the Basque Country). The leader of SD Worx-Protime took a double victory in the Final Stage 3 around San Sebastián by going solo on the difficult climb of the Mendizorrotz. She crossed the finish line and took over the leader’s jersey in the Women’s WorldTour round from teammate Mischa Bredewold, who won the first two stages.
After two hilly stages in the Tour of the Basque Country for women, both won by Mischa Bredewold, the final stage was a difficult stage of 115 kilometres with start and finish in San Sebastián. There were two tough climbs along the way, with the Jaizkibel (6.8 km at 6.2%) and the Mendizorrotz (3.4 km at 8.4%) early on 30 kilometres from the finish. After that climb, a flat final of about 20 kilometres awaited.
Bredewold of SD Worx-Protime had her teammate, Blanka Vas in the break, while Inge van der Heijden (Fenix-Deceuninck), Urska Zigart (Liv AlUla Jayco) and Amanda Spratt (Lidl-Trek) were also present. The 11 got more than 2 minutes, but in the run-up to the Mendizorrotz the difference decreased. It was the favourites who battled each other on that last climb of the day. It was not surprising that Vuelta winner Demi Vollering was the best on the steepest sections of the Mendizorrotz. Juliette Labous counter-attacked, but the Dutch champion had already flown. The French climber of dsm-firmenich PostNL dropped back into a favourites group including Marlen Reusser, Niamh Fisher-Black, Evita Muzic, Pauliena Rooijakkers and Thalita de Jong.
Vollering started the flat final towards San Sebastían with a lead of more than 40 seconds and had more than 1:30 on a group with overall leader Bredewold. The chase worked well, but Reusser and Fisher-Black blocked so that Vollering could race to victory. In the sprint for second place, a photo finish was needed to separate Thalita de Jong and Mischa Bredewold, but the race had been won by then. Not only did Vollering win the stage, the final win in the Itzulia also went to the Dutch champion. Bredewold and Labous were second and third on the final podium.
Stage and final overall winner, Demi Vollering (SD Worx-Protime): “To win every stage for three years in a row is historic. I am incredibly happy with this win. To win with such a solo is memorable. It’s crazy that we won all the stages again as a team. I’m proud that I managed to win the last stage. It’s cool to do it with such a long solo. This was also the plan. I could hardly sleep last night because I was busy visualising my attack on the final climb. If you can dream about it, you can also try to make it happen. So I went full steam ahead. I felt supported by my teammates in the chasing groups. I’m glad I managed to stay in front. That’s pretty special after a 30-kilometre solo. I didn’t have an easy day. I had some stomach problems, but still went for it. That’s exactly why I’m overjoyed with this win. I really love Itzulia, this wonderful stage race in the Basque Country. I have done well here in the past and to win the general classification again is great. No less than three years in a row, we win every stage in this race with Team SD Worx-Protime. That is truly unbelievable. With that, we have made history three times in a row. That says a lot about how strong our team is and how hard we love to play the game and take the race into our own hands. I’m proud of how we accomplished this feat as a team.”
3rd on the stage and 2nd overall, Mischa Bredewold (SD Worx-Protime): “It is wonderful in the way Demi Vollering won today. This was also our plan beforehand. I myself am also very satisfied with my performance. The climb went super, even better than yesterday. I fell just short of the top ten over the top, but I expected that. There is no magic button that makes you suddenly pedal 50 watts faster. I tried to get back into the chasing group, then I knew I would definitely make the final podium. Marlen Reusser then helped me with the sprint. I’m very happy with this second place in the final classification.”
