Catch up on the Interview with Gorka & Ion Izagirre on this page
& Gorka Verdugo's ride up to Altopiano del Montasio here.
Giro d'Italia, May 2013
Stage 15
Two worlds collide as the Giro d’Italia steals two of the most famous mountains of the Tour de France. And what a stage it’s gonna be. Though only 140 kilometers, the riders will have to take on first the Col du Mont-Cenis and after a long descent, they first experience the cruelty of the Col du Telegraphe and if that isn’t enough, the Col du Galibier will see a victor who was truly the strongest rider today. Be it out of a breakaway or from the peloton. Verdugo looks set to take at least two mountain sprints today, so our goal at Euskaltel is quite clear: Get him in a break, no matter the cost. He is only one point ahead of Nibali and is ready to stock up the points account today for good. Tomorrow sees the second rest day of the Giro, so he shouldn’t have any bad feelings towards stepping over the limit if a stage win should be in view...
Through the rather long descent at the beginning, Verdugo managed to get into the break fairly easy. The peloton is out of his mind for now as he just is set on riding up the mountain and willing to take the first 10 points. Hopefully the peloton will be soon out of his sights too. Each time he looks down the serpentines of the Col du Mont-Chenis, he sees the peloton, leaded by Astana. With him are Gadret, Garzelli, Ludvigsson, Ruijh, Bakelants, De Marchi and Weening. Serpa and Pagani are close to reaching the break. Quite some prominent names as competition. Make it count, Gorka!
It’s one long climb of today. And it goes way down until you can reach the valley. But it’s a beautiful road.
First task of the day completed as he is the first up on the Col du Mont-Chenis. From here, the mountain lake looks very inviting, but believe me, in May it’s probably still too cold to take a decent dive. However, Verdugo would have time for that by now: The lead towards the peloton is 10 minutes by now.
However long the ascent may have been, the descent sure keeps up with it in terms of length. Samu figures that the two mountains ahead are too tough when you are on a solo-ride and refuses to go on attack in the downhill. Much to Zakur’s dismay that is, who originally wanted to take advantage of Samu’s great downhill skills. Well, you can’t force a rider, I think, and actually, such a long-range attack is kinda pointless right now. You can try that when you have really and utterly nothing to lose. Right now, Samu is still 11th and may have a shot at Top 10 still. Zakur tells me, “I don’t care about Top 10. I want the freaking podium”, and I realize that the man does not only have problems with his tamper but also a way of neglecting reality and facts. Samu just isn’t up to it in this Grand Tour. Neither his legs nor is his mind truly focused on getting there. It was a long first half of the season for Samu so far with hardly any rest. “You should stop making excuses”, Zakur demands from me. I tell him, that he should stop being such a… and then I abort the insult. That’s probably smarter than to start of a war. After all, I really don’t want to go to the hotel today by foot.
The Col du Telegraphe is up and the break heads into the serpentines. 10 kilometers are ahead of them and they won’t be easy. However, it looks for the riders in the stage with a possible stage win since the peloton is now 13 minutes behind. Astana are obviously willing to conserve their energy for the last week and let the break have the win today.
It’s another ten points for Gorka Verdugo as we head into the final 20 kilometers. And they going to be real tough: The Col du Galibier is up after a very short, unremarkable, hardly mentionable descent.
Samu holds up good enough and rides quite attentive and awake, however there is no teammate left at his side. He will soon need new waterbottles and will have to get it on his own. However, it’s only 2 kilometers left so he should be fine and have no problems getting them once there’s the descent. Until then, Samu better stays in front, who knows what happens.
The Col du Galibier is up. If the Col du Telegraphe may be a stairway to heaven for any climber, than what is the Col du Galibier? As they pass this old alpine house, they see the 10 kilometer mark and Gadret and Bakelants are not looking for friends as they are the first to attack.
The break is split up in a matter of seconds as Verdugo and Serpa increase the pace to chase Gadret. However, the french rider is a formidable climber and he is one who wants to win today more than anything else.
The favourites are making their move. There’s no point in reacting for Samu. He looks already at his limit. The pace by Astana was incredible tough and did quite some damage to the peloton. He will have to ride his own pace now as Nibali, Scarponi, Wiggins, Hesjedal and Urán take off.
