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Monday, May 29, 2023
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2022 Tour de France | 2022 Giro d'Italia
A gentle word, a kind look, a good-natured smile can work wonders and accomplish miracles. - William Hazlitt
Bill and Carol McGann's book The Story of the Tour de France, Vol 2: 1976 - 2018 is available in print, Kindle eBook & Audiobook versions. To get your copy, just click on the Amazon link on the right.
Current racing:
- May 26 - 29: Tour of Norway
Upcoming racing:
- June 2: Giro dell'Appennino
- June 4: Brussels Cycling Classic
- June 4 - 11: Critérium du Dauphiné
- June 7 - 11: ZLM Tour
Latest completed racing:
- May 6 - 29: Giro d'Italia
- May 16 - 21: 4 Jours du Dunkerque
- May 21: Rund um Köln
- May 20: Veenendaal - Veenendaal Classic
- May 7: Tro-Bro Léon
- May 6: GP du Morbihan
- May 1: Eschborn-Frankfurt
- April 25 - 30: Tour de Romandie
- April 28 - 30: Vuelta Asturias
We posted the report from race winner Primoz Roglic's Team Jumbo-Visma with the results.
Here's the report from GC second-place Geraint Thomas' Team INEOS Genadiers:
Geraint Thomas confirmed a superb second place overall at the Giro d'Italia on an emotional final stage in Rome.
Geraint Thomas finishing the stage 20 time trial, his last moments in pink. Sirotti photo
The Welshman finished in the peloton to clinch a fourth Grand Tour podium finish, 14 seconds back on race winner Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) - the fourth closest finish in the history of the Italian Grand Tour.
The final stage was the culmination of a demanding three weeks for Thomas, the team and the entire peloton. The INEOS Grenadiers worked extremely hard, right down to the final kilometres, to keep Thomas safe and out of trouble.
Thomas then showed a huge mark of respect to friend and former team-mate Mark Cavendish by launching an extended lead-out into the final kilometre, with the Brit taking a rousing victory in front of the Colosseum.
Also finishing in the peloton, Thymen Arensman and Laurens De Plus capped off brilliant results, finishing sixth and 10th overall respectively despite three weeks of selfless work for the team. Ben Swift and Salvatore Puccio stepped up massively in the second half of the race with the team down to just five riders.
Sadly the team were unable to finish with a full complement of eight riders. Filippo Ganna was forced out of the race after the first week due to COVID-19, while Tao Geoghegan Hart and Pavel Sivakov were unable to continue following crashes and subsequent injuries. We can't wait to see all three riders back on the bike.
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Here's the report from points classification winner Jonathan Milan's Team Bahrain Victorious:
Rome, the Eternal City, was the stunning setting of the conclusion of the 2023 Giro d’Italia on Sunday, May 28. A memorable edition for team Bahrain Victorious, which wrapped up the Corsa Rosa with a series of exceptional results, namely 2 stage wins, 4 second places, the Maglia Ciclamino for Jonathan Milan, the 4th place of Damiano Caruso in the GC and winning the Super Team classification.
Jonathan Milan wins the points classification. Sirotti photo
Bahrain Victorious was one of the only two teams that finished this Giro’s edition, complete, with all eight riders. A strong squad that worked hard throughout 3 tough weeks with bad weather conditions, challenging stages and the difficulties, that are typical of a Grand Tour, as Sports Director Gorazd Stangelj explained:
“The start of this Giro was not easy for us, as we had to make a last-minute change with Mäder. But Arashiro, who replaced him, showed how important team spirit is and the role of a worker like him in such a race. Jonathan Milan proved he deserved to be at this Giro, repaying the confidence with a victory on the very first occasion for the sprinters. I think that winning stage 2 was the key to our Giro because it relieves pressure for the remainder of the race.”
The Bull of Buja took a maiden victory in his first Grand Tour, wearing the points jersey, the ‘Maglia Ciclamino’ for 20 consecutive days. “I’m very happy about this jersey. It was an incredible Giro for me and my team also. We did our best, and we deserved what we achieved. My teammates were fabulous in helping me, especially on the Tre Cime di Lavaredo stage when I was suffering badly”. Jonny Power was 2nd in four stages, proving to be the most consistent sprinter of this Giro: “I always want to improve and to get experience. Maybe what I regret the most is the second place in Caorle, but in the end, I can only be satisfied with my first ever Giro d’Italia”.
