La Fiamma Rossa

[lafiammarossa]

Tricolore 2018: the preview

For this year's Italian Championships we're back in Darfo Boario, where the 2016 edition was raced. Giacomo Nizzolo proved to be the strongest that day, managing to drop the likes of Brambilla, Caruso, Moscon and an in-form Pozzato.

Some changes in the parcours and a stacked parterre des rois will give us another entertaining race.

COURSE

Besides the 6 kilometres of difference between 2016 (227,8) and 2018 (233,8), the parcours has some interesting changes (link to 2016 profile). Starting again from Boario Terme, the riders will rapidly enter the first circuit of the race; this will feature a small hill in Gianico, around 1 km at 6,5%, and will end after 4 laps and just over 100 kms of racing, when the second (and last) circuit will start.

The second circuit is 33 kilometres long, will be repeated 4 times and features 2 hills: the new entry is the climb to Berzo Inferiore, 5 kms at 3,5%, but with 10% ramps towards the end. The last time the riders will cross Berzo only 15 kilometers and a murito will separate them from the finish line. The previously mentioned (and already well-known) murito is Erbanno (Via Cornaleto): a 500 metres kick at around 11%, with 17-18% peaks in the last 200 metres. The already reduced peloton will tackle the last slope with 4 kms to go. Legs will hurt. The finish line will be on the flat and large road of via Alcide De Gasperi; the last kilometre will feature 4 turns, but none of them will be an issue for the riders.

CONTENDERS

Sprinters

Elia Viviani: thirteen wins already this season, enough said. He's in the form of his life and will have 3 teammates helping him (Sabatini, Martinelli, Capecchi). He will surely survive the hills, but the last one is a bit too close to the finish line. In 2016 Nizzolo did his best on Via Cornaleto and attacked just after, surprising the others (and himself too, probably). Can Viviani do the same?

Sonny Colbrelli: he gets to the Nationals (and the Tour) fresher than last year; the Tricolore should be a massive target for him, form should be there too. He will like the parcours even though he didn't participate in 2016. Probably one of my favourites for the win.

Giacomo Nizzolo: Nizzolo seems to be back to his best (or close to) after some injuries that slowed him down in 2017. He actually still missed the Giro because of the same knee issues but, as past winner, he can't be overlooked. Will he be able to repeat? Chances are very low, because of both a stronger field and him not being 101%.

Andrea Pasqualon: he’s one of the jokers of this year's edition. The sprinter of Wanty has 4 wins already in 2018 (more than he has in his career before this season - 3) and will go back to the Tour in a week. He's unknown over the distance and would probably have liked an uphill sprint, but could surprise a few in the end.

Best of the rest

Gianni Moscon: the Italian time trial champion will be making his Tour de France debut and is poised for a strong Championship. He was 5th in both 2016 and 2017 road races. He was in particular impressive in 2016 when, as a first year as professional, he was probably the strongest on Via Cornaleto. The form should be there and the parcours suits him, but he will also be heavily marked.

Diego Ulissi: he rode the Giro in support of the ghost of Aru and was then freed at the Tour de Suisse, where he got a win and some important placings. Ulissi seems on the right path for a great National Championship but he's always very unpredictable. In 2016 he was the number 1 favourite, coming from an incredible spring and an outstanding Giro, and was nowhere to be seen. This season things seem to be different. He will also have a strong team supporting him, with Conti and Consonni ready to play their cards.

Enrico Battaglin: in 2016 his fan club was all over the streets of Darfo, via Cornaleto was dominated by a giant inflatable depicting Battaglin himself (with kit, helmet and everything else). At his annual participation at the Giro, last month, he won a stage and looked incredibly strong and comfortable. The team then sent him to Tour de Suisse. Is his peak condition gone? Looks like it. Parcours isn't suiting him much, too. He will be one to watch anyway, should the race be harder than expected or the should the final sprint count fewer protagonists than expected.

Vincenzo Nibali: last but not least, lo Squalo. Silently but meticulously preparing the Tour, he only let one arrow fly until now, and that was Milan-Sanremo. He could win from different scenarios but a long-range attack is his best bet. Can he surprise us again?

