- Sep 26, 2020
- 25,241
- 27,661
- 23,180
Obviously they should have realised it by now, but I also think the organisers could sometimes do more to highlight it on the road.
- Sep 26, 2020
- 25,241
- 27,661
- 23,180
Kopecky can be happy with that. Last year she lost twice as much to Longo Borghini. I know they're saying she isn't here for GC and we also haven't yet seen her climb well this season, but you should never underestimate her.
- May 5, 2010
- 51,428
- 30,016
- 28,180
but are SDWorx, SDWorxing it again, whose the rider the team are supporting for GC, Kopecky or AvdB ?
- Sep 26, 2020
- 25,241
- 27,661
- 23,180
- Apr 13, 2021
- 7,363
- 19,331
- 17,180
- Feb 20, 2010
- 33,057
- 15,237
- 28,180
SD Worx are supporting Anna with Danny in the car.
Kopecky is supporting Kopecky come what may.
- Sep 26, 2020
- 25,241
- 27,661
- 23,180
With the way she's riding this year it is definitely a possibility. Her team is also quite capable. Kopecky can't take the jersey just from winning the stage tomorrow.
the form shes had lately, absolutely possible, especially if the other teams drop the ball so to speak.
- Sep 26, 2020
- 25,241
- 27,661
- 23,180
Stage 2: Clusone - Aprica, 92 km
Official start at 12:00
Expected finish at around 14:30
It's been 10 years since Pauline Ferrand-Prévot emerged victorious in Aprica after dropping Francesca Cauz towards the line. She is not here to defend the victory, but 14 other riders that rode that stage are taking part again this year, including the eventual GC winner Anna van der Breggen (3rd), Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio (5th), Alena Amialiusik (6th) and Lucinda Brand (7th), who all finished in the top 10 on that day.
In 2015, they started in Trezzo sull'Adda, southwest of Bergamo and then rode through the town before continuing east towards Lovere at Lago d'Iseo. This time they're beginning in Clusone from where they'll head southeast to Lovere. From here on the route is pretty much identical, although the map from 2015 suggests they followed the SS42 for most of it rather than the smaller, parallel roads they will be using today. In total it means that this stage is 35 km shorter than last time.
There are no categorised climbs before the finish, despite a short hill through Bienno (approx. 2.5 km at 5% avg.) that could have been granted cat. 4 status on a different, but there is an intermediate sprint after 69 km, which will hand out 6, 4 and 2 bonus seconds.
While the road goes uphill for the majority of the last 40 km, most of it is false flat. That means that more riders will be able to attack, but it will also make it harder to succeed. We'll see how the teams will approach the steepest section of Aprica. This is where you have to make sure you get rid of Lorena Wiebes, if you're name is Lotte Kopecky. It is possible that she will be dropped naturally, but with an easy run-in you'll never know. If she isn't around at the finish, then this could be a good chance for Vos to add to her record. 10, 6 and 4 seconds will be awarded at the line.
Aprica has previously hosted 3 World Cup races in alpine skiing, but is of course better known for its relationship with the men's Giro. Having made its debut as a finishing point in 1962, it had to wait until the 90's before the town became a household name to cycling fans. Appearing at the end of hard days of climbing featuring among others Tonale, Gavia, Stelvio, Valico di Santa Cristina and last, but not least, Mortirolo, this place has found its place in the history books.
Now in isolation, today's stage is not horrible for an opening road stage, since you avoid the dangers of a bunch sprint, but it just doesn't feel right to make the Passo Aprica the focal point of any stage. I know it was the same back in 2015, but sometimes you should take the opportunity to correct the mistakes of the past. There's also an Oscar Wilde quote about things you should only try out once that comes to mind. They would have been better of using a similar finish somewhere else.
It would also have been quite easy to beef up this stage without making it extremely hard. There should be at least one QOM sprint before Aprica, thus actually giving a real incentive for anyone to attack in the first part of the stage. Anyway, it is what it is.
Official start at 12:00
Expected finish at around 14:30
It's been 10 years since Pauline Ferrand-Prévot emerged victorious in Aprica after dropping Francesca Cauz towards the line. She is not here to defend the victory, but 14 other riders that rode that stage are taking part again this year, including the eventual GC winner Anna van der Breggen (3rd), Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio (5th), Alena Amialiusik (6th) and Lucinda Brand (7th), who all finished in the top 10 on that day.
In 2015, they started in Trezzo sull'Adda, southwest of Bergamo and then rode through the town before continuing east towards Lovere at Lago d'Iseo. This time they're beginning in Clusone from where they'll head southeast to Lovere. From here on the route is pretty much identical, although the map from 2015 suggests they followed the SS42 for most of it rather than the smaller, parallel roads they will be using today. In total it means that this stage is 35 km shorter than last time.
There are no categorised climbs before the finish, despite a short hill through Bienno (approx. 2.5 km at 5% avg.) that could have been granted cat. 4 status on a different, but there is an intermediate sprint after 69 km, which will hand out 6, 4 and 2 bonus seconds.
While the road goes uphill for the majority of the last 40 km, most of it is false flat. That means that more riders will be able to attack, but it will also make it harder to succeed. We'll see how the teams will approach the steepest section of Aprica. This is where you have to make sure you get rid of Lorena Wiebes, if you're name is Lotte Kopecky. It is possible that she will be dropped naturally, but with an easy run-in you'll never know. If she isn't around at the finish, then this could be a good chance for Vos to add to her record. 10, 6 and 4 seconds will be awarded at the line.
Aprica has previously hosted 3 World Cup races in alpine skiing, but is of course better known for its relationship with the men's Giro. Having made its debut as a finishing point in 1962, it had to wait until the 90's before the town became a household name to cycling fans. Appearing at the end of hard days of climbing featuring among others Tonale, Gavia, Stelvio, Valico di Santa Cristina and last, but not least, Mortirolo, this place has found its place in the history books.
Now in isolation, today's stage is not horrible for an opening road stage, since you avoid the dangers of a bunch sprint, but it just doesn't feel right to make the Passo Aprica the focal point of any stage. I know it was the same back in 2015, but sometimes you should take the opportunity to correct the mistakes of the past. There's also an Oscar Wilde quote about things you should only try out once that comes to mind. They would have been better of using a similar finish somewhere else.
It would also have been quite easy to beef up this stage without making it extremely hard. There should be at least one QOM sprint before Aprica, thus actually giving a real incentive for anyone to attack in the first part of the stage. Anyway, it is what it is.
- Jun 11, 2021
- 2,185
- 4,913
- 11,180
I have to admit, this kind of design makes for intriguing racing. A steep ramp followed by sort of 10km of false flat uphill to the finish is kind of rare.
Peleton scattered now, let's see who comes back or if there is cohesive pacing at the front.
Peleton scattered now, let's see who comes back or if there is cohesive pacing at the front.
- May 5, 2010
- 51,428
- 30,016
- 28,180
- Jun 11, 2021
- 2,185
- 4,913
- 11,180
Break might actually take this. No one has enough numbers to pace hard and it's hard to get sepparation at these gradients.
- Jun 11, 2021
- 2,185
- 4,913
- 11,180
The latter.
I think the race is in a weird spot for some riders regarding their preparation for the Tour. Add to that the terrible weather and I'm not surprised to see a lot of people dropping (Lippert for example as well) that normally have no business dropping before 20 other people on a 1km 11% section.
- May 5, 2010
- 51,428
- 30,016
- 28,180
- Feb 16, 2010
- 15,322
- 6,003
- 28,180
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