Because it occurred: Large breakaway fights for stage 19 as GC motion pauses behind

Buongiorno and welcome to Cyclingnews‘ stay protection of stage 19 of the 2024 Giro d’Italia!

After yesterday’s dash stage, we’re again into the uphill territory with an 157km stage beginning in Mortegliano and heading north to Sappada.

When you missed out on stage 18, meet up with our race report from yesterday:

Giro d’Italia: Tim Merlier nabs a second win on stage 18 as Milan loses place in mad sprint into Padova

This is a have a look at as we speak’s profile with a lumpy route all the way in which till the road. An almighty combat is predicted for the break in what could possibly be the final probability for a gaggle of escapees to make it to the road. 

Most groups needs to be fascinated by getting a person up there, particularly those that have not bought something out of this Giro but. 

The riders are presently in Mortegliano finishing sign-ons and the group presentation forward of the neutralised begin at 13:05 native time (CEST).

We have sadly had one other rider depart the Giro this morning as Nick Schultz has left after combating sickness. His DNS leaves Israel-Premier Tech with simply three riders after 18 attritional days of racing in Italy.

That is the closest this yr’s Giro will get to Slovenia so it’s no shock to see numerous love for Jan Tratnik at the beginning and the reception will likely be comparable for famous person Tadej Pogačar. 

Be sure you learn Barry Ryan’s nice preview for as we speak’s stage which particulars the significance of as we speak’s end location, Sappada. Attributable to its function within the 1987 Giro d’Italia the place a controversial stage performed out for Carrera and Roberto Visentini which finally noticed the Irishman declare the Giro en path to a Triple Crown.

No Sappada ambush probably in Giro d’Italia the place Tadej Pogačar has already had closing phrase – Stage 19 preview

Riders are lining up now with unofficial begin simply minutes away.

Stage begin

Riders are gone from the beginning in Mortegliano with nice reception from the native crowds, particularly for Jonathan Milan. We’re barely delayed however solely have 1.4km till the flag drops and motion kicks off.

This is race chief Pogačar on what’s his seventeenth day within the maglia rosa. He has simply three extra levels to navigate till victory is confirmed and as we speak ought to simply be for following with a a lot more durable day incoming tomorrow.

157KM TO GO

Stage 19 of the Giro d’Italia is underway! Flag dropped and it is time for the assaults to start.

Polti-Kometa get issues going and straight onto the wheel are Visma-Lease a Bike. Its Bais for the previous.

Instantly following the pair comes round 15-20 riders additionally within the transfer. The flat-ish begin will permit numerous the rouleurs to probability their hand but in addition to try to convey a climber as much as the entrance with the ultimate all uphill. 

Visma-Lease a Bike are all around the begin of this stage after their group was plagued with sickness and diminished to 4 males remaining on the Giro – Tratnik, Affini, Van Dijke and Valter.

Italian champion Simone Velasco (Astana Qazaqstan) could be very keen to point out of the pink, white and inexperienced il Tricolore jersey. He is in an enormous transfer with the likes of Valter, Mullen, Hoole and Affini for now.

150KM TO GO

Soudal Fast-Step are usually not pleased with the configuration and have ignited a brand new assault. A lot motion popping out of the peloton within the opening section. 

Its a nine-man group up in entrance for now and so they have simply greater than 11 seconds on the unsettled peloton. Subsequent wave of assaults coming now. 

Will probably be very powerful to bridge throughout to the leaders as a small climber for now with some very large engines in there: Hoole, Affini, Mullen, Lonardi and Milesi are all very highly effective on the flat.

The group forward are 10 robust, correction. However it’s removed from over even with their benefit now out to 22 seconds. 

Some disagreement up entrance with Vendrame gesturing that he’s sad on the work being executed to the remainder of the break.

Racing is flying alongside for the second with the assaults popping out of the peloton requiring full fuel effort to even eke out only a few seconds. Walscheid and Plapp are attempting to make a tandem soar for Jayco AlUla.

Kaden Groves (Alpecin-Deceuninck) had a dig however was provided no help, prompting him to get on the radio and name for backup. 

