The First Italian Stage

First Italian Stage – First Italian Win

The first Italian stage, held on May 10, included two third-category climbs and, most importantly, a short, steep climb with two 18% sections 10 kilometers before the finish of the 200-kilometer route. This made it doubtful that a big group would arrive at the finish together; it would probably rule most sprinters out of the final sprint and increased the likelihood of a late attack.

And so it happened: on that section Italy’s Diego Ulissi attacked from the leading group; on the 18% section he gained a small lead, which he never gave up, and took the fifth Giro stage of his career.

10 May 2016
99th Giro d’Italia
Stage 04 : Catanzaro – Praia a Mare
ULISSI Diego (ITA) Lampre – Merida
Photo : Yuzuru SUNADA

Before that, Marcel Kittel was dropped by the peloton and had to hand the pink jersey back to Dutchman Tom Dumoulin.

There were no changes among the GC contenders.

Let’s see Italy with the peloton, through the photographer’s lens!

10 May 2016
99th Giro d’Italia
Stage 04 : Catanzaro – Praia a Mare
Peloton
Photo : Yuzuru SUNADA

We’ll pay special attention to the vineyards!

10 May 2016
99th Giro d’Italia
Stage 04 : Catanzaro – Praia a Mare
Peloton
Photo : Yuzuru SUNADA

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.