The Real Giro 2026 Afternoon

[team fl]

Stage two, Jensen going at it. From the beginning, Falcor made clear that this was the stage for Magnus Jensen. Even Rory showed the Maglia Bianca chasing the escape group(s) eagerly. After a nervous start, a 5 rider group formed as the early escape of the day. Initially being 6 riders, Adam Darski (SouthWest Packers) decided to better protect his GC leader in the peloton. With Falcor not getting much help, the leash was kept short all day. While Terentiy Tikhomirov (Tukhtahuaev) took over the Maglia Azzurra, the escape was over when the late attacks started. Still, Falcor had everything under control and after getting rid of other dangerous riders at the Liasovets Pass, the rest was just routine Jensen, who not only won the stage but also wears the Maglia Rosa now. Vincent Verwimp (Team FL) is not too sad though, as he is able to present the Maglia Ciclamino at stage 3, where he could do well again, or be siebed at the Borovets Pass and never able to get back. Until then, here are the statistics after stage 2:

General classement:
01. 00:00:00 Magnus Jensen (Falcor)
02. 00:00:04 Uros Urbanek (L RSV)
03. 00:00:06 Arjen Burger (CreditPommes)
...
13 riders 10 seconds behind Jensen.

Points classement:
01. 050 - Vincent Verwimp (Team FL)
02. 035 - Artem Palamarchuck (Tukhtahuaev)
03. 025 - Magnus Jensen

Mountain classement:
01. 018 - Terentiy Tikhomirov (Tukhtahuaev)
02. 009 - Tristan Rasmussen (Veline)
03. 006 - Antoine Masson (Flandrien Pro Cycling)

Youth classement:
01. 00:00:06 Arjen Burger (CreditPommes)
02. 00:00:10 Graziano Alborghetti (Tukhtahuaev)
03. 00:00:10 Finn Bennett (Confidential Era)

Team classement:
00:00:00 All teams still in the same time

Stage wins by riders:
1 - Magnus Jensen (Falcor)
1 - Vincent Verwimp (Team FL)

Stage wins by teams:
1 - Falcor
1 - Team FL

Days in Rosa:
1 - Magnus Jensen (Falcor)
1 - Vincent Verwimp (Team FL)

Most combative rider:
1 - Magnus Fjellvik (Flandrien Pro Cycling)
1 - tbd

Days with the Red Lantern:
1 - Pyry Pitkäaikainen (L RSV)
1 - Cesare Baddetti (Falcor)

[Nomorelulz]

From trustable sources I have heard:
-NML still uncertain to ride at all

I'm a bit late, but quick news: There were some serious threats to our team, Viitanen and Liiv got a letter written with crayons(?!), that they better should not start here else they may die in a horse race?!

The team didn't really understand most of the letter, but decided that the health of our riders is more important than the sanity of the manager. So we decided to switch to the morning. This also has the positive effect of not having an angry shareholder at the weekends.

I wish you a nice giro! Will miss you guys <3

[team fl]

Stage 3: Bunch sprint or reduced sprint (or an early escape)? In the end, it was a bunch sprint. Only Flandrien Pro Cycling tried it early and nobody really wanted to keep the sprinters away. So long story short: In the end, the complete peloton but Dacian Liberu (L RSV) arrived at the finish line where Artem Palamarchuck (Tukhtahuaev) showed his strength on the final meters, overtaking Vincent Verwimp (Team FL) to win his first Giro stage. The MSR winner is now on level with Verwimp regarding points, but the latter still wearing the Maglia Ciclamino for the rest day. His team, Tukhtahuaev, might not be too sad as a) it's still holding the Maglia Azzura (Terentiy Tikhomirov) and will get more chances to bring Palamarchuck in a good position during next week. The other classements didn't change, Magnus Jensen (Falcor) still in Rosa and Mick Rory (also Falcor) still leading the youth classement. In the meantime, SouthWest Packers is cosily controlling for the GC favourite Jamshid Abdurashitov. But now it's time for the first rest day and see what the Afternoon offers on Italian soil from Tuesday on. Until then, as usual, here are the statistcs:

General classement:
01. 00:00:00 Magnus Jensen (Falcor)
02. 00:00:06 Uros Urbanek (L RSV)
03. 00:00:12 Arjen Burger (CreditPommes)
04. 00:00:14 Michael Redrocks (FAlcor)
...
12 riders 16 seconds behind Jensen.

Points classement:
01. 085 - Vincent Verwimp (Team FL)
02. 085 - Artem Palamarchuck (Tukhtahuaev)
03. 050 - Fabiano Frizzante (L RSV)

Mountain classement:
01. 020 - Terentiy Tikhomirov (Tukhtahuaev)
02. 018 - Robin Jonckheere (Flandrien Pro Cycling)
03. 009 - Tristan Rasmussen (Veline)

Youth classement:
01. 00:00:12 Arjen Burger (CreditPommes)
02. 00:00:16 Graziano Alborghetti (Tukhtahuaev)
03. 00:00:16 Finn Bennett (Confidential Era)

Team classement:
01. 00:00:00 Confidential Era
...
4 Teams 9 seconds behind

Stage wins by riders:
1 - Magnus Jensen (Falcor)
1 - Artem Palamarchuck (Tukhtahuaev)
1 - Vincent Verwimp (Team FL)

Stage wins by teams:
1 - Falcor
1 - Team FL
1 - Tukhtahuaev

Days in Rosa:
2 - Magnus Jensen (Falcor)
1 - Vincent Verwimp (Team FL)

Most combative rider:
1 - Zane Claessens
1 - Magnus Fjellvik (Flandrien Pro Cycling)
1 - Shohrat Dawamat (Tukhtahuaev)


Days with the Red Lantern:
1 - Pyry Pitkäaikainen (L RSV)
2 - Cesare Baddetti (Falcor)

[Falcor CC]

and Mick Rory (also Falcor) still leading the youth classement.

Actually quite the opposite, Rory only leads if you start from the bottom

[team fl]

and Mick Rory (also Falcor) still leading the youth classement.

Actually quite the opposite, Rory only leads if you start from the bottom

Huch

[Falcor CC]

Opening weekend is in the books! Think FL is doing a great job with the race reports so will keep it shorter than last year for my rest day recaps, especially since only 3 stages were ridden before this first one.

