Giro d'Italia Giro d’Italia 2024, Stage 19: Mortegliano - Sappada, 157k

[Extinction]

G is afraid to let Arensman attack while 3rd at the moment. What makes you believe that suddenly he'd find his aggressive self if he's fighting for the win? DFM has no reason to attack and O'Connor seems a bit weaker than both.

That's because Pog's in the race with such a massive lead. G rides defensively, doesn't have the legs to go with Pog and neither does Arensman, who is in a difficult situation because he can't make the difference anyway and if he tries he attacks a teammate. Dani Martinez, who also can't go with Pog, is maybe a bit stronger than G uphill, but not sufficiently to attack without risking it backfire, so he just holds his GC position. O'Connor is ill and doesn't have it anyway.

If Pog weren't here, Ineos would use both G and Arensman to try and put Martinez in trouble. Martinez would look to gain time on them, so would have to attack at some point. Ok, so none of them could be attacking like Pog, but in a tight GC between them some attacks would have to take place. Otherwise we'd get the one-trick pony, like Hindley did to Carapaz. In this case, you probably are correct.

 

[Extinction]

I don't think so. For some time other guys have been racing as if Pogacar didn't exist. Thomas mentioned it multiply. It's actually a better tactic than blowing up after following Pog. It's just that none of those guys is much better than the rest and doesn't have an offensive mindset so their racing is not interesting. Ok, I get that maybe higher risks would've been taken if the victory was at stake but we saw last year's Giro - no Teddy and GC action was poor as well. It's about the riders, their relative strength and mindset.

I suppose Yavor and you have a valid point, my thing, however, is that without Pog, somebody would have to try something, because nobody is sufficiently better or has a safe enough buffer not to attack.

 

[Tim Cahill]

Pogacar in 'energy saving mode for the tour'

Though I suppose a big part of this is Trek acting like dogs on heat chasing down every random pro conti breakaway

#	YEAR	AVG. SPEED
1	2024*	42.4	view
2	2013	40.113	view
3	2018	40.111	view
4	2016	40.058	view
5	2017	39.875	view

 

[will-10]

My heart says Pellizzari, my head says Pogacar (by accident)

 

[KZD]

Given the numbers of teans that are yet to win a stage, I think we can expect a 'fuga bidone' to happen maybe even with a UAE rider in it (Pogačar will save his last attack for tomorrow).

I am going with Pellizari just because it would be cool for him to win after the events of stage 16.

 

[Ilmaestro99]

Pogacar in 'energy saving mode for the tour'

Though I suppose a big part of this is Trek acting like dogs on heat chasing down every random pro conti breakaway

#	YEAR	AVG. SPEED
1	2024*	42.4	view
2	2013	40.113	view
3	2018	40.111	view
4	2016	40.058	view
5	2017	39.875	view

Every gt used to always have one of those old school breakaway days, when everyone in GC decided they and their teams wanted a rest day, so they let a breakaway of donkeys get 15 minutes and fight the stage. And the peloton all sit there listening to Philippe Gilbert comedy routine.

Now it's literally non stop every stage chasing hard because all teams think they can win the sprint.

 

[Brullnux]

Pogacar in 'energy saving mode for the tour'

Though I suppose a big part of this is Trek acting like dogs on heat chasing down every random pro conti breakaway

#	YEAR	AVG. SPEED
1	2024*	42.4	view
2	2013	40.113	view
3	2018	40.111	view
4	2016	40.058	view
5	2017	39.875	view

Also fairly easy route, and the hardest stage had a stiff tailwind. But anyway, record speeds in every race is just 2024 vibes.

 

[Nick2413]

Pogacar in 'energy saving mode for the tour'

Though I suppose a big part of this is Trek acting like dogs on heat chasing down every random pro conti breakaway

#	YEAR	AVG. SPEED
1	2024*	42.4	view
2	2013	40.113	view
3	2018	40.111	view
4	2016	40.058	view
5	2017	39.875	view

Is that a list of fastest of the last x years or fastest ever? 5% faster is no joke even with the way this is being ridden

 

[Tim Cahill]

Is that a list of fastest of the last x years or fastest ever? 5% faster is no joke even with the way this is being ridden

As far as I can tell its the fastest ever, though not sure how far back PCS records go

Fastest editions of Giro d'Italia .

#	YEAR	AVG. SPEED
1	2024*	42.4	view
2	2013	40.113	view
3	2018	40.111	view
4	2016	40.058	view
5	2017	39.875	view
6	2022	39.868	view
7	2010	39.707	view
8	2015	39.625	view
9	2021	39.523	view
10	2019	39.393	view
11	2023	39.244	view
12	2020	39.226	view
13	2014	39.161	view
14	1983	38.937	view
15	2003	38.928	view
16	2011	38.758	view
17	1984	38.681	view
18	1998	38.57	view
19	2004	38.542	view
20	2006	38.294	view

 

[topcat]

Sappada was the stage finish in 1987 when Roche "followed the breaks" and put over 6 minutes into his team leader Visentini. Hopefully Arrensman can take inspiration from Roche and slay the Welsh dragon.

 

[Tim Cahill]

That group will be brutal trying to get back, like 10 rouler/tts

 

[Salvarani]

Vendrame lol

Clownish behavior

 

[pastronef]

Sheffield in the break. just for info, his Kask helmet price is 375 euro. I checked yesterday. WTF

 

[Unterlenkerfahrend]

Jens Voigt got the information from somewhere that the average speed has been 69km/h so far and is wondering if that information can be correct. Jesus wept put this guy back on the motorbike please.

 

[Netserk]

Visma-LAB making good use of their remaining riders. Making moves, covering moves and backing off behind.

 

[pastronef]

ah sure, Alpecin chasing like mad men once again. ffs

 

[Salvarani]

Visma-LAB making good use of their remaining riders. Making moves, covering moves and backing off behind.

Doesnt seem to be working.

 

[Netserk]

ah sure, Alpecin chasing like mad men once again. ffs

Plus mercenaries from Down Under.

 

[AmRacer]

Alpencin killing themselves again.

 

[Netserk]

Doesnt seem to be working.

How so?

 

[Brullnux]

Between Alpecin, DSM, Ineos, Alaphilippe, we've had some very esoteric tactics this Giro.

 

[DJ Sprtsch]

...and Movistar, but ok, nothing new there.

 

[Samamba]

Not sure about the criticism here, pretty normal teams chase this when they're not in the break? This is their last chance, and still plenty of time to make a new break.

 

[Salvarani]

How so?

They are not getting much out of it.

 

[Tim Cahill]

The much better strategy would've surely been get a counter-move going and join up with them, they're going to catch it and realise oh *** we've nobody left.