Mocked by Ackermann in Fucecchio, downgraded by the jury in Orbetello, beaten by Caleb Ewan also yesterday in the sprint in Pesaro: for Elia Viviani, after the uncorks of sparkling wine in last year's Giro – cyclamen jersey with four victories – so far only burning defeats. There will be other opportunities to make up for the shoal but from today, after the awaited San Marino time trial which will also redraw the "detached" classification of the big names that has remained fixed up to now from the first stage in San Luca, the Giro will offer more and more mountains and less and less plains. Alpine and Dolomite mountains, harsh and forbidding, with slopes that will put sprinters out of the game, very different from those faced in these first eight stages, on Apennine roads that never like this year have been chosen not to bite in view of a second part of Giro particularly hard and nips-legs.
Yesterday's also had three Gpm but the order of arrival, which sees Ewan, Viviani and Ackermann on the podium followed by Belletti fourth and Démare fifth - the best of the sprint in this Giro after the withdrawal of Gaviria - certifies that the climbs faced they weren't prohibitive at all. What made the stage more complicated than the altimetry was the rain in the finale just when the road leading to Pesaro was full of treacherous curves. For almost 200km the fraction lived on the breakaway of two Italians, Frapporti and Cima, two names often present in the breakaways of this Giro, with the big names in the group more careful not to fall than to chase the leaders, too few not to give in the final. The engagement thus takes place about thirty kilometers from the finish: the small sporting drama of the two braves takes place right in front of the Castle of Gradara which was the scene of a much greater drama, that of the tragic love between Paolo and Francesca, made eternal from Dante.
Once the escape of Cima and Frapporti has returned, it is Giulio Ciccone, in the blue jersey, who extends in view of the last Gpm of the day, that of Gabicce Monte: with him are Bidard and Vervaecke who do nothing to prevent him from gaining other precious points for the leadership of climbers. In the descent to Pesaro, very technical and dangerous, there is a general reunion thanks to the work of the sprinter teams, in particular of Pascal Ackermann's Bora-Hansgrohe. The finish straight is just two hundred meters long, preceded by a right-angled curve which, due to the implicit risks, arouses vehement protests from some riders – such as Tony Gallopin giving up the sprint. Viviani can't find the wheel of his teammate Sabatini and chooses that of Caleb Ewan but is disturbed on his left by Nizzolo, just when the Australian from Lotto-Soudal unleashes his explosiveness to catch and overtake Ackermann. Viviani manages to steal second place from the German in the cyclamen jersey but still has to postpone the appointment with the victory.
Of a different mood from Viviani was Valerio Conti who kept the pink jersey conquered in San Giovanni Rotondo. For him an after-race with the surprise of a phone call from one of his special fans, Carlo Verdone who encouraged him to "proudly defend this Roman pink jersey". Today in the 35 km time trial from Riccione to San Marino, with the severe ramps towards the famous fortress, Conti should have no problem keeping the symbol of the problem. Given the results of the first time trial of San Luca – 27th at 1'01” from the winner Roglic – he even has the possibility of extending his immediate pursuers: on Rojas (second at 1'32”), Carboni (third at 1'41 ”), Peters (fourth at 2'09”), Madouas (fifth at 2'17”). Great expectations also for the new challenge between the big names who in this first week of the race have been at the window without ever attacking: Roglic once again starts with the favors of the forecasts after the exploit in San Luca. But Nibali and Yates and Angel Miguel Lopez are there too. The test of Formolo and Landa should also be followed carefully. A really good battle on the Titan promises to be, not decisive but still an important check-up for the state of health of the protagonists for the final victory.
