- Apr 30, 2011
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From @Eshnar's excellent 2022 Giro d'Italia: Stage-by-stage Analysis thread: https://forum.cyclingnews.com/threads/2022-giro-ditalia-stage-by-stage-analysis.37819/#post-2691567
Stage 9: Isernia – Blockhaus 189 km
Sunday, May 15th, 11:35 CET
Technical Overview:
The second weekend ends with a very serious mountain stage in the Appennines, with the hardest MTF of the race. The stage is a bit different than originally presented, and in this case the changes have been for the better, as the first half of this stage is a lot more interesting. The fun begins right at the starting town of Isernia, where the riders will immediately climb the first climb of the day, the Valico del Macerone (GPM3, 3.5 km at 5.4%), a very short and easy climb with a long history in the Giro, before facing its quick descent. At the bottom, the road will rise again, a lot steeper this time: Rionero Sannitico (GPM2, 10.1 km at 6%) is a proper climb, with steep sustained sections and only a couple of easy kms in the middle. What follows is a descending false flat rather than a descent, and after around 10 km the peloton will hit another climb, Roccaraso (GPM2, 7.7 km at 6%), that brings to another highland without a proper descent. After this blistering start, the riders will get some breath along the rolling terrain that follows, which mostly comprises descending false flats and gentle slopes. The road will keep undulating until the town of Pretoro, at 54 km to go. Here, the riders will head south towards the Majella massif, where they will be staying for the rest of the stage. The ascent to Passo Lanciano (GPM1, 10.3 km at 7.6%) is not particularly hard from this side, but will wear legs nicely and probably favour some action by stage hunters or GC lieutenants. The descent is along a much steeper road, but it is not very technical, although it does get a bit tricky at the bottom. Here, at 27 km to go, the road will rise yet again gently (around 4-5%) up until Roccamorice, where the final intermediate sprint is located and the final climb starts. The mighty Blockhaus (GPM1, 13.6 km at 8.4%) is, as I said, the hardest MTF of this race. Its final 10 kms at 9.4% will do a lot of damage and probably revolutionize the general classification.
Final km:
The Climbs:
Valico del Macerone: GPM3, 3.5 km at 5.4%
A classic climb, used in the Giro many times. This is the easier side. Short and easy.
Rionero Sannitico: GPM2, 10.1 km at 6%
A good climb split in two by a short flat section that lowers the average gradient.
Roccaraso: GPM2, 7.7 km at 6%
A decent climb with a few good ramps. Here is the profile (up to km 10)
Passo Lanciano: GPM1, 10.3 km at 7.6%
This side of the Passo Lanciano is partly the same used in 2009 to reach the Blockhaus. The bottom half is new though, and it features a small descent and a steep ramp to make up for it.
Blockhaus: GPM1, 13.6 km at 8.4%
Same side used in 2017. It is a great climb that will cause a lot of damage to everyone. It is definitely the hardest MTF of the race, and has a strong case for being the hardest climb of this edition.
What to expect:
The first real all-out battle for the GC. I doubt any meaningful action can happen on Passo Lanciano, barring very ambitious team moves. The frantic start might help to spice things up.
Majella National Park
Stage 9: Isernia – Blockhaus 189 km
Sunday, May 15th, 11:35 CET
Technical Overview:
The second weekend ends with a very serious mountain stage in the Appennines, with the hardest MTF of the race. The stage is a bit different than originally presented, and in this case the changes have been for the better, as the first half of this stage is a lot more interesting. The fun begins right at the starting town of Isernia, where the riders will immediately climb the first climb of the day, the Valico del Macerone (GPM3, 3.5 km at 5.4%), a very short and easy climb with a long history in the Giro, before facing its quick descent. At the bottom, the road will rise again, a lot steeper this time: Rionero Sannitico (GPM2, 10.1 km at 6%) is a proper climb, with steep sustained sections and only a couple of easy kms in the middle. What follows is a descending false flat rather than a descent, and after around 10 km the peloton will hit another climb, Roccaraso (GPM2, 7.7 km at 6%), that brings to another highland without a proper descent. After this blistering start, the riders will get some breath along the rolling terrain that follows, which mostly comprises descending false flats and gentle slopes. The road will keep undulating until the town of Pretoro, at 54 km to go. Here, the riders will head south towards the Majella massif, where they will be staying for the rest of the stage. The ascent to Passo Lanciano (GPM1, 10.3 km at 7.6%) is not particularly hard from this side, but will wear legs nicely and probably favour some action by stage hunters or GC lieutenants. The descent is along a much steeper road, but it is not very technical, although it does get a bit tricky at the bottom. Here, at 27 km to go, the road will rise yet again gently (around 4-5%) up until Roccamorice, where the final intermediate sprint is located and the final climb starts. The mighty Blockhaus (GPM1, 13.6 km at 8.4%) is, as I said, the hardest MTF of this race. Its final 10 kms at 9.4% will do a lot of damage and probably revolutionize the general classification.
Final km:
The Climbs:
Valico del Macerone: GPM3, 3.5 km at 5.4%
A classic climb, used in the Giro many times. This is the easier side. Short and easy.
Rionero Sannitico: GPM2, 10.1 km at 6%
A good climb split in two by a short flat section that lowers the average gradient.
Roccaraso: GPM2, 7.7 km at 6%
A decent climb with a few good ramps. Here is the profile (up to km 10)
Passo Lanciano: GPM1, 10.3 km at 7.6%
This side of the Passo Lanciano is partly the same used in 2009 to reach the Blockhaus. The bottom half is new though, and it features a small descent and a steep ramp to make up for it.
Blockhaus: GPM1, 13.6 km at 8.4%
Same side used in 2017. It is a great climb that will cause a lot of damage to everyone. It is definitely the hardest MTF of the race, and has a strong case for being the hardest climb of this edition.
What to expect:
The first real all-out battle for the GC. I doubt any meaningful action can happen on Passo Lanciano, barring very ambitious team moves. The frantic start might help to spice things up.
Majella National Park
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