"Today, there's only one symbolic word: bad luck. Just because it rains in Naples is bad luck. But even more so because when it rains in those parts, the roads become impassable." Giuseppe Martinelli he gets straight to the point, as always, as is in his DNA. The Brescian coach is at his first non-Giro, but he watches the stages with the same passion, every day.
Today's story is brief. It starts to rain as the group enters the plain before reaching the Tyrrhenian coast. A pinch, a half-twist, and half the group goes down. The race is neutralized... as per the rules.
Ambulances, in addition to being barred from passing, cannot assist everyone. The race resumes, but without a classification: only the stage victory is up for grabs. E the stage went to Caden Groves of Alpecin-Deceuninck, one of the best sprinters of this Tour of Italy until now.
And so Martino, today's stage was decided by rain and common sense...
Believe me, just last night I was talking to Sheffer, because I still have good relationships with almost everyone, and the first thing he said to me was: «Look, Martino, if it rains tomorrow it'll be the usual mess in Naples. The roads are like this: it rains lightly and as soon as a little water comes down they become slippery." And it happened. And it will happen again.
And in fact, all things considered, there wasn't even any controversy. The team, jury, organizers, and riders were all in agreement...
In these cases, whatever decision you make, some people don't like it and some people do. But it was the best solution. We saw it with Landa too: look what happened, a big name got injured right on the first day. Risking ruining a spectacle like the Giro like this with only three weeks to go makes no sense. And in any case, the sprint took place, and it wouldn't have been much different from what we saw.
And so, Martino, it's already time to look to tomorrow, to Castel di Sangro-Marsia, and the first real climbs: we're going above 1.000 meters: three categorized climbs and an uphill finish. As they used to say: "The Giro begins tomorrow." Is that true?
Let's say that tomorrow is the first day where we can understand something more about this Giro. Okay, Pedersen has proven to be the strongest in a while. Let's not forget that he was very strong in the classics, very strong at the start of the season, and he deserved everything he did. I have to say that I expected a little more from Albania in general. There were two stages where we could have done something more. But probably, you know, even riders use their heads every now and then.
That?
They know that the Giro is long, that it will be decided in the last week. Tomorrow we'll see who really has the legs to do something and who doesn't.
Who do you expect to see any action from? We've heard Ayuso is quiet and hiding... Maybe tomorrow he'll want to show up to make up for those seconds he lost in the time trial?
I don't think so. If he's good, he's still there, because Roglic it's going strong at the moment and among the top-ranked players he seems to me to be the one in the best shape. Ayuso I saw him well, but not as well as I thought. In that time trial, he didn't go as I expected. And it was a time trial suited to him: there were climbs, there were descents, and he knows how to ride. So I thought he'd finish a bit further ahead. I think he'll hold his own tomorrow. And then let's hope for the best for our Italians!
Are you referring to Tiberius?
In my opinion, Tiberi has a team at his complete disposal, and I hope that tomorrow, even if nothing big happens, you'll see some signs in the end. I don't think there will be big gaps, but we'll see who might not win the Giro. There might be, I don't know, A Carapaz who's willing to take risks. A Bernal who, if he's healthy, will try. Well, I expect more from the second lines.
We have two names on our lips. The first is Ciccone: he's doing well, he's racing in Abruzzo, and we know he's a fiery guy. If he's up there, would he dare to give it a try?
At the start of the Giro, in my thoughts, I thought he wasn't aiming for the overall. I thought Giulio was trying to win a couple of good stages. And one of those could be tomorrow. Ciccone has what it takes, because what he did in Albania and in recent days, even yesterday in the final, proves it. He does, however, have the pink jersey at home. Even if he should relinquish it. Pedersen will give him the green light, I assume.
The other name is Lorenzo Fortunato, who you also managed until a few months ago. He's doing well, he's wearing the blue jersey, and he's coming off a great season at Romandie. Maybe with the right timing, he could really reach the Marsyas...
But Lorenzo fell today and I'm sorry. Se Fortunato had he not fallen, he could certainly have been a man to play tomorrow. We'll have to see what he's done, because after the finish I saw him bandaged up. But he's wearing the GPM jersey, he cares about it, and the blue jersey often gives that extra push.
Giuseppe, rain is forecast for tomorrow for the last two (heavy) hours of the race. Will this impact the result and tactics?
If the rain arrives at the end it has a little less of an impact. At that moment, the riders have entered racing mode. So they're not thinking about whether or not to wear raincoats. It's not like it's been raining from the start. However, for some, the rain still has an impact. Some struggle with it, while others thrive on it. Roglic, for example, is quite used to it. And Ciccone could also take advantage of the bad weather. He's doing well. He's someone who's capable of throwing himself into the fray and perhaps shaking up the race format a bit. It'll be a great stage... Because the riders, whatever anyone says, have been riding pretty well so far. I mean, they've been racing for a week and are ready to literally battle it out.
The Tagliacozzo stage opens a challenging four-day race (excluding the rest day): the walls of Castelraimondo, the dirt roads and steep climbs of Siena, and the time trial of Lucca…
It's not the end of the world, but you have to be careful. In these three or four days, someone could pay a price... starting tomorrow, but also on the walls of the Marche. And the same goes for Siena. That finish isn't for everyone: you can leave a few seconds to the right or left if you're not in peak form. Come on, we've got a great end to the week ahead of us.
