Giro d'Italia #16: Ciccone trembles to victory, Roglic loses time

Cycling: Giulio Ciccone (Trek – Segafredo) won the 16th stage of the Giro d'Italia in a mountain jersey. In the pouring rain, the Italian won the cold battle against Jan Hirt (Astana). Both have broken away as part of a breakaway group. Behind them, Primoz Roglic (Jumbo – Visma) again lost time to Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain – Merida) and Richard Carapaz (Movistar).

Ciccone wins a Giro stage for the second time

Although the route of the 16th Giro stage had to be changed due to avalanche danger on the Gavia Pass, cycling fans were treated to a high-quality race today. The distance to be covered was 194,0 kilometers from Lovere to Ponte di Legno. The Passo Gavia was replaced by two third category climbs. These were less demanding. But the Mortirolo should provide action anyway. First, however, 21 drivers broke away from the main field, which should ultimately determine the day's victory among themselves. Among other things, there was also Michael Schwarzman (Bora – hansgrohe). However, the German shouldn't have a chance of winning the stage with this route profile. Instead, he secured it Julius Ciccone (Trek – Segafredo) before Jan Hirt (Astana). The Italian can not only be happy about the day's victory, but also about a few more mountain points for the blue jersey. The joy was so great that he threw his glasses all over the place while cheering on the finish line.

Carapaz can not be disturbed

After the Movistar team controlled the pace of the field throughout the day, the Bahrain – Merida team took the reins up the Mortirolo. When the preliminary work was done, attacked Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain – Merida) together with Hugh Carthy (EF Education First). The overall leader Richard Carapaz (Movistar) didn't let that bother them though. On the rear wheel by Edelhelfer Mikel Landa he was able to share the gap to his competitor Miguel Angel Lopez (Astana) close again. Completely different Primois Roglic (Jumbo - Visma). The Slovenian lost contact as well as the Briton Simon yates (Mitchelton – Scott), the Dutchman Build Mollema (Trek – Segafredo) and the Pole Rafal Mayka (Bora – hansgrohe).

Nibali & Carapaz: Enemies first, then allies

Actually wanted to Vincenzo Nibali with his attack up the Mortirolo Richard Carapaz attack. But since he was able to reconnect before the summit, the plans changed. Primois Roglic was distanced. Again an alliance formed between Bahrain - Merida and Movistar. With their helpers Damian Caruso (Bahrain – Merida) and Mikel Landa (Movistar) they kept the gap widening. So they arrived at their destination about a minute and a half before Primoz Roglic. The podium - Carapaz, Nibali and Roglic - is getting closer and closer. Today's result for the Astana team must be described as unfortunate. Neither the stage win nor a time gain of Miguel Angel Lopez. After all, the Colombian can be happy about conquering the white jersey.

The helpers play a crucial role

Even if the focus of the reporting is on the captains of the teams, today showed again how important a strong team is in cycling. As well as Bahrain-Merida as well as most Astana could fall back on so-called relay stations thanks to their drivers in the large breakaway group. Their helpers dropped back on and after the Mortirolo climb to support the leaders. Movistar on the other hand, Mikel Landa already had a top climber alongside Richard Carapaz. On the other hand, things looked bad for Primoz Roglic. The Slovenian was distanced and had no more helpers with him. The race constellation also led to a tactically extremely interesting situation for the leading duo of Ciccone/Hirt. Because Miguel Angel Lopez raced behind him, Jan Hirt temporarily refused to take the lead. Giulio Ciccone was visibly angry, but he couldn't get rid of his companion. Hirt only allowed himself to be persuaded to cooperate again when Lopez was caught again by the group around Carapaz.