Gadret doesn’t come too far with Serpa and Verdugo close on his wheel. But he only has 5 kilometers left and as long as the gap isn’t entirely closed, Euskaltel – Euskadi can’t be too sure. At least our bike sponsor will finally be happy as we have a shot of their bikes for this one. Finally. That took like ages I think.
Together with Gadret they see the sun again. Samu Sánchez meanwhile is dropped hard and has to struggle behind Group Nibali.
You can see the finish from here, and Serpa is dropped too. Verdugo and Gadret fight their way up. Both of them try to drop the other rider with petty small attacks but it’s no good. In a rush, Verdugo pushes all his gel left into him in hopes he can regain some energy.
The crowds cheers, the sun smiles, the legs hurt and Gadret is still on his wheel. A usual day it seems. Except it’s not. This could be the 3rd victory for Euskaltel at this Giro, but it could be the best for them. After much bad luck, tactical failings and such stupid riding, they could finally leave the last days behind them.
Nibali, and everybody behind him.
Verdugo and Gadret in the final sprint. They look both so exhausted already. There’s not much in either of them, but still they mobilize all they have got. Gadret doesn’t look like he can get past Gorka, at least for now.
Gora Gorka, Gora Euskadi!
Gorka Verdugo takes home his second victory at the Giro. This time in the Mountain Jersey, this time even more exhausted, this time after more trouble, after his hardest fight in his life probably. Unbelieveable Giro for Gorka Verdugo. This guy hasn’t won a single race before in his career, is already 34 and now takes two stages win at the Giro d’Italia… Don’t tell me, there’s no point in cycling.
Gadret and Verdugo shake hands and it’s obvious that Gadret would have deserved this win just as much as Verdugo. The french was missing the little bit of extra punch this time around in the finish, or maybe just luck wasn’t on his side. I am sure and hopeful he will try again. Verdugo meanwhile is just happy and got lucky. Everything, absolutely everything, was perfect for him today. What a glorious day!
Stage 15, Results
Rank
Name
Team
Time
1
Gorka Verdugo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
4h28'31
2
John Gadret
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
3
José Serpa
Lampre - Merida
+ 40
4
Vincenzo Nibali
Astana Pro Team
+ 1'34
5
Michele Scarponi
Lampre - Merida
+ 2'59
6
Bradley Wiggins
Sky Procycling
+ 3'20
7
Ryder Hesjedal
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
8
Rafal Majka
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 4'26
9
Domenico Pozzovivo
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 4'54
10
Rigoberto Urán
Sky Procycling
s.t.
Spoiler
11
Angelo Pagani
Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox
+ 5'31
12
Tejay Van Garderen
BMC Racing Team
+ 5'40
13
Beñat Intxausti
Movistar Team
s.t.
14
Stefano Garzelli
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
+ 5'54
15
Pieter Weening
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 6'02
16
Alessandro De Marchi
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 6'20
17
Tanel Kangert
Astana Pro Team
+ 6'39
18
Robert Gesink
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 7'02
19
Jan Bakelants
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 7'34
20
Samuel Sánchez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 8'25
21
Damiano Cunego
Lampre - Merida
+ 8'41
22
Franco Pellizotti
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
+ 9'42
23
Robert Kiserlovski
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 9'56
24
Janez Brajkovič
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
25
Matteo Rabottini
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
26
Ivan Basso
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
27
Andrew Talansky
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
28
Matthias Frank
BMC Racing Team
+ 10'16
29
Vasil Kiryienka
Sky Procycling
+ 10'46
30
Tiago Machado
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
31
Bauke Mollema
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 13'32
32
Tom Danielson
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
33
Stefano Pirazzi
Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox
s.t.
34
Chris Anker Sørensen
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
35
Tobias Ludvigsson
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
36
José Rujano
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
37
Warren Barguil
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
38
Rob Ruijgh
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 14'05
39
Ivan Santaromita
BMC Racing Team
+ 14'55
40
Rinaldo Nocentini
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 15'46
41
Maxime Monfort
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
42
Cadel Evans
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
43
Juan José Cobo
Movistar Team
+ 16'19
44
Diego Rosa
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
45
Laurens Ten Dam
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
46
Thomas Damuseau
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
47
Emanuele Sella
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
+ 16'52
48
Francesco Reda
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
+ 20'05
49
Francesco Failli
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
50
Kanstantsin Siutsou
Sky Procycling
+ 20'26
51
Thomas Peterson
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 21'33
52
Christian Vande Velde
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
53
Miguel Rubiano
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
54
Riccardo Chiarini
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
55
Rohan Dennis
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
56
Javier Moreno
Movistar Team
s.t.
