But thankfully, I still have Van Dijk, whose positioning skills put my mind at ease.
On May 12th, around 11 p.m. Beijing Time, the ninth stage (Avezzano to Naples) of the 2024 Giro d’Italia concluded. Initially, two Politt riders broke away for over 180 kilometers, followed by solo attempts from Alaphilippe and Navaz to challenge the peloton. However, a “double agent” scenario near the finish line saw favorites Trek-Segafredo outmaneuvered, allowing Kuys (Visma) to seize the opportunity and win his first race victory. Let’s review the race.
Pre-Race Moments
Effenberg. The injured Effenberg attended a La Liga match in Granada’s Camiones Stadium, where Real Madrid defeated Granada 4-0. After the game, he posed for a photo with fellow Belgian Courtois.
Roglic. Also injured, Roglic kept busy with individual training in the Spanish mountains. At 35, this might be his last time as a team leader in the Tour de France and his final chance to contend for the title.
Happy Mother’s Day! May 12th was International Mother’s Day, and Wanty-Gobert shared photos of several riders with their families. Wishing everyone a happy celebration!
Race Route. The 214-kilometer route started in Avezzano, in central Italy, and headed south, leaving the Apennines for the southern city of Naples. Though there were several undulating sections in the last 30 kilometers, the climbs were not challenging enough to exhaust sprinters, who, with their domestiques, caught up with the early breakaway before the final sprint battle approached the Naples city finish line.
▲Race Route
DNF News
Lutsenko. Before the race, he withdrew due to sinusitis, acute pharyngitis, and pneumonia. The team announced his withdrawal after medical checks. The Giro organizers expressed their sympathy and wished him a speedy recovery.
Amidst the cheers of spectators in Avezzano, the race began. As it was the last stage of the first part of the race, teams focused on the final 15-20 kilometers, providing a chance for less powerful riders to break away and showcase themselves.
The Italian-registered Politt team seized this opportunity. After the honorary ride, Maestri and Bertolini tried to escape. Initially, they hoped for a group to join them, but no one responded. Realizing it was their moment, the duo rode at an average speed of over 45 km/h.
The peloton, led by Team DSM, leisurely pursued the breakaway, generously giving up points on intermediate climbs and sprints. They allowed the two riders to enjoy their breakaway, albeit at the expense of their energy. There were two crashes within the peloton, affecting Thomas and Schachmann, both of whom managed to continue. Later, Tiberi (Trek-Damo) had to withdraw due to injury.
▲Tiberi
As the two riders approached exhaustion after over 180 kilometers, five riders, including Alaphilippe, bridged the gap and took over the breakaway. The original duo then rejoined the main group.
Alaphilippe rejoined the peloton after a satisfying 20-kilometer breakaway, with less than 4 kilometers to go. Navaz (Ineos Grenadiers) attempted another breakaway, but his effort only infuriated sprinter-focused teams, particularly Trek-Segafredo, which chased aggressively. With 1.5 kilometers left, UAE Team Emirates also joined the pursuit, with Pogačar acting as a lead-out man on the right side of Trek-Segafredo, trying to help his sprinter Morano secure a good position.