2nd on the stage and 7th overall, Thalita de Jong (Lotto Dstny): “I am very happy, I surprised myself! I’m not a climber, so I started the last and steepest climb of the day cautiously and a bit behind. But it went so well! I stayed calm, rode at my own pace, and passed the others one by one. At that moment, we were 15 seconds behind leader Demi Vollering (SD Worx-Protime), and all I could think was: we just need to keep riding. Eventually, we pulled away with ten girls to the finish. Labous and Reusser, but also Pauliena Rooijakkers (Fenix-Deceuninck), Amanda Spratt (Lidl-Trek), Niamh Fisher-Black (SD Worx-Protime), were among them. In short: a very nice group with big names. We even got closer to Vollering, but when it became clear that the gap couldn’t be closed anymore, some started to skip turns, of course. In the last two kilometres, we were almost surprised when suddenly the group from behind appeared to be catching up. We were really pushing hard, but Movistar didn’t have a rider in the front and obviously caused some chaos there. Fortunately, we stayed ahead. In the end, it was still a fight to stay up front to start the sprint, with a finish with many turns in the city, but I made it. If that group hadn’t caught up from behind, I would have even finished third overall. But the top twenty was so close together that there was still a lot possible today. It’s a pity that Movistar rode so hard, but with a seventh place in the overall standings, I absolutely can’t complain. I know that I get better with each day in a stage race, but I surprise myself here. This gives a lot of confidence heading towards the Tour de France.”
Itzulia Women Stage 3 Result:
1. Demi Vollering (Ned) SD Worx-Protime in 3:03:34
2. Thalita de Jong (Ned) Lotto Dstny at 0:44
3. Mischa Bredewold (Ned) SD Worx-Protime
4. Olivia Baril (Can) Movistar
5. Elise Chabbey (Sui) Canyon//SRAM
6. Marlen Reusser (Sui) SD Worx-Protime
7. Juliette Labous (Fra) dsm-firmenich PostNL
8. Cédrine Kerbaol (Fra) CERATIZIT-WNT
9. Shirin van Anrooij (Ned) Lidl-Trek
10. Ella Wyllie (NZ) Liv AlUla Jayco.
Itzulia Women Final Overall Result:
1. Demi Vollering (Ned) SD Worx-Protime in 9:03:42
2. Mischa Bredewold (Ned) SD Worx-Protime at 0:34
3. Juliette Labous (Fra) dsm-firmenich PostNL at 0:52
4. Mavi García (Spa) Liv AlUla Jayco at 0:53
5. Elise Chabbey (Sui) Canyon//SRAM at 0:56
6. Olivia Baril (Can) Movistar at 0:59
7. Thalita de Jong (Ned) Lotto Dstny at 1:00
8. Arlenis Sierra (Cub) Movistar at 1:01
9. Marlen Reusser (Sui) SD Worx-Protime at 1:05
10. Ella Wyllie (NZ) Liv AlUla Jayco.
Itzulia’24 stage 3:
Tour du Finistère 2024
Benoît Cosnefory took the victory in the 2024 Tour du Finistère. The Frenchman has hit a winning streak. This time he had to deal with a group of favourites in the battle for victory in the sprint. Corbin Strong and Rudy Molard had to settle for second and third places.
The Tour du Finistère was on Saturday in the west of France. The main difficulties were some short climbs in the final circuit, which had to be ridden four times, the finish was on the Côte de Meilh Stang Vihan. One for the puncheurs. Benoît Cosnefroy of Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale was unable to make any difference during the race and so it came down to a sprint by a group of about 20 riders. Corbin Strong and Rudy Molard came very close, but it was Benoît Cosnefroy who took the victory for the fifth time this season.
Race winner, Benoît Cosnefroy (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale): “We had to be patient during this Tour of Finistere. The team assumed responsibility from the beginning of the race with Oscar Chamberlain. Afterwards we decided not to shoot anymore because there weren’t many of us in the peloton and other teams took over. The circumstances meant that we managed to win even though there was a very strong escape. In the end everything went very well with Tom Donnenwirth, who launched me in the last kilometre. He knew how to manoeuvre well in the sprint to win. Brittany suits me well after winning the Morbihan Grand Prix last week. I’m leading the French Cup, that’s good news. It’s not necessarily a goal, but it’s races like these that will allow me to be up in the standings, so I’m happy with that.”