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Giovanni Visconti, Damiano Caruso, Gianluca Brambilla, Oscar Gatto.

Damiano Cunego, last race of his career. 49 wins: 1 Giro, 1 Amstel Gold Race, 3 Lombardia, our hearts and the anger of Gibo Simoni (a win’s a win).

WHERE TO FOLLOW

📺 The race will be shown live from 14:30 CET on RaiSport and PMG Sport streams.

📝 Live ticker from @CICDarfoBT and #Tricolore2018.

ℹ️ Program and general informations on the official website, here.

⛰️ Climbs details from La Flamme Rouge.

[lafiammarossa]

Evaldas Šiškevičius, through Hell and beyond

Cycling can be cruel and satisfying, charming and tiring, sad and fun. Paris-Roubaix was, as usual, a mix of emotions. There was surprise, seeing Dillier hammer on the pedals in the break and in the Vélodrome; joy, for Sagan, a worthy winner once again; sadness and disbelief, for the sudden loss of a young man, who was doing what he loved, surrounded by friends and people cheering for him, and who will never be forgotten.

Then there is Evaldas, who can be associated with an infinite number of adjectives. I've always been interested in reading stories from riders all over the world and, as a big fan of Lithuania and, more specifically, Lithuanian athletes, I've been paying attention to Šiškevičius, Konovalovas, Navardauskas, Bagdonas, among others.

In an unexpected twist of events, I had a phone call with Evaldas Šiškevičius yesterday; a conversation about his past, present and future.

BEGINNINGS

His status on a famous messaging app is set on Disponible, but Evaldas is much more than that: he takes some time before dinner to answer my questions and after the very first minutes I feel like he's talking with a friend; I'm overjoyed.

When did you started cycling and why?

I started at thirteen years old, when I was in school. No one in my family was cycling, it was just a passion I had. Real racing didn’t begin until sixteen, though. At sixteen years old I went to Belgium, where I raced in a team called Litubel [based in Waregem and supported by a flooring company that was exporting from Lithuania], and started riding as a junior, Paris-Roubaix, Omloop Het Volk [which he won in 2006], and smaller races.

What happened after your seasons as a junior?

I went to France in 2008 and joined La Pomme Marseille as an under-23. I was being helped by Igna(ta)s Konovalovas who was a good friend of mine and was in Marseille already. We were helping each other after that; same if there was a new rider coming from Lithuania [happened with Ramunas Navardauskas in 2010].

(Evaldas and Ignatas Konovalovas in the first pic; Ignatas and Evaldas in the second one)

FAST-FORWARD ROUBAIX

A question everyone has: did you take a shower in the velodrome?

No, I took the shower in the bus. I remember when I was junior, it was nice to take a shower in there but now we’re in professional teams and it is different, now we prefer to have our shower in the team bus.

Taking a shower in the velodrome is just for the photos, maybe?

[laughs] Yeah.

What went through your mind during the race?

Our sport director in the morning meeting was really inspiring, he told us how it was very important for our sponsors and after that I was focused just on this. I did my job in the beginning of the race, I was trying to get in the breakaway; then I was riding in this group because everybody want to go to Roubaix, you know? After that, when everybody in the group stopped and I had the puncture I was just thinking “why do I need to stop now?”. Even in my life I want to finish all the things I started; I think this is very important. When I was about to finish the velodrome was almost closed but the organization let me do my lap and a half to finish my Paris-Roubaix.

TEAM AND FUTURE PLANS

Tell me about the team: do you get along well with the guys?

Of course. I think we have a good group, each year we have some new riders and they also are comfortable here. We started the season in a good way, I think we’re not bad overall, we are progressing season after season. We also hope to find some big and new sponsors so our team can grow even more and so the race organizations can consider inviting us for bigger races. It’s important for our progress.

What’s the language of choice, since there are a lot of guys from different countries?

We speak French, a lot of guys also speak English and I also know some words in Italian and Spanish, but at the end of the day you also have to adapt, you know? Yesterday we had to explain to our Italian rider [Mauro Finetto] that the race had some dirty roads, so we used “like Strade Bianche”. You always find the words, it’s not complicated. When you want to, I think you can always find the solution.

