Giro d'Italia Giro d’Italia 2024, Stage 18: Fiera di Primiero – Padua, 178.0k

[SHAD0W93]

Impressive sprint from Merlier, he beat Milan while also starting the sprint from a non-ideal position. I think its the first time he wins a GT stage in the second or third week.

A bit of a throwback to last year for Milan starting his sprint from the back and finishing second in the end.

Hopefully he’s finally coming over the hump on his ability deteriorating as a GT progressed.

 

[proffate]

kaden groves complaining that he was in the wind too long. Apparently starting with a 25 bike length head start is a disadvantage.

edit: just timed it. Groves was in the wind for all of 7 seconds. Merlier for 6 seconds and Milan 14 more or less.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Hopefully he’s finally coming over the hump on his ability deteriorating as a GT progressed.

Nah, it just proves that the time limits are a joke
- Red Rick, probably

 

[Red Rick]

Nah, it just proves that the time limits are a joke
- Red Rick, probably

I literally had typed it out but I didn't want Tim Merlier to get upset again

 

[Volderke]

Merlier is maybe a bit simple in his statements, but he keeps things simple and he has the right mindset of a sprinter that is mentally ready to go for the win: every time he gets an opportunity to sprint, he delivers. In about 10 other teams he would get a lead out train and be on the Tour team. He is currently responsible for 1/4th of points in his team and thus should be high in the pecking order, but he still has to do with small races and the Giro. I hope they send him once at the Vuelta so he can get in the club of 3-GT state winners.

 

[Berniece]

Merlier is maybe a bit simple in his statements, but he keeps things simple and he has the right mindset of a sprinter that is mentally ready to go for the win: every time he gets an opportunity to sprint, he delivers. In about 10 other teams he would get a lead out train and be on the Tour team. He is currently responsible for 1/4th of points in his team and thus should be high in the pecking order, but he still has to do with small races and the Giro. I hope they send him once at the Vuelta so he can get in the club of 3-GT state winners.

Isn’t he going to the Vuelta this year? Or will he want to do the EC? It’s a flat course in Belgium this year.

 

[Ricco']

kaden groves complaining that he was in the wind too long. Apparently starting with a 25 bike length head start is a disadvantage.

edit: just timed it. Groves was in the wind for all of 7 seconds. Merlier for 6 seconds and Milan 14 more or less.

Groves bike throw was awful. Merlier and Milan managed to put 2 extra pedal strokes after Groves throwed his bike

 

[Brullnux]

The same happened with Merlier in two other stages. Merlier also could have won those stages with a better lead-out or with a bit of luck.

They're at quite a similar level in terms of speed, imo. Milan probably a bit more consistent and then also has a better lead out.

 

[CyclistAbi]

Congratulations to Tim Merlier for winning the sprint.

 

[search]

When he saw that Milan lost his train yesterday, Dainese tried to trick Consonni to still continue his leadout by shouting "Vai, vai Simo" - but unfortunately he noticed that it wasn't Milan talking to him

Vince Merlier, ma l'abbraccio di Padova è tutto per Dainese

In uno sprint confuso Tim Merlier concede il bis. Beffa Milan, ma soprattutto Dainese che correva in casa. quante emozioni per Alberto

bici.pro

 

[shadowrider]

Some of the interviewers do have a way of asking at the very least ill-timed questions right after a race, it's as if they had never competed in sport themselves.

Indeed. Some (most ?) journalists and many people on this forum have never competed at that level, have never done a GT (or topsport in another sport) and have never ridden at 60/70 km/hour during the last km of a stage. Their provocative questions and comments are therefore completely misplaced.

 

[shadowrider]

They're at quite a similar level in terms of speed, imo. Milan probably a bit more consistent and then also has a better lead out.

Milan a bit more consistent and Merlier a bit faster. But above all, Milan is usually deposed by his team in front (the other sprinters always start their sprint two or three lengths behind). So Milan won twice. He achieved his third victory by jumping from Merlier's wheel. If Merlier had the same lead-out he would have won three or four times, and Milan probably one or two times.