Gary Hunt
Stage 10 Review
More than 4,500 metres of climbing lay ahead of the 184 riders still in the hunt today, including 4 categorised climbs and the Category 1 Pian Del Falco, just 19 km from the finish in Sestola. The tough parcours proved positive for youngsters Giulio Ciccone who won the day, and Bob Jungels whose Etixx team mate Brambilla was not able to maintain the pace but bequeathed him the Maglia Rosa.
After some 170km a select bunch of 13 riders got away including Majka, Pozzovivo and Nibali. Brambilla was dropped here on the Falco but regained composure and fought back to work hard for his team in the final 7km to the line, essentially sacrificing himself and handing the GC baton on to Jungels. In the end the stage was won by Giulio Ciccone of Bardiani CSF who claimed not only the stage, but his first ever pro win in so doing.
Earlier in the stage with just 13.5km to go Ciccone and Pirazzi both of Bardiani were off the front with Damiano Cunego. In one corner of the steep descent Pirazzi dove in too hard, lurching up on the inside of Cunego, colliding with him and forcing him off his line; an unfortunate move for the already outnumbered Cunego, and one which allowed Ciccone to get away.
Mikel Landa of Team Sky who was looking off colour going into the stage and wasn’t able to finish. Fabian Cancellara did not line up for the start today.
Seconds after the stage finish, the stage winner said: “Today I’m living the most beautiful day of my life. It doesn’t feel real. It’s like being in a bubble. Finally I’ve taken my first pro win. It highlights how much our team is like an enormous family. I thank them all, especially Nicola Boem who sacrificed himself for me. I hope I have paid him back for the faith he put in me by pulling our group. What a wonderful day!”
JERSEYS
- Maglia Rosa (pink), General Classification, sponsored by Enel – Gianluca Brambilla (Etixx – Quick-Step)
- Maglia Rossa (red), Sprint Classification, sponsored by Algida – André Greipel (Lotto Soudal)
- Maglia Azzurra (blue), Mountains Classification, sponsored by Banca Mediolanum – Tim Wellens (Lotto Soudal)
- Maglia Bianca (white), Young Rider Classification, sponsored by Eurospin – Bob Jungels (Etixx – Quick-Step)
Stage 10 Podium
1. Giulio CICCONE, BARDIANI in 5:44:32
2. Ivan ROVNY, TINKOFF at :42
3. Darwin ATAPUMA HURTADO, BMC at 1:20
General Classification after Stage 10
1. Bob JUNGELS, ETIXX – QUICK STEP, 40:19:52
2. Andrey AMADOR BIKKAZAKOVA, MOVISTAR 0 :26
3. Alejandro VALVERDE BELMONTE, MOVISTAR 0 :50
4. Steven KRUIJSWIJK, LOTTO JUMBO, 0 :50
5. Vincenzo NIBALI, ASTANA 0 :52
6. Gianluca BRAMBILLA, ETIXX – QUICK STEP, 1:11
7. Rafal MAJKA, TINKOFF, 1:44
8. Jakob FUGLSANG, ASTANA 1:46
9. Ilnur ZAKARIN, KATUSHA, 2:08
10. Jhoan Esteban CHAVES RUBIO, ORICA – GreenEDGE, 2:26
Preview Stage 11 – MODENA – ASOLO, 227km
The route
The stage is clearly divided into two parts: the first one runs flat from Modena to just before Asolo (approx 200km), while the second one is wavier and more challenging, leading into the finish. The route runs across the entire Po Plain, partly on narrow roads, and partly on wide and mainly straight roads – but riders must beware of roundabouts, kerbs, speed bumps and traffic dividers through urban areas. Just past Maser, the road tackles a short yet very harsh climb up Forcella Mostaccin (with gradients topping out at 16%), followed by a technical descent (narrowing in places) leading to the Monfumo hills and to Castelcucco. Here, a series of undulations will lead to the final Asolo climb.
Final kms
Five kilometres before the finish, the road climbs up towards Asolo along a 1km ramp with gradients of approx 7% that leads into the old town centre through a mediaeval gateway and on a setts-paved stretch. A quick descent on wide roads follows, up to the final kilometre. The last bend is 900m from the finish line, followed by a long home straight, just bending slightly, on a perfectly level, 7.5-m wide asphalt road.
