Giro 2023: Stage 15: Seregno – Bergamo 195 km, the Bumpy, Lumpy Lombardia Stage. ***Spoilers***
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Stage 15: Seregno – Bergamo 195 km
Start Time: 10-45am BST.
Stage 15 is the Giro d'Italia's homage to Il Lombardia: a big medium mountain stage just before the final rest day. They take in a significant elevation gain of 3,600 metres, as the riders traverse the Lombard medium mountains.
Profile.
The 195 kilometres route takes in four intermediate climbs before a punchy finale in Bergamo.
Map.
Climbs.
After 27 km of rolling terrain before the road goes up, first with the short ramp of San Gregorio (3.3 km at 6%) and then with the first categorized climb of the day, the first category Valico di Valcava. The 11.6 kilometres climb rises to the highest point of the route at 1,336 metres. The average gradient sits at 8%, while the steepest sector at 17% comes 7.5 kilometres into the ascent, after which the slope does not drop below 10% for 3 kilometres straight.
There, the second difficulty of the day starts, the climb of Selvino. The ascent is 11.1 kilometres long and averaging 5.6%. Right after the downhill the Miragolo San Salvatore there is another climb of 5.2 kilometres at 7%.
The riders move through Bergamo for the first time with almost 60 kilometres to go, only to race back towards the Valico di Valcava. They don’t climb all the way to the top this time. Just before reaching an altitude of 1,000 metres they reach Roncola Alta. The overall numbers (10kms at 6.7%) are misleading. Its central section is 6 km at 8.6% and features a ramp at over 13%, early on.
Final Kms.
Finally, after 13kms of flat terrain, the riders tackle the Colle Aperto, a ramp of 1.6 kilometres at 7.9% with the last part on pebble paving, before flying down into the Città Bassa
GC riders have little to gain in the 15th stage, so attackers are likely to have it their way.
Again, here a few names that might appeal to those mulling over their PTPs.
Alberto Bettiol, Michael Matthews, Ben Healy, Bauke Mollema, Toms Skujins, Alessandro De Marchi, Jay Vine, Magnus Cort, Lorenzo Fortunato, Derek Gee, Carlos Verona, Matteo Cattaneo, ( maybe a Nico Denz hat trick?) etc etc.
Seregno
Located along the route that from Milan leads to Como lake and Switzerland. Today Seregno has more than 45,000 inhabitants, it maintains the peculiar and lively traits of a city that thrives on commerce.
Food.
Brianza cuisine has many common traits with that of Milan. The most characteristic dishes are dips, made with cheap ingredients. These are dishes with a very strong taste, such as the “Cassoeula” (the name, strictly in dialect, does not have a convincing counterpart in Italian). It is a particular stew of pork (ribs and verzini, but also rind and, according to customizations, also snout and feet) and cabbage. It is a typically winter dish, according to the seasonal nature of the cabbage, which is better harvested after night frosts.
Cassoeula takes many hours of cooking. Cassoela is traditionally accompanied by corn-meal polenta, in a single dish that is consumed faster than what happens with multiple courses.
“Buseca” is a common dish to all Lombard cuisine and beyond. It is a stew of meat made from the stomachs of cattle, a stew flavored with beans, tomato sauce, carrots and celery. Tripe is a “holiday” dish: many families still preserve the tradition of eating it as a Christmas Eve dish and it is present in the most popular festivals.
Another “holiday” dish is risotto with saffron, often proposed together with “luganega”, which is the most characteristic sausage of the Brianza area.
Even the most typical Brianza dessert, the “Torta Paesana”, is an example of cuisine that pays attention to the use of raw materials.
Bergamo
Many call it the Città dei Mille (“City of the Thousands”) because a significant number of the volunteers supporting Giuseppe Garibaldi in his expedition came from Bergamo, but this stunning city is generally more renowned for its most iconic zone: Città Alta (“Upper City”).
When thinking of Bergamo, attention turns to this upper and oldest part of the city, at the foot of which a more modern and bustling area of the city has grown and developed. The Città Alta is surrounded by its protective Venetian walls, fortifications built by the Republic of Venice that have cradled the houses and monuments of Città Alta since 1588. They’ve been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since July 2017.
Food
In any traditional Bergamo restaurant you’ll find casoncelli, a dish consisting of the classic local elongated ravioli, filled with meat and usually served in a sauce of butter and sage.
Cured meats and, in particular, salami from Bergamo, is highly regarded. Furthermore, the province of Bergamo is littered with lush alpine pastures roamed by many animal herds, and has a cheese making tradition that’s been perfected over the centuries, hence why today as many as nine local cheeses have obtained the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) certification.
