Roglic's Revenge: Pro Cycling 2021

[ursus arctos]

He's back within 10 seconds

[longeared]

Impressive from Bernal that, he hasn't won the race today but has taken a big step towards doing so. He'll probably need a minute over Vlasov for the final time trial, and you'd assume he'll be able to pick the rest of that up in the mountains. The biggest opponent he might have now could be keeping his back together over the efforts required next week.

Fascinated to know what went off at Deceuninck there, not recceing the stage to keep the mechanics happy (bet Brailsford had a laugh at that), then Almeida seemingly riding his own race and Remco getting so pissed off he ripped his earpiece out. Guess we'll find out the full story in time.

[ursus arctos]

There are going to be enough riders leaving (incl. Almeida) that the story will eventually come out, but it certainly looks like a mortal self-inflicted wound unless Remco was already cooked.

[Sits]

Deceuninck domestique James Knox does a Giro audio diary* for The Cycling Podcast and the Stage 11 one was interesting to say the least. Reading between the lines, Remco was indeed cooked.

Ganna was an absolute battering ram for Bernal in the early gravel. He smashed Remco and a number of other GC hopefuls.

*As does Gino Mader.

[ursus arctos]

Knox has been doing the diaries for a few seasons now, and has really grown into the role He is always interesting to listen to.

[Sits]

And candid. He's not really enjoying this Giro is he? Apart from the scenery.

[ursus arctos]

It has definitely been harder for him than he expected

[Sits]

In other news my other new favourite cycling podcaster Mitch Docker has announced his retirement but hopes to sign off at his beloved Roubaix*. A real character and team man. Had a solid TroBroLeon last weekend.

*beloved despite smashing his face up there in a horrific crash in 2016.

[Sits]

Worrying crash early in Stage 12 for Alessandro Di Marchi who was flat out and taken off in an ambulance. Hope he turns out to be OK.

[Sits]

Not a head injury and he’s conscious so that’s good.

[Sits]

[ursus arctos]

Can't help but use the shot, even when you avoid the city

[ursus arctos]

Soler, Masnada and Mader have all abandoned

[Sits]

Can't help but use the shot, even when you avoid the city

They sort of skirted the edge of the town at least.

[ursus arctos]

Don't think that the locals didn't notice

[delicatemoth]

This is great stuff from Astana, and from Bernal to actually notice and stick with them.

[Felicity, I guess so]

My 1st live stage this year, though I'm still at 69k to go after recording (went on another Palestine demo earlier) - hoping for some drama soon, maybe a shark attack...?

[longeared]

Good to see Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig breaking her World Tour duck by winning the Vuelta a Burgos stage.

[Sits]

Lovely win for the youngster Fortunato on the Zoncolan, his interview afterwards was a treat. And Bernal turns the screw.

I’m not a better usually but pre-stage I put a token one on Buchmann for a GC podium.

[ursus arctos]

One for FiGS

https://twitter.com/marcatmf/status/1396589400847495169

[Sits]

I’m not a better usually but pre-stage I put a token one on Buchmann for a GC podium.

That went well.

[longeared]

The Giro today is most definitely going to be a day best watched from indoors. It's the biggest mountain stage - 212k long including three huge climbs, and the weather is absolutely horrendous - rain with some snow at the summits and high winds to chill the riders further. About the worst conditions you can reasonably run a bike race in is 2c and raining, which looks pretty much what we'll get, so this will be a very unpleasant and long day in prospect for the riders. It also has the potential for "massive organisational fuck up" if RCS decide the conditions aren't suitable or start changing their mind en route.

[Rogin the Armchair fan]

Is the Cortina they finish at today the Cortina that's hosting the winter olympics in 2026?

[longeared]

My knowledge of the geography of Italy isn't too clever so ... don't know, but did see a preview that said the venue had hosted the world skiing earlier this year.

Stage today is being shortened, they've lopped off the first two big climbs, so now we've got down to 155k of racing and a climb over the Passo Giau and the downhill to the finish in Cortina.

[ursus arctos]

Yes, it is the very same Cortina, which also hosted the 1956 Winter Olympics