MONTE BONDONE – Bruno Armirail he returned the pink jersey to the one who had given it to him so kindly. The rider of Groupama-Fdj but unlike Thomas He wasn't so happy to give it back. On the Bondone ramps, he fought with every ounce of energy to keep it.
In these three days in pink, many things have changed for the Frenchman. Now it's Armirail, "the one who was the pink jersey at Tour of Italy". Ultimately, it's like this for the general public. When they go to the Giro, Tour, or Flanders stages, and go on stage for their team's presentation, the speaker will remember this passage of the pink jersey. Always.
With Groupama-Fdj
But if this is the epilogue, the story must be told. So let's tell you that we followed the Sabbio Chiese-Monte Bondone from the inside. Stone and Groupama-Fdj opened the doors of one of their accompanying vehicles for us to experience the stage "from inside". It was a technical, tactical, and emotional journey. Our guide was also the former pro and patron of the Crans Montana stage, Steve Morabito, image man of the French team.
On the dashboard, in a maxi tablet, there is VeloViewer. In practice, this instrument, inside the flagship and the other accompanying vehicles, is a sort of Bible. While radio racing is the Gospel. Forgive the "celestial" comparison, but they are truly two essential tools.
Morabito explains how this app works. He also shows us that as soon as the first rider crosses the finish line, they'll know the exact time limit: useful information in case any riders struggle. And as he explains, he takes photos and videos. All the way to Salò, there are traffic islands, roundabouts, verges, and bottlenecks.
"The sports directors," says Morabito, "have already told the kids about these obstacles, but it's better to have one more image and one less piece of information."
Then he shows us, again using VeloViewer, how the team's support vehicles and other vehicles are positioned. «The first car is at the end of the group. The second one is here – and he shows it to us on the roadside, having also left a little before the stage – and then there's another van like ours that delivers water. We'll also make some cuts to provide assistance to the kids."
Primacy at risk
Of course, today's stage was seriously at risk for the pink jersey. And Armirail knew it, and the technicians knew it.
«The greatest risk – explains Morabito – is if they start attacking with bursts right away, because Bruno doesn't have a clear change of pace. He doesn't have the "punch". And just at that moment, the group, having just reached Lake Garda, breaks up, and the leader falls behind. Groupama-Fdj is forced to pull away.
Luckily for them too Bora Hansgrohe She was trapped in the narrow streets of Salò with Kamna. The escape didn't work. The speed was high, but somehow Armirail managed to get past the first danger.
From then on his team takes control of the situation. Pinot He doesn't move. It's too costly for a climber to leave in a stage like this, Morabito explains to us. In the end, everything goes according to plan. The French defend the pink jersey with pride and skill. Even under the thumping of the Jumbo Visma.
But when the real final push begins, even the slightest hope fades.
Goodbye Rose
With a dozen kilometers to go, doubts and risks become reality: Armirail finally breaks away and must say goodbye to the pink jersey. He climbs at his own pace and gives it his all. But under the revs of Almeida, first, and Thomas, then, the minutes are ticking away. In fact, perhaps overall he defends himself too well and takes “only” 4'24”.
«In the morning meeting – explains Morabito – They had said they would do everything they could to get to the front of the pack until the last climb. And they succeeded. Then we could have hoped that the big names would control themselves, as has already happened in this Giro. In that case, perhaps we could even consider holding it another day. But given how they went..."
«Then if you break away on medium gradients that are so rideable and with so many kilometers to go, the speed differences are high and the gaps are wide. Patience. But the guys rode well. Even stopping Pinot: what would have been the point? Armirail would have lost 20 seconds: nothing would have changed."
Lapierre from the climb
Yet Bruno had studied it carefully. Precise about supplies, he hadn't missed a single sip of water or half a bar. For example, when he stopped by our refueling station, he was the only one who also made sure to pack ice in his sock, which was useful in that hot moment.
And even from a technical point of view, Armirail has left nothing to chance. For this stage with more than 5.100 metres of real altitude difference, he chose the 34 rear, Something he doesn't usually do, especially since, as a time trialist, agility isn't his best asset. He opted for 36mm wheels, not 50mm like his teammates. And he even changed the tubulars, preferring 25mm ones, which today are practically considered "narrow tires." So maximum lightness on his Lapierre Xelius.
It wasn't enough. But no one will take this experience away from him.
