Giro d’Italia 2024, Stage 16: Livigno – Santa Cristina Valgardena/Sankt Christina in Gröden (Monte Pana), 202.0k 206.0k

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What's stopping the same materials and gear being used to create cold-weather cycling kit? Nothing, it's just that there's a lack of a need for it, because the roads would be unsafe at the temperatures it would be needed at.

That is my point. Hansen's letter cited the cold as the danger, but the cold is not what causes the problem, because, if equipped for it, they could easily race in the sub-zero temperatures. Hell, cyclocrossers already do on occasion. It's the road conditions at those temperatures that make racing in them unsafe for road cycling, not the temperatures themselves.
That, and the fact that the pressure to get results will have risk-takers crashing out more GC guys. There is only one safe position under those conditions and it is at the front.
Anyone who has sailed into a sudden hailstorm at speed knows how blindly terrifying it is. You can't see, skin feels like it's being peeled off and you don't dare slow down or change line for fear of causing a crash. It only takes minor misjudgements to cause serious damage and that was what they were expecting.
 
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I really don't understand why Moviestar did what they did (sending Pelayo Sanchez and then pulling him back??? e.g.), but I am happy with the Pogi win. This was both cold blooded and very controlled, but also a very strange win, it's more like he couldn't help but go faster than the rest, rather than aggressively trying to take a win.
 
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I'm sorry, but cycling news reporting of the incident as "farcical" at the start of today's stage, and then O'Connors' statements afterwards are unexceptable, bordering on racist tropes about Italians and Italian organization. And I'm not one to defend Vegni, who often is inadequate, but I think folks need to realize that the UCI decided to move the Giro two weeks earlier on the calendar and this brings about immense challenges with regards to racing over iconic passes like the Stelvio, Gavia, etc. Massive effort goes into clearing the passes of snow beforehand, to only then be told it's not possible. TV shares depend on these "queen stages", which the team sponsors bank on to get a commercial return on their investments. And all of this too for the fans, who watch on television to see the riders go over these mythical mountains. So it's not something that the Giro can easily depart with, because without such high passes the race doesn't live up to its history. A history that plays a significant role in drawing a fanbase (which CN immensely depends upon for readership), which, in turn, attracts sponsors, who pay the riders' salaries (O'Connor should thus have a bit more respect). If this were a repeated issue at the Tour or Vuelta, I bet the outcomes would not be much different. The future risks a Giro without these passes, which would be a shame. Plus the teams were told an hour before the start that, while departing from Livigno, they would not ride over the pass, but they insisted upon going to Prato allo Stelvio. This left the mayor and fans waiting for the riders who never showed up.
 
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I really don't understand why Moviestar did what they did
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Martinez already did the damage to Thomas. Now can Thomas hang on to 3rd?
idk but this is what Arensman had to say, who apparently also had a flat tyre just before the Pinei

Thymen Arensman is, to say the least, not a fan of short and explosive efforts. However, the Dutch rider from INEOS Grenadiers was still one of the better climbers on the steep Monte Pana during the sixteenth stage of the Giro d’Italia. And that was after a far from flawless lead-up to the climb.

"I had to deal with a flat tire five kilometers before the first climb (referring to the Passo Pinei)," Arensman began his account with Eurosport. "I was already at my limit on the first climb. I never expected to do so well, especially because the climb was very punchy. I'm usually bad at that, but this was a good performance. I'm already looking forward to the longer climbs, which normally suit me even better."

"Today's final climb was really very explosive. I expected to lose time, but I did fairly well. Our team leaders told us to just ride the climb as fast as possible. I actually went a bit too fast from the start and had to pay for it somewhat. But I'm satisfied with this outcome."
 
idk but this is what Arensman had to say, who apparently also had a flat tyre just before the Pinei

Thymen Arensman is, to say the least, not a fan of short and explosive efforts. However, the Dutch rider from INEOS Grenadiers was still one of the better climbers on the steep Monte Pana during the sixteenth stage of the Giro d’Italia. And that was after a far from flawless lead-up to the climb.

"I had to deal with a flat tire five kilometers before the first climb (referring to the Passo Pinei)," Arensman began his account with Eurosport. "I was already at my limit on the first climb. I never expected to do so well, especially because the climb was very punchy. I'm usually bad at that, but this was a good performance. I'm already looking forward to the longer climbs, which normally suit me even better."

"Today's final climb was really very explosive. I expected to lose time, but I did fairly well. Our team leaders told us to just ride the climb as fast as possible. I actually went a bit too fast from the start and had to pay for it somewhat. But I'm satisfied with this outcome."
Imo Arensman (and also Tiberi) benefitted from the bad weather and the tempo on the 2nd half of Pinei. If everyone is fresh those 2 are not 3rd and 4th strongest rider on such a finish.
 
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