A have a look at the day’s break to date being led by Andrea Piccolo (EF Training-EasyPost) – one of many Giro’s most aggressive riders in 2024. 

140KM TO GO

Alpecin-Deceuninck have missed it and are scrambling now, placing themselves on the entrance and pacing. Will probably be powerful to make any distinction on a powerful group of 10 up the highway. 

Alpecin’s infernal tempo has lastly had the impact, pulling the hole all the way down to 17 seconds. Will they’ve something left once they lastly get shut sufficient or pull them again?

Single-file, full fuel within the peloton as they undergo a number of the beautiful cities in northeast Italy. 

One other group be part of the livid pacing on the entrance – Bahrain Victorious. 

The break look executed now. Numerous wanting round and a few them attempting however with the flying peloton now closing in on them, it’s time to cease and check out once more. Nonetheless 13 seconds however the motivation for this particular transfer has gone.

130KM TO GO

The hole has stopped coming down and peloton is swelling with firepower working out within the chase. The break may nonetheless have an opportunity but if they’ll cooperate. 

Very odd scenario with the break simply dangling out in entrance and within the peloton’s view as they head by San Daniele del Friuli. Extra tempo is coming to the entrance now although.

Peloton is again to full fuel and strung out fully once more. A small uphill part by the city has seen Alpecin and Fast-Step bringing it again. 

Break Caught

As quickly because the break is caught and we hit an uphill part, Julian Alaphilippe makes his transfer! We have an 850-metre hill right here which is ideal for the puncheurs to make a distinction.

Stage 1 winner Naráez is with him and 4 others. Stage 6 winner Pelayo Sánchez (Movistar) can also be right here as is Nicola Conci (Alpecin-Deceuninck).

That Alaphilippe assault has put lots of people in hassle behind. Lots of the Jayco and Alpecin riders who injected the livid ache could have been shot out the again. 

Luke Plapp has one other dig to make sure his teammates’ work was not in useless.

Splits all around the highway after that quick hill. Plapp is making nice progress within the inexperienced and gold jersey and appears like he’ll make contact. 

120KM TO GO

Plapp makes it six in entrance however the large peloton is just not too far behind, though they’re wanting round nobody has but took management. 

Three stage winners from this yr’s Giro within the group – Narváez, Sánchez and Alaphilippe. Hermans and Plapp have additionally each been within the high three of levels.

Simply 9 seconds of a lead for the six in entrance with increasingly assaults nonetheless coming as they navigate some extra technical, undulating roads. 

Alaphilippe had an enormous second in one of many excessive pace corners and practically took out Sánchez, angering the Spanish rider. Each fortunately stayed rubber-side down. 

The race is crossing over the Tagliamento river, near the birthplace of each Alessandro De Marchi and Jonathan Milan. Neither have made it into this breakaway, nevertheless. 

Numerous quick, sharp hills incoming within the subsequent 20km, so count on extra assaults to come back on the launchpads. No probability this break is over once more with simply 16 seconds to the leaders. 

This is the second Alaphilippe made his assault. Really again to his greatest at this Giro. 

There was a momentary lull in place with peloton trying to have let the break go till Arkéa-B&B Resorts reignited the tempo and kicked off one other large assault. Hole is out to 36 seconds although so they should get a transfer on. 

Milan is now making a transfer on house roads. He is bought none of his climbing teammates on his wheel so does not maintain it going. Jayco are nonetheless attempting for extra even with Plapp up the highway. 

110KM TO GO

Hole has come again from 45 to 24 seconds after the most recent spherical of strikes. 

Juanpe Lopez (Lidl-Trek) is just not giving up on making this as makes one other dig on the entrance. However he is dragging an enormous group with him and never being provided a lot help for now. 

We’re on an unclassified climb, the proper time to try to shut the 19-second hole. The six males in entrance are nonetheless working collectively properly. 

Crash for Narváez as he led the break down the descent. He was up very fast after leaning into the nook and may nonetheless be with the leaders however the adrenaline will likely be pumping. 

The identical nook has taken Mauri Vansevenant who crashed in the very same option to Narváez. Break’s hole is all the way down to 12 seconds with Juanpe Lopez nonetheless doing the work within the peloton. 

