Giro 2021:- Stage 4: Piacenza – Sestola 186 km **Spoilers**
blazing_saddles
Posts: 22,730
Stage 4: Piacenza – Sestola 186 km
Tuesday, May 11th, 12.05 CEST
Starting from Piacenza, the riders will head south-east, initially following the Via Emilia until Parma and then heading into the Appennines, after 75 kilometres.
Beginning with a gentle ascent to the intermediate sprint of Canossa, the road then heads upwards to Rossena, where the serious climbing begins.
Technical Info:
A very demanding medium mountain stage with potential GC implications, the route takes in a brace of ascents (including two categorised climbs: Castello di Carpineti GPM3, 3.5 km at 8.6% and Montemolino GPM3, 8.6 km at 5.7%), with gradients exceeding 10% at points, on relatively narrow roads.
At 24 km to go another climb starts, uncategorized: Montecreto (3.7 km at 7.8%). Past Montecreto and Fanano, the route takes in the Colle Passerino climb, which ends at 2 km out.
Final kilometres
The last 6 km are very demanding. Starting in Fanano, the Colle Passerino climb runs on narrow roadway, with gradients exceeding 10% over extended stretches, and lengthy peaks topping out at 13-14%. At the ‑2 km mark, the road descends for approx. 800 metres and then rises again with easy gradients. The route undulates to the finish, which is on tarmac.
What to expect:
Stage four is the first of the mountain stages and features 3000 metres of climbing to Sestola. With up and down terrain for the final 100km, the race may be difficult for the peloton to control and we will most likely see a string of attacks. The final ascent, the Colle Passerino, is 4.3km and at a very tough gradient of 9.5%.
If all this wasn't hard enough, so early in the race, the weather is forecast to be very wet, which will make the many descents extremely testing.
So, I think this is a stage for the hunter/chancer, with the GC favourites probably opting for safety first. However, after state of play after stage 3, there are few obvious suspect far enough down on GC.
Favourites 4th stage 2021 Giro d’Italia
***** Thomas De Gendt,
**** Simon Carr, Felix Großschartner, Jan Tratnik
*** Kobe Goossens, Pello Bilbao, Davide Formolo, Bauke Mollema, Romain Bardet
** Simon Yates, Remco Evenepoel, João Almeida
* Matthias Brändle, Giovanni Visconti
Piacenza
Located at the junction of four different regions, on the southern bank of the river Po, the city is the gate of Emilia, surrounded by the hills and mountains of the Apennines. The heart of the historical town lies in its main square.
Piacenza can also boast excellent DOP products, certified for their quality and area of origin; two kinds of cheese, Grana Padano and Provolone Valpadana, along with three types of cured meat: pancetta, coppa and salame.
Sestola
Sestola, a renowned winter tourist resort that is easily accessible from Modena, Pistoia and Bologna. The municipal area beyond Lake Ninfa and Passo del Lupo is part of the High Modenese Apennine Regional Park.
You cannot leave without having tasted the traditional speciality “crescentine”, better known as “tigelle” from the name of the ancient tool used to cook it. Crescentine are served with lard and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese which is made by local creameries.
/https%3A//gazzettadimodena.gelocal.it/image/contentid/policy%3A1.16045227%3A1540579449/image/image.jpg%3Ff%3Ddetail_558%26h%3D720%26w%3D1280%26%24p%24f%24h%24w%3Dd5eb06a)
Lambrusco is certainly the typical wine of excellence of our territory. A red with a strong character but that knows how to enclose the traditions of the Emilian grape varieties.
Tuesday, May 11th, 12.05 CEST
Starting from Piacenza, the riders will head south-east, initially following the Via Emilia until Parma and then heading into the Appennines, after 75 kilometres.
Beginning with a gentle ascent to the intermediate sprint of Canossa, the road then heads upwards to Rossena, where the serious climbing begins.
Technical Info:
A very demanding medium mountain stage with potential GC implications, the route takes in a brace of ascents (including two categorised climbs: Castello di Carpineti GPM3, 3.5 km at 8.6% and Montemolino GPM3, 8.6 km at 5.7%), with gradients exceeding 10% at points, on relatively narrow roads.
At 24 km to go another climb starts, uncategorized: Montecreto (3.7 km at 7.8%). Past Montecreto and Fanano, the route takes in the Colle Passerino climb, which ends at 2 km out.
