Giro d’Italia
The 109th edition of the Giro d’Italia starts with a stage of 147 kilometers in Bulgaria. The first mountain points are distributed along the way, after which in Burgas the sprinters seem to get a chance for the first pink jersey. Follow it live here.
liveblog
Another 15 km
A phase of relative peace in the peloton. The teams of the classification riders try to keep their leader at the front. Groenewegen, the Dutch ace in a bunch sprint together with Van Uden, is still lying low in the belly of the peloton. Groenewegen will soon have competition from fast men such as Milan, Magnier and Andresen.
Another 23 km
The adventure of Seville and Tarozzi is over. They punch each other and are then swallowed up by the pack. The expected bunch sprint seems to be happening on this opening day of the Giro!
Another 26 kilometers
The leading group is almost done. The peloton is only fifteen seconds behind.
Another 33 kilometers
Two Lotto riders attack from the peloton in preparation for the last two seconds of the bonus sprint. The four and six seconds had already been claimed by the leaders. Lennert van Eetvelt, one of the Lotto riders who took the lead, will not make it. Antonio Morgado of UAE Team Emirates takes the two seconds.
Another 40 kilometers
Sevilla also wins the second mountain sprint, which was finished on the same hill. The Spaniard can start tomorrow in the mountain jersey!
Another 45 kilometers
After the intermediate sprint, the peloton continues at walking pace. It’s anything but fast, the tension is saved for the absolute finale.
Another 55 kilometers
And the first intermediate sprint for the special intermediate sprint classification is also behind us. Jonathan beats Kaden Groves in the peloton, but the full loot of twelve points goes to leader Manuele Tarozzi. His fellow escapee Sevilla takes eight points.
Another 63 kilometers
The first mountain sprint is a fact! Diego Pablo Sevilla is the first to reach the top of Cape Agalina, a fourth category climb. He scores three points for the mountains classification. Manuele Tarozzi scores two points, Ayco Bastiaiens also gets a point.
Another 76 kilometers
The leading group’s lead continues to shrink. Tarozzi and Sevilla still have only 1 minute ahead. It won’t be long before the first mountain points will be distributed.
Another 92 kilometers
The lead of the leading group is shrunk to 1.20 minutes. There are also two fourth category climbs on the program today and two intermediate sprints.
The peloton is fine with it, looking forward to the bunch sprint.
Another 114 kilometers
Tarozzi and Sevilla still have the space to cycle ahead of the peloton, but the difference is not really that big. They have a lead of almost two minutes.
Another 139 kilometers
The two-man leading group with Tarozzi and Sevilla has taken a lead of 1 minute and 45 seconds.
Now really started! Another 146 kilometers
The neutral zone is over. Two riders attack: Manual Tarozzi (Bardiani CSF 7 Saber) and Diego Pablo Seville (Team Polti VisitMalta)
We have started!
The 109th Giro d’Italia has started. The peloton starts a neutral phase of 8.6 kilometers, after which riders can attempt a breakaway.
Which Dutch people are participating?
Seventeen compatriots start the Giro today. That is the same as last year.
Thymen Arensman hopes for stage victories, while Casper van Uden and Dylan Groenewegen go for sprint opportunities. Sjoerd Bax, Timo de Jong and Harthijs de Vries ride their first Grand Tour.
Weather forecast: possible rain
At the start of the Giro d’Italia in Bulgaria it is quite warmbut also changeablereports Weeronline. In Burgas, where the first stage finishes, it will be about 20 degrees and sunny on Friday afternoon, but there is also a chance of a (thunder) shower.
There is a greater chance of rain on Saturday, when the cyclists continue the stage race with a ride towards Veliko Tarnovo. The last stage in Bulgaria towards Sofia is expected to be dry and sunny again. ,,The wind will probably not blow every day play a meaningful role.”
Welcome!
We’re finally starting! Stage 1 of the Giro d’Italia is on the program.
The time has come at 1 p.m.: the starting shot will be fired in Nessebar for the 147 kilometer stage. The peloton then drives along the coast of the Black Sea south towards Sozopol.
Jonathan Milan is the top favorite for the first pink jersey, but has plenty of competition. Dylan Groenewegen and Casper van Uden are competing on behalf of the Netherlands. Kaden Groves, Paul Magnier, Tobias Lund Andresen and Matteo Malucelli are also among the outsiders.