Stage 1 was your typical first grand tour stage. Fully flat, a small group with no chances, then an even smaller group with no chances. The top 3 sprinters' teams still very motivated to work together, so catching the group was never in doubt. We get the very expected bunch sprint. Romoc with the 2-man train vs the expected FL train. Romoc offline, Toornstra misses the right time to launch, Verwimp manages to jump to his wheel, Palamarchuk lurking in third position. Frizzante launches first from behind, Verwimp with the strong counter. Palamarchuk tries it with an ultimate jump, but is blocked a little by Toornstra and ends up a few inches short. Vincent Verwimp wins stage 1!

Stage 2 an interesting profile. Whoever gets wins here, gets the opportunity to keep rosa for almost a week at least. 6 riders from 5 different teams try their luck in front, but with a very interested Jensen behind and just one puller in front, the group was never dangerous. Most notably there, Tikhomirov (Tukhtahuaev) takes la maglia azzurra and seems to be defending it for a few days at least. First Piskun + Dosmagambetov action then, but those guys also kept on a short leash by Romoc and myself, caught before the Lyaskovets Pass already. Luca Parri opens on the climb, then Michael Redrocks takes over and gets all classics out.... Except Magnus Jensen. The climbers + Jensen group keeps around 20 seconds at the top after a little plateau, 10km left. Parri sacrifices himself in the descent and is then the only one losing touch with the group on the penultimate km, but he succeeds in keeping the Matt/Joma group, where FL and CP pushed hard, behind the climbers group. Jensen controls the last km himself with his flat advantage and never really gets threatened in the sprint with a perfect Redrocks launch. Magnus Jensen winst stage 2!

Stage 3 another bunch sprint. Tukh made it clear early enough that he doesn't plan to ride against the weaker MO sprinters, so for many teams, it became a rest day before the rest day (including the Falcors). Maglia Rosa team sleeping a bit at first, a little lost without their manager who only saw a few of the first ~50km. 3 man group, all from Flandrien Pro Cycling, a bit boring that no other teams try before the rest day, but only few teams with interest to go in the group here anyway. The bunch gets over the climb together, group gives up, Jensen-Urbanek-Redrocks take bonis, mass sprint! Romoc back with the 2-man train, tries it from 300m with Toornstra now but gets countered by FL easily. Verwimp from 100m but Palamarchuk takes over convincingly. Artem Palamarchuk wins stage 3!

No chaos edition here, everyone taking their responsibilities early. A somewhat boring opening weekend saw 3 very closed stages with favos winning. Magnus Jensen in the lead for la maglia rosa right now, but seems to be a temporary role until the monstreous Blockhaus climb on Friday. Palamarchuk and Verwimp tied with 85 points for the ciclamino, seems to be between those 2 if a sprinter ends up taking it. Jensen with 25 there, Urbanek at 18, if you're looking for non-sprint alternatives. Tikhorimov in la maglia azzurra, but Robin Jonckheere (Flandrien Pro Cycling) right on his tail. Burger in white already after a third place (and bonis) on stage 2, might end up wearing it for 19 days. Alborghetti (Tukhtahuaev) and Bennett (Confidential Era) just a few seconds behind though! FL got the favorites for tc right already, just that Confi leads over SWP there for now. Falcor proving he deserved his star!

Top 10 gc on the first rest day:
1) Magnus Jensen (Falcor) – 00:00:00
2) Uros Urbánek (L RSV) – 00:00:06
3) Arjen Burger (CreditPommes) – 00:00:12
4) Michael Redrocks (Falcor) – 00:00:14
5) Salvatore Meeus (Flandrien Pro Cycling) – 00:00:16
6) Azimbek Iskanderov (Big Donkey) – 00:00:16
7) Conor Whelan (Confidential Era) – 00:00:16
8) Graziano Alborghetti (Tukhtahuaev) – 00:00:16
9) Jamshid Abdurashitov (SouthWest Packers) – 00:00:16
10) Finn Bennett (Confidential Era) – 00:00:16

Now just waiting for a new FL favorite check!

[team fl]

There will be no new favourite check, but four stories from the first three days:

Story 1: The most combative

Offensive or aggressive, who cares, what matters ist the most combative. For the first three days, the honour goes out to one of the newest teams around: Flandrien Pro Cycling. After only 23 eternal races, the Belgian team entered its first Giro d'Italia. At least it made the right choice with the Afternoon Giro, the only real one. From the beginning, FPC (he might be the perfect member for the FPC, hihi), showed that he's a valuable addition to the group, already joining the discussions in the race thread and having an active race style, attacking during two of the three stages ridden, currently having the red number for Zane Claessens. It's not FPC's first tour though, as he already rode the Tour of the Alps, includie two stage wins, winning the sprint jersey and being on the GC podium, all done with Salavatore Meeus, a name to look out for in the upcoming mountain stages maybe? Anyway, we're happy to have him around and hope, he enjoys the Giro as we do.

Stroy 2: SWP - Setting Well-defined Priorities

Only one time during stage 2, SouthWest Packers seemed to have forgotten he's riding in the Afternoon, when Adam Darski followed Shohrat Dawamat. But after around 50 km, either SouthWest Packers' TD or Adam Darski himself came to the conclusion, that for future collaboration, he might be better suited to stay in the peloton. Hence SWP's opening weekend in Bulgaria might have been a quiet one, but also one that clearly set a sign for the rest of the Giro. So, quietly he has everything under control for Jamshid Abdurashitov's ambitions to win the GC. And his considerate behaviour by setting well-defined priorities will help him for sure.

Story 3: In the lane on the train

Three stages, two bunch sprints. One clear, the second one not so much but to be expected. What had to be expected was also the sprint situations with one dominant Team FL sprint train and a two man punch from Romoc riders, trying to bring Toornstra in a good situation. While in stage 1 that helped Vincent Verwimp win, in the third stage that was probably the move that cost him the win against Artem Palamarchuck. So, we had two times the same situation in a sprint: The Team FL train vs. the Romoc Riders train. it will be interesting to see, what future bunch will have ready for us, but it doesn't look like this situation will change much. Maybe one day, Frizzante will get Verwimp's wheel over Palamarchuck, or somebody decides to take Toornstra's wheel, although he's ass covering. But who knows. And let's see if Bongiorno will make the predicted 4-10 place full or will stay stubbornly 4th for the rest of the bunch sprint. Or maybe he's the lucky one with the surprise sprint one day?

Story 4: has Voldemort won?

I am sorry: You Know Who.. Anyway, we all know who is meant, it's Magnus Jensen, the guy in Rosa (guess Voldemort would not have liked that colour for his robe though). During stage 2, Falcor showed everybody what he's willing to do to support You Know Who. Alone he controlled the peloton and chased the escape group for the most part of the stage. And in the end, You Know Who got his full trust, even over Michael Redrocks, or Harry P. as he's better know (to some). So has the favour shifted at Falcor? Has You Know Who won that fight already? Maybe Falcor wants to let us think it's over, but I have the feeling that Harry P. will strike back one day. But until then, You Know Who will have to get comfy with his Rosa robe...

