2021 Giro d'Italia, Stage 19: Abbiategrasso - Alpe di Mera 166 km

[Fantastico]

Bernal knows today's final climb of Alpe di Mera very well. Not only he did a recon few months ago, but he also lived in that region for a couple of years so I suppose he rode up it many times. I couldn't find any information if Yates did any recon of it beforehand, like he did with Sega di Ala, which obviously helped him on that day. Meanwhile, Bernal rode Sega di Ala for the first time.

So today Yates won't have the same advantage over Bernal from knowing the climb, that had 2 days ago. On such demanding climbs it's a crucial knowledge that helps with the right pacing, choosing the right moment to attack or to limit the losses. I think it'll be super hard for Yates to gain any significant time today.

Reminds me of the interview with Buchmann a few days before his crash where he said that knowing a climb does not really help much in a race.

 

[RedheadDane]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1398151232015982594

 

[Eclipse]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1398151232015982594

A nice sentiment though a little bit tasteless using a photo of the wreckage to accompany it =/

 

[limak_]

Reminds me of the interview with Buchmann a few days before his crash where he said that knowing a climb does not really help much in a race.

Apparently he didn't know any of the climbs and tried to console himself.

Anyway, I think it also depends strongly of the rider's shape. If you're strong, have fresh legs, then it makes no diference for you if you know the climb or not, you just crush it no matter the length and the gradient.
But, when you're in the 3rd week of a GT and you have to manage your energy resources more carefully (otherwise you end up like Bernal) it could be helpful I suppose.

 

[HelloDolly]

There are so many possibilities for today but the way Matt White is talking it seems Bike Exchange will take the race on

The question is where will the race begin...Will BE wait or start early
EF 's best dom will have sore legs after yesterday so not sure what they can do as a team
Same with all the other teams ...and ineos will just control

I suspect it will be the few riders who want to come from behind / win the stage who will light up the race

 

[search]

Bernal knows today's final climb of Alpe di Mera very well. Not only he did a recon few months ago, but he also lived in that region for a couple of years so I suppose he rode up it many times. I couldn't find any information if Yates did any recon of it beforehand, like he did with Sega di Ala, which obviously helped him on that day. Meanwhile, Bernal rode Sega di Ala for the first time.

"Tomorrow is the only climb I know, I've reconned this climb" , is what Yates was quoted before the Sega di Ala stage. So apparently not.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Alpe di Mera is similar (but a bit easier) to Sega di Ala. Last 7 km at 10% should produce considerable gaps. No very high altitude, steepness, fair weather - I have reminiscences of stage 17. Another Yates attack is on the cards and it remains to be seen how Bernal responds. If it was just a bad day he shouldn't have problems here but if his back is worse then there could be more drama.

 

[Roku]

I expect the break to take it today while tomorrow should be for the GC.

 

[BlueRoads]

This is now a very boring stage until just before the end, but that's a good thing, so I can work more and also spend more time learning rider's names.

About the race: I guess to make it hard for Bernal I would generally advise to also make the flat hard, but I don't know if Yates of all people would profit from that?
And I'm a bit bewildered by how many people bring this down to just Bernal vs. Yates, when Caruso has a minute on Yates and should be the better, at least not worse, time trialer. Of course he doesn't really have the team left to do much, but he should always be in the equation.

 

[BlueRoads]

I expect the break to take it today while tomorrow should be for the GC.

I think Yates cannot leave this to tomorrow, he needs to see today whether Bernal just had a bad day. He needs to make up 3.30. If Bernal doesn't crack completely due to health reasons there is no way he loses that much time on one stage. And I'm now more inclined to think it's not the pain that's bothering him but the time-outs from training he had.
Also Yates, even if Bernal should be out of it, still needs to take time on Caruso and for that he needs aggressive racing, there's no hope that Caruso will just suddenly get worse.

 

[limak_]

And I'm a bit bewildered by how many people bring this down to just Bernal vs. Yates, when Caruso has a minute on Yates and should be the better, at least not worse, time trialer. Of course he doesn't really have the team left to do much, but he should always be in the equation.

