Giro d’Italia stage 16 Live – Alaphilippe leads shortened stage solo with summit finish to come

The transfer from Sanchez has introduced Alaphilippe’s hole down to the minute mark. Thankfully for him, he’ll have a small descent part earlier than tackling the final 5km of the lengthy climb but it surely nonetheless appears unlikely that he could make it. 

Lots of strikes are being made behind Sanchez to attempt to get a transfer going – Jan Tratnik (Visma-Lease a Bike) is amongst them. 

Tobias Foss (Ineos Grenadiers) tried to observe Sanchez’s transfer out of the peloton however is struggling to maintain his wheel and appears to now be dropping again. 

20KM TO GO

Movistar proceed to work with 8.2km remaining on the climb. As I sort, stage 6 winner Pelayo Sanchez has attacked from the peloton for the Spanish crew.

Temperature has dropped considerably because the kilometres tick away on the Passo Pinei. 

Four of the opposite males who attacked within the day, Maestri, Pietrobon, Ballerini and Fiorelli have fashioned an Italian chasing quartet some 1:30 behind Alaphilippe however they’ll quickly be again within the bunch. 

Alaphilippe nonetheless leads solo with his benefit at 1:55. He’s nonetheless bought 25km to go however can he re-discover his greatest type and keep away?

They are all our in rain jackets and with umbrellas however it’s good to see some followers nonetheless out in fairly grim circumstances to welcome the riders. 

Andrea Pietrobon (Polti-Kometa) is the following to get away from the now slowed-down peloton, making an attempt to achieve extra Intergiro factors. 

Movistar has settled right into a tempo behind, permitting Alaphilippe to construct his hole after attacking away from his fellow escapees. The two-time world champ is now at 1:41.

30KM TO GO

The climate is closing in once more on the peloton as they head into the fog. Fiorelli has jumped away from the peloton with extra factors out there on the Intergiro dash in Fié allo Sciliar. No one else has chased him.

Now that it appears like a GC day is imminent in immediately’s finish, here is how the GC sat heading into the ultimate week of the Giro, powered by FirstCycling.

Alaphilippe leaves Maestri and goes solo within the breakaway. His benefit is barely at one minute so he would wish to discover his greatest legs to avoid the Movistar-led peloton which is scaling down behind.

Piccolo and Ballerini are struggling to maintain on within the break with the steeper roads beginning. 

Pogačar will not be panicking however he’s down a key teammate in Mikkel Bjerg. 

Average velocity has been above 53kph within the shortened stage. 

Dani Martínez is being moved into greatest place by his Bora-Hansgrohe crew). Way too lengthy for a transfer however actually an excellent time to prepare. 

Gaviria is continuous to do an excellent job for the climbers in his crew with the hole now at 1:12. Here’s a take a look at the upcoming climb – the 23.3km Passo Pinei with the breakaway quartet only a few hundred metres from the beginning.

40KM TO GO

Gap to the 4 males in entrance is at 1:35 with Movistar nonetheless at work. 

Julius van den Berg (DSM-Firmenich PostNL) has deserted the Giro d’Italia after his heroic combating efficiency to finish final on Sunday’s queen stage. 

Peloton rolls over the dash level with out a lot curiosity in dashing up in any respect. 

No contest on the intermediate dash in Bolzano with Ballerini rolling over in first. The roads will start to head uphill once more quickly so we may see the sprinters attempt to mop up the previous few factors within the metropolis. 

A day of staying secure and staying heat for race chief Pogačar within the peloton. He may in fact win the stage ought to a breakaway be saved inside attain by Movistar however UAE are but to hit the entrance to chase. 

The race is heading in direction of Bolzano, capital of the South Tyrol area and likewise the primary intermediate dash of the stage. 

50KM TO GO

Movistar may both be working for Nairo Quintana after displaying an incredible return to prime type on stage 15, solely crushed by Pogačar to the Mottolino finish. But in addition they have Einer Rubio sat ninth on GC. 

Movistar are nonetheless main the peloton because the race heads absolutely into the valley. Gap to the leaders is at 2:00. 

The climate is marginally bettering temperature sensible however the dreadful wet circumstances means it’s going to be a brutally lengthy day within the saddle for these within the peloton.

70KM TO GO

We’re in Tour of the Alps territory for the second within the Sud Tyrol area of Italy which in fact has two languages for many of the places in German and Italian due to its historical past as a former a part of Austria-Hungary till 1919. 

A rider as recognisable in a rain jacket as any thanks to his model on the bike and facial hair. Here’s Alaphilippe launching his transfer into the day’s breakaway. 

Sprinter Fernando Gaviria is the person put to work for Movistar on the entrance, holding the hole at simply 1:41 from the leaders now. 

80KM TO GO

The hole to the 4 in entrance has gone out regardless of Movistar nonetheless chasing as they had been earlier within the break formation. Reminder that it’s Ballerini, Alaphilippe, Maestri and Andrea Piccolo (EF Education EasyPost) out in entrance. 