[Robyklebt]

Not much left to say here for the Donkey, all said.

Training, Abdurashitov at 84 mountain now, bad for Lafuente, his brilliant plan to get second in GT while doing close to nothing is gone. Was such a great (and boring) plan. Just hang on Abdurashitov, be pulled up profit from the TT to stay second... now it's already a bit more difficult. Bah.

Rory being tortured needlessly by his manager, after getting white, the guy drops him for no reason at all. Just to then drop Baddetti to help him. Rory must be confused, the guy will be useless for the rest of his career.

Boring? Wouldn't say boring, but ok, despite the doubful quality of our sprint system, the Donkey likes sprints, who will win, who will be where at the start, who follows whom. Not much action, true, but well... On sprint stages, 3 main sprint teams, that work. SWP that helps in a unconventional way. (late, not early) Donkey and possibly others are for sprint too, ride for sprint by staying in peloton and are basically on call, if really needed I'd be in. That's at least 5 teams, somebody like Romoc might be like Donks, who knows with that guy. So, attacks don't look too promising from the start, not really trying isn't wrong either, save that energy for those others.
On the hilly stages it was all Falcor. He's to blame! He doesn't know how to ride properly with a classic with sprint. The c4f standard is to claim to have no chance, to either go in the attack or simply not ride. What does Falcor think he's doing by riding for Jensen? A classic with sprint, and a team that rides for him? Almost unheard of. But ok, seems he really was the almost unbeatable favorite, I hadn't realized that, thought Gallego would win. Or maybe not, but believed Falcor when he said Joma had chances, didn't really bother checking everything too closesly... so yeah, wasn't a big believer in Gallego either maybe.

Donks team, first 3 days no Gjeldnes no Bonjour the right decision, there is little need for Donkstempo, no Gjeldnes ok. Might miss him later when I get ideas and motivations about attacks (wanted on stage 2, Kagge+?, then decided it was too bothersome, then seeing SWP there decided to follow with Sherifo) for that Gjeldnes would be good. And Bonjour when it gets hillier, stage 8 or so. Stage 4+5 not really yet, Bonjour there makes little or no difference... might go for Bongiorno on stage 4 anyway, pretty hopeless and not sure how to do it, can't drop Gallego for the 5 really... but chasing in the back might keep me occupied.

Stage 4 though important for ciclamino. classics vs sprinters vs sprinters. it's a flat stage, so 50 points for the win. Classics? Then Jensen (and others) are back in the chase for ciclamino. Can Palamarchuk get a sprint without the FLs? Then ciclamino looks almost safe already. Classics go through: Jensen (and co?) back in the game. They don't score on flat stages really, too many stronger sprinters around, so difficult for them to get ciclamino, but getting today would put them back, stage 18 then another one that looks good for them to fight for big points. Next is Greta, multi, 66 mountain 73 sprint, basically assured to be there, lots of 60+ in the team, but might want to wait for Vidir, 60 and 87 sprint. Which then most likely means Tukh and Romoc with 56 mountain are there too. But of course others, the classics, might try to ride and pull Greta, trying to win with attacks later. So classics plus Vidir, followed by Tukh. Romoc possibly riding, Multi, pretty famous for being mostly off, might just be a passenger in both groups. And then further back the great Bongiorno with the tiny Verwimp as support. I will ride there, but won't have much. Can't drop Gallego, maybe FL wants to drop Felikss? But well, he might use him in front for ciclamino, try to keep Palamarchuk away and ride for Matt. Then assuming my flat brigade is dropped.. well, Ousland... Ousland+Rocha full gas, sounds good. Pretty hopeless, but why not try, maybe L wants to join too, drop a classic in case Palamarchuk looks like coming back for sure... Anyway, sounds interesting, Might turn out not to be. Tukh risks being too strong, Piskun pulling up Palamarchuk and Taiwia... Dawamat (did he ever get a red number?) and Taiwia, Mamatkhodzaev (or just 1 of the 2, can't help the whole team after all) sounds fast and too strong for classics... also too strong for Verwimp/Bongiorno. Hm, Donks might even end up keeping Ousland in that group after thinking about it. Hm, need a new plan maybe. Wait and do nothing all day? Attack at km 1 sounds nice, but as usual from Tue-Fr I will come late, start the race on the train, doesn't motivate the Donkey to do much usually. He likes his computer, big screen and all.

[team fl]

I have similar thoughts about today's stage. No idea what to do yet. But I am pretty sure, the chances for the sprinters around 50 mountain (Bongiorno, Frizzante, Verwimp, etc.) are close to 0. I think even if Romoc Riders or Tukhtahuaev would cooperate with the other sprinters, the climb is too inviting and too hard if somebody decides it's better to get rid of them. And at one point, the will to cooperate (or let's say wait after the Cozzo Tunno) might be gone, when it's finally time to control for a sprint. SWP needs to control for GC at a point, Falcor for Rosa maybe. Too much needs not to happen for Verwimp to be there too. So, in my eyes it's either the classics (with or without Greta), Palamarchuck-Toornstra-Vidir, or an escape (early or late). A case of: not impossible but very unlikely (that a bunch sprint will happen). Will I try anyway? Who knows .

[team fl]

Stage 4: We have the first cereal of this year's Afternoon Giro (and not completely unexpected): Artem Palamarchuck. For Vince the Prince, this means that the Ciclamino is gone, most likely to Artem for good. At the beginning of the stage, nobody knew how it would turn out, although different scenarios were discussed in the peloton. RC Cost was the only team that tried the early option with a two rider escape. But Falcor made clear that he will control for Rosa, leaving the door open for stage hunter's later. And they took over once it went up the Cozzo Tunno. Goal was a reduced bunch sprint for Palamarchuck and Toornstra, with the help of Rosa and SWP as GC favourite. Flandien Pro Cycling and Team FL tried to change the expected outcome, but with no success. So in the end, Artem celebrated his second stage win and took over the Maglia Ciclamino. In his back, three Falcors cruised to the places 2-4, with Redrocks and Jensen taking bonifications. Rest of the classements almost stayed the same. Almost, because we have a new guy in the Maglia Azzurra! It's Tristan Rasmussen from Veline, a climber finally.


