Giro d’Abruzzo 9 to 12 April 2024 (2.1)

[Rob5091]

4 Stages for warming up for the Giro. From the RCS website https://www.giroditalia.it/en/news/il-giro-dabruzzo-has-been-unveiled/
The first stage is slightly bumpy with a flat finale, which will most likely end in a bunch sprint on the streets of Pescara.

The second stage is more undulating, despite a perfectly flat roll across the Fucino, with some climbs in the finale that will trim down the peloton before a select group final sprint.

A full mountain day, featuring Monte Sirente at the start and, past the plain around L’Aquila, the climbs of the eighth stage of the Giro d’Italia: Croce Abbio (the western side of the Passo delle Capannelle, which is not reached) and Prati di Tivo.

The last stage is very wavy with a lot of elevation gain, but no major ascents. The riders will tackle the Forca di Penne and Castel del Monte climbs, both with gradients of around 4/5%, which will also feature in the route of the 2024 Giro d’Italia Women a few months later.

All 4 stage profiles at https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/giro-d-abruzzo/2024/route/stage-profiles

Startlist at https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/giro-d-abruzzo/2024/startlist
UAE should dominate with A Yates, Ulissi & Sivakov, but the real heavyweight challenge and the only guys we'll be watching is of course Froome and Pozzovivo.
Edit add- website at https://www.ilgirodabruzzo.it/ (in Italian and English)

and roadbook at https://www.ilgirodabruzzo.it/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/oU9wjSSVQi5jujljbdGs_050424-013603.pdf

 

[Rob5091]

Stage 1 - tuesday 9th - Vasto to Pescara 161 km Start 11.50 CET, TV from 13.50 CET

2,000 m of climbing so not so sprinter friendly. We go along the coast, inland and then back to the coast to the finish.

Weather wise, looks good for the week, about 20C and some clouds but no rain.

 

[Lequack]

Can't believe the last edition was almost 20 years ago, in 2007!

 

[Lexman]

If Weemaes can hang on it might be a great opportunity to get a stage win...but ther's as well Kanter, Bonifazio and Malucelli...

 

[Devil's Elbow]

UAE could also just decide to make the first (and second) stage hard for Ulissi or last-minute addition to the startlist Christen. Not like they need to conserve their resources in this field...

 

[Rob5091]

Yep, UAE have a strong team and young Christen (not 20 until June!) has a chance to shine, as does a lot of other guys in this race. Hopefully we'll see a few new stars of tomorrow.

 

[TourOfSardinia]

So retro: Pozzovivo v. A.Yates v. Froome

 

[Rob5091]

No Froome ....

 

[TourOfSardinia]

No Froome ....

This is becoming a habit.

 

[DNP-Old]

If Weemaes can hang on it might be a great opportunity to get a stage win...but ther's as well Kanter, Bonifazio and Malucelli...

Guatibonza will smoke them all.

 

[DNP-Old]

I've got my eye on Pavel Novak, a very young Czech with Colpack. High level amongst the juniors, recent winner of Trofeo Piva. This would also be a good time for Max van der Meulen to show he still has some of those mythical climbing legs he displayed in the Classic of the Alps some time ago. There's also Ciro Perez, a personal favorite of mine. Uruguay noma.

Also, the nephew of one Mario Cipollini is in this race.

 

[Rob5091]

Stage 1 - Tricky finish down the descent to the right hander, but then pancake flat to the finish.

 

[scribers]

This is becoming a habit.

This is exactly how I would play it. Collect a big check, create a little startlist hype, but mostly relax in warm climates on the beach etc.

 

[Rob5091]

Stage 11 of this year's Giro will also run up along the same coast (but not go inland) and finish just south of Pescara at Francavilla al Mare. As the last 100 km are along the flat beach road it will probably end in a bunch sprint. (info at https://www.giroditalia.it/en/tappe...24-foiano-di-val-fortore-francavilla-al-mare/ )

 

[DJ Sprtsch]

I wonder if today is the day where Max Kanter gets his first win.

 

[QueenStagiaire]

I wonder if today is the day where Max Kanter gets his first win.

No

 

[Laplaz]

That was close

 

[DNP-Old]

UKYO GODS.

 

[pastronef]

ah shame I hoped Team UKYO could get the win

 

[DNP-Old]

Quaranta > Cipollini.

 

[DNP-Old]

I don't really care who wins, but the photo finish is screaming dead heat to me.

 

[DJ Sprtsch]

Is it even 1mm?

https://twitter.com/x/status/1777695860656152888

View: https://x.com/ilGirodAbruzzo/status/1777695860656152888

 

[search]

no idea what this means in actual distance, but you can see the black of the tire between those two green lines. So it seems to be fairly "clear" who won.

 

[Rob5091]

So, so close, but no cigar for Malucelli, so chapeau to Zanoncello & Bardiani!
UAE's best, young Christen, but 44.17 km/h for a 2.1 race over 2,000 m of climbing and 161 km. Jeez, junior style racing! (4 guys are only 18 so I think that's a good description!)
Feel sorry for the 4 guys who OTL'd even with 11% over the time which was just 24 minutes.

 

[Rob5091]

Stage 2 tomorrow Wednesday -
Alanno to Magliano de' Marsi, 162 km. Start at 11.20 CET and TV from 13.50 CET

Major climb of the day comes early, Monte Urano

I'd expect some of the GC guys might have a dig over the last lumpy bits before the descent to the finish.