Giro d'Italia Giro d'Italia 2024 Stage 2: San Francesco al Campo – Santuario di Oropa (Biella), 161.0 km

[Samu Cuenca]

Budget Van Aert Fiorelli will wear the ciclamino, fitting

Fiorelli is like a Pizza quattro stagioni where they've forgot to add other ingredients than artichokes and olives.

 

[Netserk]

If Narvaez manages to hang on or even win tomorrow, we might have a race on our hands!

favourite for the tour

 

[Tim Cahill]

Carlton Kirby is that you?

You would think that was his firstborn son taking the line, crack in his voice like he's holding back the tears.

 

[Rob5091]

It seems to be Bora who can give UAE a run for their money. Be interesting to see how it goes to Oropa with Lipowitz, Schachmann & Martinez. Also the more Bora can push now, the better the chances for Roglic in the Tour.

 

[CyclistAbi]

Pogi time or the Giro opening didn't went according to his expectations. Considering his form i feel he is in a good position to win this stage. As for UAE team, not sure if they can reduce the GC group to shambles so the race likes still not over.

 

[Izzyeviel]

Does anyone know who's doing the live timing for the Giro? It ain't Tissot.

 

[QueenStagiaire]

Does anyone know who's doing the live timing for the Giro? It ain't Tissot.

Tudor

 

[movingtarget]

Pogacar will probably do what he wanted to do yesterday and has a better finish this time for larger time gaps. Or they decide they don't want the pink this early in the race. But they could still dump it off on the next few stages while getting a gap on his rivals on this stage probably. Think the latter is more likely.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

Tudor

Alex Krieger to win both Time Trials

 

[sam6]

Ineos should absolutely let the break take it, even just to let the bonis go

If they do, the jersey will go to the break though

The jersey is a big deal for them as, realistically, they are not winning the overall

They should at least do the thing that gives them a chance of keeping it, even if it is unlikely

 

[Rob5091]

Overheard on the UAE buss,
"No, this team cycling is n't working. Teddy, go back to attacking from 50 km out. You other guys, keep Teddy with lots of bidons gels etc."

https://velo.outsideonline.com/road...issed-opportunity-for-giro-ditalia-stage-win/

I Tried, I Gave Everything:​

Something's amiss then.

 

[Squire]

Overheard on the UAE buss,
"No, this team cycling is n't working. Teddy, go back to attacking from 50 km out. You other guys, keep Teddy with lots of bidons gels etc."

https://velo.outsideonline.com/road...issed-opportunity-for-giro-ditalia-stage-win/

Something's amiss then.

It's quite clear that he really tried hard. His final desperate attack to get rid of Narvaez near the top is the most Vansevenant-esque I've seen Pogi, I think. But I believe it says more about how good Narvaez was, rather than hinting at any weakness for Pogi.

 

[staubsauger]

I'm a bit surprised to see Rubio being so close. These early hilly stages aren't his cup of tea normally are they @Escarabajo ? Einer is going to lose a huge amount of time in the TT of course. That could be precisely the gap he needs to be allowed to go on longe-range attacks in the final week. Where normally as a lightweight climber he should improve.

Quintana was surprisingly good as well. For Bardet the time loss was horrible, for Quintana who everyone expects to be fully of shape it's even calming given he likely improves as the race goes on. At least a stage win and / or the mountains jersey suddenly looks a realistic possibility again.

Arensman can lose some time in the first week. Keep the gap in check with the TT. Then he's allowed to go on long-range attacks once race win for Pogacar is decided, but the race for 2nd & 3rd is completely open and uncontrolled. Since UAE lets escapes go. It's a big gamble by the Netherlander, but it could actually still pay off. As long as Thomas isn't still in the fight for the podium. But then Arensman never was anything else than a workhorse to control the race eventually.

Today I expect Teddy to make a big move with 3k to go. Little personal mtt once he's gapped everyone. Then he kicks again for the final 1.5k. He could get 0.45 up to a minute including bonus seconds already.

 

[shadowrider]

It was obvious Poga overestimated his team and himself after the overwhelming start to the season.
He was a bit too far in the group when the last climb started. Poga had to waste some strength by rushing to the front. His first acceleration was therefore not flashy. Some riders were able to follow and Naervaez was even able to move up to the wheel of Poga. The second accelaration was (almost) decisive. But not as spectacular as in previous races. Narvaez was able to follow and Schachmann lost only a few lengths.
Today, I guess, Poga will attack at 3 or 4 km of the finish and destroy the field.

 

[dazaau]

It's quite clear that he really tried hard. His final desperate attack to get rid of Narvaez near the top is the most Vansevenant-esque I've seen Pogi, I think. But I believe it says more about how good Narvaez was, rather than hinting at any weakness for Pogi.

Indeed. It was a short stage on day one. Much harder to win than later on in the race when legs are shot or after another 80-100k like a classic.

Narvaez gets full credit though, monster effort and win.

 

[solo80k]

Pogi can win this pretty easily if his team is able to control the pace. UAE weren't convincing on stage 1, in fact they were looking extremely weak (maybe except Majka, but he wasn't great either). I think Ineos should try to keep the jersey anyway, they tend to be very strong in the Giro since Tour GC win is game over for their current team.

 

[Red Rick]

Ineos should go for max chaos. Ganna in break with Arensman

 

[Lequack]

Unfortunately Gesink is out after yesterday's crash. Sad to see.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1787029682136793441

View: https://twitter.com/vismaleaseabike/status/1787029682136793441

 

[Red Rick]

Sad way to end your likely last GT

 

[QueenStagiaire]

Sad way to end your likely last GT

According to PCS he‘s down for the Vuelta and Visma will probably try to let him race an appropriate last race.

 

[topcat]

Unfortunately Gesink is out after yesterday's crash. Sad to see.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1787029682136793441

View: https://twitter.com/vismaleaseabike/status/1787029682136793441

Did he fracture his hand in the crash or from punching his bike?

 

[staubsauger]

Pogi can win this pretty easily if his team is able to control the pace. UAE weren't convincing on stage 1, in fact they were looking extremely weak (maybe except Majka, but he wasn't great either). I think Ineos should try to keep the jersey anyway, they tend to be very strong in the Giro since Tour GC win is game over for their current team.

Still better than Podenzana, Conti & Sergio Barbero! 😄

 

[Rob5091]

Did he fracture his hand in the crash or from punching his bike?

He was not Mr Happy after the crash, that's for sure. Seemed like someone rode into him.

 

[search]

Today is a big day for Jan Hirt. He'd like to go for GC again in this Giro, but if he is not with the best today, he may need to work for Merlier instead the coming days.

 

[KZD]

Today could be a good day for the breakaway however it depends on how UAE and Ineos handle things. I don't think neither of them should chase for the stage win however I think UAE will do it and Pogačar will likely drop everyone on the final climb and take the leader's jersey.

Interesting to see if the riders that suffered more yesterday (Arensman, Bardet, Lipowitz) will manage to perform better.

Sad to see Gesink having to abandon another Grand Tour due to a crash.