The other stage victory in the tally was not just any victory, but the epic Queen stage, with the solo success of Santiago Buitrago. Besides the Columbian climber, the best performance in the mountains was that of Damiano Caruso, Bahrain Victorious road captain, who ended this Giro with a fantastic 4th place in the General Classification, sealed by a terrific uphill time trial on the penultimate stage.
“I’m satisfied with my Giro and this 4th place. I did my best, and I don’t have any regrets. I could say a stage win would of been a bonus, but as I was well placed in the GC, it was not easy to have the occasion to try and get it. The podium was difficult to achieve, seeing the strong rivals, but I’m more than happy about my result and my performance in this Giro”.
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Here's the Giro report from winner of the Best Young Rider classification Joao Almeida's UAE Team Emirates:
In a thrilling three weeks of cycling action, the 2023 Giro d’Italia witnessed an impressive performance by Joao Almeida of UAE Team Emirates, who clinched a well-deserved podium finish in third place. Almeida, supported by his strong team, showcased his talent and determination throughout the race, leaving a lasting mark on the prestigious Italian Grand Tour.
Joao Almeida takes home the young rider's white jersey. Sirotti photo
UAE Team Emirates came into the Giro d’Italia with high ambitions, and their prowess was evident from the very beginning. The team’s sprinter, Pascal Ackermann, showcased his speed and power by sprinting to victory on stage 11 to Tortona.
Brandon McNulty, another key rider for the UAE squad, displayed his exceptional climbing abilities and race strategy to win on stage 15 to Bergamo. McNulty’s hard work and tactical brilliance paid off when he secured the stage victory, reinforcing the team’s dominance in different terrains and race scenarios.
However, it was Joao Almeida who emerged as the team’s standout performer and ultimately claimed a spot on the final podium along with a memorable stage win on Monte Bondone.
Almeida’s third-place finish was a testament to his exceptional skill and the unwavering support of his teammates. Throughout the race, UAE Team Emirates demonstrated their cohesive strength and ability to work coherently as a unit, providing Almeida with the necessary support and protection during crucial moments.
The overall title was won by Primoz Roglic (Jumbo Visma) with Almeida top of the young riders category and at 24 years old, keen for much more.
Almeida: “It feels pretty special to finish on the podium in this company. I hope to be back on the podium again in the future. I’m still growing as a rider and keen to see what’s coming in the next years. I had a really good team by my side and some days you could see it on the TV and even sometimes you don’t see it but they were always there for me and without them it would have been impossible, also for the hard work behind the scenes of all the staff. It’s a team effort and one I’m very proud of.”
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And here's the report from stage 21 fourth-place Alberto Dainese's Team DSM:
The final day of racing at the Giro d’Italia saw the traditional processional start as the riders headed through Rome towards the finish circuits, before the action began to unfold. Working well as a group, the team looked to reel in the attackers with Jonas Iversby Hvideberg doing a lot of work on the front of the bunch, aiming to set up finisher Alberto Dainese for the finale.
Heading onto the last lap the break was caught but unfortunately Marius Mayrhofer suffered a puncture and despite a quick bike change, he wouldn’t make it back to the front. Andreas Leknessund and Niklas Märkl did well to keep Dainese in a good position before he surfed the wheels in the technical and fast finale. Launching from deep, Dainese surged past several riders and fought all the way to the line, claiming a fine fourth place finish. With no gaps on the run in, Dainese also holds onto a hard-fought and well-earned eighth place on GC, rounding out a good three weeks of racing in Italy for Team DSM.
The 2023 Giro's final sprint, won by Mark Cavendish. Alberto Dainese is on the far right. Sirotti photo
Dainese expressed: “I felt really strong all day. The guys looked after me and put me in a good position for the finish. I struggled a bit to sprint properly on the cobbles though and I think if it wasn’t on them I could have done an even better result. Overall it was a good Giro. If you said at the start of year that I would have won another stage at the Giro with the team then I would have been really happy with that, so I’m pleased with it.”
Team DSM coach Matt Winston added: “We came here with the expectation to hunt stages and go for results there and I think we had a really successful time with that. We had the stage win with Alberto, second with Andreas on stage four, several other top ten finishes and then of course the five days in the pink jersey and an eighth on GC too, to round it all off in Italy. I think everyone on and off the bike can be really proud of how we’ve all worked together to get to this place.”
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