So, is Paris-Roubaix your favourite race?

The race it’s really hard, when I was younger I really wanted to do this race, now that I’m professional I can say it’s really hard, much harder than the under-23 one, not even comparable. I’m also always passionate about Paris-Nice, I’ve been riding there almost every year since I turned pro. I remember when I was younger, during my first times riding Paris-Nice, there were teams like Rabobank giving their best in the crosswinds; for me it’s one of the best races and I always want to do Paris-Nice. After all, like Paris-Roubaix, it’s the history of cycling. I also hope i will have a chance to ride Tour de France but we need to wait. Hopefully next year.

What’s up next? Is there a race that suits you, where we can cheer for you?

I will take my chance already on Sunday at Tro Bro Leon. I knew it because in Paris-Nice I was sick and I was also not at my best for Paris-Roubaix, but yesterday [during Paris-Camembert] I was feeling much better so I hope for Sunday, I will try to do something. Then I’m not sure what I will do after Sunday; I will get some rest and will come back, maybe in Rhone Alpes or Dunkerque. So these are the races in which I can expect to do some results. Also, the Tour of Norway, which will be in middle of May, is a race I like, it’s hard conditions so I hope to be good there.

Perfect conditions for a lithuanian, I’d say.

[laughs in lithuanian] True.

Let’s think about this for a second: what happens if you win Tro Bro Leon? What about the prize (a little pig)?

Well, I don’t know, if in my career i can win that as well I would be really really satisfied. I know they only give the piglet to a French winner. I’ve been living in France for more than ten years know, so we need to ask, maybe it would be possible, I hope so! My wife really likes everything from the meat, so [laughs]... But you know? They don’t give the pig straight away, they keep for them and after they get all the meat from him they send it to the winner. It’s a delicious thing, yeah?

Is there an episode, an event, something (good or bad) you remember since you’ve started cycling that you always keep in your mind?

Maybe not an episode or else, but I have a really nice family that supports me all the time and even if I don’t finish a race, like last one, or I finish last, it doesn’t matter, they support me unconditionally, so that keeps me going all the time. I know I’m fighting for my family, it keeps me motivated.

Last but not least, what would like to say to those who got to know about you this weekend?

I want to thank everyone who wrote a message to support me, the people on the road cheering for me. Even if I am and was far away I really appreciate all the love because it keeps me going. I’m really happy about this.

And I want to thank Evaldas, for the time he dedicated to me on a day his phone was literally burning and for the lesson he taught us all on Sunday.

Here is a very small (and already famous) video of Evaldas during Paris-Roubaix. Follow him also on twitter @esiskevicius.

[lafiammarossa]

Matteo Fabbro, l’intervista

Qualche giorno fa ho intervistato Matteo Fabbro, 22enne di Codroipo, uno degli scalatori italiani più promettenti. Quest’anno correrà da professionista con il Team Katusha-Alpecin e ho voluto fargli qualche domanda diversa dal solito (qualcuna anche scomoda).

Ciao Matteo, partiamo subito con le domande difficili: come stai e dove sei in questo momento?

Ciao, sto bene grazie, ora mi trovo a Maiorca in ritiro con la Katusha-Alpecin.

Qual è stata la corsa che, a prescindere dal risultato, ti è piaciuta di più da under 23?

Devo dire che ci sono un sacco di corse belle tra gli under 23, il Giro d’Italia però mi è davvero piaciuto molto per come era organizzato e per il grande pubblico che tutti i giorni ci accompagnava sulle strade. Inoltre per me ha un sapore speciale anche la corsa di casa, la Coppa Città di San Daniele, che guardavo già da quando ero bambino.

Un aneddoto degli anni passati con il Cycling Team Friuli che porterai sempre con te?