57
Fabio Felline
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
58
Winner Anacona
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
59
Rafael Valls
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
60
Jens Voigt
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
61
Matthew Busche
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
62
Egor Silin
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
63
Christophe Riblon
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
64
Alexandre Geniez
FDJ
+ 22'27
65
Evgeni Petrov
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
66
Andrey Amador
Movistar Team
s.t.
67
Sandy Casar
FDJ
s.t.
68
Andriy Grivko
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
69
José Herrada
Movistar Team
s.t.
70
Gianluca Brambilla
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 23'19
71
Giampaolo Caruso
Katusha Team
s.t.
72
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
s.t.
73
Xavier Florencio
Katusha Team
s.t.
74
Jérôme Pineau
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
75
Stephen Cummings
BMC Racing Team
+ 25'46
76
Dries Devenyns
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
77
Ricardo García
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
78
Lieuwe Westra
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 26'46
79
Pablo Lastras
Movistar Team
s.t.
80
Bart De Clercq
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
81
Salvatore Puccio
Sky Procycling
s.t.
82
Jelle Vanendert
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
83
Serge Pauwels
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
84
Diego Ulissi
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
85
Maxim Belkov
Katusha Team
s.t.
86
Gorka Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
87
Juan José Oroz
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
88
Jackson Rodríguez
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
89
Ian Boswell
Sky Procycling
s.t.
90
Daniele Pietropolli
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
91
Tom Slagter
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
92
Timothy Duggan
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
93
Vladimir Gusev
Katusha Team
s.t.
94
Oliver Zaugg
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
95
Stef Clement
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
96
Michel Kreder
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
97
Ioannis Tamouridis
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
98
Tim Wellens
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
99
Kevin De Weert
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
100
Matteo Montaguti
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
101
Anthony Geslin
FDJ
s.t.
102
Kristof Vandewalle
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
103
Marco Marcato
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
104
Marcus Burghardt
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
105
Jérémy Roy
FDJ
s.t.
106
Adam Hansen
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
107
Mads Christensen
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
108
Fabian Wegmann
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
109
Bob Jungels
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
110
Alexey Tsatevitch
Katusha Team
s.t.
111
Yohan Offredo
FDJ
s.t.
112
José Joaquín Rojas
Movistar Team
s.t.
113
Francesco Bongiorno
Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox
s.t.
114
Francisco José Ventoso
Movistar Team
s.t.
115
Mauro Santambrogio
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
116
Miguel Mínguez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 28'00
117
Alexey Lutsenko
Astana Pro Team
+ 28'31
118
Thor Hushovd
BMC Racing Team
+ 28'48
119
Paolo Tiralongo
Astana Pro Team
+ 30'03
120
Frantisek Rabon
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 32'18
121
Benoît Vaugrenard
FDJ
s.t.
122
Sonny Colbrelli
Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox
+ 32'58
123
Michael Mørkøv
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
124
Enrico Barbin
Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox
s.t.
125
Luka Mezgec
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
126
Andrea Guardini
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
127
Stuart O'Grady
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
128
Alexander Kristoff
Katusha Team
s.t.
129
Cayetano Sarmiento
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
130
Tomas Vaitkus
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
131
Luke Durbridge
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
132
Nacer Bouhanni
FDJ
s.t.
133
Tyler Farrar
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
134
Michael Schär
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
135
Rafael de Mattos Andriato
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
136
Rory Sutherland
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
137
Fabio Sabatini
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
138
William Bonnet
FDJ
s.t.
139
Yauheni Hutarovich
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
140
Cameron Wurf
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
141
Jonathan Monsalve
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
142
Jens Keukeleire
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
143
Samuel Dumoulin
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
144
Mattia Gavazzi
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
145
Wesley Sulzberger
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
146
Theo Bos
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
147
Leigh Howard
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
148
Alessandro Petacchi
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
149
Bert De Backer
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
150
Lloyd Mondory
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
151
David Millar
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
152
Tosh Van der Sande
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
153
Manuel Belletti
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
154
Ian Stannard
Sky Procycling
s.t.