General classement:
01. 00:00:00 Magnus Jensen (Falcor)
02. 00:00:10 Uros Urbanek (L RSV)
03. 00:00:14 Michael Redrocks (Falcor)
04. 00:00:16 Arjen Burger (CreditPommes)
...
12 riders 20 seconds behind Jensen.

Points classement:
01. 135 - Artem Palamarchuck (Tukhtahuaev)
02. 085 - Vincent Verwimp (Team FL)
03. 050 - Magnus Jensen (Falcor)

Mountain classement:
01. 027 - Tristan Rasmussen (Veline)
02. 024 - Robin Jonckheere (Flandrien Pro Cycling)
03. 020 - Terentiy Tikhomirov (Tukhtahuaev)

Youth classement:
01. 00:00:12 Arjen Burger (CreditPommes)
02. 00:00:16 Graziano Alborghetti (Tukhtahuaev)
03. 00:00:16 Finn Bennett (Confidential Era)

Team classement:
01. 00:00:00 Confidential Era
...
3 Teams 9 seconds behind

Stage wins by riders:
2 - Artem Palamarchuck (Tukhtahuaev)
1 - Magnus Jensen (Falcor)
1 - Vincent Verwimp (Team FL)

Stage wins by teams:
2 - Tukhtahuaev
1 - Falcor
1 - Team FL

Days in Rosa:
3 - Magnus Jensen (Falcor)
1 - Vincent Verwimp (Team FL)

Most combative rider:
1 - Zane Claessens
1 - Magnus Fjellvik (Flandrien Pro Cycling)
1 - Shohrat Dawamat (Tukhtahuaev)
1 - Stage 4 tbd

Days with the Red Lantern:
2 - Cesare Baddetti (Falcor)
1 - Pyry Pitkäaikainen (L RSV)
1 - Mick Rory (Falcor)

[Robyklebt]

After 4-6-4 today bad Donks day...19th Trofeo Asino, whatever it was, adding the placements? Or just the worst placement? Anyway, no chance whatever there too... Before probably was second behind L.

Today, sprint, actually looked surprisingly good up the hill, just Verwimp dropping, we waited, but he was dropped again, I dropped Ousland to that group, and well then saw Verwimp was gone and hadn't ridden, that was it. Otherwise.. it looked better than hoped really, but Tukh didn't ride up perfectly he said (probably missed a +4/5 with Piskun?) with Ousland, later Gallego, but more importantly Rocha, maybe Felikss, some more Ls.. .maybe it wasn't completely hopeless, despite Tukh's strength in front. Probably Tukh still keeps us away, 85+89, also Romoc with 85.. still looks good, but some 87-83-81-79-79-78 mass with some ok downhillers there too... instead of losing time we at least could hope to win a bit, maybe not enough, probably. then lose once he changes.. But no Verwimp... no chance really. But we tried, I even dropped Gallego, later, even if it was hopeless. The risk of Lafuente/Iskanderov in front losing time seemed minimal, Palamarchuk the leader, risk of attacking and hope he follows, then he doesn't, didn't seem worth it for Tukh. So a hopeless chase.. but I enjoyed the stage, for once I had something to do at least.

With that as feared, Ciclamino seems pretty much decided. 50 points to Verwimp, 85 to Jensen. Hard for Jensen to come back from this, hard for Verwimp too. Might be that L and FL want to work less, Palamarchuk presumably still needs to sprints to keep Jensen away, but well, actually a 5 man group through on the sprint stages and Palamarchuk still can 10/12 points. Not even that needed maybe. Intermediates though this time are not very sprinter friendly, not very early and sometimes after nasty hills, so Palamarchuk can't count too much on that. But he really doesn't need too. Even if L and FL decide to let Tukh work more (I'm all for it, so maybe having a tired team he doesn't win 10+ stages but only 7, he plans to win hilly stages too, I'm sure, escapes, Dosmagambetov and what not) but in the end sprints still look like a pretty good chance for them, no reason to work much less, a bit maybe...

Tomorrow, like today but with a 6 shortly before the end. Dosmagambetov is announced. Jensen... the 6 maybe just a bit too far from him, even if he manages to drop all other classics, but most likely he won't, on a single 6 it's hard to drop classics. Quite a few should stay. And Piskun carrying Dosmagambetov in the back.... hm, 3 Donkeys in the final then hopefully tomorrow, Iskanderov unlucky today, kicked of the following in a line change, otherwise a few places further up... let's hope for a top 10 tomorrow. Or maybe not, soon we'll be under the 70% tax.. just waiting for that to start selling more riders. Lanfredini, Lüthi...

[Falcor CC]

3 Falcors in the top 4 today, unimportant. The closest fight of all classements is actually the red lantern, where cult hero Mick Rory just took the lead by one second to his own teammate Baddetti! Cesare seemed to be in a rather bad mood after the finish and refused to speak to the press...

[Falcor CC]

Stage 5: FL with wrongly set priorities, so I take over the stage report. Biggest group of the Giro so far! First 4x Flandrien, 2x Cost, 2x CP, 1x Big Donkey and 1x L RSV, then some guys dropping back after the first KOM and new ones going to the front, eventual group 3x L RSV, 2x Cost, 2x Romoc (one dropping back later), 1x Flandrien, Donkey, CP. Tamikkonen still in front too close in GC, so no big gap allowed. Nice coöp behind between Tuk, SWP and Falcor. Peloton goes very slow on La Montagna Grande di Viggiano, then Mostly Tuk controlling after with help from Diego (Falcor) and Darski (SWP). Pack gets thinned out to around 40 riders (group included) on the last 6%, but hoped for a stronger sieb. 66MO Chambaere (Romoc) managed to stay on board and attacks, keeps 1s in the end and beats his companion Vikkolainen in the sprint. Jensen sprints to p3 behind, his third podium already, gaining more bonis to increase his lead for rosa. Verbeke (Flandrien) takes more points for blue and gets to wear the jersey until Friday at least. Ciclamino and white remain pretty unchanged.

General classement:
01. 00:00:00 Magnus Jensen (Falcor)
02. 00:00:14 Uros Urbanek (L RSV)
03. 00:00:16 Michael Redrocks (Falcor)
04. 00:00:20 Arjen Burger (CreditPommes)
...
12 riders 24 seconds behind Jensen.