In questi quattro anni passati al Cycling Team Friuli di aneddoti ce ne sono moltissimi, da quando sono arrivato nella categoria credo di essere cresciuto davvero tanto grazie all’insegnamento dei più vecchi che, nei primi due anni, mi bastonavano parecchio perché ero un po’ ribelle, e solo dopo ho capito che lo facevano per il mio bene (pensate che li ringrazio tuttora quando li vedo). Inoltre porterò sempre con me la vittoria a San Daniele di quest’anno sulle strade di casa; partivo come favorito e per me dopo un’annata davvero difficile è stata una vera liberazione e credo anche che sia stato il miglior modo per ringraziare e ripagare il CTF per questi fantastici quattro anni passati insieme. (sotto una foto di Matteo all’arrivo di San Daniele ©Scanferla)

Una corsa in cui pensi di poter far bene ma in cui gli addetti ai lavori non ti darebbero un centesimo?

Sinceramente credo che non mi darebbero un centesimo in tutte le corse, o quasi. Per il semplice fatto che sono un neoprof, e quindi nessuno mi conosce, e per via del mio fisico molto esile probabilmente la maggior parte [degli addetti ai lavori] mi sottovaluterà un po’ su tutti i terreni. Credo che solo la strada ci saprà dire come andranno le cose.

La squadra dopo anni di Purito Rodriguez e Dani Moreno si giocherà alle Ardenne le carte Haas e Lammertink, poi un po’ di vuoto. Ci sono possibilità di vederti ad Amstel, Freccia Vallone e/o Liegi già quest'anno?

Sono corse importanti, penso che la squadra sia bene assortita in ogni campo, il team manager Azevedo ha una grande esperienza e sono sicuro che abbia creato una squadra completa. Siamo un bel gruppo e non so ancora se la squadra mi chiamerà per quelle corse, ma se ci sarà l’opportunità farò il possibile per farmi trovare pronto e dare il massimo per il team e i compagni.

Le salite lunghe e costanti di Giro e Tour o i “muretti” della Vuelta?

Non saprei, in questi anni da under 23 mi sono riscoperto abbastanza duttile e mi sono cimentato un po’ in tutto, dalle crono, passando per la pista, arrivando fino alle salite. Certamente il mio fisico farebbe pensare alle salite lunghe ma credo che anche sui “muretti” della Vuelta io possa fare bene in futuro.

Chi ha i capelli più belli tra te e Kittel?

Ovviamente io 😂 ma lui è più alto e anche più famoso. Diciamo che sono la sua miniatura per il momento. Magari se ci sarà l’occasione di apparire nella stessa corsa lascerò che siano i lettori e il pubblico a giudicare.

Un saluto a chi ti conosce ma soprattutto un messaggio a chi ancora non ti conosce.

Un saluto a tutti e in particolare un ringraziamento a “La Fiamma Rossa” per il tempo dedicatomi (non l’ho pagato, giuro!). A tutti coloro che non mi conoscessero, posso consigliare di seguirmi sui social per scoprire le ultime news e rimanere sempre aggiornati!

Matteo

Seguite Matteo su Twitter ed Instagram.

(foto ©Jojo Harper)

[English version]

Some days ago I interviewed Matteo Fabbro, 22-year-old from Codroipo (near Udine), one of the most promising Italians climbers. This season he’s going to ride as professional with Team Katusha-Alpecin and I wanted to ask him something different (including some tough questions).

Hi Matteo, let’s begin with a difficult question: how are you and where are you now?

Hello, I’m fine, thank you, and I’m currently in Mallorca at the Katusha-Alpecin training camp.

What was the U23 race that you liked the most, regardless of its result?

I have to say that there are a lot of nice races, but I really liked the Giro U23 because of the way it was organised and because of the big crowds that were on the streets everyday. Moreover, for me Coppa Città di San Daniele is really special, I used to watch it since I was a child.

A memory or an episode of your years at Cycling Team Friuli that you will always keep in your heart

There are lots of episodes of the last four years in Cycling Team Friuli. I believe I grew up a lot since I arrived in the U23 ranks, especially thanks to my older teammates that were often telling me off because I was a little bit of a rebel. Only later I understood that they were doing it for my own good (just think that I still thank them when we meet). Also, I will never forget last year’s victory in San Daniele, on home roads: I was starting as a favourite and to me it was like a liberation after a tough year; I believe it was my best way to thank and reward the team for the four great years we spent together.

A race in which you think you can get a good result but nobody would bet on you.

