102nd Coppa Bernocchi (October 4th, 2021)

[Devil's Elbow]

After today (yesterday)'s heroics, it's time to turn our attention to Italy for four straight days of 1.Pro races. The first of these is the Coppa Bernocchi, usually an opportunity for the (climbing) sprinters, although the expected rain and one Remco Evenepoel might have other thoughts...

Startlist

The route

The central part of the race is a circuit raced six times with the short climb to San Pancrazio and the main climb of the race, the Piccolo Stelvio. Contrary to what the PCS profile says, it's 1.6k at 7.2%, and with some good ramps too.

After the final ascent of Piccolo Stelvio, there's still 53k to go. Upon leaving the circuit, there are still three short hills to deal with: Ceppine (500m at 8%, maximum of 13%), Cairate (450m at 8.7%, maximum of 13%) and Gorla Maggiore (270m at 7.8% with some false flat beforehand incorporated in the PCS profile). These hills have their summits between 43 and 34 kilometres from the line, and the roads after this point are mostly wide and flat. The finish line is first crossed at 17.3k to go, the remainder of the race consists of three laps of the short, straightforward final circuit.

The finish should be a little after 4pm, the race is on Eurosport (and the channels of PMG Sport and L'Équipe - at least from 3pm onwards, so it's not unlikely that all six ascents of Piccolo Stelvio will be done and dusted at that point.,.).

 

[DoYouEvenRideBruh]

I usually prefer to watch races from the comfort of my couch, but I might be on the Piccolo Stelvio climb if it's not raining too hard. Six chances to see that sweet Remco/Masnada two-pronged attack!

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

I usually prefer to watch races from the comfort of my couch, but I might be on the Piccolo Stelvio climb if it's not raining too hard. Six chances to see that sweet Remco/Masnada two-pronged attack!

The only way Evenepoel will finish in front of Masnada, is if he is allowed to ride ahead in order to inform the organization to prepare for His Royal Masnada's arrival.

 

[SafeBet]

Weather forecast is dire. Should be raining the whole day.

 

[titan31]

Nizzolo looks the best option but then he also did Paris Roubaix yesterday so who knows what shape he's in.

 

[Ilmaestro99]

If viviani had his 2018 form he would be declared winner without even racing

 

[Orbit501]

Thanks to the OP for starting the thread. Nice post.

Molano looked really strong in Sicily. Weather forecast is for 100% rain though and not sure how he goes in this weather.

The weather, coupled with the ramps. Perhaps we'll see a rather reduced bunch sprint?

Good write up here: https://www.italy24news.com/sports/news/amp/122716

 

[hayneplane]

Is this race much harder than the profile suggests as otherwise it looks very odd for the startlist to include the likes of Pinot, Nairo Qunitana, Carthy, Dan MArtin and Nieve even accounting for them riding as a warm up to Lombardia.

 

[SafeBet]

1% of this peloton also started in Paris-Roubaix (2021) (1 out of 170).
And we know who that hero is.

 

[Orbit501]

Is this race much harder than the profile suggests as otherwise it looks very odd for the startlist to include the likes of Pinot, Nairo Qunitana, Carthy, Dan MArtin and Nieve even accounting for them riding as a warm up to Lombardia.

As always, depends how the riders decide to race it I suppose.

I would suggest those you mention above are here as warm up though.

 

[Orbit501]

1% of this peloton also started in Paris-Roubaix (2021) (1 out of 170).
And we know who that hero is.

I still can't quite get my head around that.
As was pointed out to me elsewhere, he's riding for a contract. But of all the unfortunate Qhubeka riders, I wouldn't have thought he'd have much trouble getting a contract elsewhere.

I always imagine anyone riding Roubaix needing to lay down for a few days afterwards
He was a DNF though, so I'm wondering how quickly he climbed off.

 

[SafeBet]

But of all the unfortunate Qhubeka riders, I wouldn't have thought he'd have much trouble getting a contract elsewhere.

I'm pretty sure as soon as the news about Qhubeka broke out his agent's phone started buzzing.
He brings home a lot of UCI points. And he does that on a consistent basis.

 

[RedheadDane]

Is this race much harder than the profile suggests as otherwise it looks very odd for the startlist to include the likes of Pinot, Nairo Qunitana, Carthy, Dan MArtin and Nieve even accounting for them riding as a warm up to Lombardia.

In Pinot's case it's probably very much a matter of "needing those race-miles".

 

[Nirvana]

As always, depends how the riders decide to race it I suppose.

I would suggest those you mention above are here as warm up though.

As far i remember in recent times the only time the break from the hilly circuit survived here was when Nibali went ballistic on the fall classics after the Vuelta sticky bottle DSQ. The race where usually the break survives is Agostoni.

Anyway with the little brat around maybe it's the right chance.

 

[RedheadDane]

It's quite lucky Legnano has a bunch of large doorways people can hide in!
Or... maybe it's the same one... exluding the one the INEOS guys is hiding in.

Meanwhile, some attacking has been happening, this has been the biggest gap anyone has gotten:

Situation

• 1
  
  
  

  1		17	BATTISTELLA Samuele
  2		41	EVENEPOEL Remco
  3		46	MASNADA Fausto
  4		61	PINOT Thibaut
  5		107	PUPPIO Antonio
  6		127	COVI Alessandro

• 2
  
  +0:33
  

  1		81	SOLER Marc
  2		93	SCHULTZ Nick

• P
  
  +0:58

 

[TomBonnen2005]

You asked, the kid did it... Situaton with 130km to go :

• G1 with Pinot, Remco, Masnada, Covi, Battistella, and Puppio
• 30'' G2 with Soler and Schultz
• 1' peloton

Edit: As usual when Remco drills the race, can we expect less than 60 finishers?

 

[Berflamand]

The Masnada/Remco attack is already happening!

120km to go with a break of 6:

Battistella
Masnada
Remco
Puppio
Covi
Pinot

 

[Devil's Elbow]

He literally attacked on the first climb.

 

[Ilmaestro99]

FAUSTOOOOOOOOOOOO

 

[RedheadDane]

Stars awarded in PCS game for riders in group 1.

#	RIDER	#STARS
1	EVENEPOEL Remco	611
2	COVI Alessandro	67
3	PINOT Thibaut	24
4	BATTISTELLA Samuele	2
5	MASNADA Fausto	1

@Ilmaestro99, that you?

 

[TomBonnen2005]

2'05" already, Masnada is on fire

 

[hayneplane]

Evnepoel and Masnada............its happening cue forum heatwave with Pinot sighting bonus points!

 

[tobydawq]

Can't he ever take a day off?

 

[RedheadDane]

Can't he ever take a day off?

Pretty sure that - apart from Nizzolo - all the lazy bastards in the race took a day off (from racing) yesterday.

 

[tobydawq]

Pretty sure that - apart from Nizzolo - all the lazy bastards in the race took a day off (from racing) yesterday.

In a race was of course what I meant.