Tirreno: 27% Hell of the Muro di Sant'Elpidio

Sagan(Cannondale) zigzagging to keep his bike upright.

via CannondalePro

This Tirreno-Adriatico is without a doubt, one of the most exciting and amazing editions.

A 27 per cent gradient?

That's what it was for the riders as they tried to endure the steep, the very steep, Sant'Elpidio a Mare.

Not just once but three ascents. Many riders had to dismount and walk up. Some, like Peter Sagan zigzag nervously across the slippery road not wanting to put their feet down. I've never seen this in professional cycling. If that wasn't enough stress, the rains came down to add to the misery of the long and cold 209 km stage. Many abandoned... over 50 riders.

Cadel Evans (18th) said, "I am sure many would have had at least brief thoughts of quitting the sport... Stock standard tough Tirreno day I suppose."

Three riders emerged to escape-fuggitivi style; Rodriguez, Nibali and Sagan. Sagan showed his class and won the stage, Nibali is in the lead and JRod certain podium.


For the Terminator his second stage victory and my 'monument' prediction... winner for Sunday's Primavera!


Full results.

GC after Stage 6

Rank	Name	Nationality	Team	Result
1	Vincenzo NIBALI	Italy	AST	27:57:26
2	Christopher FROOME	Great Britain	SKY	+34
3	Joaquin RODRIGUEZ OLIVER	Spain	KAT	+37
4	Alberto CONTADOR VELASCO	Spain	TST	+48
5	Michal KWIATKOWSKI	Poland	OPQ	+58
6	Christopher HORNER	United States	RLT	+1:05
7	Mauro SANTAMBROGIO	Italy	VIN	+1:20
8	Przemyslaw NIEMIEC	Poland	LAM	+2:54
9	Andrey AMADOR BAKKAZAKOVA	Costa Rica	MOV	+2:58
10	Wouter POELS	Netherlands	VCD	+3:08