Points classement:
01. 135 - Artem Palamarchuck (Tukhtahuaev)
02. 085 - Vincent Verwimp (Team FL)
03. 062 - Magnus Jensen (Falcor)

Mountain classement:
01. 035 - Kenneth Verbeke (Flandrien Pro Cycling)
02. 027 - Tristan Rasmussen (Veline)
03. 026 - Robin Jonckheere (Flandrien Pro Cycling)

Youth classement:
01. 00:00:20 Arjen Burger (CreditPommes)
02. 00:00:20 Graziano Alborghetti (Tukhtahuaev)
03. 00:00:20 Finn Bennett (Confidential Era)

Team classement:
01. 00:00:00 Confidential Era
02. 00:00:08 L RSV
...
2 Teams 9 seconds behind

Stage wins by riders:
2 - Artem Palamarchuck (Tukhtahuaev)
1 - Carlo Chambaere (Romoc Riders)
1 - Magnus Jensen (Falcor)
1 - Vincent Verwimp (Team FL)

Stage wins by teams:
2 - Tukhtahuaev
1 - Romoc Riders
1 - Falcor
1 - Team FL

Days in Rosa:
4 - Magnus Jensen (Falcor)
1 - Vincent Verwimp (Team FL)

Most combative rider:
1 - Zane Claessens
1 - Magnus Fjellvik (Flandrien Pro Cycling)
1 - Shohrat Dawamat (Tukhtahuaev)
1 - Luat Meo (RC Cost)
1 - Stage 5 tbd

Days with the Red Lantern:
2 - Mick Rory (Falcor)
2 - Cesare Baddetti (Falcor)
1 - Pyry Pitkäaikainen (L RSV)

[Tukhtahuaev]

After 2 great stages in a row finally an absolute stinker from me. Stupid mistakes, messed up sprint. Hopefully tomorrow is a bit better. Could be the last real chance for a stage win for a while

[team fl]

Stage 6: Last chance for the Sprinters in a while. And this was how the sprint teams approached the stage. No long leash, everything was in tight control. Even more surprising, that Domingo Cruz attacked for Falcor, the team with Rosa wearing Magnus Jensen. But in the end, it were two riders from Equip Ciclista Poblenou who shaped the escape and demanded attention from the peloton. In the end, there was only one slight little danger with the last km being a one star pavé part. But also that threat was eliminated very convincingly by Kensi Taiwia, who showed everybody who's the boss keeping the peloton in check. The final sprint was very similar to the former bunch sprints: The FL train launching agains the two man punch from Romoc Riders. Only this time, Falcor's young sprinter Avalos hung on Toornstra's wheel while Verwimp had his usual followers with Palamarchuck, Frizzante and Bongiorno. This time, Vince the Prince had the right feeling and waited until the last option to launch from Toornstra's wheel after following him for the last 250m. While nothing changed in the classements, the Ciclamino looks a bit more open again. But the sprinter days are over and climber stages follow. Then, the classements will change most likely. Until then, the statistics after stage 6:


General classement:
01. 00:00:00 Magnus Jensen (Falcor)
02. 00:00:14 Michael Redrocks (Falcor)
03. 00:00:14 Uros Urbanek (L RSV)
04. 00:00:20 Arjen Burger (CreditPommes)
...
12 riders 24 seconds behind Jensen.

Points classement:
01. 153 - Artem Palamarchuck (Tukhtahuaev)
02. 135 - Vincent Verwimp (Team FL)
03. 075 - Fabiano Frizzante (L RSV)

Mountain classement:
01. 035 - Kenneth Verbeke (Flandrien Pro Cycling)
02. 027 - Tristan Rasmussen (Veline)
03. 026 - Robin Jonckheere (Flandrien Pro Cycling)

Youth classement:
01. 00:00:20 Arjen Burger (CreditPommes)
02. 00:00:24 Finn Bennett (Confidential Era)
03. 00:00:24 Graziano Alborghetti (Tukhtahuaev)

Team classement:
01. 00:00:00 Confidential Era
02. 00:00:08 L RSV
03. 00:00:09 Falcor and SouthWestPackers

Stage wins by riders:
2 - Artem Palamarchuck (Tukhtahuaev)
2 - Vincent Verwimp (Team FL)
1 - Carlo Chambaere (Romoc Riders)
1 - Magnus Jensen (Falcor)

Stage wins by teams:
2 - Team FL
2 - Tukhtahuaev
1 - Falcor
1 - Romoc Riders

Days in Rosa:
5 - Magnus Jensen (Falcor)
1 - Vincent Verwimp (Team FL)

Most combative rider:
1 - Zane Claessens (Flandrien Pro Cycling)
1 - Magnus Fjellvik (Flandrien Pro Cycling)
1 - Shohrat Dawamat (Tukhtahuaev)
1 - Luat Meo (RC Cost)
1 - Kodai Naraoka (Equip Ciclista Poblenou)
1 - Tapio Tamikkonen (L RSV)

Days with the Red Lantern:
3 - Mick Rory (Falcor)
2 - Cesare Baddetti (Falcor)
1 - Pyry Pitkäaikainen (L RSV)

[team fl]

Stage 7: Some wrote: mountains, finally! And that's what stage 7 offered, at least one of them mountains. The Blockhaus. The way until the riders finally finished took a while though, as this was the longest stage in this year's Giro with 244 kms. Uff. And on the way, a lot of things happened. Big group got away early, but only three teams with riders that have a 70+ mountain skill. Tukhtahuaev even with three riders in the escape. So not much cooperation there, while SWP controlled in the back. Once he stopped, RC Cost had enough of these classics in front and chased the group, although having two riders himself in it, but with no chances whatsoever. At a point, he stopped, Raimo Rautsepp won the IS and everything went on as expected. Classics got rid of all other riders, Confidental Era started chasing for the stage win, but took it too easy. So, in the end, Piskun and Cruz (who won and took over the Maglia Azzurra) made it in front of Xavi Rodriguez from Confidential Era. And the Maglia Rosa changed from Magnus Jensen to his team mate Michael Redrocks while everything is still very close together. Most wholesome story (in my opinion) is that all riders arrived in time. Stage 8 will over a bit of a different approach, around 100 km shorter and hillier than straight up. Will the stage favourites do better than yesterday or is this just a rest day after yesterday's monstrous stage? We'll find out, and until then, have fun with the statistics:


General classement:
01. 00:00:00 Michael Redrocks(Falcor)
02. 00:00:00 Uros Urbanek (L RSV)
03. 00:00:01 Xavi Rodriguez (Confidential Era)
04. 00:00:03 Arjen Burger (CreditPommes)
...
9 rider 10 seconds behind Redrocks

Points classement:
01. 153 - Artem Palamarchuck (Tukhtahuaev)
02. 135 - Vincent Verwimp (Team FL)
03. 075 - Fabiano Frizzante (L RSV)

