Giro 2018 Stage 14: San Vito al Tagliamento - Monte Zoncolan 186 kilometres *Spoilers*

blazing_saddles
blazing_saddles Posts: 22,730
edited May 2018 in Pro race
Giro 2018 Stage 14: San Vito al Tagliamento - Monte Zoncolan 186 kilometres

Saturday, 19 May 2018 - At 186 kilometres, the 14th stage of the Giro d'Italia travels from San Vito al Tagliamento to the Monte Zoncolan. The route takes in four intermediate climbs before the steep final haul up the mountain of torture. The Zoncolan is 10.1 kilometres at 11.9% with steepest ramps of up to 22%.
It’s the sixth time that Monte Zoncolan serves as a finish in the Giro d’Italia. The race climbed the mountain before in 2003, 2007, 2010, 2011 and 2014. Except for the first time, the Giro took the most demanding way up the Zoncolan, approaching the climb from Ovaro, which will be no different in 2018.
Following the start in San Vito al Tagliamento the riders face four intermediate climbs before the final haul up the mountain of horrors. At kilometre 40 the Monte di Ragogna looms, which is a short and sharp toil. The first 2 kilometres feature solely double digits before the climb ‘flattens out’ to 9.8% in the last 750 metres.
stage-14-monte-di-ragogna.jpg
A hilly 60 kilometres stint leads to the foot of the next ascent. The climb to Avaglio is 4.5 kilometres and it’s the middle section that’s demanding. For 2 kilometres the average gradient is 13%, while the lower and higher slopes are much milder.
stage-14-avaglio.jpg
Although insanely steep at times, the first 110 kilometres of the race are just a warm-up. The Passo Duron appears with 50 kilometres remaining and it’s a 4.4 kilometres toil at 9.8% with its nastiest ramps at 18%.
stage-14-passo-duron.jpg?01
Back in the valley and it shortly goes back up again. The Sella Valcalda is 7.6 kilometres at 5.6%, although that statistic is biased as the first half is nothing special, but at kilometre 4 the slopes go up and hover around 8 to 10% for 2 kilometres.
G18_T14_S04_Valcalda_alt_jpg.jpg
After the descent the route turns left to follow the Torrente Degano River for a while. Another left turn in Ovaro and the riders tackle the Zoncolan – or is the other way around? The first slopes are relatively easy, but then torture really kicks in. The section from kilometre 2 to kilometre 6 is averaging a grueling 15.4% before the following 2 kilometres go up at 13.9%. Monte Zoncolan is a monster of 10.1 kilometres with its average gradient at 11.9%.
G18_T14_S05_Zoncolan_alt_jpg.jpg
stage-14-monte-zoncolan-3d.jpg

A 60 seconds or so wizz up the climb.

https://youtu.be/44A93XTlDn8?t=4

Birds eye view of the route.

https://video.relive.cc/7530894749_reli ... site-embed

Profile:-
stage-14-profile.jpg?01
Map:-
map-14.jpg
Finish:-
stage-14-5km.jpg
stage-14-finish.jpg

SAN VITO AL TAGLIAMENTO

It is a dynamic and lively town, located in the Veneto-Friuli’s plain in the province of Pordenone. Its origin dates back to pre-Roman and Roman settlements and it has noble historical, cultural and artistic traditions.

MAIN SIGHTS
The Mediaeval old town with the ancient walls, three towers (Raimonda, Scaramuccia and Grimana) and the Castle; Piazza del Popolo (16th century), Duomo (18th century), the ancient Loggia Pubblica (currently the seat of Teatro Arrigoni), Palazzo Altan-Rota (currently the seat of the “Diogene Penzi” Museum of peasant life), Parco Naturale del Tagliamento (nature park).

HISTORY
Population: 15,000
Foundation: Roman age
15742_1404_RRLDC.jpeg

Hardly surprising that this is a specialty of the area.

pitina-friulana-tagliata-a-fette-su-asse-legno.jpg

With a choice of this in either red, or white.
refosco_pighin.jpg

MONTE ZONCOLAN

Monte Zoncolan is a 1,750-m high mountain of the Carnia, Friuli, between the municipalities of Sutrio, Ovaro and Ravascletto. It is an important skiing resort of Friuli-Venezia Giulia. It has become famous among the cycling fans by its nickname, “Kaiser”, as the climb is an extremely testing one.
Zoncolan-1.jpg

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Favourites 14th stage 2018 Giro d’Italia
*** Simon Yates, Thibaut Pinot, Miguel Ángel López, Robert Gesink
** Fabio Aru, Domenico Pozzovivo, Chris Froome, Giulio Ciccone
* Tom Dumoulin, Michael Woods, Wout Poels, Ben O’Conner, Richard Carapaz, Esteban Chaves?
"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
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Comments

  • topper_harley
    topper_harley Posts: 597
    The dawg starts his fight back tomorrow
  • topper_harley
    topper_harley Posts: 597
    Seen Yates saying to flecha the he hasn’t been up the final climb, what a shock he’s in for
  • Seen Yates saying to flecha the he hasn’t been up the final climb, what a shock he’s in for

    Damn, might have to change my PTP pick...
  • above_the_cows
    above_the_cows Posts: 11,406
    That sausage lump looks seriously yummy.