155
Jonas Vangenechten
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
156
Cristiano Salerno
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
157
Gaetan Bille
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
158
Lars Ytting Bak
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
159
Robert Vrecer
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
160
Jonas Ahlstrand
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
161
Moreno Hofland
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
162
Alexander Porsev
Katusha Team
s.t.
163
Maarten Tjallingii
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
164
Elia Viviani
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
165
Oscar Gatto
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
166
Ben Hermans
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
167
Arnaud Demare
FDJ
s.t.
168
Kris Boeckmans
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
169
Gianni Meersman
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
170
Fumiyuki Beppu
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
171
Baden Cooke
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
172
Adam Blythe
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
173
Manuele Mori
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
174
Koen De Kort
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
175
Kenny Van Hummel
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
176
Jure Kocjan
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
177
Sacha Modolo
Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox
s.t.
178
Ariel Maximiliano Richeze
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
179
Lucas Sebastián Haedo
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
180
Ben Swift
Sky Procycling
s.t.
181
Nikolas Maes
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
182
Pim Ligthart
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
183
Maciej Bodnar
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
184
Matthew Hayman
Sky Procycling
+ 35'32
185
Jacopo Guarnieri
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
186
Kevin Hulsmans
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
+ 38'17
187
Hayden Roulston
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
188
Rüdiger Selig
Katusha Team
s.t.
Sánchez meanwhile gets another load of time handed to him, while Nibali defeats his opponents yet again. Later on, when all the favourites have already crossed the finish line, it starts to snow on the Col du Galibier. A vivid picture but for me a clear sign that I need to head to the podium ceremony.
Since I don't think I've commented here earlier, I also thought I'd say that I really like your style of reporting. Big fan of the long, detailed reports and the 'text-walls'.
@The Rider: Yeah, he truly outperforms at this Giro d'Italia. Taking two stage wins is great for a 34-year old rider who hasn't won a single race before in his career. Plus, since he has a good lead in the MT ranking, his chances for maglia azzura are looking excellent. Definitely the best week of his professional career.
@welker3257: Thanks mate. Mjam, bananas.
@Pellizotti2: Thanks! Seeing as your reports are some of the finest I've ever read, I'm glad that you appreciate my style of reporting. Hope you continue reading. Edited by Shonak on 27-12-2013 17:25
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
Thanks mate! I agree, I prefer stage wins any day of the week over some Top 10 ranking.
Well, Sánchez lost chunks of time today on Gesink once again as he had a bad day but of course we will try to crack Top 10.
I wonder if I should make another interview, this time with Giro's surprise performer Gorka Verdugo. Hmmm...
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
@Dippofix: Maybe I should send next year an entire squad of Gorkas to the Giro. Imagine the possibilites.
Giro d'Italia, May 2013
Zakur told me that I can't interview Gorka Verdugo on the rest day. Verdugo had lots of interviews with basque, spanish and international journalists. Apparently Zakur sees me as annoyance and he is made this clear by now. I hoped to catch Verdugo off-guard somewhere but when I met him, he told me he needed to rest. I understand that, but the joy in his eyes after 2 wins in one week is overwhelming.
Stage 16
The early very long downhill makes this stage maybe perfect for an early breakaway which can get easily time to the peloton. Euskaltel – Euskadi have already taken 3 stage wins so far at this year’s Giro d’Italia, but that won’t stop our guys from trying their chance today too and maybe spreading a bit of mayhem along the way, can help Samu improve in the overall classification. It’s however a perfect transition stage after the rest day, and many riders will want to try their chance today, while the GC contenders want to reserve their energy as much as possible for the coming tough stages.
There’s long way to go down. Jure Kocjan wasn’t perfectly positioned but this is a stage that might suit him, especially if the break manages to get to the finish. Right now, he tries everything to get ahead to the other riders who are merely meters away from him. The landscape is stunning, I think.
The riders head into the first mountain of today. It’s not a particular tough climb but the riders have invested a lot to get a decent gap to the peloton. In fact, it was already pretty hard for Kocjan to catch up in the downhill and flat section. Puccio, Voigt, Morkov and Amador set a very high pace and were probably knowing that every rider that comes to their little group will decrease their chances of a victory today. After Kocjan joined, other riders managed to get to the group too. Rabon, Jelle Vanendert and De Backer are the new arrivals. Kocjan needs to recover some energy while also participating in the relay. The high pace of the group pays off though: Already over 4 minutes lead to the peloton after the first 60 kilometers.
