Giro d'Italia Giro d'Italia 2025, Stage 11: Viareggio > Castelnovo ne’ Monti (186 km)

[yaco]

UAE was foolish to lead the chase to Carapaz. He was in 9th place on GC, with four other teams that would have defended their positions ahead of him.

UAE hardly chased with Majka riding tempo at the front.

 

[YavorD]

UAE was foolish to lead the chase to Carapaz. He was in 9th place on GC, with four other teams that would have defended their positions ahead of him.

I don't think so. Carapaz is only 2 minutes back and there's no obvious stage he will drop some time on.
And if I'm UAE, I wouldn't feel comfortable having Carapaz 1 minute back before Finestre.

 

[broppo]

Plapp indicated that he had great legs but that he was pretending to be bad and therefore never pulled. He seemed to be very proud of this successful strategy!

 

[Rackham]

Plapp indicated that he had great legs but that he was pretending to be bad and therefore never pulled. He seemed to be very proud of this successful strategy!

Since Van Aert made wheelsucking cool on Sunday, everyone wants to be the new Rui Costa. I like it.

 

[Pippo_San]

I liked the attacking spirit of Richard! Way to go man! Some guts and balls finally.

Also, Del Toro. I'm really starting to like the guy. He really doesn't give a *** about Ayuso or anyone. I totally approve!

 

[Unchained]

Nah he has the look for "younger" fashion!

Micro-gain for Ciccone? he lost 16 seconds to Carapaz because of Lidl's tactics. And if they got the tactics right in stage nine they would have taken another minute from Roglic. They've been too greedy and forgot about their GC rider.

Still the way I see it. Trek brought everything together, lots of work, Trek ( Ciccone) getting 3rd, respectable and for Ciccone he had the choice you pose..race against Carapaz taking a suicide move chance, or race Del Toro, Tiberi, Ayuso, Roglic, Yates squared, Tom Pidcock, couple others,
I see his group behavior as smart racing, trying to counter after Carapaz jumped, maintain it,
the difference is two things, time gained or lost against multiple riders, or roll dice and possibly get second to Richard, sounds like lots and lots of downside with only a third of the race completed.
I think smartest play is to stay inside yourself like Pidcock, Yates, Ayuso, Tiberi don't take enormous risks unless you really feel your legs are fantastic. I personally am super impressed with Trek 40% win statistic and getting Italian rider in 3rd when that looked impossible at @30k, 20k out..definitely a good result.
I agree with your post race observation about stage 9..But as far as negative mental baggage, If I were racing for Trek in stage 11 instead of recalling stage 9, would think about our win in stage 10!! Would also be thinking as I previously brought up, Mads Pedersen could only contribute in a limited way, anywhere he could help he did!! Cycling News headline says " I do my job" yes Mads you did your job to perfection!! Trek is impressive!!
Anyone who is not in awe of Pedersen's last few months of racing, doesn't know racing!! Guy is prepared, tactically strong and has done things to improve on his weaknesses. And as if things couldn't get more Mads positive, Pedersen made career decision to stay with Trek because of history and future with the team!! Guy gushing with praise for support he feels from team.. I don't see how some of the positive vibes coming out of camp Trek can't help but benefit Ciccone!!

 

[proffate]

Plapp indicated that he had great legs but that he was pretending to be bad and therefore never pulled. He seemed to be very proud of this successful strategy!

why would he say this. The point of this strategy is deception. It didn't work out today because of Mads, but you're just screwing yourself over for next time by announcing this. Plappy is not the sharpest rock on the volcano.

 

[proffate]

Is Vacek confirmed there? I saw Konrad and Verona but not Vacek.

Slightly odd that Mads caught up again but no Vacek. Maybe he's getting tired. Could have been a good stage for him with fresher legs. Or maybe he was intentionally saving his legs for later.

 

[awavey]

It was painted especially for the Giro and had the actual Giro trophy in a window - of course it was planned mate

a happy coincidence then

sadly from the helicam view, which seemed to be the default view down the valley, I couldnt see the trophy, and they could easily have wrapped a train in pink just to promote the race as advertising across their network

its not like was it TdF or Tour de Suisse last year ? where the train actually ran along the same road the race was on paced along side them, had the mayor and local dignitries/vips on board, very visibly connected, this train ended up the other side of a river and in a forest at one point.

and with Matt commentating the riders were shouting venti, venti, which sounded alot more like a train horn at the time to me, so I wasnt sure if they were just ignoring it was even there.

 

[KZD]

Great win for El Jaguar Carapaz showing that he still has a chance of winning this Giro as he is usually very strong in third week.

Very strong UAE team with Del Toro looking good and getting a 6 bonus seconds, Ayuso and Roglič didn't look great once again.

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

When Pog isn't racing, racing is pretty fun to watch.

 

[QueenStagiaire]

When Pog isn't racing, racing is pretty fun to watch.

Meh, depends. With Carapaz, Bernal and Ciccone, definitely. With G Thomas, not so much.

 

[noob]

View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nBO4RRJm7pY


Omfg this guy is so awkward 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 He's so adorable. Absolutely not used to media, picking his nose on camera. I'm dying 🤣 😭 😂 😂😂😂

 

[CyclistAbi]

Congratulations to Richard Antonio Carapaz Montenegro for winning the stage with style.

Such a good use of San Pellegrino, Pedersen tempo up the climb and Pedersen chasing down the breakaway after the climb. Somewhere in between that a lot of serenity involved, UAE drilling it softly with the whole falange, Rogla isolated, breakaway happy. It seemed that finally a balance was reached, then no, breakaway caught, Carapaz making it stick.

 

[red_flanders]

Really a nice attacking win, but I can't help but wonder if the juice was worth the squeeze. Not saying in any way that he shouldn't have attacked, but that was a lot of effort for 14 seconds on Del Toro and 20 on pretty much everyone else. UAE smartly used only their domestiques, if you can call Yates such, to reel him back.