Numerous riders getting again onto the lengthy, strung out peloton however that is all out racing after 18 already brutal days on the Giro. Ache all around the highway. 

The primary 50km of as we speak’s stage was executed in underneath an hour. Fast speeds once more on what has been the quickest Giro d’Italia ever to date.

100KM TO GO

Assaults nonetheless coming from the peloton by the groups who’ve missed out. We’re closing in on the intermediate dash in Peonis. There’s additionally a gaggle of 4 within the hole between the break and peloton, Theuns, Stuyven, Paleni and Bais.

The group of 4 are doing nice work and needs to be making in 10 on the entrance of the race in only a second. The peloton is round 36 seconds down with assaults nonetheless coming. 

Numerous wanting round in these strikes behind, nevertheless, with numerous groups fully spent and unable to mount a chase after the fast opening 60km of racing. 

Visma and EF are nonetheless and their chase behind has ended up forming a gaggle in between the leaders and the peloton. Van Dijke, Tratnik, Steinhauser and Valgren among the many group attempting to get throughout. 

90KM TO GO

The peloton against this has lastly settled down because the race approaches an uncategorised climb.  

The chase group of round 9 riders is simply 20 seconds down on the lead. Behind, the peloton’s straightforward tempo has dropped them 2:20 down.

This is the group of 10 which are on the entrance of stage 19. They sit 20 seconds from the chasing group of 9 however ought to be part of collectively quickly and they’ll combat for the stage with the peloton sitting up behind. 

EF have executed very effectively after lacking the early break however taking their probability to get into this chasing transfer with Steinhauser, Honore and Valgren all making it right into a transfer. 

UAE have moved to the entrance of the peloton to “management”. They will not be chasing with any urgency in any respect as nobody up entrance is a menace to chief Pogačar. 

Cooperation within the main 10 hasn’t been superb so changing into a gaggle of 19 won’t make that any simpler. The chasing group is at 13 seconds from the lead – the combat for the break could also be comparatively over however the combat to make it into the group which is able to combat for victory is not at all over. 

80KM TO GO

Common pace of 50kph. That may come down with the hills approaching however wow, not a day to have a foul day within the bunch. 

As we shut in on the midpoint of the stage, the breakaway is all collectively and 19 riders robust in entrance. Concord for now between the 2 teams however issues will break up on the primary climb to Passo Duron (6.9 km to five.8%) which we’ll attain the foot of in round 20km.

UAE Workforce Emirates sitting calmly in a line on the head of the peloton, sat comfortably 6:07 away from the leaders. 

A peaceful day for the pink jersey Tadej Pogacar. His day will come tomorrow on the double ascent of Monte Grappa. 

70KM TO GO

We’re into a peaceful part of the parcours whereas the stress builds once more for the climbs that line the ultimate 60km of racing. Subsequent checkpoint would be the Intergiro dash in Paularo. 

Alessandro Verre has valiantly been on the solo chase in between the peloton and breakaway however his hole is being posted at 4:25. Unhealthy day for Arkéa-B&B Resorts who had been very energetic within the early assaults however have missed out. 

UAE having a really stress-free day within the peloton on stage 19. Reminder that the closest man to Pogačar on GC is Narváez, who began the day one hour and 5 minutes down on the chief.

We’re on a protracted uncategorised part of climbing with a descent to the Intergiro dash to come back. After heading by Paularo, that is the place the primary categorised climb of the day will begin – the primary of three. 

One other have a look at the day’s very robust breakaway that will likely be combating out the stage win in 63km. 

60KM TO GO

Closing in on the Intergiro now however all focus within the break will likely be on the Passo Duron the place the racing ought to reignite within the break.

Manuele Tarozzi is the primary to chew as he assaults for the Intergiro. This is also the launch of an assault because the group behind all have a look at one another. 

This is the profile of the climb the breakaway are simply beginning. Some actually steep gradients with an excellent probability to separate up the group of 19. 

Luke Plapp is again within the group after dropping away momentarily. 

Tarozzi is weaving facet to facet, exhibiting simply how steep the gradients are. 

Alaphilippe makes an acceleration! That is the steepest climb of the day and the Frenchman needs to make the distinction on his rivals within the group. 

