Updated Thursday, May 9, 2024 – 19:04
Sliding through the gravel of captivating Tuscany. Flying in the sterrato, those stretches of land that remember those roads that martyred the heroic pioneers. Cycling with an ancient aroma to show off Pelayo Sanchezthe Asturian from Movistar, who achieved the first Spanish victory in the Corsa Rosa’2024 and also in the last five years.
”It’s incredible, crazy. “I can’t believe it,” exclaimed the Movistar runner, who beat the Frenchman in a vibrant one-on-one match. Julian Alaphilippetwo-time world champion. Tadej Pogacar maintains the lead.
A victory and a rival that serve to consecrate a cyclist who is only 24 years old and who has a wide margin for improvement. This year he had already achieved a victory in the Mallorca Challenge. In the previous season a stage was recorded in the Return to Asturias.
Immense joy within Movistar, which needed a success like this to regain self-esteem and to straighten out a discreet campaign.
Beautiful setting for the presentation of Pelayo Sánchez. In that long-awaited stage of the sterrato, which many now call gravel, which is nothing other than the usual pressed earth of forest roads. The strategy to face the sterrato is identical to that of the cobblestone sections. You have to go with determination and fight to get into the best positions. This generates high doses of stress that cause snags and falls. An exercise in skill and extreme effort.
The day included three segments to maximize the effort. The first of just over 4,000 meters was inaugurated by a group of escapees that included Pelayo Sánchez Alaphilippe and the Australian Lucas Plapp (Jayco), with more than a minute’s lead over a peloton that was very fragmented at the halfway point of the stage that passed near Siena, the beginning and end of the Strade Bianche.
In the first steps through the sterrato, the Ineos of Geraint Thomas accelerated the march, with Thymen Arensman setting the pace. Pogacar, who was left with only two gregarious people, did not collaborate in the hunting operations. The Slovenian was interested in keeping the escape alive.
In the third section (2,400 meters of ascent), 16 kilometers from the finish line, nerves took over the peloton, with pushes and falls. With Ineos, once again, in command, and with an advantage of 1.15 minutes with Pelayo and his companions. The three escapees did not hide their cards, each of them tried to escape with 20 kilometers to go on narrow and constantly climbing roads, with the peloton reducing the distance. There were even small fights, the Frenchman demanded that Pelayo not sprint at him on a slope. The last 400 meters were plethora for the Asturian, who placed himself in Alaphilippe’s wake and surpassed him in the last kidney blow. Face of disbelief for the Frenchman, defeated by a Spaniard without complexes and who has already justified an entire season.
This Friday, a change of scenery, with a 40.6 kilometer time trial with a high finish. Filippo Ganna try to avoid a new victory for Pogacar.
2024-05-09 17:04:14
#Giro #dItalia #Asturian #Pelayo #Sánchez #consecrates #sterrato #stage