Final kilometres
The last 6 km are very demanding. Starting in Fanano, the Colle Passerino climb runs on narrow roadway, with gradients exceeding 10% over extended stretches, and lengthy peaks topping out at 13-14%. At the ‑2 km mark, the road descends for approx. 800 metres and then rises again with easy gradients. The route undulates to the finish, which is on tarmac.
What to expect:
Stage four is the first of the mountain stages and features 3000 metres of climbing to Sestola. With up and down terrain for the final 100km, the race may be difficult for the peloton to control and we will most likely see a string of attacks. The final ascent, the Colle Passerino, is 4.3km and at a very tough gradient of 9.5%.
If all this wasn't hard enough, so early in the race, the weather is forecast to be very wet, which will make the many descents extremely testing.
So, I think this is a stage for the hunter/chancer, with the GC favourites probably opting for safety first. However, after state of play after stage 3, there are few obvious suspect far enough down on GC.
Favourites 4th stage 2021 Giro d’Italia
***** Thomas De Gendt,
**** Simon Carr, Felix Großschartner, Jan Tratnik
*** Kobe Goossens, Pello Bilbao, Davide Formolo, Bauke Mollema, Romain Bardet
** Simon Yates, Remco Evenepoel, João Almeida
* Matthias Brändle, Giovanni Visconti
Piacenza
Located at the junction of four different regions, on the southern bank of the river Po, the city is the gate of Emilia, surrounded by the hills and mountains of the Apennines. The heart of the historical town lies in its main square.
Piacenza can also boast excellent DOP products, certified for their quality and area of origin; two kinds of cheese, Grana Padano and Provolone Valpadana, along with three types of cured meat: pancetta, coppa and salame.
Sestola
Sestola, a renowned winter tourist resort that is easily accessible from Modena, Pistoia and Bologna. The municipal area beyond Lake Ninfa and Passo del Lupo is part of the High Modenese Apennine Regional Park.
You cannot leave without having tasted the traditional speciality “crescentine”, better known as “tigelle” from the name of the ancient tool used to cook it. Crescentine are served with lard and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese which is made by local creameries.
Lambrusco is certainly the typical wine of excellence of our territory. A red with a strong character but that knows how to enclose the traditions of the Emilian grape varieties.
"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
3
Comments
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The second most expensive taxi journey I've ever taken was from Parma to Piacenza. Taxi driver missed the exit at Piacenza and we had to do an additional 40 kms up to the next junction and back.0
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Not just rain but a moderate easterly wind (therefore headwind) with strong gusts is forecast – might deter any small-sized breaks during the first 60 kms along the exposed flat roads of the Po valley, till after Parma, when they turn to the SE and eventually into the hills.blazing_saddles said:
early in the race, the weather is forecast to be very wet, which will make the many descents extremely testing.
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So why would this stage be considered one for the climby break and not for secondary GC people (as based off the favourites mentioned above). No offense, just trying to figure out how rider's designate "what they go for" prior to the GT. The stage following is a sprint stage again, so no real reason to take it easy for the GC boys- Those looking to keep their powder dry for the third week maybe, but certainly seems like something the secondary GC rider's can go for and get some days in pink.PTP Champion 2019, 2022 & 20230
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Tbh, I haven't a clue how things will play out tomorrow, simply because so many riders are still too close in the GC to be allowed up the road.m.r.m. said:So why would this stage be considered one for the climby break and not for secondary GC people (as based off the favourites mentioned above). No offense, just trying to figure out how rider's designate "what they go for" prior to the GT. The stage following is a sprint stage again, so no real reason to take it easy for the GC boys- Those looking to keep their powder dry for the third week maybe, but certainly seems like something the secondary GC rider's can go for and get some days in pink.
So it's a question of who gets in the break, as to whether Ineos or another team is obliged to chase, resulting in a GC scuffle.
So hard to call.
"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.1 -
Did the driver have a white stick?andyp said:The second most expensive taxi journey I've ever taken was from Parma to Piacenza. Taxi driver missed the exit at Piacenza and we had to do an additional 40 kms up to the next junction and back.
That's pretty hard to do."Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0 -
There's not many riders more than 3 minutes down who can climb, and also wouldn't be expected to help a gc contender. De Gendt is definitely one, the others might need to stick with their leaders.