Flat tire for Pogačar within the peloton however he is calmly stopping to get it modified. 

Wide selection within the break with Narváez leaping throughout to Alaphilippe’s transfer. Numerous the 19 struggling behind on the steeper slopes. 

Narváez, Alaphilippe, Tarozzi, Sánchez and Steinhauser are the strongest 5 for the second with 2.3km to go on the climb. 

50KM TO GO

Tarozzi has dropped away from the stronger climbers with Hermans and Vendrame each bridging throughout on the latter part of the climb. 

The main group of now six are within the downhill part closing in on the ultimate intermediate dash of the day in Cercivento the place they may begin the subsequent categorised climb of the day – Sella Valcalda (8.9 km à 3.7%).

Alaphilippe group main with a 40-second hole on the splintered chase teams.

Velasco, Valgren, Tarozzi, Tratnik, Plapp and Bais are reportedly the chasing group who’re making an impression on the hole however they have been away from the cameras for the reason that climb. 

40KM TO GO

Numerous experiences of rain falling on the end in Sappada.

Plapp and Tratnik are working the toughest within the chasing group and will make it a 14-man break again on the entrance of the race. The Australian champion has been struggling with sickness however he is recovered considerably.

Alaphilippe is aware of the group are coming with 38.5km to go and he places in an enormous assault! Nobody can observe him however Steinhauser and Narváez are tapping away on the pedals behind to try to pull him again. 

The 2-time World Champion’s large dig has put Vendrame, Hermans and Sánchez out the again. Valgren and Narváez have now made it a number one trio after getting again swiftly. 

Sanchez has re-found his legs and is closing in solo on the three on the entrance. 

Plapp, regardless of his sickness, has ridden the chasing group off of his wheel and set off in pursuit of the leaders. Behind the now 4 in entrance, Vendrame can also be working his means again in.

36KM TO GO

Plapp was on a 30-second hole on the foot of the climb however he has flown up it on his personal. He is joined Vendrame in a chase and so has Hermans who retains combating. 

As I kind, Plapp needs to make the junction forward of the crest so he jumps away to make it 5 within the entrance. 

All collectively on the entrance of the race: Steinhauser (EF), Narváez (Ineos), Sánchez (Movistar), Hermans (Alpecin), Vendrame (AG2R), Plapp (Jayco) and Alaphilippe (Fast-Step). 

On one other be aware, the climate has bought considerably worse with the rain now falling closely 35km from the road. Large descent incoming. 

Some beautiful views up the Passo Duron earlier within the day. 

This descent will likely be difficult coming off the Sella Valcalda climb. Additionally solely two of the main seven have managed to placed on an additional layer.

Sadly, there’s been one other abandon on the Giro with Andrea Piccolo (EF Training-EasyPost) after a horrific crash behind the peloton. 

30KM TO GO

Vendrame is throwing warning to the wind on the downhill and has gapped everybody else within the main group. Behind him, Alaphilippe and Narváez have additionally bought forward of the remaining 5 in entrance. 

Sanchez, Steinhauser, Hermans and Plapp are swapping turns to try to rejoin Alaphilippe and Narvaez however Vendrame has bought a way up the highway after his daredevil descent. 20 seconds to the lone chief. 

The following 20km or so will all be uphill because the breakaway heads in direction of the Cima Sappada. 

This is the profile of the Cima Sappada climb which ought to make the choice within the break. Reminder that though they’re already heaving uphill at the beginning of the race, the ultimate climb correct begins 14.2km from the end. 

Splits within the break – Hermans has dropped out the again whereas Plapp and Steinhauser are struggling within the hole between the Belgian and the trio of Alaphilippe, Narvaez and Sanchez. 

Plapp and Steinhauser have made contact once more. Vendrame’s benefit has melted away to 11 seconds within the rain with the break working exhausting. 

Workforce automobiles for the 5 chasers have been put again into the hole to supply up a closing spherical of feeding earlier than it closes in 2km time. This re-fueling has allowed Vendrame the possibility to rebuild his benefit to 26km.

20KM TO GO

Rain jacket eliminated and time for Alaphilippe to get centered in on the ultimate climb. It is not the toughest of the race by any means however the steep closing 2km will probably make the successful choice for the day. 