Mountain classement:
01. 071 - Domingo Cruz
02. 042 - Oleksandr Piskun
03. 039 - Kenneth Verbeke (Flandrien Pro Cycling)

Youth classement:
01. 00:00:03 Arjen Burger (CreditPommes)
02. 00:00:10 Finn Bennett (Confidential Era)
03. 00:00:10 Graziano Alborghetti (Tukhtahuaev)

Team classement:
01. 00:00:00 Falcor
02. 00:00:50 Confidential Era
03. 00:01:21 L RSV

Stage wins by riders:
2 - Artem Palamarchuck (Tukhtahuaev)
2 - Vincent Verwimp (Team FL)
1 - Carlo Chambaere (Romoc Riders)
1 - Domingo Cruz (Falcor)
1 - Magnus Jensen (Falcor)

Stage wins by teams:
2 - Falcor
2 - Team FL
2 - Tukhtahuaev
1 - Romoc Riders

Days in Rosa:
5 - Magnus Jensen (Falcor)
1 - Michael Redrocks (Falcor
1 - Vincent Verwimp (Team FL)

Most combative rider:
1 - Zane Claessens (Flandrien Pro Cycling)
1 - Magnus Fjellvik (Flandrien Pro Cycling)
1 - Shohrat Dawamat (Tukhtahuaev)
1 - Luat Meo (RC Cost)
1 - Kodai Naraoka (Equip Ciclista Poblenou)
1 - Tapio Tamikkonen (L RSV)
1 - Kenneth Verbeke (Flandrien Pro Cycling

Days with the Red Lantern:
4 - Mick Rory (Falcor)
2 - Cesare Baddetti (Falcor)
1 - Pyry Pitkäaikainen (L RSV)

[team fl]

Stage 8, Or: The fear of the Rocha. The guy has earned himself quite a name in the cycling worlds. At least in the Afternoon. The Portuguese pavé specialist found himself in the early escape today again, after already trying yesterday. Unfortunately, the situation was similar, although not as hopeless as yesterday. Nevertheless, it took the group a while to take off after the initial breakaway could not find common ground. But that's just the case sometimes and the group that rode together eventually did. Meanwhile, the peloton tried to control the group with early tempo. It was Confidential Era again who rode for Xavi Rodriguez and the possibility of a stage win and getting Rosa from Redrocks. Also L RSV joined for a bit for Trkman, but only for a bit. After the first flat 100 km, it looked very good for the escape group and even Rocha's helper, Arturas Andriuskevicius joined tempo, if only for a good placement later on and the money on the way. In the back it was the debut of SWP who joined the action with a double attack. Not for the stage win, but certainly to get rid of the rust from the first 7 stages. In the end, it happened as expected, the best "climber" from the group won the stage: Robin Jonckheere from Flandrien Pro Cycling. It's the first Giro win for the young and the most combative team during first third of this year's Giro. Rocha could get 4th place, Andiruskevicius still 12th, while Matt and Fokerots cruised their way to the finish line in the back. The rest of the team had their day off. While the stage was decided out of the escape group, Xavi Rodriguez managed to steal the Maglia Rosa by 1 second from Michael Redrocks. So Confidential Era has no the honor to ride with this famous jersey. And it's a climber's stage tomorrow again, so how knows, maybe all good things are three. Until then, the statistics:


General classement:
01. 00:00:00 Xavi Rodriguez (Confidential Era)
02. 00:00:01 Michael Redrocks(Falcor)Uros Urbanek (L RSV)
03. 00:00:04 Arjen Burger (CreditPommes)
04. 00:00:10 Tilen Trkman (L RSV)
05. 00:00:11 Salvatore Meeus (Flandrien Pro Cycling)
06. 00:00:14 Uros Urbanek (L RSV)
07. 00:00:25 Azimbek Izkanderov (Big Donkey)
08. 00:00:25 Jamshid Abdurashitov (SouthWest Packers)
09. 00:00:25 Iwan Bondarew (SouthWest Packers)
10. 00:00:27 Graziano Alborghetti (Tukhtahuaev)

Points classement:
01. 153 - Artem Palamarchuck (Tukhtahuaev)
02. 135 - Vincent Verwimp (Team FL)
03. 075 - Fabiano Frizzante (L RSV)

Mountain classement:
01. 071 - Domingo Cruz
02. 042 - Oleksandr Piskun
03. 039 - Kenneth Verbeke (Flandrien Pro Cycling)

Youth classement:
01. 00:00:04 Arjen Burger (CreditPommes)
02. 00:00:27 Graziano Alborghetti (Tukhtahuaev)
03. 00:00:29 Finn Bennett (Confidential Era)

Team classement:
01. 00:00:00 Falcor
02. 00:01:18 Confidential Era
03. 00:01:34 L RSV

Stage wins by riders:
2 - Artem Palamarchuck (Tukhtahuaev)
2 - Vincent Verwimp (Team FL)
1 - Carlo Chambaere (Romoc Riders)
1 - Domingo Cruz (Falcor)
1 - Magnus Jensen (Falcor)
1 - Robin Jonckheere (Flandrien Pro Cycling)

Stage wins by teams:
2 - Falcor
2 - Team FL
2 - Tukhtahuaev
1 - Flandrien Pro Cycling
1 - Romoc Riders

Days in Rosa:
5 - Magnus Jensen (Falcor)
1 - Michael Redrocks (Falcor
1 - Xavi Rodriguez (Confidental Era)
1 - Vincent Verwimp (Team FL)

Most combative rider:
1 - Zane Claessens (Flandrien Pro Cycling)
1 - Magnus Fjellvik (Flandrien Pro Cycling)
1 - Shohrat Dawamat (Tukhtahuaev)
1 - Luat Meo (RC Cost)
1 - Kodai Naraoka (Equip Ciclista Poblenou)
1 - Tapio Tamikkonen (L RSV)
1 - Kenneth Verbeke (Flandrien Pro Cycling
1 - Stage 8 tbd

Days with the Red Lantern:
5 - Mick Rory (Falcor)
2 - Cesare Baddetti (Falcor)
1 - Pyry Pitkäaikainen (L RSV)

[team fl]

