Inside minutes of dropping floor for the primary time on this Giro d’Italia in Fossombrone, Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-QuickStep) was already sitting aboard his time trial bike. He would have used the machine for his warm-down whatever the consequence, in fact, however now it doubled as a manner of parking Saturday’s disappointment and searching ahead to the chance offered by the stage 9 time trial to Cesena.
After conceding 14 seconds to Primož Roglič (Jumbo-Visma), Tao Geoghegan Hart and Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers) on the steep slopes of I Cappuccini, Evenepoel returns to the quite friendlier confines of the time trial on Sunday. The 35km course is nearly completely flat and devoid of any actual technical difficulties. Uncooked energy and pure aerodynamics will win the day, and Evenepoel scores higher than most on every rating.
After his exhibition within the opening time trial in Ortona, Evenepoel is the plain favorite for stage victory, not least as a result of Filippo Ganna (Ineos Grenadiers) has withdrawn on account of a case of COVID-19. Evenepoel can be anticipated to re-take the maglia rosa, on condition that he lies simply eight seconds off Andreas Leknessund. The one query, it appears, is how a lot time the Belgian will acquire on all people else.
When Evenepoel scorched to the primary pink jersey of the race in Ortona, his dominance was whole. The margin of victory was imposing, however so too was its method. The influence on his rivals’ morale was absolutely exacerbated when tales started circulating within the Belgian press that Evenepoel wore quick sleeves within the time trials as a result of his naked pores and skin was supposedly extra aerodynamic than essentially the most superior forearms. He isn’t, it appears, a rider like another.
Evenepoel gained 2.19 seconds per kilometre on Roglič on the opening stage, and if he can replicate that efficiency right here, he would decide up one other 1:16 on the Slovenian. On Saturday night, Evenepoel all however confirmed that this was his goal for stage 9. “I wish to strike once more within the time trial,” he mentioned. “I picked up 43 seconds [on Roglič] the final time. I hope to get at the very least as many right here.”
Whereas Evenepoel is the consensus favorite to win the stage, not all people is satisfied that his beneficial properties in Cesena shall be as placing because the buffer he amassed on the opening day. Bora-Hansgrohe directeur sportif Enrico Gasparotto believes the gathered fatigue of the primary week may place a restrict on the variations on Sunday.
“Remco will definitely do a good time trial in Cesena, and he’ll in all probability win it,” Gasparotto instructed Cyclingnews. “Nevertheless it comes after 9 days of racing and never after a relaxation day like final yr’s Vuelta time trial in Alicante. I feel he’ll win, and he’ll get a bit extra of a niche, however I feel – or at the very least I hope – the hole gained’t be three minutes. I don’t suppose that may occur.”
That concept was echoed by Stefan Küng (Groupama-FDJ), who is without doubt one of the few riders rolling down the beginning ramp with the said intention of stage victory. The Swiss rider was distinguished in teeing Thibaut Pinot up on the climb of Calascio on Friday, however he seemed to spare himself on stage 8 forward of the time trial.
“It’s a complete different story to the primary time trial, as a result of Evenepoel was on the bottom a number of occasions and I feel he’s spent extra vitality than somebody like me, who was capable of end very calmly on some levels,” mentioned Küng. “After all, he’s a really sturdy and it is going to be very troublesome to beat him – however there’s hope.”
Whereas Ineos supervisor Rod Ellingworth has nearly resigned himself to the concept that Geraint Thomas and Tao Geoghegan Hart would concede time to Evenepoel, Jumbo-Visma directeur sportif Addy Engels was barely extra optimistic about Roglič’s prospects.
“Based mostly on the primary TT, it’s probably that he’ll lose time, nevertheless it’s very onerous to foretell,” Engels instructed Cyclingnews. “It’s ineffective to foretell, actually, as a result of it has no affect on the preparation for the TT. There’s only one purpose, to go as quick as potential from A to B after which within the night we’ll see how it’s.”
Evenepoel got here to Italy to reconnoitre the time trial in November, and he declared himself inspired by what he had seen. The 35km run from Savignano sul Rubicone to Cesena is nearly completely flat and devoid of any notably demanding corners, although the anticipated moist climate provides an unwelcome layer of complication to the parcours. “With the forecast of rain, it’s going to be tougher,” Küng warned.
Regardless of the circumstances, nonetheless, Evenepoel is the overwhelming favorite for the Cesena check. After a uncommon setback in Fossombrone on Saturday, the time trial provides a direct probability for him to retrieve the misplaced seconds. It could be a shock if he didn’t take it.
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