3rd, Rudy Molard (Groupama-FDJ): “I’m very happy, obviously, especially when I see where I come from and where I was two months ago. I can be really satisfied to have been on the podium today, especially in a finish like this, surrounded by fast riders. It is beyond the expectations I had this morning. I knew I had passed a milestone in training after the Tour de Romandie, I felt my form starting to return, but I didn’t think about getting on the podium today. It means a lot to me. It’s not a victory, that’s for sure, but I still felt a certain thrill as I crossed the line. It’s at least a small victory for me to find this level again. This also makes me optimistic for the future. I will continue working well and I hope to continue progressing. This is only my second race and I hope to get back to my best form. There are big goals ahead, I am full of confidence. Step by step I am reaching small milestones and I am very happy.”
5th, Vicenzo Albanese (Arkéa-B&B Hotels): “I had good legs this Saturday at the Tour of Finisterre. We obviously hoped to achieve a better result. The finish was difficult. My feelings are good. On Sunday we will have a new opportunity to fight in the Boucles de l’Aulne.”
6th, Eduard Prades (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA): “I knew I was good, that I could do well in this finish. Maybe we needed to talk a little more among ourselves to try hard before. With 300 meters left, they opened a lot and I saw the gap from the inside. I passed and took the curve first. I was very far from the finish line and with the wind in my face, I hesitated to sprint, but in the end I started the sprint from the first position and that was partly suicide. But hey, it was the only thing I could do at that moment. If I had started the sprint from 300 with everything, I could still have competed for the podium. But hey, things happen the way they happen, so I’m happy because I see that I was ready to compete but at the same time you see that if you go to compete and finish sixth, then you also bite your nails.”
Tour du Finistère Result:
1. Benoît Cosnefroy (Fra) Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale in 4:55:42
2. Corbin Strong (NZ) Israel-Premier Tech
3. Rudy Molard (Fra) Groupama-FDJ
4. Axel Zingle (Fra) Cofidis
5. Vincenzo Albanese (Ita) Arkéa-B&B Hotels
6. Eduard Prades (Spa) Caja Rural-Seguros RGA
7. Clément Venturini (Fra) Arkéa-B&B Hotels
8. Nolann Mahoudo (Fra) Cofidis
9. Markus Hoelgaard (Nor) Uno-X Mobility
10. Joel Nicolau (Spa) Caja Rural-Seguros RGA.
Finistère’24:
Circuit de Wallonie 2024
Arnaud De Lie won the Circuit de Wallonie. The Lotto Dstny rider held off Axel Zingle and Matthew Brennan in a chaotic bunch sprint. This is De Lie’s third victory in two weeks.
Thursday’s Circuit de Wallonie started in Charleroi for a race of almost 190 kilometres. The finish was in Marcinelle, which is part of Charleroi. The favourites for the day were Arnaud De Lie, Axel Zingle and Luca Mozzato.
The early break consisted of four riders: Gianni Marchand (Tarteletto-Isorex), Mirko Bozzola (Q36.5 Continental), Samuele Privitera (Hagens Berman-Jayco) and Christian Ingemann Lindquist (Airtox-Carl Ras). The four had lead of a few minutes, but had no chance against the chasing peloton. They were caught, about 70 kilometres from the finish. There was then a lot of attacks. Loe van Belle and Aimé De Gendt, tried, but didn’t get far away. In the peloton, Lotto Dstny’s men for fast-man De Lie, had taken control. They kept the pace high and tried to make sure everything stayed together.
That worked for a while, but with a new attack by Van Belle, the Lotto Dstny boys had to chase a bit more. Gerben Kuypers of Intermarché-Wanty, and Baptiste Aadic, joined him. The three worked well together and started the last 15 kilometres with a lead of almost 30 seconds. Van Belle had good legs and dropped his fellow escapees, he was then joined by Anthony Turgis, who crossed on one of the difficult sections. The two worked well together for a while, but Uno-X Mobility had also started to work in the peloton. This made it impossible for the escapees and so there would be a bunch sprint in Marcinelle. The last kilometre was chaotic. Top favourite De Lie was not well positioned and had to make up quite a few places. Zingle started the sprint first and held on for a long time, but De Lie still managed to get past in the last hundred metres. De Lie beat Zingle and the 18-year-old, Matthew Brennan of Visma | Lease a Bike was third.