Stage 9, another hockey stick, even more than the Blockhaus stage. But it was before the 2nd rest day, so everybody was in the attack. Everybody? Well, not everybody. Everybody but Confidential Era and CreditPommes (from the online teams with stage interests). Even SouthWest Packers have found joy in escaping and joined the fun, suddenly overthinking it and controlling in the back for the GC. Because in front, there were Moreno Ottema (Romoc Riders) and Pablo Gallego (Big Donkey), both only with a few seconds in the GC behind the Maglia Rosa (Xavi Rodriguez). And the group was huuuuge, as already written. So for the first 3/4 of the race, it was just the group riding and the peloton chase. Until RC Cost decided that it could be better to attack early, as there were too many classic riders in the group, all not from RC Cost. And also not from Team FL, who sent Rocha and Rautsepp von RC Cost's tail. The got to around one and a half minutes when Piskun (Tukhtahuaev) got restless leg syndrome and attacked as well, pulling the Costs and FLs a bit until he tried to ride alone against the classics pack chasing. As Gallego and Ottema rode for their chances to wear Rosa, Domingo Cruz in the Azzurra and Kamila Cichon from SWP decided the stage among themselves. It was Cruz again with the better sprint as he did during the Blockhaus stage against Piskun. In the back, the climbers tried to make the best out of the situation, esp Redrocks (Falcor) and Burger (CreditPommes) who gained some time against their opponens. The rest trickled over the finish line, not far behind. While every other classement stayed the same, Moreno Ottema is now the guy in Rosa. And he might wear it even after the ITT on Tuesday with an advantage of 1'19'' on Jamshid Abdurashitov. Second is Pablo Gallego, who kind of missed the opportunity to wear it on for the rest day. In the meantime, Cruz gathered another 50 points for his Maglia Azzurra.


General classement:
01. 00:00:00 Moreno Ottema (Romoc Riders)
02. 00:00:18 Pablo Gallego (Big Donkey)
03. 00:00:37 Michael Redrocks(Falcor)
04. 00:00:40 Arjen Burger (CreditPommes)
05. 00:00:53 Xavi Rodriguez (Confidential Era)
06. 00:01:00 Tilen Trkman (L RSV)
07. 00:01:04 Salvatore Meeus (Flandrien Pro Cycling)
08. 00:01:08 Uros Urbanek (L RSV)
09. 00:01:19 Azimbek Izkanderov (Big Donkey)
10. 00:01:19 Jamshid Abdurashitov (SouthWest Packers)

Points classement:
01. 153 - Artem Palamarchuck (Tukhtahuaev)
02. 135 - Vincent Verwimp (Team FL)
03. 075 - Fabiano Frizzante (L RSV)

Mountain classement:
01. 121 - Domingo Cruz (Falcor)
02. 066 - Oleksandr Piskun (Tukhtahuaev)
03. 039 - Kenneth Verbeke (Flandrien Pro Cycling)

Youth classement:
01. 00:00:40 Arjen Burger (CreditPommes)
02. 00:01:21 Graziano Alborghetti (Tukhtahuaev)
03. 00:01:52 Finn Bennett (Confidential Era)

Team classement:
01. 00:00:00 Falcor
02. 00:01:37 L RSV
03. 00:02:07 Big Donkey

Stage wins by riders:
2 - Domingo Cruz (Falcor)
2 - Artem Palamarchuck (Tukhtahuaev)
2 - Vincent Verwimp (Team FL)
1 - Carlo Chambaere (Romoc Riders)
1 - Magnus Jensen (Falcor)
1 - Robin Jonckheere (Flandrien Pro Cycling)

Stage wins by teams:
3 - Falcor
2 - Team FL
2 - Tukhtahuaev
1 - Flandrien Pro Cycling
1 - Romoc Riders

Days in Rosa:
5 - Magnus Jensen (Falcor)
1 - Moreno Ottema (Romoc Riders)
1 - Michael Redrocks (Falcor
1 - Xavi Rodriguez (Confidental Era)
1 - Vincent Verwimp (Team FL)

Most combative rider:
1 - Zane Claessens (Flandrien Pro Cycling)
1 - Magnus Fjellvik (Flandrien Pro Cycling)
1 - Shohrat Dawamat (Tukhtahuaev)
1 - Luat Meo (RC Cost)
1 - Kodai Naraoka (Equip Ciclista Poblenou)
1 - Oleksandr Piskun (Tukhtahuaev)
1 - Kensi Taiwia (Tukhtahuaev)
1 - Tapio Tamikkonen (L RSV)
1 - Kenneth Verbeke (Flandrien Pro Cycling)

Days with the Red Lantern:
6 - Mick Rory (Falcor)
2 - Cesare Baddetti (Falcor)
1 - Pyry Pitkäaikainen (L RSV)

[team fl]

Afternoon Stories from stages three to nine (aka week 1)

Week 1 of the Giro 2026 is over and there have been more stories to tell. This time, the stories will focus on the different jerseys and how they got treated during stages 3 to 9.

The lazy Maglia Ciclamino
The magic of the Ciclamino was very active in Bulgaria. Out of the 6 stages in Italy so far, it got very lazy. Only during stage 6 the magic was noticeable, when Verwimp got closer again to Palamarchuk. Other than that (!): no action for points on the road whatsoever. Not by Palamarchuk, not by Verwimp. From the sprinters, only Frizzante was seen in an escape group. That might change later in the Giro, but so far, it was enough to be active in sprints for the stage win.

Domingo Cruz, the dominant Maglia Azzurra
My prediction would have been that it was a climber after week 1 in the Maglia Azzura, as esp. stages 7 and 9 offered finishes made for them to gather lots of mountain points. Instead, it was Domingo Cruz who won these stages and now has an impressive lead in the mountain classement. In front of another classic rider, Oleksandr Piskun. Will be interesting to see, if Domingo continues to go for mountain points actively in week 2. But he has a bit time to think about that as the next HCC stage to outsmart the climbers is stage 14.

Arjen Burger from the White Castle
You get it: Arjen Burger is wearing the Maglia Bianca, the best rider in the youth classement. The jersey is white, Burger has a double meaning, White Castle is a fast-food chain in the US. Now laugh you ignorant, humorless people! Or don’t and come to terms with the fact that Arjen Burger will wear White for the rest of the Giro and win the youth classement, most likely. Was close to make a white walker pun, but as long as G.R.R. Martin does not finish the books (GRRRRRR), this story also isn’t over yet (at least until the Giro 2026 is over or Tukhtahuaev shows some tactical masterclass with Alborghetti).

The Giro’s bitch called the Maglia Rosa
5 riders have been wearing the Maglia Rosa in the first week of this year’s Afternoon Giro. That’s a clear clear sign that it’s a man eater this year and changes riders like Manfred Matt did his underwear during week 1. And yes, he’s a “Grüsel” (google it yourself if you don’t get it). I guess everybody expected Abdurashitov to take over on Tuesday and then don’t give it back. But as the current Maglia Rosa lover Ottema has a chance to defend it against more polyamory or even win it back or another successful escape will lead to a new lover, who knows how many riders the Maglia Rosa will go through until Rome, the true city of love (!).