Lighthart is the last rider who wants to get into the group. He nearly managed at the mountain summit however the group just snatched away before he got to them. Obviously the dutch rider has made this far on his own and won’t let this couple of seconds get into a possible stage win.
Crash by J.J. Oroz. Zakur screams at him while the rider gets up. I lend him a hand by picking up the bike. He has some injuries but is sure to carry on.
There’s a good harmony in the group and they make a perfect group in this long downhill. With over 140 kilometers, they still have a very long way to go, and are sure to need each other if they want to make it against the peloton. Astana hasn’t shown much interest so far to catch the riders, but any team hoping for a stage win today, especially FDJ, are sure to pick up the pace sooner or later.
The group passes the intermediate sprint and no one of them is interested in it. Their legs feel the two weeks behind them and there’s no point in wasting energy. The riders can’t ride so easily, so fast as they wish and they fail at getting a truly big gap on the peloton. Still 55 kilometers to go and only a bit over 6 minutes lead, everything is still up for grabs – for either group. If this continues like that, than there won’t be much room for tactical plays.
Surprisingly, it’s only about 20 kilometers, the break is already in the final climb – and the lead has drastically increased! Astana became supposedly tired of working for the sprinter teams, have instead decided to rest their legs too. However, no sprinter team is willing to make the work instead of them, and this leads to a gap of 11’ minutes. Whoever wins today, it’s sure to be one of the riders in the break.
As soon as this develop reaches the break, the real fight for the stage win starts. Voigt and Vanendert are the first to attack. Kocjan wants to keep on the wheel. 4 riders seem to have dropped but still have a chance to come back.
The gradient is tough and steep. Kocjan doesn’t stand much chance at such a hill and can’t hold up with Amador and Voigt. Vanendert though is the strongest and rides away. Now it’s time to conserve energy as much as possible while catching the three guys ahead of him.
No day without attacks from the favourites. With Scarponi, Wiggins and Hesjedal still being fairly close, they will obviously try to snatch any second from each that’s possible. Sánchez and Euskaltel don’t care too much about these games.
Puccio has caught up to Kocjan and probably was way smarter with his energy. Vanendert and Voigt are quite far ahead, but a strong downhill could make all the difference.
Intxausti and Hesjedal are the ones who clearly take it the farthest with the attacks today. Nibali leads Scarponi, Wiggins and Majka up the hill, about 50 seconds behind. Sánchez is in the peloton and, as we said, we don’t care too much about these games anymore.
Nibali has dropped Wiggins and Scarponi and is sure to catch up to Hesjedal and Intxausti.
Well, we can obviously don’t hold to our words it seems. Sánchez took chance of the steady peloton up the hill and rode a fast pace up. This allowed him to get out of the group and now he uses his excellent downhilling to maybe snatch up to Group Wiggins. Samu is obviously so good at downhilling he can even drink his bottle at full speed. What a man!
Voigt might have been the only one who could have prevented Jelle Vanendert victory today, but the german couldn’t manage to catch up to the belgian puncheur.
Jelle Vanendert takes the stage win under the eyes of the spying zeppelin.
Spoiler
As a reward he later gets a tree ahead of his nose. How nice.
Jure Kocjan will be the fifth of today. Utterly done but he has shown a good performance today.
Sánchez is back in the group with T.J. Van Garderen and Gesink. He didn’t quite manage to catch up to Group Scarponi, who in turn at least catched the Nibali group. Intxausti could be now the only one who profits of the time gap and pass Van Garderen on the overall rankings. Majka is in the group too and looks eager to get some more time on the American too.
Van Garderen snatches Group Nibali in the bunch sprint thanks to the other riders in the group. Sánchez and Gesink lose ground on the final sprint but who cares about that by now? And alas, they get all the same time anyway.
Stage 16, results
Rank
Name
Team
Time
1
Jelle Vanendert
Lotto Belisol
6h10'48
2
Jens Voigt
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 44
3
Andrey Amador
Movistar Team
+ 1'29
4
Salvatore Puccio
Sky Procycling
+ 2'24
5
Jure Kocjan
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 4'05
6
Michael Mørkøv
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
7
Frantisek Rabon
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 5'16
8
Pim Ligthart
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
9
Bert De Backer
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
10
Ryder Hesjedal
Garmin - Sharp
+ 9'15
Spoiler
11
Vincenzo Nibali
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
12
Beñat Intxausti
Movistar Team
s.t.