All about staying secure behind for this man Pogačar. The GC group is 13 minutes behind and has safely navigated a lot of the day’s descending. 

Vendrame has actually been allowed to get away because the chasers put together for the ultimate categorised climb of the day. 48 seconds to make up.

Hermans returns with the pace-easing however after being dropped earlier within the day, it will take a miracle for him to win the stage. 

There’s a number of wanting round within the chase group as they method the climb correct – Vendrame is already on it and has a 1:05 benefit. 

14KM TO GO

Right here we go, Steinhauser assaults! This group have work to do and the assaults have began. One other chasing group is closing in on the Alaphilippe group behind. 

Narvaez snaps onto the German’s wheel however they’ve 7.5km to get again to the Italian one minute up the highway. Sanchez, Alaphilippe, Plapp and Hermans all out of the saddle and attempting to remain alive. 

Hermans begins to battle first which isn’t any shock given he dropped earlier within the day. The opposite 5 proceed to chase Vendrame. 

Been some brutally powerful circumstances on the market on stage 19. 

The longer the chase proceed to mark one another out, the higher it seems for Vendrame. Steinhauser and Narvaez had been caught and it’s all again collectively behind with even Hermans getting again on. 

Alaphilippe goes! But it surely doesnt final lengthy with nobody within the chase group desirous to waste an excessive amount of too early as he is caught. 

Steinhauser stated he was struggling after his stage win however he is had sufficient of the techniques and has attacked once more. A brand new star from this Giro. 

10KM TO GO

Vendrame has barely misplaced any time with a 1:09 benefit nonetheless standing. The hardest inclines are but to come back, nevertheless. 

Sánchez now makes a transfer for Movistar as he seems for a second stage win. Narváez is following with Alaphilippe and Plapp not too far behind. 

This is lone chief Vendrame, on the lookout for a second stage win on the Giro d’Italia so as to add to the one he has from the 2021 race. He is cheered on by the Italian followers. 

Steinhauser is being closed by Sánchez because the Italian in entrance hits the toughest inclines. Vendrame seems unbelievable, although, together with his hole steady at 1:09 from the chasers. 

Vendrame is growing his hole as Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale proceed to point out simply how nice of a season they’re having. Flying type for the French group in 2024. 

7KM TO GO

Sánchez has caught and dropped Steinhauser however the hole to Vendrame nonetheless seems strong. The chief is into the ultimate kilometre of the Cima Sappada with only a descent and a small kick as much as the end nonetheless to come back. 

Vendrame crests the Cima Sappada with a 1:10 benefit nonetheless intact. Sánchez is the second strongest on the highway however he would want the chief to make a mistake for a second stage win. 

Andrea Vendrame is closing in on victory now as he descends off the climb and heads for the end. He made his transfer with a flying descent 30km from the road and has solely prolonged his lead on the ultimate climb. 

This would be the second win on the 2024 Giro d’Italia for Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale after Valentin Paret-Peintre gained stage 10. Dream season continues for the group on fireplace. 

1KM TO GO

Vendrame will know he has this win now as he heads by the followers and powers up the previous few inclines within the highway with the end approaching. 

His final Giro win got here on stage 12 of the 2021 Giro d’Italia and since them he is solely gained 1 race, with out a win for close to three years however Andrea Vendrame has returned to successful methods at one of many largest doable races. 

Celebrations within the closing run to the road with a excessive 5 on the group automotive. Incredible scenes for Decathlon and the 29-year-old Italian after a superb breakaway win. 

Stage end

Andrea Vendrame (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale) wins stage 19 of the Giro d’Italia from the breakaway!

Nice rides behind Vendrame from stage winners already at this race, Pelayo Sánchez (Movistar) and Georg Steinhauser (EF Training Simple-Submit) who take second and third. 

The remainder of the valiant breakaway are coming house in ones and twos however we have round eight minutes to attend for the maglia rosa group to come back house. 

The group behind has been thinned down and Einer Rubio (Movistar) is feeling good and having a dig. Pogačar is following him with the remainder of the highest 10 additionally within the wheels. 

