Giro del Trentino 2014 – Stage 4 Preview
By David Hunter
Stage 3 Recap
Cadel Evans rolled back the years with a dominant display to take the stage and put one hand firmly around the title. A small group of favourites managed to get away near the end of the stage, before Evans and Pozzovivo battled it out for the win. It was another great win for the Aussie, who is clearly in good form ahead of the Giro.
Stage 4 Val Daone – Monte Bondone 175km
A big congratulation must go to the organisers for bringing back this wonderful climb. Lets take a look at the route.
The stage starts with the cat 1, Passo Campo Carlo Magno.
It’s 5.9% for 15km, not the start to the stage most riders will welcome!
The 2nd climb of the day is 6.4km at an average of 7.2%, but this is nothing compared to the final climb of the day, the might Bondone.
For some riders, this is will be the hardest climb they ever do, it’s officially 21.5km long at an average of 6.3%. Not only that but the riders have to deal with 38 hairpin bends along the way. The climb is associated with the legend, Charly Gaul, after his efforts in the snow during the 1956 Giro. The last time it featured in a major race, it was Ivan Basso that won in the 2006 Giro, enroute to claiming the overall title. It is worthy pointing out the result of that day:
1. Basso
2. Simoni 1:26
3. Piepoli 1:37
4. Gutierrez 1:37
5. Gadret 2:40
6. Perez 2:45
7. Belli 3:12
8. Pellizotti 3:25
As you can see we had massive gaps between the riders, so the battle for GC will go right to the wire as Evans leads Pozzovivo by 45 seconds, with 7 riders around the 1 minute mark.
You can see the brutality of the climb from this map shot. The other teams have to attack Evans on the lower slopes of the climb to isolate him and try to work him over. Astana have Scarponi and Aru close on GC, so watch them trying to play the old 1-2. The only problem is that BMC and Evans have been excellent so far, in particular Steve Morabito has been a star. He has controlled the peloton on the climbs and is crucial for Evans tomorrow. He’ll hope to last half way up the climb and then let Cadel fend for himself.
The strongest climbers in the race have been Evans and Pozzovivo and everything points to them for tomorrow. Evans doesn’t have to attack, instead he’ll just sit on wheels and hope to get a tow up the mountain. Pozzovivo has to attack and from around 5km to go.
The last 5km averages 8% and Pozzovivo could easily make up 45 seconds, minus any bonus seconds, but can he distance Evans?
After winning stage 2, Bardiani will want to claim another victory. This could be the stage for Bongiorno! He could benefit form a stand-off between the main contenders and make his way up the mountain.
The other alternative is the morning break surviving to the end. If that is the case then watch out for Yonathan Monsalve of Neri Sottoli. He is wearing the polka dot jersey and will attempt to get in the break to secure this classification.
Other talented climbers far down on GC include: Visconti, Serpa, Pirazzi and Sella.
Prediction time …
I still think that Domenico Pozzovivo is capable of winning the stage and the overall title.
David HunterFollow us in facebook https://www.facebook.com/CiclismoInternacionalLatinoamerica?fref=ts …
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