13
Rigoberto Urán
Sky Procycling
s.t.
14
Franco Pellizotti
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
15
Rinaldo Nocentini
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
16
Damiano Cunego
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
17
Andrew Talansky
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
18
Bauke Mollema
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
19
Vasil Kiryienka
Sky Procycling
s.t.
20
Matteo Rabottini
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
21
Bradley Wiggins
Sky Procycling
s.t.
22
Michele Scarponi
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
23
Rafal Majka
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
24
Ivan Santaromita
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
25
Tanel Kangert
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
26
Tom Danielson
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
27
Robert Kiserlovski
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
28
Domenico Pozzovivo
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
29
Janez Brajkovič
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
30
Tejay Van Garderen
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
31
Robert Gesink
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
32
Samuel Sánchez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
33
Tiago Machado
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
34
Fabio Felline
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
+ 10'50
35
Cadel Evans
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
36
Emanuele Sella
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
37
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
s.t.
38
Chris Anker Sørensen
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
39
Stefano Garzelli
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
40
Laurens Ten Dam
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
41
Juan José Cobo
Movistar Team
s.t.
42
Ivan Basso
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
43
Diego Rosa
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
44
Marco Marcato
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
45
Mauro Santambrogio
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
46
Francesco Failli
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
47
Sonny Colbrelli
Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox
s.t.
48
Gianluca Brambilla
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
49
Stephen Cummings
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
50
Tom Slagter
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
51
Stefano Pirazzi
Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox
s.t.
52
Marcus Burghardt
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
53
Matthias Frank
BMC Racing Team
+ 12'49
54
Nacer Bouhanni
FDJ
s.t.
55
Gorka Verdugo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
56
Ben Swift
Sky Procycling
s.t.
57
Sacha Modolo
Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox
s.t.
58
Tyler Farrar
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
59
Arnaud Demare
FDJ
s.t.
60
Francisco José Ventoso
Movistar Team
s.t.
61
Elia Viviani
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
62
Alexander Kristoff
Katusha Team
s.t.
63
Alessandro Petacchi
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
64
Theo Bos
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
65
Yauheni Hutarovich
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
66
William Bonnet
FDJ
s.t.
67
Anthony Geslin
FDJ
s.t.
68
Luka Mezgec
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
69
Alexey Tsatevitch
Katusha Team
s.t.
70
Sandy Casar
FDJ
s.t.
71
Yohan Offredo
FDJ
s.t.
72
Fabian Wegmann
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
73
Enrico Barbin
Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox
s.t.
74
Xavier Florencio
Katusha Team
s.t.
75
Alessandro De Marchi
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
76
Benoît Vaugrenard
FDJ
s.t.
77
Javier Moreno
Movistar Team
s.t.
78
Pablo Lastras
Movistar Team
s.t.
79
Thomas Peterson
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
80
Tobias Ludvigsson
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
81
Maxim Belkov
Katusha Team
s.t.
82
Pieter Weening
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
83
Warren Barguil
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
84
Adam Hansen
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
85
Jérémy Roy
FDJ
s.t.
86
Riccardo Chiarini
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
87
Thomas Damuseau
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
88
Adam Blythe
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
89
Bart De Clercq
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
90
Thor Hushovd
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
91
Mads Christensen
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
92
Tim Wellens
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
93
Jonas Vangenechten
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
94
John Gadret
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
95
Christophe Riblon
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
96
Oscar Gatto
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
97
Daniele Pietropolli
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
98
Fabio Sabatini
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
99
Francesco Bongiorno
Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox
s.t.
100
Ben Hermans
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
101
Koen De Kort
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
102
Diego Ulissi
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
103
Gianni Meersman
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
104
Matthew Busche
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
105
Gorka Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
106
Jan Bakelants
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
107
Samuel Dumoulin
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
108
Miguel Rubiano
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
109
Bob Jungels
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
110
Michel Kreder
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
111
Rafael de Mattos Andriato
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
112
Kristof Vandewalle
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
113
José Serpa
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
114
Francesco Reda
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
115
José Joaquín Rojas
Movistar Team
s.t.
