#GiroRosa: So strange to watch SD Worx being the vulnerable! They just couldn't control. Instead of sprinting for glory, Kopecky had nothing left when Longo Borghini accelerated to bring the pink jersey, figuratively and literally, home. Stage win for Kim Le Court.
Two races to help you with TdF/Giro hangover today: Tour de l'Ain's final stage and the brand new Clásica Terres de l'Ebre, featuring Berwick, Díaz, Bizkarra or Guamanian U23 champion Blayde Blas.
French word of the day: FISSA. Not everyone loves riding *at lightning speed*. It will get lower, but current #TDF2024 average is about 1 km above the 2022 record.
Stage 15 starts at 12:05 pm.
#GiroRosa: Stunning performance by Bradbury, Kopecky, and also ELB, who nevertheless couldn't get rid of her Belgian rival. Just 1 sec separating them now and it's more than plausible only centimeters will decide the 877-km race!
Stage 8 has just started
French word of the day: GRAILLE. You can't climb without a proper munch.
Stage 14 starts at 1:20 pm.
#GiroRosa: Look who's back. Liane Lippert strikes in Chieti! Once again "copying" #TDF2024, the race is heading to the high mountains for its final weekend. The Italian menu actually looks even more brutal with Lanciano and Blockhaus. Home star against the impossible sprinter-climber, day 7. Don't miss the fun!
Stage 7 starts at 10:40 am.
French day of the word: DÉMENT. Crazy, unbelievable - can be the stories written by #TDF2024.
Stage 13 starts at 1:50 pm.
#GiroRosa: After completely dominating the sprint yday, Kopecky needs "only" to stay with Longo Borghini in the 3-km 8% section and outsprint her in Chieti. Just like at the #TourDeFrance, stage hunters (Grace Brown, Elise Chabbey ..) will smell their chance too.
The stage starts way too early (now).
French word of the day: POTEAU. Philipsen/Alpecin gotta beat 'em all, but first they need a buddy, reliable friend to help them with the break.
Stage 12 starts at 12:50 pm.
#GiroRosa: Sometimes it works! Clara Emond attacked at 40 km to go and scored for EF. Stage 5 is to be decided in a mass sprint, it is the only real flat stage of the race and escapees will be tortured by the heat of up to 40°C. Can Balsamo get revenge?
Start time: 11:40 am
Similar stages and stories on #TDF2024 and #GiroRosa with the more orthodox climbers (ELB, JV) surprising their fast rivals (Kopecky, Pog). End of the road for some (Kerbaol, Ion Izagirre, Wright OTL...) and hyperactivity of EF in both races too.
Generally, tough day for UAE. All the effort only to lose one second, give away victory and destroy Ayuso's GC... Well, the polka-dot jersey. But Ciccone looks more than ready to defend it in terms of shape.
French word of the day: CRAPAHUTER. When exhaustion and tough terrain get you; to trudge.
Stage 11 start at 11:30 am.
#GiroRosa also offers hilly stage suitable for the breakaway / long-range attacks today and just like #TourDeFrance, it's set to visit San Marino. Final 3rd-cat. climb's gradients are mostly below 3%, so no one beats Kopecky in case they catch the escapees.
Stage 4 is about to start.
#GiroRosa: Magalhães' dreams crushed last-minute, but Kimberley Pienaar made cycling global with 6th place for Mauritius. Consonni won tight battle against Kopecky ahead of her "rest day" - first mountain-top finish in Toano (12.5 km, 4.8%).
Now it's up to Longo Borghini to get rid off the fast ever-present Belgian. The day will also be important for those in somewhat questionable shape, for example Mavi García or Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig.
Stage 3 has just started!
Awer
Marco van den Hout