The most renowned of these local cheeses are Branzi, Bitto, Stracchino and Agrì di Valtorta, a list to which “Strachitunt” has just been added, a very old cheese dating back to 1380 that’s recently been revived and has risen to international fame thanks to the tenacity of a few farmers and producers in Val Taleggio.
The Moscato di Scanzo is the only wine from the area to boast the DOCG (controlled and guaranteed designation of origin) classification, and it’s also the smallest area in Italy to hold this certification by virtue of the fact that it’s produced from an ancient grape variety that’s cultivated almost exclusively in the hills of Scanzorosciate. A half an hour’s drive from Bergamo, situated just to the south of Lake Iseo, lies Franciacorta, Lombardy’s most famous and historic wine region.
Cantine Franciacorta have become synonymous worldwide with the DOCG sparkling wine that’s produced in the area’s numerous vineyards.
Valcalepio DOC geographical zone which includes an area in the hills to the north-west of Bergamo and an area to the east from Lake Iseo. The Valcalepio wines are currently the rising stars of the area.
Start Time: 10-45am BST.
Stage 15 is the Giro d'Italia's homage to Il Lombardia: a big medium mountain stage just before the final rest day. They take in a significant elevation gain of 3,600 metres, as the riders traverse the Lombard medium mountains.
Profile.
The 195 kilometres route takes in four intermediate climbs before a punchy finale in Bergamo.
Map.
Climbs.
After 27 km of rolling terrain before the road goes up, first with the short ramp of San Gregorio (3.3 km at 6%) and then with the first categorized climb of the day, the first category Valico di Valcava. The 11.6 kilometres climb rises to the highest point of the route at 1,336 metres. The average gradient sits at 8%, while the steepest sector at 17% comes 7.5 kilometres into the ascent, after which the slope does not drop below 10% for 3 kilometres straight.
There, the second difficulty of the day starts, the climb of Selvino. The ascent is 11.1 kilometres long and averaging 5.6%. Right after the downhill the Miragolo San Salvatore there is another climb of 5.2 kilometres at 7%.
The riders move through Bergamo for the first time with almost 60 kilometres to go, only to race back towards the Valico di Valcava. They don’t climb all the way to the top this time. Just before reaching an altitude of 1,000 metres they reach Roncola Alta. The overall numbers (10kms at 6.7%) are misleading. Its central section is 6 km at 8.6% and features a ramp at over 13%, early on.
Final Kms.
Finally, after 13kms of flat terrain, the riders tackle the Colle Aperto, a ramp of 1.6 kilometres at 7.9% with the last part on pebble paving, before flying down into the Città Bassa
GC riders have little to gain in the 15th stage, so attackers are likely to have it their way.
Again, here a few names that might appeal to those mulling over their PTPs.
Alberto Bettiol, Michael Matthews, Ben Healy, Bauke Mollema, Toms Skujins, Alessandro De Marchi, Jay Vine, Magnus Cort, Lorenzo Fortunato, Derek Gee, Carlos Verona, Matteo Cattaneo, ( maybe a Nico Denz hat trick?) etc etc.
Seregno
Located along the route that from Milan leads to Como lake and Switzerland. Today Seregno has more than 45,000 inhabitants, it maintains the peculiar and lively traits of a city that thrives on commerce.
Food.
Brianza cuisine has many common traits with that of Milan. The most characteristic dishes are dips, made with cheap ingredients. These are dishes with a very strong taste, such as the “Cassoeula” (the name, strictly in dialect, does not have a convincing counterpart in Italian). It is a particular stew of pork (ribs and verzini, but also rind and, according to customizations, also snout and feet) and cabbage. It is a typically winter dish, according to the seasonal nature of the cabbage, which is better harvested after night frosts.
Cassoeula takes many hours of cooking. Cassoela is traditionally accompanied by corn-meal polenta, in a single dish that is consumed faster than what happens with multiple courses.
“Buseca” is a common dish to all Lombard cuisine and beyond. It is a stew of meat made from the stomachs of cattle, a stew flavored with beans, tomato sauce, carrots and celery. Tripe is a “holiday” dish: many families still preserve the tradition of eating it as a Christmas Eve dish and it is present in the most popular festivals.
Another “holiday” dish is risotto with saffron, often proposed together with “luganega”, which is the most characteristic sausage of the Brianza area.
Even the most typical Brianza dessert, the “Torta Paesana”, is an example of cuisine that pays attention to the use of raw materials.
Bergamo
Many call it the Città dei Mille (“City of the Thousands”) because a significant number of the volunteers supporting Giuseppe Garibaldi in his expedition came from Bergamo, but this stunning city is generally more renowned for its most iconic zone: Città Alta (“Upper City”).