Alaphilippe is with his breakaway companion from stage 12, Mirco Maestri (Polti-Kometa), after the 2 mixed brilliantly as a duo and the Frenchman took a memorable victory.

Alaphilippe’s gratitude for the Italian’s cooperation of their 125km transfer led to nice photographs of the pair after the stage and the 2-time World Champion gifting Maestri a  jersey later within the week.

90KM TO GO

That first assault was reeled again in simply as the following waves go after the race headed by a tunnel. Ballerini once more on the transfer with Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal Quick-Step) once more on the assault. 

They solely have a slim benefit now with the peloton driving at a robust tempo behind. It is Movistar on the entrance as they’re sad with the configuration. 

Juanpe López (Lidl-Trek) and Kevin Vermaerke (DSM-Firmenich PostNL) are among the many riders within the counter assault which has simply caught Frigo. Davide Ballerini (Astana Qazaqstan) additionally current. 

Here’s the lone chief Frigo on his courageous effort out in entrance. He’s no stranger to a Giro breakaway however he is but to be joined because the assaults proceed behind him within the peloton. 

100KM TO GO

Stage 5 winner Benajmin Thomas (Cofidis) is the following rider to abandon the race within the horrid circumstances.

Frigo continues to be going effectively out on his personal however has a bonus of solely eight seconds for now.

110KM TO GO

Speed firstly of the race have been upwards of 70kph within the rain as we head east. 

More counter assaults are coming with blue jersey wearer Simon Geschke (Cofidis) concerned. 

118.4KM TO GO

Official begin taken! Here we go on stage 16 of the Giro d’Italia. There are assaults from the flag by the likes of Marco Frigo (Israel-Premier Tech).

Official race distance for the day is 118.4km because the Giro resumed after the second race day. 

After a dramatic morning, stage 16 of the Giro d’Italia is lastly underway. We’ll be impartial behind the lead race automobile for now with the flag drop nonetheless to come. 

Riders are on the road with a doable begin incoming from Lasa however there have been murmurings of a doable protest. 

More sincere phrases from the peloton as Luke Plapp equally hits out towards organisers as Ben O’Connor had finished earlier: 

“To be sincere, the race organisation is a little bit of a joke. We spoke up as a rider union and we had been all collectively in our vote however they did not need to pay attention. It was every week in the past or 4 days in the past the place we introduced up the climate they usually didn’t need to communicate to us them or tackle board any consideration,” Plapp informed Eurosport. 

“It’s actually irritating as riders like we wish to work with them. We truly mentioned 3 days in the past that that is the place we should always begin and race however they informed us no. And it is just now that every one this has lastly occurred that they pay attention to us. We’re right here now and that’s good however the best way we bought right here and the way it’s all unfolded isn’t adequate. 

“I believe the best way the scenario was dealt with yesterday and all morning is kind of irritating and it is exhausting for riders to actually comprehend how they think about what our security is as a result of I positively don’t assume our security has been considered immediately.”

Riders will probably be getting wrapped up and prepared for the restart now with a stage nonetheless to content material with regardless of the unusual morning. It will solely be 120km now and with no harmful 20km descent to begin the day however it can nonetheless be removed from a simple stage. 

Just over 20 minutes to go now till the brand new begin in Lasa.

The revised route for immediately’s stage:

A reminder that immediately’s stage is the beginning of the ultimate week of the Giro d’Italia with Pogačar sitting 6:41 forward of Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers) in second. Catch up with his updates from the remainder day beneath:

‘I need to finish with high morale then chill out’ – Tadej Pogačar’s ideas turning in direction of Giro-Tour double

Here’s how the Giro noticed the overall palaver that unfolded this morning:

“A few minutes before the start, the weather conditions deteriorated further and so the Commission decided to fall back on Option 3 – In the event of extreme weather conditions, the stage will be neutralized up to a place where the safety conditions are met,” learn an up to date assertion.

“On today’s meeting, an agreement was reached on moving the race from Livigno with a town parade. Despite a handshake between the parties, the athletes did not show up at the start in Livigno.”

This confirms that the riders made the choice to get again onto the crew buses and automobiles to head to the brand new begin location, regardless of the organiser’s want to roll out of Livigno as deliberate. 

With a while left till the postponed begin, be certain that to learn this harrowing replace on Lizzy Banks’ life and profession after she endured a tiresome battle to clear her identify from a optimistic doping take a look at.

Lizzy Banks reveals optimistic doping take a look at and 9-month battle to clear her identify

Update from that final publish: there’s been a change of begin location simply down the highway from Spondigna to Lasa with the beginning time moved to 14:15 with the flag drog anticipated at 14:30 CEST (13:30 BST).

We’re round 45 minutes from the brand new proposed begin of stage 16.