    Some of the local four legged friends:

    wandern-nassfeld_007_big.jpg

    Some other four-legged friends (no not what you think):
    832-372018.jpg

    A mule who was part of the Alpini...

    4ea0116469e62f3d3ec8237da36ce3af.jpg

    And Tommy D's lost shoe.

    112124496.jpg
    Correlation is not causation.
  • RichN95.
    RichN95. Posts: 27,257
    I'm going to predict Pozzovivo in pink at the end of the day.
    Twitter: @RichN95
  • kingstongraham
    kingstongraham Posts: 28,181
    5km at 15.3% average is completely insane. What gearing will they have on for that?
  • 5km at 15.3% average is completely insane. What gearing will they have on for that?
    34/32 if they have any sense :mrgreen:
  • norvernrob
    norvernrob Posts: 1,448
    5km at 15.3% average is completely insane. What gearing will they have on for that?

    In the video of Froome doing a training recce up it last month he had 34/32 and was still pushing over 400 watts! Early in the video he said to the guys in the car ‘what have I got on, 34/32?’, to which they replied ‘yes’, and Froome said ‘wow, it feels hard already’ :shock:
  • above_the_cows
    above_the_cows Posts: 11,406
    5km at 15.3% average is completely insane. What gearing will they have on for that?


    JTek-Shiftmate-Low-Gears-Touring-.jpg
    Correlation is not causation.
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,660
    I want to do a gif with Zoncalon, royal wedding and the fa cup on this but I’m on ma phone so no can do.

    giphy.gif
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,660
    NorvernRob wrote:
    5km at 15.3% average is completely insane. What gearing will they have on for that?

    In the video of Froome doing a training recce up it last month he had 34/32 and was still pushing over 400 watts! Early in the video he said to the guys in the car ‘what have I got on, 34/32?’, to which they replied ‘yes’, and Froome said ‘wow, it feels hard already’ :shock:

    Yes I have wondered in the past if the real fast spinners will run out of speed and teeth on climbs like this.

    Suspect he’ll be at the sharp enough end that he can still spin up.

    Wouldn’t expect anything from him mind.

    I would have thought Yates is favourite. Pozzovivo is an obvious name for it but he’s never really excelled on it.

    I doubt TD will lose a lot, though there’s a decent chance I’m wrong.
  • topper_harley
    topper_harley Posts: 597
    if the tiny climbers have any sense they need to destroy Tom D tomorrow even if that means working together
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,660
    Working together on the Zoncalon?

    Put whatever you’re smoking down.
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,660
    Always a bit of a sense of a circus when this comes around.

    Remember last time, I think was it Rogers who won (?), fans going crazy, riders going so slow they had time to nick the fan’s sunglasses and moto engines packing up because of the gradients.

    The anticipation is as fun as the climb.

    It’s a narrow ride in and it’s so steep, making up 5m is an enormous effort, so look out for a fast run in.
  • if the tiny climbers have any sense they need to destroy Tom D tomorrow even if that means working together
    No chance, it’s every man for himself once they hit it :D
  • The_Boy
    The_Boy Posts: 3,099
    The dawg starts his flight back tomorrow


    Ftfy ;)
    Team My Man 2018: David gaudu, Pierre Latour, Romain Bardet, Thibaut pinot, Alexandre Geniez, Florian Senechal, Warren Barguil, Benoit Cosnefroy
  • The_Boy
    The_Boy Posts: 3,099
    RichN95 wrote:
    I'm going to predict Pozzovivo in pink at the end of the day.

    Was my prediction also. Can't help remembering when he won the .... Ummm... Italian stage race on that stage that ended with the climb up the...ummm...super steep climb.

    Was the year before he moved to Ag2r. I'm too tired to even Google the fucker.

    But anyway, that. I reckon he looks good. Failing that someone like Bennet pulling off a surprise wouldn't erm, surprise me.

    Edit:. Trentino. Punta veleno.
    Team My Man 2018: David gaudu, Pierre Latour, Romain Bardet, Thibaut pinot, Alexandre Geniez, Florian Senechal, Warren Barguil, Benoit Cosnefroy
  • pblakeney
    pblakeney Posts: 27,383
    if the tiny climbers have any sense they need to destroy Tom D tomorrow even if that means working together
    Work together?
    There can't be much slipstream at 10mph. Strongest legs and heart to overcome weight wins.
    The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
    I am not sure. You have no chance.
    Veronese68 wrote:
    PB is the most sensible person on here.
  • andyp
    andyp Posts: 10,558
    PBlakeney wrote:
    if the tiny climbers have any sense they need to destroy Tom D tomorrow even if that means working together
    Work together?
    There can't be much slipstream at 10mph. Strongest legs and heart to overcome weight wins.

