The Passo di Mortirolo... The name strikes fear into the hearts of cyclists worldwide. Tomorrow it must be tamed. The Mortirolo is so dangerous because there is simply very little let up, much like the Zoncolan. When the climbing starts it doesn't stop until the peak is reached. If a rider gets dropped there is really little to no chance of recovery during the climb. It's 13 kilometers and 1'300m of near constant torture.
While the stage doesn't end at the top of the pass, history is not kind to those who get dropped on it. There's very little record of those who failed to stick to the best on the Mortirolo returning on the descent and the final, gradual climb to Aprica. The showdown we are all waiting for is Basso v. Evans; Massacre on the Mortirolo 2010 it would be billed by a boxing promoter. Can Basso, with the help of his team, crack the plucky Aussie? Or will Cuddles dig in and blast The Bass on the slopes to Aprica? Can Arroyo avoid the hemorrhage he suffered on the Zoncolan, like he did (to a certain extent) on the Kronplatz? We shall see.
My bet's on Basso though. I think he'll break his competition on the Mortirolo and stay away to take the stage, and put himself in the pink, and on course for overall victory.
While the stage doesn't end at the top of the pass, history is not kind to those who get dropped on it. There's very little record of those who failed to stick to the best on the Mortirolo returning on the descent and the final, gradual climb to Aprica. The showdown we are all waiting for is Basso v. Evans; Massacre on the Mortirolo 2010 it would be billed by a boxing promoter. Can Basso, with the help of his team, crack the plucky Aussie? Or will Cuddles dig in and blast The Bass on the slopes to Aprica? Can Arroyo avoid the hemorrhage he suffered on the Zoncolan, like he did (to a certain extent) on the Kronplatz? We shall see.
My bet's on Basso though. I think he'll break his competition on the Mortirolo and stay away to take the stage, and put himself in the pink, and on course for overall victory.

