Trofeo Laigueglia 2022 (March 2)

[Devil's Elbow]

Time for the usual start of the Italian season with Trofeo Laigueglia. Covid helped it finally get the field it deserves again last year and fortunately, things have stayed that way.

Startlist (still including Gazprom, there has been nothing from the organisers on the matter)

The route
As far as I can tell, nothing has changed, and if there has, it isn't anything major.

The run-in features a number of longer climbs, starting with the uncategorised ascent to Arnasco (click the link, the forum software still refuses to insert images from certain sites and it's most common with Italian sites...). This is followed by the hardest climb of the day, Cima Paravenna.

The next climb is Capo Mele, from the side that is descended in the final circuit (and climbed in Sanremo).

This is followed by the climb to Testico, the profile below minus the final 5.2k.

They then enter the final circuit, which they do four laps of.

The deciding factor in the race is traditionally Colla Micheri.

A tricky descent is is followed by Capo Mele, barely a climb from this side, but very close to the finish.

The road then heads downhill into Laigueglia for a flat final kilometre.

The RAI broadcast starts at 15:00, which should be around the time they enter the circuit. No international broadcasting rights, unfortunately.

 

[RedheadDane]

I just feel a bit sorry for the guys whose names are so long, there's no room for them in full.

And of course; both a "Winner" and a "Champion" on the startlist.

 

[Jungle Cycle]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1498956826481733634

View: https://twitter.com/tuttobiciweb_it/status/1498956826481733634

 

[tobydawq]

I just feel a bit sorry for the guys whose names are so long, there's no room for them in full.

And of course; both a "Winner" and a "Champion" on the startlist.

I know, they must be devastated.

 

[sir fly]

Will Gazprom-Rusvelo be allowed?

 

[zigzag wanderer]

Will Gazprom-Rusvelo be allowed?

According to PCS, they didn't start today.

 

[Netserk]

A lot of eyes on Ponomar today. I'm sure he'll be highly visible in Tirreno too.

 

[Mayomaniac]

Not a fan of the Italian NT riding this and bringing lots of WT riders. The NT riding smaller stage races was supposed to be a chance for u23 guys to gain some experience riding against pros. It's now a bit obsolete because more and more Italian u23 teams have become CT teams, but still. An experienced guy like Oss as the road captain and young guys who aren't already pros would be fine. Instead it's 4 pros from bigger teams and 3 guys who aren't u23 riders...

 

[Devil's Elbow]

Not a fan of the Italian NT riding this and bringing lots of WT riders. The NT riding smaller stage races was supposed to be a chance for u23 guys to gain some experience riding against pros. It's now a bit obsolete because more and more Italian u23 teams have become CT teams, but still. An experienced guy like Oss as the road captain and young guys who aren't already pros would be fine. Instead it's 4 pros from bigger teams and 3 guys who aren't u23 riders...

The problem will solve itself for this season due to the Italian Gazprom riders losing their job, in that sense it's very fortunate that the Italian NT races so much more often than other countries' equivalents as it offers a back door in an unforeseeable scenario like this.

 

[search]

The problem will solve itself for this season due to the Italian Gazprom riders losing their job, in that sense it's very fortunate that the Italian NT races so much more often than other countries' equivalents as it offers a back door in an unforeseeable scenario like this.

they are working on a solution, trying to keep going under neutral flag

 

[Devil's Elbow]

they are working on a solution, trying to keep going under neutral flag

Even if the UCI allows them back as a ProTeam during the season, they still need a bike and wheel sponsor willing to work with a team funded in large part by the Russian state, keep that funding in the face of sanctions, and even then I don't think many organisers will be happy to invite them. Meanwhile the riders are not formally contracted to a UCI team now, so you'd think a few of them will be able to find a spot somewhere in the meantime.

Tldr: I don't see it happening.

 

[SafeBet]

UAE with a big attack. The whole team is in a front group of 22 riders.

Trek has nobody up front and is chasing. Gap almost one minute according to RAI. 50 km to go.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

Intermarché, Ineos, Astana and FDJ also well-represented. Will be hard to pull this back for the peloton, or what's left of it.

 

[Mayomaniac]

Astana is in a good position. Felline, Battistella and Velasco all have a good punch and a good sprint compared to the other riders in the group and with UAE having so many guys they don't have to do all of the work.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

For some reason UAE have decided that the best tactic is to have Covi attack solo on the first lap... Ineos working to close the gap. Peloton getting closer again as a result.

 

[SafeBet]

For some reason UAE have decided that the best tactic is to have Covi attack solo on the first lap... Ineos working to close the gap. Peloton getting closer again as a result.

Yeah not the best idea. They still have more than a minute though.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

Yeah not the best idea. They still have more than a minute though.

PCS ticker was claiming 50 seconds and nothing had been confirmed on-screen, I stand corrected.

 

[SafeBet]

PCS ticker was claiming 50 seconds and nothing had been confirmed on-screen, I stand corrected.

Well it's the Italian GPS we're talking about so we can't be 100% sure of the gap's entity.
Now apparently less than 50".

 

[Mayomaniac]

For some reason UAE have decided that the best tactic is to have Covi attack solo on the first lap... Ineos working to close the gap. Peloton getting closer again as a result.

Yeah, let the fastest guy that you have in the group waste energy and not someone like Formolo, who has to arrive solo to stand a chance.

 

[SafeBet]

UAE has like 5 riders in the group of 10.

 

[SafeBet]

Battistella, Gaudu, Dunbar and Formolo down.

 

[Salvarani]

Battistella, Gaudu, Dunbar and Formolo down.

Down?

 

[Devil's Elbow]

Crash on the descent with Gaudu, Battistella, Dunbar and others.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

UAE has like 5 riders in the group of 10.

Three of them were struggling on the climb though.

 

[tobydawq]

Weird seeing Porte in the front.

He has amassed a grand total of one top 5 placings outside the Australian Championships in his entire career.