Another interesting day, it could be the first gc day almost by default.0 -
Depends on the motivation and objective. 😉 Oopsie! Ah well....while the meter keeps on ticking. That said, we were cut off by someone cutting across all lanes to an exit at the last second outside Milan. Said driver was a nun!blazing_saddles said:
Did the driver have a white stick?andyp said:The second most expensive taxi journey I've ever taken was from Parma to Piacenza. Taxi driver missed the exit at Piacenza and we had to do an additional 40 kms up to the next junction and back.
That's pretty hard to do.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.0 -
Saw this on twitter - Wiggins and BriSmithy ready for today's stage.
[Castle Donington Ladies FC - going up in '22]0 -
Seriously, is Brad on the ciggies??DeVlaeminck said:Saw this on twitter - Wiggins and BriSmithy ready for today's stage.
Open One+ BMC TE29 Seven 622SL On One Scandal Cervelo RS0 -
Apparently so but also seems to be training for a triathlon. Looks far healthier than he did in his prime though ironically.Wheelspinner said:
Seriously, is Brad on the ciggies??DeVlaeminck said:Saw this on twitter - Wiggins and BriSmithy ready for today's stage.
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Are they doing shanties too?DeVlaeminck said:Saw this on twitter - Wiggins and BriSmithy ready for today's stage.
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Is Smith turning into Wayne Lineker?DeVlaeminck said:Saw this on twitter - Wiggins and BriSmithy ready for today's stage.
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There are lots of palm trees in the subtropical city of Bath, Somerset.Wheelspinner said:
Seriously, is Brad on the ciggies??DeVlaeminck said:Saw this on twitter - Wiggins and BriSmithy ready for today's stage.
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I was confused by that as Wiggins had put something from a run in Bath on his Instagram feed.orraloon said:
There are lots of palm trees in the subtropical city of Bath, Somerset.Wheelspinner said:
Seriously, is Brad on the ciggies??DeVlaeminck said:Saw this on twitter - Wiggins and BriSmithy ready for today's stage.
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I was going to say something similar.orraloon said:
There are lots of palm trees in the subtropical city of Bath, Somerset.Wheelspinner said:
Seriously, is Brad on the ciggies??DeVlaeminck said:Saw this on twitter - Wiggins and BriSmithy ready for today's stage.
Some gullible folk on tw@tter if they think that's a recent picture.
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For the avoidance of credulity, GCN are Bath based, which is where Smith, Wiggins, Chennaoui et al are commentating from.0
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Terrible conditions effecting the live coverage, not that the race has started yet."Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0
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Hermans and Campenaerts broke away before the pictures broke away.
Anyone see who was trying to join?0 -
Weather looks disgusting, looks like one for TDG.0
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Albanese desperate to get across.0
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Is that him or just a random Kometa rider?kingstongraham said:Albanese desperate to get across.
It's so hard to tell.
You would think it never rained in Italy."Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0 -
Yes it's not actually Brad and Bri it was someone thought it was an amusing lookalike ![Castle Donington Ladies FC - going up in '22]0
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I think it was Albanese - he needs to pick up a few mountain points today to make sure he keeps the jersey. There are about twice as many points going today as he now has, so someone in a lasting break without him could easily overhaul him.blazing_saddles said:
Is that him or just a random Kometa rider?kingstongraham said:Albanese desperate to get across.
It's so hard to tell.
You would think it never rained in Italy.0 -
I thought I saw the Giro logo on his sleeves, and I don't think he had the green flash on his sleeves. But I think they probably all had a go to be honest.blazing_saddles said:
Is that him or just a random Kometa rider?kingstongraham said:Albanese desperate to get across.
It's so hard to tell.
You would think it never rained in Italy.0 -
This seems to be a harder first half hour than they'd have wanted.
Looks like that's it though, an Ineos rider in the new break, one Eolo (not Albanese), don't know who else.0 -
Just when it looked like it was calming down it kicks off again. The GC riders must be hating this.0
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Is that 14 away? 12 plus the original 20
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PCS think there's a 7 man group ahead of the 12, but no clues who.kingstongraham said:Is that 14 away? 12 plus the original 2
Finish is tipping down, 8C and 40kmh wind. Nasty.Warning No formatter is installed for the format0 -
PCS says 12 plus the previous 7 plus the original 2. If so, that could stick.kingstongraham said:Is that 14 away? 12 plus the original 2
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Tratnik and De Marchi in the break - possible stage winners?0
