Tomorrow at the Giro d'Italia there will be what has been defined since the presentation of the race the queen stage, the Feltre-Piani di PezzèAmong the many Dolomite climbs there will also be the passage on the Passo Giau, which with its 2.236 meters It will also be the Cima Coppi of this editionThe Giau is a legendary climb, long and consistently tough, which has often sealed the fate of the Giro d'Italia.
To tell its secrets, difficulties and charm we contacted Stefano Garzelli, which in 2011 he was the first to pass up there in very tough Conegliano-Gardeccia stage, In 'the year in which he won the blue jersey for best climberBecause if it's true that the fight for the pink jersey seems to be over, Giau can be decisive in this edition too for the other positions in the general classification.
Stefano, if we say Giau, what comes to mind?
The 2011 Giro, when I was the first to pass through, even if on the opposite side to this year, going up from Cortina. That day we then went towards the Marmolada and finally to Gardeccia, I think it was one of the hardest stages in the history of the Giro. Almost 7.000 meters in altitude And we ran all in the rain. For me, it was over seven hours of running; the group arrived after eight. A grueling stage for everyone.
Yet you came second…
Because I handled myself badly. I was feeling too good and I overdid it, then in the last two kilometers of the Gardeccia I practically exploded and Nieve overtook me.
What about this year's side, the one in Selva di Cadore?
With that part, however, there has never been a love story, on the contrary. I've only done it on the run a couple of times and it always rejected me.I remember that on those straight roads I felt like throwing my bike into the ravine…
From a technical point of view, what kind of climb is it?
If you're well you like it and you can't wait, but if you're sick it's terrible. Because never gives up, always at 10-11 percent, with those very long straightsIt's one of the toughest climbs in the Dolomites, if not the toughest. A real tough climb.
Where is the hardest part?
There's that straight line when you come out of the woods, around the fourth kilometer, just before halfway up the climb. There are peaks at 14 percent, made worse by the straight road that seems to never end.
So is it really the hardest climb in the Dolomites? Harder than the Marmolada?
In general I would say yes, in the sense that it is the most complete and the most complexThe Marmolada is tougher in the last four kilometers, after Malga Ciapela, but I loved it. The Giau, on the other hand, is more difficult to manage because it is ten kilometers constant around 9,5 percentIf you give up early on, you risk losing a lot. That's why it's deadly and complex.
Being very regular, can it benefit a rouleur?
No, I would say it remains absolutely a climb for climbersThe rouleur must be very strong on the climbs, otherwise if a climber goes fast from the start, he'll be forced to drop. In a Giro like this I see riders like Hindley and Vingegaard as having a greater advantage compared to people like Arensman or O'Connor. But we're in the third week and everyone's energy levels are what they are.
What do you remember about the last stage of the Giro, Bernal's in 2021?
I was at the arrival in Cortina for the Stage Trial and I remember it very well. That day there was bad weather and there were no images, so not much was known about what was going on. But for this It was also very fascinating, it felt like going back to ancient cycling, the one where you waited on the side of the road to figure out what was happening.
This year, the Giau passes Falzarego and Piani di Pezzè. Is it too far from the finish line to be decisive?
In fact I think it is put in a very strategic point, if someone wants to attack from afar, it's the right placeI think some riders could already jump on the Giau, especially if Visma sets a strong pace. It's a climb that scares everyone because there you can't hide, you can't pretend. So he will be the judge for many athletes.
Could there also be room for escape?
Yes, but there will be strong riders inside, maybe even top ten men. Then it will depend a lot on Visma, if he decides to hold the escape within five minutes and set the pace from Giau, there he can turn the race in his favor.
You mentioned Visma. Do you believe Piganzoli's top 10 is right?
I think they're starting to understand what its limitations are and I think they'll handle it with caution. But Why not try to make him win a stage too? Also because he no longer has anything to prove, he was one of the big surprises of the Giro.
For a fan, is Giau the right place to see the stage?
Absolutely yes, if I went to see her, I would go therePiani di Pezzè is still inside the woods and you can't see much, and I don't even think the caravan will pass there. On the Giau, however, you can see the true spectacle of the GiroI would place myself four or five kilometers from the summit, where there is a double bend near a chalet from which you can see both above and belowIt's just before the straight in the tunnel and there's a beautiful view of what's to come.