Sincerely, I don’t think anyone would bet on me in almost any race this year. Because I’m a neo pro, so nobody knows me, and because I’m thin; probably most of the people will underestimate me in all fields. I think only the road will tell us.

After years with Purito Rodriguez and Dani Moreno, your team will have Haas and Lammertink for the Ardennes, not many others. Is there any chance for you to be at the start of this season’s Amstel, Fleche and/or Liege already?

These are very important races and I think the team is well-sorted for every race. The team manager, Azevedo, has great experience and I’m sure he created a competitive team on any field. We are a nice group and I don’t know if I will race [the Ardennes] yet, but if I will be given this opportunity I will do my best in order to be ready to help my teammates.

Which is the best for you: the long climbs of Giro and Tour or the shorter, steep climbs of the Vuelta?

I don’t know, in these years as an U23 I discovered that I’m quite flexible and I have tried a little bit of everything: time trialling, track, besides the climbs. Of course my body would make anyone think of long climbs but I believe I can perform well also on the short, steep climbs of the Vuelta.

Who has the best hair, you or Kittel?

Me, of course 😂 But he’s taller and more famous, too. For now, I’m his miniature. Maybe if there will be the chance of racing together I will let the readers and the crowd decide.

A greeting for your fans but especially for those who still don’t know you.

Hello everybody and especially thanks to “La Fiamma Rossa” for the time dedicated to me. To those who don’t know me, I suggest you to follow me on social media to read the latest news and always be up-to-date.

Matteo

Follow Matteo on Twitter and Instagram.

[lafiammarossa]

Five riders to watch in 2018

My personal list of riders I will keep a close eye on during this year. The idea was to include guys that will hopefully have their breakout (or revenge) season, not necessarily young, neo-pros or unknown, as they are usually dealt by mainstream cycling websites.

Tom-Jelte Slagter

Let’s start this off with one of my favourites. The Groningen native probably left Cannondale because of the initial financial struggle of the team, but a change was well needed for him anyway. After four years with Vaughters and after being shadowed by the important and up-and-coming figures of Uran and Woods last season, I feel this is the right move. He joins Dimension Data, a fine team that can support him in the Ardennes and in many other classics, and give him a free role in a Grand Tour of choice. The field is now as strong as ever (especially for the Classics), but at 28 and after some important top-5 results I hope this is the time we finally see Slagter in full bloom. Tour Down Under will give us some answers already. Jasper Stuyven

This was a difficult choice, as other guys from Trek were meeting my requirements for this kind of post, but I finally decided to go with Jasper. A borderline pick, as he’s been all over the place these seasons, but the maître chocolatier from Leuven is due a really big win now. He made the final selection in last Roubaix, won in Geraardsbergen (last stage of the BinckBank Tour) ahead of the likes of Sagan, Van Avermaet, Gilbert, showed he can win from a long-range attack and surely is one of the best sprinters among other Classics riders. He will be happy to join Degenkolb in what is a deadly duo for the pavé, while Felline could lend a hand too. Jay McCarthy

Being in the same team of the Boss is not easy but Jay is an awesome rider, there’s no doubt about that. After five seasons as a pro and some very good results, 2018 might be his breakout year; he gets over the hills with ease, likes uphill finishes and packs a great sprint, too. With these characteristics, I could definitely see him winning more than a stage in a GT, but what impresses me the most is how he has barely raced Ardennes yet, whose profiles fit a guy like him, and last year’s results were the proof. Supporting my choice is also the great National Championships he just did, taking the silver behind a dominant Mitchelton-Scott. As for Slagter, we’ll see more of McCarthy already next week. If the Boss gives the green light. Laurens De Plus

Many fans will remember him for his horrific crash during Il Lombardia, but he surely put the episode behind him and will be eager to give us some better memories. A superb help for Jungels top-10 at last year’s Giro, he seems to excel in long climbs but he also got good results when the race was featuring hills or short climbs; he is not a bad time triallist either and, in particular, he has the power of intimidating other climbers with his 1,90m. He will be back at the Giro in 2018, but this time with his own general classification ambitions. It will be his third season as a professional rider, and I honestly can’t wait to see what he’s capable of. (below a pic of the banner of his fanclub in a strategic place in Geraardsbergen)