116
Winner Anacona
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
117
Jérôme Pineau
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
118
Maxime Monfort
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
119
Evgeni Petrov
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
120
Christian Vande Velde
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
121
Oliver Zaugg
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
122
Vladimir Gusev
Katusha Team
s.t.
123
Ian Boswell
Sky Procycling
s.t.
124
Dries Devenyns
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
125
Manuele Mori
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
126
José Rujano
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
127
Kanstantsin Siutsou
Sky Procycling
s.t.
128
Andriy Grivko
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
129
Rohan Dennis
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
130
Kevin De Weert
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
131
Angelo Pagani
Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox
s.t.
132
Juan José Oroz
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
133
Cristiano Salerno
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
134
Serge Pauwels
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
135
David Millar
Garmin - Sharp
+ 15'20
136
Jonas Ahlstrand
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
137
Ariel Maximiliano Richeze
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
138
Lieuwe Westra
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
139
Moreno Hofland
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
140
Kevin Hulsmans
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
141
Mattia Gavazzi
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
142
Rob Ruijgh
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
143
Michael Schär
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
144
Stuart O'Grady
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
145
Jens Keukeleire
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
146
Stef Clement
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
147
Timothy Duggan
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
148
Rafael Valls
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
149
Alexander Porsev
Katusha Team
s.t.
150
Leigh Howard
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
151
Cayetano Sarmiento
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
152
Hayden Roulston
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
153
Alexandre Geniez
FDJ
s.t.
154
Jackson Rodríguez
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela
s.t.
155
Kenny Van Hummel
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
156
Miguel Mínguez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
157
Ricardo García
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
158
Baden Cooke
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 16'41
159
Nikolas Maes
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
160
Gaetan Bille
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
161
Ian Stannard
Sky Procycling
s.t.
162
Wesley Sulzberger
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
163
Luke Durbridge
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
164
Rory Sutherland
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
165
José Herrada
Movistar Team
s.t.
166
Manuel Belletti
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
167
Matteo Montaguti
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
168
Rüdiger Selig
Katusha Team
s.t.
169
Alexey Lutsenko
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
170
Egor Silin
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
171
Jacopo Guarnieri
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
172
Paolo Tiralongo
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
173
Cameron Wurf
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
174
Andrea Guardini
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
175
Matthew Hayman
Sky Procycling
+ 17'29
176
Kris Boeckmans
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
177
Maarten Tjallingii
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 18'08
178
Lars Ytting Bak
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
179
Fumiyuki Beppu
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
180
Lloyd Mondory
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
181
Lucas Sebastián Haedo
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
182
Robert Vrecer
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
183
Tosh Van der Sande
Lotto Belisol
+ 20'11
184
Maciej Bodnar
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
185
Jonathan Monsalve
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
186
Ioannis Tamouridis
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
187
Giampaolo Caruso
Katusha Team
+ 21'04
Stage 17
It’s another flat stage before we hit the mountain time trial. I’d say that today not much can be expected from the overall contenders but my predictions have been awful so far and when I say, that nothing happens, that’s usually when stuff happens. And because we all want an exciting race and a little bit of superstition can’t do much harm, I am shouting in big letters: NOTHING WILL HAPPEN TODAY! Plus that climb 15 kilometers ahead of the finish sure will make for an interesting finish.
Well, it took a lot of work to get Tamouridis close to the break. It’s about 12 men big and Gorka Izagirre is already in it. Tamouridis is completely powered out but we wanted him to try to take his chance today too. Hopefully he will recover in time for the finish. Some strong riders are in the break like Geslin, Hushovd, Andriato or Rojas.
After 100 kilometers Zakur finally gives up on shouting to Tamouridis. The greek has ridden strong but just couldn’t close the gap and now is just powered out. So we wasted another good man, I think. Zakur is mad. But then again, when isn’t he? We still have Gorka Izagirre in the break, but with Tamouridis failure we lose any possible tactical advantage. With 80 kilometers to go, the peloton only has about 4 minutes gap to the break.
Still 70 kilometers to go and the riders pass through another city as it starts to rain like hell. Any spectators are truly best advised to not cross the cross-walk as the break and later the peloton heads through the streets.
