93rd Giro d'Italia - Stage 16 General Classification
Saxo Bank, Lampre/Farnese Vini, Cervélo TestTeam
comments after stage 16
© 210
Gazzetta dello Sport
2010 Giro d'Italia
Jersey Leaders - After Stage 16
Maglia Rosa: David Duran Arroyo Caisse
d'Epargne
Maglia Rossa:
Cadel Evans BMC Racing
KOM: Matthew Lloyd Omega Pharma/Lotto
U26: Richie
Porte Saxo Bank
Team: Liquigas/Doimo
Stage 16 ITT
Live
Tuesday 25 May
Team SKY's Fearless Kiwi Greg Henderson
Team Saxo Bank
Stefano Garzelli Superb - Richie Porte Third Overall
The Giro d'Italia peloton met with another spectacular event on today's 12.9
kilometer mountain time trial on the climb to Plan de Coronoes which was the
menu on stage 16. The initial 2.5 kilometers were merely the prologue of the
adventurous and epic drama awaiting the riders on the next 5 kilometers where
the average gradient was never below 10 per cent. The internal struggle in each
and every rider on the course finished with about 5 kilometers of sand sections
with gradients from 20 to 24 per cent. All in all, today's stage was a test
where only the strongest rider could win.
Neo Pro Richie Porte continues his remarkable Giro debut.
Photo © 2010 Fotoreporter
Sirotti
Team Saxo Bank's Richie Porte found a steady pace on the climb and did a
remarkably solid time trial in 43.45 minutes. He thereby extended his lead in
the young rider competition. The young Australian is now third overall as Ivan
Basso (Liquigas) passed him in the overall rankings.
Nobody was however able to distance Stefano Garzelli (Aqqua Sapone) who was
absolutely superb on the climb in 41.28 minutes.
”Luckily, the weather is pretty decent meaning the sand sections were ridable
but on the steepest spots of the climb, the back wheel had a hard time really
biting in to the surface. I was on the course early today which means I
practically have another half rest day and I can sure use the rest after a
demanding few weeks in Italy. The level of the peloton is somewhat higher than I
expected and I now know that I will focus on getting stronger in the mountains
where I have experienced tough times."
" We are approaching the end of the race but I insist on taking the race day
by day as the hardest part is yet to come. The atmosphere on the team is simply
terrific due to the success of Chris (Anker Sřrensen), Laurent (Didier) and
Richie (Porte) and I am actually enjoying every day of the race,” said
Michael Mřrkřv after his effort on the time
trial.
Cervélo TestTeam
Carlos Sastre Defends
Sastre couldn’t match the rhythm set by the favorites on the climbing course
that included sectors over gravel roads and ramps as steep as 24 percent, but
was able to maintain his position in the top-5 overall. Sastre stopped the clock
at 19th at 2:31 slower than stage winner Stefano Garzelli (ITA); Sastre slotted
into fifth overall at 4:36 back.
Carlos Sastre attacks the climb Photo © 2010 Fotoreporter
Sirotti
Carlos Sastre on the stage...
“I thought that I had good sensations in the legs, but the clock showed
something else. I did what I could today and gave my all. There were others who
were stronger than me today, that’s cycling. We have to continue to keep
fighting because this Giro is not over until the final stage in Verona. I was
hoping to be at a higher level today, but I am content with how this Giro has
gone so far. There are still some hard mountain stages ahead.”
Ringed by the snowcapped Dolomites, the stage finished atop one of the most
dramatic settings for a bike race anywhere in Europe. Riders faced a stiff
challenge, first climbing to the Passo Furcia at 1738m before turning onto
hard-packed, gravel roads over incredibly steep slopes. The average grade on the
climb was 8.4 percent, but the final kilometer was brutally steep, with 20
percent grades against a stiff headwinds.
Cervélo TestTeam mechanics worked on Monday’s rest day to prepare the team
bikes. Sastre rode gearing of 34 x 28, smaller cogs to allow him to spin up the
steepest ramps.
“I am calm and confident, I did what I could. It wasn’t what I expected, but
when I see the results and the time they took, maybe they are stronger than me
at this moment,” Sastre said. “I have to be
patient and wait for the moment. And if that moment arrives, I will take
advantage.”
While Sastre went full-gas to defend his spot in the top-5, the rest of
Cervélo TestTeam’s Giro riders rode conservatively to save their legs for the
final five stages across the challenging mountains of northern Italy.
Ignatas Konovalovas, winner of the final
time trial in last year’s Giro in Rome, said the grueling course made for a
painful day in the saddle.
“It’s a hard climb. You cannot go easy. You have to push, not full, full, full.
I was taking it a bit easier on the less-steep part. I was trying to get the
speed higher, just to get on the limit,” Konovalovas said. “It wasn’t so
important how I did today. I didn’t go as hard as they guys who are trying to
win the stage.”
The 93rd Giro continues Wednesday with the 173km 17th stage from Brunico to Peio
Terme. The stage features two moderate climbs that should see a breakaway of
non-threatening riders chase their luck for a stage victory.
Damiano Cunego Photo © 2010 Fotoreporter
Sirotti
Lampre/Farnese
Vini
Damiano Cunego and Gilberto Simoni, the two climbers on which neither got
in the top ten.
Cunego covered the 12,9 km in 43'38", 2'10" more than the winner Garzelli,
obtaining the 14th position; Simoni recorded the 30th performance, 2'59" higher
that the best one. 33rd place for Marzano (3'19" to the winner.
In the overall standing, Cunego enters in the top ten in tenth place, at
9'13" to the leader Arroyo.
"I suffered the rest day because on the road to Furcia I could not pedal in
the proper pace - Cunego explained - On the
gravel sector my performance seemed to be better: it was a tough race with a
great bunch of fans".
"I'm satisfied because I gave my best, even if my aim was to reach a better
result - Simoni said - With the mechanics I set the bike in the best way: I
tried to manage the energies on the climb, but I had a flexion in the last
part".
Giles Belbin's
Parcours Preview Week 3
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