The problem is, like it has been mentioned many times already, he's more than happy with the current situation and not very keen on being in the equation himslef.

 

[groogster]

Bike Exchange will try to push it hard through the climb of Passo della Colma to see if they can spot some weakness in Bernal and Yates to attack halfway the last climb.
They can't go all attack sooner because there's a tougher stage Saturday which I think will be hectic and decisive

 

[groogster]

I think Yates cannot leave this to tomorrow, he needs to see today whether Bernal just had a bad day. He needs to make up 3.30. If Bernal doesn't crack completely due to health reasons there is no way he loses that much time on one stage. And I'm now more inclined to think it's not the pain that's bothering him but the time-outs from training he had.
Also Yates, even if Bernal should be out of it, still needs to take time on Caruso and for that he needs aggressive racing, there's no hope that Caruso will just suddenly get worse.

I could be wrong but I don't see Caruso doing anything beyond following Yates and Bernal wheels

 

[topcat]

The hope for Caruso is that Yates attacks, Bernal cracks and Caruso follows Yates and gets time on Bernal. Caruso isn't going to do anything adventurous. It would be hilarious if Caruso wins the giro.

 

[BlueRoads]

The problem is, like it has been mentioned many times already, he's more than happy with the current situation and not very keen on being in the equation himslef.

Yes... but I mean for Yates especially. I wanted to emphasize that Yates, when he takes time on Bernal, still also needs to take time on Caruso, and because of the time trial I would imagine more than one minute. Now he looked like he can do it.
It's just that if he should totally focus on Bernal and how he's reacting, he shouldn't forget about Caruso. Well, I'm sure he won't. I just always feel the need to say "don't forget about that guy".

 

[BlueRoads]

For some reason I love the poll, although in general I don't like rhymes and alliterations.

 

[Rollthedice]

The hope for Caruso is that Yates attacks, Bernal cracks and Caruso follows Yates and gets time on Bernal. Caruso isn't going to do anything adventurous. It would be hilarious if Caruso wins the giro.

Great script, Hollywood approves. Yates attacks, Caruso glued to his wheel, Bernal cracks, Caruso wins the Giro. Tears of joy, Milano celebrates carusomania.

 

[limak_]

Yes... but I mean for Yates especially. I wanted to emphasize that Yates, when he takes time on Bernal, still also needs to take time on Caruso, and because of the time trial I would imagine more than one minute. Now he looked like he can do it.
It's just that if he should totally focus on Bernal and how he's reacting, he shouldn't forget about Caruso. Well, I'm sure he won't. I just always feel the need to say "don't forget about that guy".

As much as I don't see it very likely to happen - good point indeed. Playing a role of the "forgotten guy" could be very beneficial here.

 

[gregrowlerson]

Caruso = Carapaz?

 

[Lequack]

Great script, Hollywood approves. Yates attacks, Caruso glued to his wheel, Bernal cracks, Caruso wins the Giro. Tears of joy, Milano celebrates carusomania.

We need explosions, and the Latino riders dropping phrases like "Hey ese" and "you loco hombre" etc.

 

[SafeBet]

Not that there was any doubt about it but Bilbao told RAI the team's goal is to defend the podium spot.

My friend on Alpe di Mera tells me it's sunny and warm up there.

 

[ice&fire]

Caruso = Carapaz?

Interesting comparison.
Caruso led the chase of Carapaz between San Carlo and Courmayeur. They had him within 30s and the gap at the finish grew up to almost 2 minutes.

 

[Red Rick]

Not that there was any doubt about it but Bilbao told RAI the team's goal is to defend the podium spot.

My friend on Alpe di Mera tells me it's sunny and warm up there.

No surprises there to me. Caruso himself is already a reason for Yates to attack, he shouldn't only look at Bernal.

 

[MrTea1976]

Solar-powered Yates must be happy with the weather.

 

[gregrowlerson]

Solar-powered Yates must be happy with the weather.

We need Marc Soler to ride for him as super domestique.