Giro d'Italia 2021 Giro d'Italia, Stage 14: Cittadella – Monte Zoncolan 204 km

[Lequack]

Groupetto boys: "This climb isn't so hard"

 

[Anderis]

A Landa/Bilbao/Caruso combination for Bahrain could have actually given Ineos a fight, I think -- just as a Carthy/Martinez EF team could have...hope Dani's enjoying the paycheck (I'm sure he is!)

Martinez would most likely ride TdF this year if he stayed with EF.

 

[Cannavaro]

But the gearing used today for climbs such as Angliru or Zoncolan is very different, as far as I now. For these really steep climbs this can make a huge difference. Lance Armstrong is no good example, as in the TdF climbs are not that steep.

It will definitely make some difference. But keep in mind that Heras holds the record on Angliru by more than a minute with the gearing of 2000. So beeing faster than 2003 is great achievement (regardless of improvements in gearing).

 

[limak_]

Groupetto boys: "This climb isn't so hard"

Only Sagan having distinct views about that

Seems like two Polish riders used the climb for a friendly chat though.

 

[Mayomaniac]

The equipment is much better than in 2003 and especially the gearing - They should be riding a minute quicker.

Yeah, the gearing is probably a big difference on the steep part of the climb.
Gibo also didn't have this kind of train.
Just looking at the super steep part Bernal was 21 seconds faster than Gibo, impressive, but a lot of it comes down to modern gearing on those gradient.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1396127712524345346

 

[Leinster]

But the gearing used today for climbs such as Angliru or Zoncolan is very different, as far as I now. For these really steep climbs this can make a huge difference. Lance Armstrong is no good example, as in the TdF climbs are not that steep.

Looks like most GC riders were going with 39 front and 28-30 rear in 2003;

www.cyclingnews.com presents the 86th Giro d'Italia, 2003

autobus.cyclingnews.com

Lots of metal in there, too. Carbon hadn't completely taken over just yet.

What are Ineos running for stages with big climbs like today? Would they have a 32?

 

[Mayomaniac]

I have to say that Covi is riding a good Giro so far. 2nd on the Montalcino stage from the breakaway, in the gc group one day later and 3rd from the breakaway today.

 

[Blanco]

Martinez would most likely ride TdF this year if he stayed with EF.

He's riding the Giro now, what's the point?

 

[Krzysztof_O]

I haven't commented here for some time. Bernal confirming to be the strongest again showing off his VO2max in the finale. He's in the driving seat for victory but Yates is capable of competing with him in the 3rd week methinks (but none else). Remco seems to be running out of gas in the 2nd part of the race: after all it's his first GT ever after 9 months without racing.

 

[railxmig]

Ok, that may be a quite historic stage. Not because of racing but results. This might be the most unlikely podium in a long time as none of Fortunato (or maybe FORTUNATO!!1! ?), (s)Tratnik and Covi were in anybody's minds for today. Also Ciccone's result may change Giro for next few years with less to no TT (like TdF recently), less to no difficut surfaces and only climbing - close to how it was in the late 90's when Pantani, Gotti and Tonkov were ruling.

Losers of the day: Astana. They did all that work for no reason, and their leader got dropped. Ineos says thank you.

Señor Horner will either give them the prestigious Knuklehead Award or to Pistolero for that Madrid to Milano challenge. Honourable mention should go to both Benett and TGBM for just failing in general.

 

[Pantani_lives]

Losers of the day: Astana. They did all that work for no reason, and their leader got dropped. Ineos says thank you.

 

[titan31]

Losers of the day: Astana. They did all that work for no reason, and their leader got dropped. Ineos says thank you.

I'd add Affini in there too. All that work for Bennett to just completely suck.

 

[Eyeballs Out]

Losers of the day: Astana. They did all that work for no reason, and their leader got dropped. Ineos says thank you.

Better to try and fail than not to try at all. Meanwhile Ineos misses another stage win by not trying. Contador says thank you

 

[Anderis]

He's riding the Giro now, what's the point?

Did you read the quote I was replying to? Bolder said EF with Carthy and Martinez could give Ineos a fight here, but that was probably never going to happen anyway.

 

[Blanco]

Did you read the quote I was replying to? Bolder said EF with Carthy and Martinez could give Ineos a fight here, but that was probably never going to happen anyway.

Sorry, my mistake

 

[limak_]

I'd add Affini in there too. All that work for Bennett to just completely suck.

Then the one I'd call a looser is Bennett, definitely not Affini. Edoardo left his heart on the road today!

 

[Velolover2]

Did anybody notice the idiot who almost made Fortunato crash with 1.4 km to go? I had a flashback to the Bongiorno accident on the Zoncolan in 2014.

I see myself as a peaceful guy but he made me really angry. A heavy fine is the least they could do.

 

[topt]

I am just wondering is it normal that the better rider has to pull a worse teammate, you know like its happening with DQS; everybody has to work for the Belgians , DQS goal is I guess no rider in top 10 GC at the end

 

[Mayomaniac]

Did anybody notice the idiot who almost made Fortunato crash with 1.4 km to go?

I see myself as a peaceful guy but he made me really angry. A heavy fine is the least they could do.

The biggest idiots always seem to appear on the Zoncolan...

 

[CyclistAbi]

Congratulations to Lorenzo Fortunato for winning Zoncolan.

Bernal and Ineos look strong and as only more mountains are ahead in week 3 i feel that Bernal could win this one by a large margin. Maybe Yates can still challenge Bernal but i wouldn't hold my breath.

Evenepoel will likely struggle in week 3 and as he is losing a bit on gravel, on punchy finishes, climbing ... Not sure is Almeida will help all that much in week 3. Top 10 would be a nice achievement on this Giro.

Tratnik. In his own words, ***! He was on a mission today and nearly made it. Respect. Tratnik, Roglič, Pogačar, Mohorič ... Not complaining at all.

P.S. Enough for now from my side and directly from Zoncolan back to Eurovision Song Contest.

 

[geisterhome]

The field is freaking stacked. Just because one guy is overperforming and some are underperforming doesn't mean that there aren't many great GC riders here. Honestly just the presence of Pog or Rog could really turn it up a notch imo.

Right now we have 7 real GC riders left, Caruso, Ciccone, Vlasov, have never been near the top 5 in a CG. Carthy and Buchmann each have 1 good GT result. Of them Buchmann I would say is a tiny bit below top shape, Carthy isnt reaching new hights either. Caruso is 33 and we kind of know what he can do and what he normally cant, him being in 3rd place is a strong indicator that this field isnt the strongest right now.

 

[Velolover2]

The biggest idiots always seem to appear on the Zoncolan...

Yeah, I was about to add Fortunato to my notes. And there is no consequences for aggressive spectators unless an actual crash is occurring.

 

[Lequack]

Did anybody notice the idiot who almost made Fortunato crash with 1.4 km to go? I had a flashback to the Bongiorno accident on the Zoncolan in 2014.

I see myself as a peaceful guy but he made me really angry. A heavy fine is the least they could do.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Isn't this guy Ivan Basso?

 

[topt]

he also pushed him up the climb, roglic got a penalty for that