When thinking of Bergamo, attention turns to this upper and oldest part of the city, at the foot of which a more modern and bustling area of the city has grown and developed. The Città Alta is surrounded by its protective Venetian walls, fortifications built by the Republic of Venice that have cradled the houses and monuments of Città Alta since 1588. They’ve been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since July 2017.
Food
In any traditional Bergamo restaurant you’ll find casoncelli, a dish consisting of the classic local elongated ravioli, filled with meat and usually served in a sauce of butter and sage.
Cured meats and, in particular, salami from Bergamo, is highly regarded. Furthermore, the province of Bergamo is littered with lush alpine pastures roamed by many animal herds, and has a cheese making tradition that’s been perfected over the centuries, hence why today as many as nine local cheeses have obtained the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) certification.
The most renowned of these local cheeses are Branzi, Bitto, Stracchino and Agrì di Valtorta, a list to which “Strachitunt” has just been added, a very old cheese dating back to 1380 that’s recently been revived and has risen to international fame thanks to the tenacity of a few farmers and producers in Val Taleggio.
The Moscato di Scanzo is the only wine from the area to boast the DOCG (controlled and guaranteed designation of origin) classification, and it’s also the smallest area in Italy to hold this certification by virtue of the fact that it’s produced from an ancient grape variety that’s cultivated almost exclusively in the hills of Scanzorosciate. A half an hour’s drive from Bergamo, situated just to the south of Lake Iseo, lies Franciacorta, Lombardy’s most famous and historic wine region.
Cantine Franciacorta have become synonymous worldwide with the DOCG sparkling wine that’s produced in the area’s numerous vineyards.
Valcalepio DOC geographical zone which includes an area in the hills to the north-west of Bergamo and an area to the east from Lake Iseo. The Valcalepio wines are currently the rising stars of the area.
"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
3
Comments
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Hell thank god your back. I’ve been dying of thirst and starving for two weeks. 🍷🥗🥂🥮0
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Have a gel you'll be alrightwebboo said:Hell thank god your back. I’ve been dying of thirst and starving for two weeks. 🍷🥗🥂🥮
"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm4 -
The above is the sign as one starts the ascension of the Valcava: it states 18%.
On the Selvino climb each of its 19 or 20 hairpins is dedicated to an Italian rider. Hairpin No 1 is to Gimondi, No 2 to Gotti, other hairpins are dedicated to, among others, Savoldelli, Baronchelli, and Guipponi. However, some famous names are missing; made me wonder how they chose to whom to make a dedication.0 -
Damp roads at the start, but it’s not raining.
Due to brighten up as the stage progresses."Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0 -
Ben Healy off the front with Simone Velasco.
Larger group chasing.
Rubio last man to leave the peloton and chasing solo."Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0 -
A Bardiani somehow managed to escape the block and joined himblazing_saddles said:Ben Healy off the front with Simone Velasco.
Larger group chasing.
Rubio last man to leave the peloton and chasing solo.Warning No formatter is installed for the format0 -
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What have I missed? No van wilder I see ."If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0
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Healy bit keen there"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0
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Rubio was being a monumental d1ck there, really trying to put Healy into the crowdmididoctors said:Healy bit keen there
Warning No formatter is installed for the format0 -
Shoulders and elbows for the KOM points.
Healy comfortably quicker"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0 -
Feels like a different universe in the sunshine"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0
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Healy investing a lot in the jersey"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0
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Sunday lunch taking priority over this stage?
I am watching over a half hour behind now, as I had an errand to run.."Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0 -
Just not much going onblazing_saddles said:Sunday lunch taking priority over this stage?
I am watching over a half hour behind now, as I had an errand to run..
And then Healy has a dig in the valley, bloody miles from the final climbWarning No formatter is installed for the format0 -
Healy clipping off on the flat before climb"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0
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He's brought back, but I've no real idea what it was forWarning No formatter is installed for the format0
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Crazy strong or just crazy? Been showing how strong he feels all day.No_Ta_Doctor said:
Just not much going onblazing_saddles said:Sunday lunch taking priority over this stage?
I am watching over a half hour behind now, as I had an errand to run..
And then Healy has a dig in the valley, bloody miles from the final climb0 -
Split in the main peloton but nearly closed.0
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F as tblazing_saddles said:Sunday lunch taking priority over this stage?
I am watching over a half hour behind now, as I had an errand to run..
Forward you ain't missed much"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0 -
Is there some movi star ef beef going on?"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0
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Boni makes a move .."If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0
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Everyone looking at each other"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0
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40km to go, at the foot of the last climb and he's got a minuteWarning No formatter is installed for the format0
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Good to see the crowds"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0
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Ballerini parks up"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0
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GG on nick put it in a big gear"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0
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McNulty has done nothing all day"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0
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Rojas is impressive here"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0
