Cycling: Tadej Pogacar cannot be beaten. The Slovenian won the 16th stage of the Giro d'Italia in the pouring rain and celebrated his fifth victory of the day. Daniel Martinez was able to take valuable time away from Geraint Thomas in the fight for second place. Today, the completely crazy tactics of the Spanish team Movistar caused heads to shake once again.
Pogacar takes victory number 5
A crazy 16th stage of the Giro d'Italia ends in Santa Cristina Valgardena with the day's victory of Tadej pogacar (UAE). Previously, the actually 206 kilometer long stage from Livigno to Monte Pana was shortened by around 85 kilometers due to bad weather conditions. However, this didn't mean there was less action. On the contrary: the Movistar team led the peloton over 100 kilometers - hoping to beat Tadej Pogacar on the final climb today. But nothing came of it. The Slovenian takes victory number 5 ahead of the strong young Italian Giulio Pellizzari (VF Group – Bardiani CSF – Faizanè) and Daniel Martinez (Bora – hansgrohe), which wastes valuable time Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers) was able to make up for it.
Snow & chaos in the starting location Livigno
Actually, the 16th stage of the Giro d'Italia should have taken place over the dreaded Stelvio. However, due to days of snowfall, the organizers removed it from the program a few days ago. Now the Umbrail Pass should have been crossed. But today, Tuesday, the snow also fell on this summit - and it even snowed in the starting town of Livigno. While the Giro organizer RCS still wanted to stick to the actual plan, the drivers' association CPA refused. After much back and forth, the two parties finally reached an agreement. The section started around 85 kilometers later. The professionals only set off at 14:30 p.m. Instead of mountains right at the beginning, it was now even slightly downhill until the final climbs.
Movistar with incomprehensible tactics
Starting in the pouring rain, the professionals only had to cover a little more than 120 kilometers. Immediately after the flag was waved, some drivers tried to break away from the field. But the Spanish team Movistar - for whatever reason - had something against every attack. Five riders dressed in black rain jackets with the white M lined up at the front of the peloton and destroyed every attack. They kept the pace high for over 35 kilometers and didn't let anyone get away. It wasn't until 80 kilometers from the finish that a group of four finally managed to break away. David Ballerini (Astana), Andrea Piccolo (EF Education – EasyPost), Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal – Quick Step) and Mirco Maestri (Polti – Kometa) were still pursued by Movistar - albeit now with a little less vigor. The team management of the Spanish team actually seemed to believe that they would be involved in the final climb One Rubio (Movistar) or Nairo Quintana (Movistar) against Tadej pogacar (UAE), Daniel Martinez (Bora – hansgrohe), Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers) and co. to be able to win.
Alaphilippe defends himself
When we entered the Passo Pinei/Panidersattel (23,4 km with 4,8%), the top quartet fell apart into its individual parts. Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal – Quick-Step) left his companions standing while the attack from the peloton was not made by a Movistar professional, but by Filippo Fiorelli (VF Group – Bardiani CSF – Faizanè). The actively riding Italian secured a few points for the Intergiro classification before Pelayo Sanchez (Movistar) the long-awaited Movistar attack finally took place. The Spaniard was able to break away from the favorite group by around 20 seconds. However, there his teammate Nairo Quintana (Movistar) continued to set the pace there, but his own team finally caught up with him just a short time later. Since Quintana was no longer able to gain momentum and was even left behind, Sanchez was allowed to attack again. However, he then suffered a technical defect in his gearshift, which is why he was caught up and passed through.
Pogacar shows no mercy
After a short descent drove Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal – Quick-Step) into Monte Pana. His pursuers Ewen Costiou (Arkea – B&B Hotels), Christian Scaroni (Astana) and Giulio Pellizzari (VF Group – Bardiani CSF – Faizanè) managed to catch up shortly afterwards. In the steepest section, the young Italian proved to be the strongest climber. But a certain one from the group of favorites sparked Tadej pogacar (UAE) the turbo. The man in pink was able to catch up to Pellizzari with 700 meters to go and pass as expected. This means Pogacar takes his fifth stage win at this year's Giro d'Italia. Today was also strong Daniel Martinez (Bora – hansgrohe). In a direct duel against Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers) he kept the upper hand and gained valuable seconds in the fight for second place. By the way, the best Movistar professional was ultimately One Rubio (Movistar) in eleventh place.
The quinta of Tadej Pogaçar and el #twist2024 pic.twitter.com/rqEVmptsQN
— Streams de Ciclismo (@CicloStreams) May 21, 2024