Race winner, Arnaud De Lie (Lotto Dstny): “We executed a great sprint. Lionel Taminiaux launched me, and we still had Milan Menten as a ‘backup’. That’s luxury. I waited and unleashed at the right moment. I don’t know how many kilometres Victor (Campenaerts) spent in the front, but it was impressive (laughs). What fantastic teamwork again today. Being able to reward and thank all my teammates with a victory means a lot. I feel like it’s thanks to that break that I’m strong today. I made significant strides during that absence, especially mentally. My fitness is also improving steadily, so I look forward to what’s to come.”
Circuit de Wallonie Result:
1. Arnaud De Lie (Bel) Lotto Dstny in 4:06:09
2. Axel Zingle (Fra) Cofidis
3. Matthew Brennan (GB) Visma | Lease a Bike
4. Paul Penhoët (Fra) Equipe Continentale Groupama-FDJ
5. Milan Fretin (Bel) Cofidis
6. Luca Mozzato (Ita) Arkéa-B&B Hotels
7. Tord Gudmestad (Nor) Uno-X Mobility
8. Jake Stewart (GB) Israel-Premier Tech
9. Vito Braet (Bel) Intermarché-Wanty
10. Simone Gualdi (Ita) Intermarché-Wanty.
Wallonie’24:
CAS Rules that Miguel Ángel López’s Doping Use Can’t be Proven
The International Sports Tribunal CAS is of the opinion that Miguel Ángel López did not dope in the weeks leading up to the 2022 Giro d’Italia. This decision means that his then team Astana Qazaqstan still has to pay his salary for that year, according to the Spanish sports-paper AS.
The last update in the complicated case came at the beginning of February. AS then wrote that there was new evidence against López, but that the prosecutor planned to drop the case. There would not be sufficient evidence to determine for which athlete the medications were intended, nor whether they were actually consumed.
López always maintained his innocence, even after the UCI provisionally suspended him. “I am not aware of the evidence but would like to state that there is no evidence against me. My doping tests have always been negative. This suspension damages me and my honour, my team and even the entire Colombian cycling team. My career is being questioned without evidence,” he said at the time.
Astana had submitted a Civil Guard report on ‘Operacion Ilex’ as evidence in the case against López. However, after statements from López, Astana doctors, doping experts and research into medical reports and ‘Operacion Ilex’, CAS concluded that there is no basis to assume that López actually used doping.
Miguel Ángel López’s doping Use can’t be proven:
Biniam Girmay Returns to Racing Next Week
After abandoning the Giro d’Italia, Biniam Girmay will be back racing next week. The leader of Intermarché-Wanty will be on the start line of Veenendaal-Veenendaal on Saturday, May 18. The organisers of the Utrecht race announced.
Girmay started well in the Giro with a third place in the first sprint stage, but in the wet stage to Andora, the rider from Eritrea crashed twice. After the second crash, Girmay was at the side of the road for a long time and it was finally decided he had to leave the race.
Intermarché-Wanty announced that the injuries were not too bad for Girmay, who spoke two days after his abandonment: “I already feel better and would like to thank everyone for the messages. I don’t have any major injuries, just some minor injuries. I will race again soon,” he said.
The team has added him to the start list for next week’s Veenendaal-Veenendaal. Intermarché-Wanty had to receive approval from the Giro organisers, because Veenendaal-Veenendaal is held during the Giro. Girmay will probably not be the leader in the Dutch one-day race, because sprint leader Gerben Thijssen is also starting.
Biniam Girmay racing again:
Movistar is Interest in Marlen Reusser
Marlen Reusser has been racing for SD Worx-Protime since 2022, but the 32-year-old Swiss rider’s contract expires at the end of the year. If it were up to Movistar, Reusser would race with them next year. “She is one of the best riders in the peloton. Of course we are interested,” team boss Sebastián Unzué GCN.
Movistar’s interest in Reusser is not new. “We have had good contact for years. I have been interested in her services in the past and I still am. She is a top rider with the necessary experience. She has the potential to achieve great things. It is certainly not concrete yet, but the interest in attracting her is certainly there,” Unzué stated. “Who wouldn’t want to recruit her? Is there a team in the peloton that is not interested? I think every team boss would love to work with her. As a team manager, I want the best riders in my team and Marlen meets all the requirements. I can’t confirm anything for now, as it’s not concrete yet. But we are certainly interested, we can be clear about that.”