Odd Christian Eiking

Probably my favourite Norwegian rising star. I will try really hard not to make any puns, so I will just say his transfer to Wanty seems unusual. It officially happened just after the last Tour de Pologne, where he was wheel-to-wheel with Poels, Majka, Yates, Teuns, among others, so apparently he and the FDJ management had different views. He was climbing very well in his U23 stint, but his explosiveness and speed suggest he’s better suited for races like the Ardennes. Also, Wanty just got a wildcard to participate at the Tour again, so Eiking will surely want to show he’s ready for his first Grand Boucle. He is my last rider to watch, but definitely not the least; hopefully the odds are with him and his season will be fun and successful.

[lafiammarossa]

Riders to watch at the Giro U23

General Classification

Pavel Sivakov

Number 1 favourite. Adrien Costa and Bjorg Lambrecht missing the Giro are good news for him, even though he might not be that happy. Dominated Ronde de l’Isard just two weeks ago, will be very interesting to see him on Campo Imperatore; nice time trialist too. Just his second year as U23, yet ready to become pro.

Neilson Powless

Without Costa he’s surely Axeon’s arrow and probably Sivakov biggest threat. Had a great and successful spring. His growth has been incredible over the past few years; has won last stage of Avenir 2016 and shined in lots races among pros already. Packs a great TT and a nice sprint, can put the hammer down in basically every stage.

Jai Hindley

One of many Australian rising stars. Like Sivakov and Powless, can be happy about his spring results and Italian Classics Campaign. Gets to the Giro in solid form, will be looking to limit losses in the TT, even if the parcours suits puncheurs and climbers. Fifth in last year’s Avenir. A strong contender for the podium.

Sergio Martinez & Cristian Muñoz

Like many other compatriots, you don’t know much about them until you see them winning here and there. Riding for a very strong Colombia National Team, Martinez and Muñoz were respectively first and second in the Vuelta de la Juventud 2017. Muñoz managed to get second in the Juventud 2016, too. They might not be the new Quintana, and might not even be close to Bernal or Ivan Sosa, but will be interesting to see them racing in Europe and see how they’ll fare with our climbs.

Stage Hunters

Lucas Hamilton

Can be also discussed as GC rider. His preparation for the Giro is out of this world. Managed to get four (!) consecutive 2nd places in U23 classics in Italy, in one month. Races of this category are always hard to read, for many reasons (mainly because of the 6-men-teams), but he’s one of the best candidates to wear the Maglia Rosa tomorrow.

Sasha Riabushenko

Another big favourite to wear pink tomorrow. After a big 2016, culminated with the European Championship, won ahead of the likes of Lambrecht and Vendrame, his 2017 has been even better. Won Belvedere (in a similar parcours of the first stage of the Giro), first stage of the Eroica U23 and got multiple podiums. Rumoured to join Bahrain-Merida in 2018, has the chance to win more than a stage at the Giro, and will be very eager to wear some jerseys throughout the week.

Eddie Dunbar

One of the best U23 prospects, 2017 U23 Flanders (solo) winner, was the strongest on the Ca’ del Poggio just over than a month ago (finished 3rd in San Vendemiano, behind Conci and Hindley); would be very cool to see him win a stage. Starts as one of the favourites for the TT, too.

Patrick Müller

A beast of a classics rider, very underrated climber, can be a precious help for Sivakov and get himself in the mix for a stage win, too. Fourth in U23 Flanders, seventh in Liege, started his 2017 a bit slower than 2016. Sprints very well in a small group and/or after a hard race. I expect him to be very active at the Giro, in what should be his last year as U23.

Sprinters

There are basically no stages for sprinters. Teams with a strong sprinter will be looking to keep the race together in stage 4. Honorable mention for: Fabio Jakobsen, strongest sprinter in the field, Bram Welten, Alexandr Kulikovskiy, Filippo Calderaro, Giovanni Lonardi.