We see men at work as the break heads into the last climb. Their time advantage on the peloton is quite small and they really have to work good together to make it over this hill. If they succeed, anything is possible today. It's freaking cold and dark up there.
The gap is less than a minute by now and Gorka Izagirre is the first one to try his luck at the mountain top. From here on out, 15 kilometers are still ahead of him but his chances might increase if only Christensen and Hansen are with him.
The second group is leaded by the Brazilian Andriato into the last 10 kilometers. They are between the peloton and the first three riders. Christensen, Hansen and Izagirre are not willing to get caught today.
5 kilometers to go and Gorka is still not willing to face the overwhelming odds. He attacks right out of the midst of things.
It’s not much use though. Christensen and Hansen managed to get back to him, and Gorka makes a last stand against the hordes of fast men behind him.
Modolo takes the stage win ahead of Kristoff and Mezgec. Tamouridis is the last to come into the finish. I suppose
Tamouridis can brace himself for a long, wild talk with Zakur. Honestly I think he has nothing to be ashamed of. He tried everything. It was a stupid move to begin with on team orders. But I doubt that Zakur will ever take the fall for anyone.
19.5 kilometers from Mori up to Polsa. Who will be the favourite? Well, it’s really only one name: Nibali, Nibali, Nibali.
I take a shot of Ruben Garcia as he gets caught by Blythe, close to the first and only intermediate time check. That’s okay. The only riders who will have to perform today are Samu and Gorka Verdugo, the rest can take it lightly.
Vrecer nearly got Minguez, who started 4 places ahead of him. There you see what a little bit of more effort can do today. Zakur is writing down his notes in haste and the entire team works hard on getting a good balance for Samu for the upcoming 20 kilometers. Things are looking good so far, as Vrecer takes the current best time, 8 seconsd ahead of Tiralongo. There are still a lot of riders left to come.
Gorka Izagirre is our last test run before things get serious.
Gorka Verdugo has the honor of riding in the jersey of the best climber today. This surely boosts him a bit, but looking at a great overall ranking, currently 16th, he sure doesn’t need any further motivation as he is equipped with it to the teeth.
Number 131 is our last rider to get into the race. Samuel Sánchez. How will he perform today? I cross my fingers. Meanwhile we know that Gorka is too exhausted for the last kilometer, so we advise Samu to take it a bit slower at the start.
He is doing good so far for the first kilometers. He is a bit behind his competitors but that’s okay, we intend to get this time back later on.
Nibali is the last one who exits the starting ramp of course. From here, the Italian has a decent way to go. About 20 kilometers are ahead of him and probably winning the Giro d’Italia for good. Although there are still 2 mountain stages left, it’s hard to imagine anyone able to challenge The Shark if he extends his lead today.
Samu is 43 seconds behind Talanksy at the time check. He is even 10 seconds slower than Gorka Verdugo. Obviously Zakur is mad about this, but I have a feeling that Samu knows what he does.
Verdugo heads into the last 5 kilometers. The current best time is held by Purito, 6 seconds ahead of Basso, 22 seconds ahead of Mollema.
How surprising! Nibali has the best time at the time check. He already sees Ryder Hesjedal ahead of him and a very tough last 10 kilometers too.
Verdugo shows that our power output plan is quite right. Pagani is two places ahead of him and he nearly catches him. Still, Pagani isn’t really someone to compare too, because the Italian is mostly because of breakaways in the Top 20. Just like Gorka Verdugo. He finishes 4th, 21 seconds behind current leader Brajkovic.
Samu heads into the final kilometer and is ready to give it all.
He sees Talansky on the horizon still, who just set a new best time. He won’t get better than Talansky but it’s important to not lose too much time on the American. Funnily enough: Samu finishes then 4th, 21 seconds behind Talansky. Yup. There’s a pattern to be spotted here.
It’s a clear victory for Nibali. The Italian leaves everyone clearly behind him. This Giro d’Italia is his to take for good now. Scarponi meanwhile passes Wiggins in overall classificationm and currently holds 3rd after Hesjedal.
Samuel Sánchez hasn’t managed to get into the Top 10 today. His signs of fatigue are clearly to be seen since the start of the second week and he only gets weaker. Only 2 stages left, hold on, Samu. “That’s not good”, he replies. “I want to have more chances left.” I understand that he wants to take a stage win. “So far, I have not shown my best. I need to get a grip fast.”