The Movistar women’s team currently has thirteen riders under contract for next season. “And we are still working on one contract extension,” Unzué said. “Emma Norsgaard will then leave the team again. We will attract a maximum of two new riders.”
If Reusser moves to Movistar, it would be another setback for SD Worx-Protime. The Dutch team will say goodbye to Demi Vollering after this season, who is on her way to FDJ-Suez. Reusser has won several major races with SD Worx-Protime in recent years: Gent-Wevelgem and Itzulia Women. She also won two stages in the Tour de France Femmes.
Marlen Reusser to Movistar?
Ruben Guerreiro Fears the End of his Career
Ruben Guerreiro is seriously considering the end of his pro cycling career. The 29-year-old Portuguese rider suffers from two hernias. “My cycling year and even career are currently in danger,” he told the Lusa news agency.
The Movistar rider should have been riding the Giro d’Italia this year, but he has had injury problems for some time. “The plan was to participate in the Giro, but I suffered a dislocated elbow from a crash in the GP Miguel Induraín. I couldn’t train or even function normally for a while. However, after a while I left for the Sierra Nevada to prepare for the Giro. But I really had a lot of problems with my back, loins and neck,” Guerreiro explained. “It was really severe pain. Examination revealed two hernias. Experts say that the hernias were caused by my falls in recent years.”
Guerreiro, who rode to top ten finishes in the Figueira Champions Classic and O Gran Camiño earlier this year, still sees no improvement. “I first followed normal physiotherapy, but that didn’t work. I’m really going through a very difficult period. My previous injuries were always fairly easy to treat, but now I can’t do anything at all. Not on the bike, but also not in everyday life. I just have to rest a lot now,” he concluded.
Guerreiro started his professional career in 2017 with Trek-Segafredo and subsequently rode for Katusha-Alpecin (2019), EF Education (2020-2022) and then Movistar. He has five professional victories on his palmarès. His biggest victory came in 2020, when he won a stage in the Giro d’Italia and was also KOM. Guerreiro also won the Mont Ventoux Dénivelé Challenge.
The end of Ruben Guerreiro’s career?
Laurence Pithie Still Having Knee Problems
Laurence Pithie had a very good spring, but wasn’t so good in the first stages of the Giro d’Italia. The 21-year-old New Zealander had been experiencing problems with his knee recently.
The Groupama-FDJ rider feels that things are going in the right direction, he said on his team’s website after the fifth stage. “My knee was doing a little better. For the time being, I am very well surrounded by the team. I hope things will get a little better every day.” The question is whether Pithie can play a significant role in the Giro.
Pithie saw his teammate Enzo Paleni fight for victory in the fifth stage to Lucca on Wednesday, although the 21-year-old Frenchman lost out in an exciting final. “It was a very good day for the team,” Pithie reflects. “We were represented in all escape attempts. That was also the plan. It’s always good to have someone at the front, because I’m not the best sprinter in this race. Then it is better to bet on two horses,” he believes.
Laurence Pithie not 100&:
Patrick Lefevere Sees a Better Alaphilippe
Julian Alaphilippe came close to a second stage victory for Soudal Quick-Step in the Giro d’Italia, but the French former double World champion was beaten by a strong Pelayo Sanchez. Team boss Patrick Lefevere saw it happen from the front row, he told HLN.
“This is a shame for him and the team. It would have been a huge boost, but Julian can hardly be blamed. When I look back at the sprint, he may have started a little too early, but the other boy looked fresher,” said Lefevere. “It would have been a huge boost for us, but even without that second stage win I see a team that functions. That feels good.”
Lefevere was not surprised by the good form of his team. “Julian has worked hard and looks sharp. The Giro lasts more than two weeks. There are still opportunities to come. A stage win would boost his morale.”
The team boss criticised Alaphilippe, who’s contract expires with the team at the end of the year, several times in the media, but according to Lefevere, their bond is still excellent. “Some stupid things have been said, but he has been riding with us since he was 17. In every relationship of more than ten years there is a storm at some point, right?”
