CyclingRevealed's Giro Perspective
Tappa 13, May 21st, Mezzocorona to Ortisle, 218 km
A ‘Coppi-Bartali’ Battle Ground
The rivalry between Italy’s two greatest heroes had a long and storied history in the grandiose mountains of the Val Gardena region. Gino Bartali and Fausto Coppi climbed their way into history in the majestic mountain of Italy. Today’s 218 km stage from Mezzocorona to Ortisei/St. Ullrich features five categorized climbs.
Peloton climbing in the Dolomites [ Image by La Gazetta ]
This is the second time the Giro has finished in Ortisei. In the 1940 Giro d’Italia Gino Bartali beat the race leader, a young Fausto Coppi, on the mountainous stage 17 to Ortisei.
The stage rolled out of Mezzocorona on a gorgeous Italian day and headed into the unforgiving Dolomite Mountains. Attacks came early and often as the road tilted upward at the 20 km mark of the stage. The danger rider in the breakaway was Juan Manuel Garate, who held 12th place 6’48” behind Basso.
Over the summit of the Passo di Gardena the Garate group’s lead passed 7 mintues, making Garate the virtual Maglia Rosa ‘on-the-road’.
But the real racing was saved until the last 10 km. The dwindling breakaway group had been losing time but hit the bottom of the final climb to Ortisei 4 minutes ahead.
From the breakaway Ivan Parra’s attack was not answered and the Selle Italia rider snatched the stage win.
Stage winner Selle Italia’s Ivan Parra [ Image by La Gazetta ]
Halfway up the final climb Gilberto Simoni attacked the Maglia Rosa group. Only Paolo Savoldelli could hold his wheel. An inspired Savoldelli moved past Simoni and quickly gain time on a fading Basso.
Savoldelli and Simoni climb to the finish [ Image by La Gazetta ]
At the finish Savoldelli had gained 1’08” on Basso and took the Maglia Rosa.
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