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Today’s penultimate 219km stage from Caldes Val di Sole to Passo dello Stelvio is paved with cycling legend. Join us as we bring you live updates from the 20th stage of the Giro d’Italia.
The riders look to conquer the Passo del Tonale (Cat 2), the Aprica (Cat 3), Teglio (Cat 3) with the legend’s charisma nudging its zenith on the Passo di Mortirolo, (Cat 1) and the Passo dello Stelvio (HC) where many have famously triumphed and failed.
Big Mig Indurain cracked on the Mortirolo in the 1994 edition under the burden of Pantani’s trademark attack (although Berzin did enough to stay in the maglia rosa).
In the 19th stage of the 2010 Giro, Basso rolled over it (and the Aprica) in enough of a blistering fashion to take the pink jersey off Arroyo.
The Stelvio’s stories are most bewitching but few top the Giro’s first climb here in 1953. Fausto Coppi attacked 11kms from the summit on the penultimate stage, effectively taking the pink jersey from Hugo Koblet who held it since stage 8.
I could tell you the Mortirolo is 1718m and the climb reaches 17% and 22% in places. I could also tell you the Stelvio is 2341m with the average gradients of 8% relentless for 22kms and so many switchbacks it resembles a snaked skipping rope dropped by a playful giant. But malevolent describes it perfectly for it comes after four climbs, directly after the Mortirolo.
The Giro allegedly turfed out former race director Angelo Zomegnan for his torturous course design ways. Today, the riders find their fate in the hands of fans. But not just any fans, Facebook using tifosi. Yes, Giro organisers asked fans to help design today’s stage via its Facebook page. While it’s the height of social engagement and some will do their darnedest today for GC glory, others, (i.e. time trial experts and sprinters) will imagine their inner selves rocking in the corner just to make the time cut and get to Milan safely.
Can Basso emulate Coppi on this mystical mountain and put some time into Hesjedal and Rodriguez? Unlikely. He and his loyal Liquigas team mates look a little cooked. He would need quite a bit more than the 1.45 gap to Hesjedal to stand any chance in tomorrow’s time trial.
It appears the outcome of the 95th edition of the Giro d’Italia depends on Hesjedal’s ability to hang on. If he rides like he did yesterday, Rodriguez will almost certainly lose the jersey to Hesjedal tomorrow in Milan’s time trial, if not before. Scarponi is of course the dark horse, but he would face a similar problem to Basso.
Whatever happens, we will see another legend written, and for the first time it may be etched onto a maple leaf.
Join us here tonight from around 6.25pm (AEST) for all the action.
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