Italian hopes

Matteo Fabbro & Nicola Conci

Both leaders of their teams (CT Friuli and Zalf), both enjoying a nice start of the season, both recently injured. Similar in many things (but with different characteristics), hopefully both recovered from past crashes and can be a feature in their home race. Fabbro played an important part in Ravasi podium in last year’s Avenir; a pure climber which can deliver a big result on Campo Imperatore (if he’s 100% healthy). Conci was probably the best Italian junior in 2015, struggled a bit last year, but has now found his mojo back, with some good results and a win in San Vendemiano. Seems more of a classics guy, but Zalf is believing a lot on his climbing skills too. Should he have recovered well, he’s probably Italy’s best chance for a stage win.

Alessandro Fedeli

Another strong and in form Italian. Had some nice results until now, will like the hilly parcours of the Giro and can sprint very well in difficult situations. Has been very strong and solid since his juniors years, expecting him in more than one top-10.

Seid Lizde

One of the veterans. Last season as an U23. Managed to get a super deserved win in Rome on April 25th, after trying for years. Tons of podiums every season, a big engine that isn’t scared to attack from afar. Sponsor’s favourite. A win in the Giro would be his autograph on a pro contract.

Daniel Savini & Luca Covili

Both born in 1997, both with similar skills, were pretty strong as juniors together with Conci and are having solid results right now. Special mention because this weekend they’ll race in places near their native homes; the parcours of the three stages is not bad for them, lots of friends and relatives will be there cheering for them, enough said.

Hopefully someone finds this enjoyable and helpful. Now go and watch totally different riders win every stage!

[lafiammarossa]

I love my bike and I love you

Rein Taaramäe (pronounced tarame) winning in Sant’Anna di Vinadio the last real stage of the Giro d’Italia 2016.

Col de Vars, Col de la Bonette and Col de la Lombarde were on the menu that day.

Here’s Taaramäe and his wife on the Col de la Lombarde, where Rein was training, in 2014.

[lafiammarossa]

Nothing like a weekend in Flanders, with beers, sun, world champions, an incredible crowd and a casual picture of you and your friends all lined up on the Oude Kwaremont that gives a special meaning to an unforgettable memory.

[lafiammarossa]

Comin’ up in the world don’t trust nobody / Gotta look over your shoulder constantly

Since we all know who the favourites are, tons of previews with same names out there, same riders interviewed every year, I thought I could spend a few words for those who are rarely mentioned but might become heroes for a day (more than a day, actually).

Leigh Howard

First time in a long time (maybe ever) he's leading a team in an important race. Had some incredible results in the past in races with similar parcours and started this season really motivated. If IAM fully back him (as they said), Howard should be honoured to be led-out by Reynes, Kluge and Haussler.

Ramunas Navardauskas

Maybe not so underdog, but as the field is stacked, he's not the first that comes to mind speaking of favourites. Pretty moody rider, has proved to be really strong (when he wants to) in difficult and long races, thinking at last WC and the Bergerac stage of the '14 Tour de France in particular.

Sep Vanmarcke

Dear Sep is trying to fly a bit under the radar. Maybe he's thinking at Sanremo as a training but, as his form is surely there, I'm not entirely convinced by his quietness. Has always been a good sprinter, given the type of rider he is, and proved to be strong last week at Paris-Nice. Can launch an attack or join one and be very dangerous in a reduced sprint.

Matteo Trentin

Etixx already outlined its hierarchy, backing Gaviria with Stybar free to do his thing. But. If Gaviria fails in his first Monument, the next in line is Trentin, in my opinion. Not only there for a sprint, if you remember last year's Sanremo, Oss was in a late move with Geraint Thomas, and I can totally see Trentin doing what Oss did and following moves in the final, if things get serious. Fantastic domestique, always needed a win to gain awareness, found 3 nontrivial ones (twice at the Tour plus last edition of Paris-Tours) recently.

Fabio Felline

Growing constantly, has been one of the most exciting Italians to watch these seasons. Always been a puncheur-ish rider, maybe preferring sprints in his early years, now seems to have lost a bit of speed in favour of climbing. Was pretty good at the end of Paris-Nice and terrific in Andalucia. In case race is harder than expected, with groups all over the place, he is one of the fastest guys on the line, maybe the fastest with Gallopin.