    10 mph? More like 6 mph.
  • I can see Peanut slogging his way to a famous win. Yates will still be in pink afterwwards
    Giant Trance X 2010
    Specialized Tricross Sport
    My Dad's old racer
    Trek Marlin 29er 2012
  • pblakeney
    pblakeney Posts: 27,383
    andyp wrote:
    PBlakeney wrote:
    if the tiny climbers have any sense they need to destroy Tom D tomorrow even if that means working together
    Work together?
    There can't be much slipstream at 10mph. Strongest legs and heart to overcome weight wins.

    10 mph? More like 6 mph.
    I was guessing and giving them credit. Emphasises my point though. :wink:
    I am hoping I can do it at 50rpm on 34x29, whatever speed that is. :shock:
    Edit:- 4.6mph apparently. Faster than walking pace then. Optimistic. :lol:
    The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
    I am not sure. You have no chance.
    Veronese68 wrote:
    PB is the most sensible person on here.
  • davieb78
    davieb78 Posts: 99
    I’m riding it 3rd July. I have 36-32. I’m concerned now!
  • above_the_cows
    above_the_cows Posts: 11,406
    davieb78 wrote:
    I’m riding it 3rd July. I have 36-32. I’m concerned now!

    Never too late to get one of those motors fitted.
    Correlation is not causation.
  • blazing_saddles
    blazing_saddles Posts: 22,730
    The_Boy wrote:
    RichN95 wrote:
    I'm going to predict Pozzovivo in pink at the end of the day.

    Was my prediction also. Can't help remembering when he won the .... Ummm... Italian stage race on that stage that ended with the climb up the...ummm...super steep climb.

    Was the year before he moved to Ag2r. I'm too tired to even Google the ******.

    But anyway, that. I reckon he looks good. Failing that someone like Bennet pulling off a surprise wouldn't erm, surprise me.

    Edit:. Trentino. Punta veleno.

    Another completely nuts, Italian climb.
    Worth watching again for that hair raising bit of road towards the finish. (27'- 45" ish into the video)

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCXxNmiSqxA

    veleno.gif

    P1150235.JPG
    "Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
  • inseine
    inseine Posts: 5,788
    5km at 15.3% average is completely insane. What gearing will they have on for that?
    34/32 if they have any sense :mrgreen:
    It's days like tomorrow that it's a shame Aqua Blue arent riding.
  • knedlicky
    knedlicky Posts: 3,097
    It’s the sixth time that Monte Zoncolan serves as a finish in the Giro d’Italia. The race climbed the mountain before in 2003, 2007, 2010, 2011 and 2014. Except for the first time, the Giro took the most demanding way up the Zoncolan, approaching the climb from Ovaro, which will be no different in 2018.
    The side from Ovaro wasn't fully tarmaced until Autumn 2005, the tunnels in particular being until then unsurfaced.
    RichN95 wrote:
    I'm going to predict Pozzovivo in pink at the end of the day.
    I think Pozzovivo a good call for the stage win, though the climb might be a bit too long for him to be at peak performance, so for the stage I'd equally look at Lopez (if the GC contenders stay together until high up, he then breaking away), or at Carapaz (whom I think under-estimated so far and I imagine is capable of a much earlier solo break).
    5km at 15.3% average is completely insane. What gearing will they have on for that?
    34/32 if they have any sense :mrgreen:
    I'll be surprised if the profis go as low as 34/32. I've never ridden the Zoncolan but about 10 years ago I knew acquaintances who claimed they rode it using between 34/25 and 34/29 (although I've no idea what speed they went at or how often they paused).
    Eitherway, I remember their overall opinion was that the beginning was the hardest (although not so unusual for many Alpine climbs, several are worst at their beginning - very dispiriting for the non-climber).
  • bobmcstuff
    bobmcstuff Posts: 11,438
    davieb78 wrote:
    I’m riding it 3rd July. I have 36-32. I’m concerned now!
    Hardly difficult to chuck a compact on.
  • phil485
    phil485 Posts: 364
    bobmcstuff wrote:
    davieb78 wrote:
    I’m riding it 3rd July. I have 36-32. I’m concerned now!
    Hardly difficult to chuck a compact on.


    sportive breaks stelvio weekender???
    think im doing it the same day.
    compact but 28 is what ive got :(
  • DeVlaeminck
    DeVlaeminck Posts: 9,107
    bobmcstuff wrote:
    davieb78 wrote:
    I’m riding it 3rd July. I have 36-32. I’m concerned now!
    Hardly difficult to chuck a compact on.


    36 is a compact innit...unless bike tech has moved on quicker than I thought during my sojourn coaching football. 36*32 is about as low as you'd want to go on a road bike for a long climb, you are down to pretty much fast walking pace if you want with that.
    [Castle Donington Ladies FC - going up in '22]
  • blazing_saddles
    blazing_saddles Posts: 22,730
    Aaaaand the weather forecast is now exactly the same as we have experienced these past two days.
    Sunny, right up until around about the foot of the Zoncolan. Then a big black shower cloud arrives to dump it's load on the riders as the ascend into hell.
    "Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.