Amid all of the chaos of the morning, there have been two DNSs after the second relaxation day:

– Jenthe Biermans (Arkéa-B&B Hotels) – due to horror crash on stage 15
– Danny van Poppel (Bora-Hansgrohe) – due to illness

Would learn up on Biermans for those who missed the story as it’s fairly an unbelievable feat that he fortunately wasn’t too badly injured regardless of crashing right into a ravine.

‘I used to be 25 meters deep in a ravine’ – Jenthe Biermans completes Giro Queen Stage regardless of unbelievable fall

Full information story on the chaos that descended this morning on the Giro:

Snow, rain, rider protests and confusion finish with Umbrail Pass faraway from Giro d’Italia stage 16

Race chief Tadej Pogačar and his UAE teammates tried to make mild of the messy scenario firstly. They had been within the in style ski resort Livigno in any case. 

A take a look at simply how powerful the circumstances had been going to be on the Umbrail Pass as captured by one of many photographers on the Giro. 

Here’s some earlier phrases from Giro d’Italia director Mauro Vegni to RAI:

“The mountains are like this, sometimes you have to face certain situations. Our decision certainly hasn’t been an improvised one, it was foreseen by the protocol established yesterday,” he mentioned. 

“We tried to present further security measures for the riders however we agreed that if the circumstances worsened we’d have prevented the Umbrail Pass. And that’s what occurred, it could have been silly to tackle sure dangers, particularly on the descent. 

“Obviously for those who ask the riders in the event that they like driving in rain and snow, they’ll say no. Everybody has his viewpoint and that’s regular. For our half, we hope they’re happy as a result of we went by this complete dialogue.”

OK, some data from our crew on the bottom – the riders are going to do the neutralised part all in automobiles as an alternative of driving to the tunnel.

Planned begin of the stage is now anticipated to happen from Spondigna at 14:00 CEST. But who might be positive after such a complicated morning.

However, some riders had been on the beginning line for the postponed begin time however with out the total contingent so headed again to their crew buses. Complete confusion in Livigno with out something concrete but. 

There did appear have been a choice made with a neutralised begin from Livigno as deliberate earlier than driving by the Munt la Schera Tunnel into Switzerland and getting again into the crew buses.

From right here the groups would journey to Prati allo Stelvio and begin from there.

Slightly much less diplomatic however doubtless the proper phrases from fourth place Ben O’Connor firstly of the day:

“It’s probably one of the worst organised races I think and I’m just being honest. This would never happen in 99% of other situations,” he informed Eurosport.

“It’s only a disgrace that it’s 2024 and you’ve got dinosaurs who actually do not see the human facet of issues.

“I might nonetheless like to experience the stage however I do not need to experience over 2500m. It is already 5 levels and pouring rain and at 2500 it’s already snowing. I believe it is just clear it is best to simply begin a contact decrease and do the finish.

“I’d like to see him in our position, go outside on the bike and do the start of the stage and see what his answer is after those couple of hours.”

Here’s a take a look at a few of the horrid climate alongside the route from CN’s head of stories Stephen Farrand en route to the finish of stage 16.

Race chief Tadej Pogačar’s confusion sums up this very unusual Giro d’Italia morning:

“I don’t know, I honestly don’t know a lot about the situation. From what I can see it is really terrible weather. Already in our hotel, I see snowflakes at 1900m so to go 600 metres more up I think it is full snow so it’s quite dangerous to go downhill,” he informed Eurosport earlier than the stage.

“It’s shit to race in 0 levels snow and rain however it could not be the primary time for me or anyone to do it however when you’ve such lengthy climbs you by no means know what occurs.

“I’m not the one to determine however all of the riders majority agreed to begin after the Umbrail Pass and to shorten the stage to a minimum of maintain the finish.”

Riders seem to standing round within the moist and chilly firstly location with none readability. The Neutralised begin in Livigno was scheduled to be in 2 minutes time so that’s wanting closely unlikely now. 

It continues to be a depressing scenario in Livigno and the confusion continues to be widespread for the peloton. 

However, elsewhere there are stories that the choice continues to be but to be made.

There are stories that the choice has already been made to take away the move, however now RCS should determine how to transport riders to the opposite facet of the move.

Stage 16 was set to characteristic the Cima Coppi in mild of the removing of the Stelvio move however the brand new highest peak – Umbrail Pass – is proving simply as treacherous because the Stelvio might have been.

Our personal Stephen Farrand snapped an image of the opposed climate circumstances from Livigno the place groups had been set to signal on firstly of Stage 16.
Whether the stage will proceed as deliberate continues to be unsure, but when modifications are afoot organisers will probably be racing to work out an answer to transporting the riders to a place the place they might safely start.

We’re just a few hours into the morning and the Giro has been thrown into chaos as groups have unanimously agreed not to take part in Tuesday’s stage 16 of the Giro d’Italia until the course is modified to take away the Umbrail Pass.

Buongiorno and welcome to Cyclingnews‘ dwell protection of stage 16 of the 2024 Giro d’Italia!