There might be a lot more than 5 to talk about, to be fair, but I like the chances (as dark horses) of these guys. Milano-Sanremo has always been a selective race; it's not very easy to find a surprise in last editions' podiums, but sometimes Ciolek happens, and I would be really happy to see a less renowned rider win the Classicissima.

(pic via @gruberimages)

[lafiammarossa]

This the season.

[lafiammarossa]

2015 Gent Wevelgem, instructions unclear.

[lafiammarossa]

Feels good

A differenza di tante altre volte non ho esultato troppo, però mi sono sentito bene.

La Gent-Wevelgem di ieri è difficile da raccontare a chi non l’ha vista. Vi basti sapere che l’unico momento piacevole i ciclisti, e non solo, l’hanno passato attraversando la Porte d’Aire, che un po’ fa ridere.

Dopo sei ore di bestemmie, bici, bici con ciclisti sopra che volano, a vincere è Luca Paolini, anni 38.

Io ero quello che quando c’era da fare un tema di massimo due facciate, ne faceva almeno quattro; quando c’era da presentare una lettera, un articolo di massimo duecento parole, non si scendeva mai sotto le quattrocento. Su Paolini probabilmente ci sarebbe da scrivere un libro, ma io non sono capace di scrivere.

Grazie ad un’intervista pubblicata da Rouleur provo a combattere la prolissità in un modo più o meno dignitoso. Scorrendo:

I like modern cycling, it’s more professional, but it’s also lacking a bit of humanity

Su lacking a bit of humanity mi sono fermato più volte.

Luca Paolini è quello che durante la corsa pensa a come può fare per far vincere un compagno. Quello che per dominare una Gent-Wevelgem deve chiedere il permesso al capitano. Quello che dopo duecentonovanta chilometri di una Monumento ti viene a prendere in coda al gruppo, ti porta davanti e ti lascia a duecento metri dalla linea d’arrivo. Quello che non ha bisogno di controllare l’SRM per capire quando attaccare. Etc.

Senza dimenticare il sostegno ad associazioni benefiche e la barba.

Ieri, domenica 29 marzo 2015, Paolini non era il più forte. Era però la dimostrazione che, tra tutti gli extraterrestri del ciclismo, un po’ di umanità esiste ancora.

[lafiammarossa]

Oude Kwaremont, 640x640 Sweat on cobbles 2015

[lafiammarossa]

Elia Viviani and his rear wheel: a love story.

[gruberimages]

The wind. It slammed the riders into the dirt, and when they got up again, it tried to steal their bikes. | with @cwatson001

[lafiammarossa]

Fiamme rosse everywhere.

[cyclocosm]

C’mon bro—just take it. Take it! Dude, I’m trying to race bikes here. C’mon—why you gotta be such a soil?

(from the latest #HTRWW, on Strade Bianche)

[lafiammarossa]

How the race was won a 40 km dall'arrivo: “prendi questa cazzo di mantellina che faccio il culo a tutti”.

[lafiammarossa]

FREE STYBAR.

[thismachinekillscobbles]

Shit, Yogi’s still here

[lafiammarossa]

Non stavamo più nella pelle, onestamente.

Ieri, 28 febbraio, si è aperta la stagione di caccia. La Omloop Het Nieuwsblad è la prima delle classiche come piacciono a noi. Blasonata quanto basta, ti fa sempre capire chi è che ha già lucidato le cartucce.

Long story short (forature, cadute, cyclocross): alla fine sono arrivati i quattro che vedete sopra. Tre Quickstep (cinque Roubaix e tre Fiandre), uno Sky. Un dominio. L'orso è in trappola.

Circa.

Adesso, lasciando perdere l'obbrobrio tattico che ci ha offerto la Quickstep (!), possiamo dedicare un momento all'eroe che è stato Ian Stannard, detto Yogi?

Ok, basta.

Qua c'è l'episodio del nostro amato cyclocosm in cui capire tutto della gara in cinque minuti. Qua ci sono gli ultimi dieci chilometri.

Ah, oggi è domenica 1 marzo, io nel dubbio ho aperto una bottiglia di Chianti.