The Alps do not forgive. On a 167.8 kilometer route between Arco and Trento, its demanding climbs hit the runners who faced the queen stage of the Italian round, which It had 4,100 meters of elevation gain and two major ports: Passo Bordala (14.8 km at 6.9%) and Redebus Pass (13 km at 6.8%). In that situation, The getaway had a clear slogan: all or nothing. The one who best applied this motto was Lennart Jasch, who, with an attack at 25 kilometers, raised his arms in those colossi that have seen the great legends of the discipline reign so many times.
They had not even completed 10 kilometers of competition when the surprise occurred in the peloton: Pellizzarithe leader of the race, He was cut off and distanced himself from the leading groupwhere only the favorites resisted. The good work of Red Bull – BORA allowed the Italian to link up with the main group at the equator of the ascent to Passo Bordala. First match point saved for the one from San Severino Marche.
Far from calm being established, the attacks continued in search of the correct movement. No sooner said than done. In the final stretch of the first climb of the day, Sean Quinnwho had started hostilities, It allowed a group of five cyclists to consolidate themselves at the head of the race. The fight between the breakaway and the favorites began.
The victory remains in the escape
Passo Redebus emerged as the last great colossus of the day, crowning itself at more than 1,400 meters of altitude. On its demanding ramps, which had an average of 6.8%, The escape consolidated an advantage that exceeded 3’30”. At the top of the port, the difference varied very slightly, which gave wings to a group that maintained an income of more than 2’00”.
The 50 kilometer barrier was surpassed with the beginning of the uncategorized ascent to Brusagowhich had 4.7 kilometers at 6.9%. Perfect to surprise. Taking advantage of its sections of notable hardness, the getaway was selected by Lennart Jasch who managed to gain a few meters of advantage, although, in the end, he was neutralized on the descent. Faced with this situation, the peloton, which began to get restless, set a demanding ‘tempo’ on the part of Red Bull – BORA to try to reduce the gap.
The work soon became noticeable. In less than 20 kilometers, the German formation reduced the difference to below 45 seconds. jaschwho had already proven to be the strongest rising, He attacked again to take down the rest of the members of the escape in Sant’Agnese. Juan Felipe Rodriguez, with his attacking and daring character, once again put the platoon in check and left alone looking to join the main splits.
Tour of the Alps classifications.
The favorites started their particular ‘show’. On the slope towards Pavo, Pidcock launched the first attack and Pellizzari responded with an immediate counterattack. Most of the runners who had been hit were neutralized again, all but one: jasch. The men in the general classification then organized themselves into a kind of collective time trial with a clear objective: to hunt down the German, who had a very valuable 20-second advantage. His bet seemed complicated, but the runner of the subsidiary team had an outstanding performance which may well open the doors of the first structure.
