Giro d'Italia (st. 5)

Héctor -a main factor in the winning break-, Einer -on the attack into decisive Valico di Montescuro climb- show the Telefónica jersey at another win by Filippo Ganna (IGD). Pedrero, Samitier finish inside GC group again.

/ Today’s route

One of the most demanding stages in the 2020 Giro, with 4,700 meters of elevation gain and 225km between Mileto and Camigliatello Silano. The second half of the race was really demanding, with lots of ups and downs and the Valico di Montescuro (Cat-1), one of the longest climbs of the entire season at 24km (at 5.6% average). The summit was 12km from the end.

/ Weather report

As warm as the Sicily stages were, it was nowhere as near today, neither in the opening phase of the race (20-22ºC) nor in a cold final section (less than 10ºC a the top of Montescuro), combined with some brief spells of rain and a bit of crosswind (about 20kph) early on.

/ Keys to the race

• By the looks of the stage profile, many knew there could be a strong chance for the breakaway today, and the Movistar Team did not stop trying. Dario Cataldo, Davide Villella… several from the Telefónica-backed squad made moves to join a group which, after 60km covered in just 70 minutes from the start, formed with Héctor Carretero in. The Madrigueras, Albacete native joined Restrepo (ANS), Tratnik (TBM), Hagen (LTS), Ganna, Puccio (IGD), Conti (UAD) and Zardini (THR) at an escape whose maximum advantage was five minutes.
• The pace by Astana, Sunweb and Trek-Segafredo in the approach to the final climb and its opening slopes progressively reduced the advantage for the break of Carretero, the most offensive rider from those in the lead. Up to three attacks saw the Madrigueras native trying to go solo and finding opposition from only two riders: Zardini and eventual winner Ganna. However, after that final move, they were caught by a counter-attack formed in the early slopes of the ascent, with Thomas de Gendt (LTS) carrying a great Einer Rubio with him.

• The Colombian was the final rider from the Movistar Team to seek for the stage win, fighting in pursuit as Ganna left Einer and De Gendt behind with 15km to go. Rubio would end up being caught by a GC group of around twenty riders, including Antonio Pedrero and a courageous Sergio Samitier, who went several times on the attack near the end of the stage. The two Blues progress towards 15th and 16th overall, as Joao Almeida (DQT) continues to lead the GC standings.

/ Quotes

Einer Rubio: “There were several from us trying to fight for a spot into the early break, and even if I wasn’t able to, we had Héctor in a good position up there. Those attacks into the final climb gave me a chance to keep on trying and I could follow De Gendt’s move through to the front. I felt quite more comfortable in the pack today and carried stronger legs, after some opening stages where it was taking a bit more for me to follow the pace and I wasn’t feeling as confident. I lacked quite a bit to be able to go past that strong attack from Ganna, but as I say, we’re getting stronger every day and I’m finding back that confidence. Let’s keep trying – I’m willing to go for it and there will surely be more chances in the upcoming days.“

/ Upcoming goals

After such a demanding day, the GC contenders should be able to enjoy some respite – not much – during stage six on Thursday. 188km will be covered between Castrovillari and Matera, climbing the GPM de Millotta (Cat-3) with 26km to go and a series of little bumps before the line. Should sprinters get to those ones, it won’t be easy at all for them to contest the win, as a 750m slope at 6% will be covered with 2km to go.

Cover picture (c): BettiniPhoto