Giro 2024:- Stage 9: Avezzano – Napoli, 214.0k​m ***Spoilers***

blazing_saddles
blazing_saddles Posts: 22,711

I am posting two stages this evening as I will be travelling tomorrow afternoon and could well forget, after arriving.


Stage 9: Avezzano – Napoli, 214.0k​m

May 12th.

Start Time: 11-15.

Stage clearly divided into two parts. The first 180 km are the run-up to a demanding finale with short and punchy climbs. The first part is predominantly flat and takes place mainly on mostly straight roads interspersed with numerous tunnels. The riders then race parallel to the Tyrrhenian coast before heading to the Monte di Procida area and tackling the last kilometres. The roads are in good condition, but with narrow carriageways and continuous changes of direction and gradient. To be noted, after Torregaveta, the sudden 14% wall that leads to Lake Lucrino. Here, the riders will turn for Pozzuoli and Posillipo. Naples city centre will be reached after the long descent along Via Posillipo.

map

final kilometres

The last 3 km are perfectly flat along Via Dohrn and Via Caracciolo heading east to turn around a roundabout at the last km and retrace Via Caracciolo to the finish. The final straight is 900 m long and 9 m wide on asphalt.

Avezzano

The town of Avezzano is located in the centre of Marsica, a historical area of Abruzzo in the province of L’Aquila. Lying on the north-western edge of the Fucino basin, it is dominated to the north by the Monte Velino massif, the third highest mountain in the Apennines and constitutes an important geographical junction in the Apennine area of central-southern Italy. It is located halfway between Rome and Pescara. The city managed to recover well from the Marsica earthquake of 13 January 1915, ranked among the major seismic events in Italy in terms of destructive force and number of victims, about thirty thousand.

Napoli

Naples is one of the most populated towns of Italy and there are almost one million inhabitants.Since from the Ancient time, it has been a multicultural town, a destination longed for by many polpulations who have succeeded in time and have shaped its aspect and culture.Walking in the heart of the old city is retracing the town history. In fact, through the long and characterisic streets, the churches architectures and ancient nobiliary buildings are evident different stratifications that show different historical and artistic influences. In fact in 1995 the historical center of Naples was declared from UNESCO “world cultural heritage”. Among the most famous streets there is Spaccanapoli, a very long street that, if seen from the top of Vomero hill, seems to split in two the historical centre. Then there is Saint Gregorio Armeno street that is famous for the artisan shops of nativity scenes. A stop-over in the cathedral is suggested to see the chapel of Saint Gennaro considered one of the masterpieces of the baroque art.

Food

If any food should be associated with Naples, it would definitely be pizza: the classic and most famous “pizza Margherita”, topped with mozzarella cheese, tomatoes and a leaf of basil, has been joined by many new and refined “gourmet” recipes, recently in vogue and able to suit all tastes. Pizza, in Naples, is a “serious matter” and the job of “making it” is considered as pure art: that is why nothing is improvised, and its preparation is made of precise gestures and procedures, wisely handed down from one artisan to another. In fact, in 2017 the “art of Neapolitan pizza-makers” was declared “Intangible Heritage of Humanity” by UNESCO, thereby recognising pizza’s cultural relevance and identity value as a “Neapolitan (quality) brand”.

Neapolitan pastry offers plenty of delights; sweet lovers can not miss a stop in a traditional pastry-shop to taste one of the local delicacies: the famous “Babà”, offered by every café and restaurants, either in its classic rum-flavored recipe, or covered in custard, cream or chocolate; still, the traditional “Sfogliatella”, a pastry with a delicious filling of semolina, ricotta cheese, eggs, sugar, candied fruit cut into small pieces, either wrapped in a shell-shaped crunchy puff pastry (the so called “riccia”) or surrounded by a round-shape thick shortbread (“frolla”) Babà and Sfogliatella flavoured ice cream definitely deserves tasting too.




"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
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Comments

  • blazing_saddles
    blazing_saddles Posts: 22,711

    Come on people.

    I am relying on you to keep me informed. I know it’s Sunday, but the rest day is tomorrow…

    "Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
  • mididoctors
    mididoctors Posts: 18,900

    Just got in..

    Confused racing ....no hope 2 up break by polti... 3 mins behind sprint teams attacking alpecin

    "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 pm
  • mididoctors
    mididoctors Posts: 18,900

    I don't understand neither does Kelly and co

    "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 pm
  • mididoctors
    mididoctors Posts: 18,900

    Talk it's some sort of road beef over alpecin messing up the stage strategy a few days ago

    "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 pm
  • mididoctors
    mididoctors Posts: 18,900

    The one were Benjamin won

    "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 pm
  • mididoctors
    mididoctors Posts: 18,900

    Not letting alpecin to settle down ...head games

    "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 pm
  • mididoctors
    mididoctors Posts: 18,900

    2:30 gap

    "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 pm
  • gethinceri
    gethinceri Posts: 1,647

    Vaughters spouting about nutrition… made sense before he had to repeat it, then he tried to pretend he had a phd and his explanation turned psychedelic.

  • gethinceri
    gethinceri Posts: 1,647

    Pretty dull stage thus far.

  • gethinceri
    gethinceri Posts: 1,647

    Still, it has allowed me to do a load of DIY, complete the final tweaks to the Specialissima, prep all my tri swim gear and drink beer.

  • Pross
    Pross Posts: 43,361

    He detracts from coverage for me rather than adding anything. I tend to feel much of what is says is bro science.

  • gethinceri
    gethinceri Posts: 1,647

    I know what you mean, but I try hard to remove the “former doper” from my prejudices - I fail.

    “Bro science”, I’m saving that one!!! 🤣

  • mrb123
    mrb123 Posts: 4,802

    Crash - G down but seems OK.

  • Pross
    Pross Posts: 43,361

    Thomas gives his annual ammunition to the ‘he’s always crashing’ gang. Seems fine luckily.

  • mididoctors
    mididoctors Posts: 18,900

    G in a tumble ...not too much pressure on the front of the bunch

    "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 pm
  • gethinceri
    gethinceri Posts: 1,647
    edited May 12

    Geraint down in a little crash…

    minute or so back, being brought back by 3 team-mates.

  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,661

    yeah Naples is not really a place you want to ride a bike.

  • mididoctors
    mididoctors Posts: 18,900
    "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 pm
  • gethinceri
    gethinceri Posts: 1,647

    Attacks starting after the Intergiro

  • mididoctors
    mididoctors Posts: 18,900

    Possible cross tail

    "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 pm
  • gethinceri
    gethinceri Posts: 1,647
    edited May 12

    50k left.

    Geraint back on, break still has 1’11”

  • mididoctors
    mididoctors Posts: 18,900

    Business end of the race starts on these kickers

    "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 pm
  • mididoctors
    mididoctors Posts: 18,900

    Phil parks

    "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 pm
  • mididoctors
    mididoctors Posts: 18,900

    Merlier going backwards

    "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 pm
  • mididoctors
    mididoctors Posts: 18,900

    Alpecin driving it

    "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 pm
  • mididoctors
    mididoctors Posts: 18,900

    Pithie mechanical wrong time ...b

    "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 pm
  • mididoctors
    mididoctors Posts: 18,900

    Alaphilppe attacks

    "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 pm
  • mididoctors
    mididoctors Posts: 18,900
    edited May 12

    Conci on his wheel

    "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 pm
  • mididoctors
    mididoctors Posts: 18,900

    Alaphilppe pulling away a group with a 16 sec advantage

    "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 pm
  • mididoctors
    mididoctors Posts: 18,900


    "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 pm