Stage 11 started in beautiful Modena: from Ferrari’s homeland the peloton had to cover 227 kilometers, the third-longest stage of this year’s Giro — 200 flat kilometers and then climbs at the end, reminiscent of the monumental Primavera. From the start one could assume the fight for the stage would come to the fore, while the big names would focus on holding their positions; still, something significant happened in the ranks of the greats. Specifically, at kilometer 95, just like yesterday, another contender for overall victory, Tom Dumoulin, left the race. It emerged that Tom had been complaining of pain for several days and even needed antibiotics, but this didn’t help, and Tom stopped fighting. Unlike Mikel Landa, he doesn’t leave the Giro empty-handed, and now his full attention will turn to the Olympic time trial in Rio, where he is one of the main favorites.
The race went according to the genre: the breakaway was caught near the decisive kilometers. There was a big crash that left Vincenzo without his team; luckily for the race’s dramaturgy, Nibali wasn’t caught in it and didn’t lose time in the wrong place. On the descent before the finish it was Lo Squalo who, as usual, went down attacking; only Alejandro Valverde and Juan Esteban Chaves responded. For a while they even gained a small lead, but either they couldn’t agree or they judged spending energy pointless. Either way, the chasers easily caught them.
18 May 2016
99th Giro d’Italia
Stage 11 : Modena – Asolo
JUNGELS Bob (LUX) Etixx – Quickstep, Maglia Rosa
AMADOR Andrey (CRC) Movistar
ULISSI Diego (ITA) Lampre – Merida, at Forcella Mostaccin
Photo : Yuzuru SUNADA
The decisive attack was launched by Andrey Amador, second on GC, and the young pink jersey Jungels had to counterattack to defend his position. The escapees pushed on, and before their lead could become comfortable, the Italian talent Diego Ulissi shone again. With a lightning acceleration he bridged to the stage leaders and, as expected, easily beat the two of them in the sprint. It was Diego’s second stage at this Giro and the sixth of his career.
18 May 2016
99th Giro d’Italia
Stage 11 : Modena – Asolo
1st : ULISSI Diego (ITA) Lampre – Merida, 6th victory of the Giro d’Italia
Photo : Yuzuru SUNADA
Ahead of the main battles, the greats stayed where they were. The next stage is a pure sprinters’ stage with a very technical sprint, promising a great show for fans of the genre. This fiercest of sprints is just a few hours away.
Featured image: Yuzuru SUNADA/www.yuzurusunada.com
Inside post thumbnail image: Yuzuru SUNADA/www.yuzurusunada.com
Special thanks to the Japanese photographer Yuzuru SUNADA for permission to use his works in our publications.
Translated from Georgian with the assistance of Claude (Anthropic), reviewed by the Velorbola editors.
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