The GC group is near the highest of the ultimate climb as Bardet assaults. He is marked by Tiberi so knocks off his effort. 

Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers) crashes and his chain is off! Catastrophe for the Welshman as he screams on the radio for a brand new bike. 

That was such an innocuous second and Thomas went down as he simply appeared round and clipped Tiberi’s again wheel. Nobody is using on the entrance and so they have slowed down to permit Thomas to get again in as they need to.

Panic over for Geraint Thomas as he is again in. All calm once more on the entrance of the GC group. 

This is Andrea Vendrame’s successful second in Sappada.

UAE Workforce Emirates have introduced everybody safely to the end now. GC motion will likely be saved for tomorrow’s double ascent up Monte Grappa. Only one extra GC day left earlier than Pogačar confirms general victory on the Giro forward of the procession into Rome on Sunday. 

This is what stage winner Andrea Vendrame needed to say after an enormous day within the break:

“It is a good day as we speak. The vital factor was to get within the breakaway. I used to be there right away from the beginning after which in the long run, the all known as me a joker and effectively I attempted to try this,” stated Vendrame.

“I attempted to get away on the descent and it was an excellent transfer as a result of they did not rally agree an excessive amount of behind and naturally for me it was higher. 

“I believed that someone was going to come back again however I attempted to maintain an excellent, common rhythm and naturally they sorted me very effectively from the automotive. It was excellent.”

Vendrame will probably be again on responsibility to guard Ben O’Connor’s fourth place on GC tomrorow on the double ascent of Monte Grappa however Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale have confirmed they don’t seem to be afraid to probability their hand within the breakaway.

“There’s one other stage to go tomorrow within the mountains. We all know that Pogi is actually robust however we’re right here with O’Connor for the GC,” he stated. “We have gained two levels and we now have nothing to lose in any respect, we’ll give it a strive tomorrow.”

High 10 on stage 19 of the Giro d’Italia, powered by FirstCycling. Exhibits the brilliance of Vendrame’s descent assault with a 54-second hole on the line even after celebrating early. 

And here is how the GC sits heading into the ultimate day for GC motion on a 184km route from Alpago to Bassano del Grappa which takes in a double ascent of the 18.1km climb. Once more powered by FirstCycling.

This is what race chief Tadej Pogačar needed to say after stage 19:

“I believe it reveals that everyone has respect to everybody and its not obligatory. No one needs to cross Thomas in that sort of means so I hope he is OK after the crash. 

“It was unlucky in spite of everything day moving into management after which this silly second in the long run and I hope we are able to have a fantastic present tomorrow,” he stated after he and Rafał Majka knocked off the tempo and waited after the Welshman crashed within the closing.

Pogačar will burst into life once more on stage 20 as he eyes a sixth stage win:

“If we now have an opportunity. Right now we had been actually conservative with the group, no person spent an excessive amount of power and tomorrow is the final day of this Giro for us climbers. Its gonna be numerous Slovenian flags, already as we speak it was good to see everyone.

“In fact the very best win is to reach solo however you by no means know. Possibly tomorrow somebody will likely be stronger than me however we’ll strive anyway.”

Right here it’s then, the beast that’s stage 20 of the Giro d’Italia. 184km and two ascents of the hellish 18.1km Monte Grappa stand between the ultimate GC standings of this yr’s race.

That is the place the ultimate podium will likely be battles out by Dani Martínez (Bora-Hansgrohe), Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers), Ben O’Connor (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale) and Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain Victorious), with these additional down the highest 10 additionally doable candidates to maneuver up needs to be gaps be huge.

For race chief Pogačar, it appears as if he has his eyes set on victory so count on UAE Workforce Emirates to be on full controlling responsibility so he can smash he means up the climbs and take a sixth stage win on debut to substantiate his general victory.  

That wraps issues up for our stay protection of stage 19 however be certain to learn our full race report under which features a gallery of the day’s motion. Additionally, look out for any information popping out of the race from our group on the bottom in Italy and head to CN’s homepage to see all the outcomes from a busy day of racing together with, the Tour of Norway and RideLondon Classique. 

Giro d’Italia: Andrea Vendrame solos to stage 19 victory in Sappada