Soler (8th) leads a brave and persistent Movistar Team

16 May 2021

Giro d'Italia (st.9)

Marc Soler climbs one position on the GC as Bernal (IGD) takes stage and the 'Maglia Rosa' in front of Ciccone (TFS) and Vlasov (APT).

Same script as yesterday’s stage as it took almost 80 km to form a break on a 158 km. stage that started in Castel di Sangro and finished in Campo Felice (Rocca di Cambio). Our guys tried from the very beginning with several attempts by Matteo Jorgenson and significant efforts by Dario Cataldo and Davide Villella, who made it into a 12 unit group.

Matteo Jorgenson tried and tried at the beggining of the stage *(c): BettiniPhoto*

This group held up on the ascent of Passo Godi (2nd category), just before getting to the top Caruso (TBV) attacked from the peloton threatening Valter (GFC) the then current ‘Maglia Rosa’. A vicious chase followed, with Caruso supported by Mäder and Mohoric on the front group pushing for him. The fast pace led to a crash by Mohoric who had to retire from the race.

Dario Cataldo, our local rider for the ‘Abruzzo’ stages, was the one who pushed the most to form a break *(c): BettiniPhoto*

This group was eventually caught and the fight started again, Nelson Oliveira had his opportunity catching a 12 men group, but it was finally Einer Rubio the one who made it in to the right group of 17 that went on for the rest of the stage.

Einer Rubio made it to the break, but he had to face a very demanding company *(c): BettiniPhoto*

The race remained relatively calm until the ascent to Ovindoli (2nd category) where attacks began on the break with Bouchard (ACT) and Carr (EFN) going on their own followed by a group of chasers. Einer Rubio was distanced but made it to the chasers afterwards, pacing himself on the climb.

Einer Rubio couldn’t keep with the pace of the chasers and the team started to accelerate on the back group as the race was getting closer to the final ascent to Campo Felice in order to secure a good position for Marc Soler.

On the final kilometer and onto the ‘sterrato’ Bouchard (ACT) and Bouwman (TJV) rode with a minimum advantage, then Bernal (IGD) launched his attack and quickly surpassed them to take the win and the ‘Maglia Rosa’.

Marc Soler held up on the front finishing 8th and conceding 12″, this performance allows him to step one position on the GC and he’s now 12th at 1’20” from Bernal.

Marc Soler was exceptionally well positioned (and hydrated) during the stage *(c): BettiniPhoto*

Hilly terrain and a flat finish for tomorrow between L’Aquila and Foligno, in a 139 km stage that will have several short and non categorized climbs as well as a 4th category one.

– Start at 13.40 h, finish around 17.00 h; broadcasted by Eurosport 2 and GCN+ starting 13:35 h.

Cover image (c): BettiniPhoto