“His agent, Dries Smets spoke with our COO Jurgen Foré the day before the Giro. We have agreed that we will meet again after the Giro. It’s too early to look that far ahead. He is not a cheap guy, we know that, but I actually prefer not to talk about that.”
Alaphilippe and Levfevere together again:
The Soudal-Quick-Step Roster for the 2024 Tour de France
Remco Evenepoel will be ready in time for the Tour de France after his crash in the Tour of the Basque Country. Patrick Lefevere wrote in his weekly column for Het Nieuwsblad. The team manager of Soudal Quick-Step also gave some information about the selection for the Tour de France.
“Not that we ever really doubted it, but Remco Evenepoel will be ready for the Tour,” Lefevere began his column. “Pro memorie: when he fell in the Tour of the Basque Country, he broke his collarbone and his shoulder blade. The latter currently causes stiffness in the time trial position, but that is a matter of days. There will be an individual time trial of 33 kilometres in the Dauphiné on June 5. There is no reason to think that Remco could not reach his best level there.”
Evenepoel is currently on an altitude training camp in Sierra Nevada. He is there with his teammates Yves Lampaert, Casper Pedersen, Gianni Moscon, Ilan Van Wilder and Mikel Landa. “It is no secret that the riders who are currently with Remco have a good chance of going to the Tour later,” said Lefevere. “With a special mention for Louis Vervaeke, who is not in Spain because he has just become a father again.”
“Normally, Mattia Cattaneo would also be a permanent fixture in the Tour team, but he has been in trouble for a few months. First a covid infection, now problems with the thyroid gland. Too bad, but unfortunately: he will not be there in the Tour either.”
Although the aforementioned riders have a good chance of being at the Grand Départ in Florence on June 29, Lefevere emphasises that only Evenepoel is certain of his place. “Apart from leader Evenepoel, no one is certain of a selection at the moment. The procedure has been the same for a few years: a longlist of twelve riders who all have to assume that they will be there. Ultimately, we distill this into a team of eight. As always: the eighth name is the most difficult, that will be no different now.”
The Possible Soudal Quick-Step Team for the 2024 Tour de France:
Remco Evenepoel (Bel)
Mikel Landa (Spa)
Louis Vervaeke (Bel)
Gianni Moscon (Ita)
Casper Pedersen (Den)
Yves Lampaert (Bel)
Ilan Van Wilder (Bel).
Evenepoel looking forward to the Tour:
BORA-hansgrohe Gets the Red Bull Look for Tour de France
At the beginning of this month it was announced that Red Bull would become the name sponsor of the WorldTeam BORA-hansgrohe from the upcoming Tour de France. WielerFlits say they have received the shirt design that the German team plans to wear in the Tour de France. Red Bull is prominently featured on the clothing.
At the end of last year, the energy drink manufacturer took a majority stake of 51% in the company of Ralph Denk, the entity behind the team, but still had to wait for approval from the Austrian Competition Authority. The green light was recently given, so work is now underway to rebrand the team.
With Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe, a new power block is being created in the peloton. Austrian media report that the budget will increase from 25 million euros to around 45 million euros per year. This puts it in a comparable position to Tadej Pogacar’s UAE Team Emirates. Ralph Denk’s team will continue to race with a German license. The team management has already indicated that 30% of the budget will be invested in improvements to the team structure.
The team will set up a global scouting network. From 2025 it will start with its own promising team, which will stand between their junior team (GRENKE-Auto Eder) and the WorldTeam. According to insiders in Austria, Red Bull also wants better visibility in the classics and would invest extra in this in the coming years. As individual athletes, Red Bull has been sponsoring Wout van Aert and Tom Pidcock for several years, two riders who have already proven themselves in the Classics.
The Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe jersey:
The Wolfpack Howls: Davide Bramati
Passionate, knowledgeable and always memorable, Davide Bramati is the epitome of Soudal Quick-Step’s love affair with cycling in Italy.
In our second Giro d’Italia special, he gives his thoughts on the race so far, as well as reflecting on his love of his home tour.
Davide Bramati talks:
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