Most combative even worse
If the Maglia Rosa is promiscuous regarding changing riders, the red number is town tramp or village bike. 9 stages so far, 9 different red number wearers. In fact, it even were10, if you include Raimo Rautsepp as the most combative rider of the first rest day. But it seems the red number prefers certain teams, as both Tukhtahuaev and Flandrien Pro Cycling had the honor to wear it 3 times. The village bikes of the peloton it seems.

Mick's subscription for the red lantern
The contrast to the Maglia Rosa and the red number is the red lantern. After some switcheroo in the beginning, it seems to have a monogamous relationship with Mick Rory from Falcor. Despite many attempts from other riders to claim the red lantern, like Dacian Liberiu for example, or the two work horses Daniel Skutin and Jin Zhiyi from SouthWest Packers, it stayed loyal to the young rider from Great Britain.

The winners & the losers of week 1:

The Winners:

The sprinters, esp. Palamarchuk: At the beginning, it was not clear how many stages the sprinters would get looking at the stage profiles. So far, production has been good. Not for all sprinters in all stages though, but so far, they can be happy and the Maglia Ciclamino looks to be set for a sprinter (Palamarchuk most likely).

The Falcor trifecta: Falcor has been the team with the most stage wins so far (3). 1 from Magnus Jensen, 2 from Domingo Cruz. Magnus Jensen also got the Maglia Rosa after stage 2, Redrocks took over after stage 7 (at least for one day). And Cruz is wearing the Maglia Azzura confidently, winning all the climber stages. Let’s see if he is able to continue to leave a mark in week 2.

Flandrien Pro Cycling: New team, first Giro, no expectations. But boy did he exceed the expectations. It’s probably the most combative team of week 1, very active in the race, active in the chat, even with contributions in the race thread in the forum. And he already won a stage with Robin Jonckheere. A nice addition to the Afternoon Giro.

Romoc Riders: A lot of times, the team has been criticized for not actively riding for its chances. But if it does, the results are visible: A stage win for Chambaere and Ottema wearing the Maglia Rosa currently. Not the worst outcome for a team that looks like cannon fodder.

The Losers:

The climbers: Three stages made for climbers so far, no stage win by climbers. So far, the Afternoon Giro 2026 has not been a Giro in which the climbers left an impression. Well, Redrocks and Rodriguez were able to wear Rosa for a bit, but that was more accidental than anything else.

The offliners, esp. VC Team Multi: Well, they just miss all the fun. And esp. VC Team Multi, who had realistic stage chances twice, missed these opportunities as well.

Ricardo Rocha: Tried to win a stage: failed. Tried to take over Rosa: Failed. The Portuguese pavé specialist was unlucky (or incapable) to win a stage so far. He was not even considered getting the red number that doesn’t reject anybody it seems.

In the Limbo:

L RSV, Big Donkey, RC Cost, Equip Ciclista Poblenou, SWP, all still lacking a stage win despite several attempts or being forced to ride for their leaders, watching others celebrating after the finish line. Good news: There are still 12 stages to come and technically, it’s still possible that all teams will win at least one stage. And for SWP, a GC win without stage win would still be a win I guess.

[Tukhtahuaev]

Very mixed feelings about this week. Got my stage win with Palamarchuk, and the mountain top stages went better than expected. But even with the groups going through 3 times in a row I couldn't get another win and both the battle for white and ciclamino went a bit downhill starting with stage 6.
Next week at least 2 more opportunities for a sprint win with Palamarchuk, but this also risks Verwimp winning and taking the ciclamino again, so I'm at best 50% optimistic.

[Falcor CC]

FL too busy telling stories about how well the Falcors are doing, so let's take a look at the favo check after 9 stages:

Afternoon Giro Favourite Check

Maglia Rosa
***** Jamshid Abdurashitov (SouthWest Packers)
**** Xavi Rodriguez (Confidential Era), Tilen Trkmann (L RSV), Arjen Burger (CreditPommes)
*** Gabriel Lafuente (Big Donkey), Michael Redrocks (Falcor), Uros Urbanek (L RSV)
** Iwan Bondarew (SouthWest Packers), Azimbek Iskanderov (Big Donkey), Salvatore Meeus (Flandrien Pro Cycling), Graziano Alborghetti (Tukhtahuaev), Moreno Ottema (Romoc Riders)
* Magnus Jensen (Falcor), Luca Parri (Falcor), Finn Bennett (Confidential Era)

Abdurashitov has not been threatened yet. He'll either take the jersey tomorrow or very soon. Below Jamshid though, some things definitely changed. Rodriguez and Trkmann keep their 4 stars for now, but Burger (now also 4 stars) and Redrocks (who got a third star) are close and hungry to steal the podium spots. Seems like a Kairi offline day will have him out of all contention tomorrow. Alborghetti gets a second star, mostly because of offline team managers who were ahead (never should have been in my humble opinion) fell through. Ottema is the newcomer on this list. The current rosa wearer could gain more time tomorrow, but might be in reg trouble after. Rest stays the same.

Maglia Ciclamino
*** Artem Palamarchuk (Tukhtahuaev)
** Vincent Verwimp (Team FL), Fabiano Frizzante (L RSV), Magnus Jensen (Falcor)
* Thijs Toornstra (Romoc Riders), Arcadio Bongiorno (Big Donkey), Michael Redrocks (Falcor)

Big change up here. Palamarchuk remains the topfavo, but none of the 2 star riders keep their place. Toornstra barely misses out in that regard, but his 4-point deficit to Frizzante gives Fabiano the edge, for now. Jensen also very close, with more finishes for him coming up. Maybe him and Toornstra are interchangeable here. Vidir and Dosmagambetov have had a dissapointing Giro and lose their spot on this list entirely. In their place, Bongiorno (the Donkey king of places 4-10) and Redrocks (the best placed climber) gain their spot here.

Maglia Azzurra
*** Domingo Cruz (Falcor)
** Oleksandr Piskun (Tukhtahuaev)
* Xavi Rodriguez (Confidential Era)

Domingo Cruz became the regular escapee and convincingly took a big lead already. The other mountain escape king Piskun is definitely not out of contention yet though and with all the HCC climbs still coming up, you would think Rodriguez definitely still has a chance too, even if his team has had trouble controling escapes so far.

Maglia Bianca
*** Arjen Burger (CreditPommes)
** Graziano Alborghetti (Tukhtahuaev)
* Finn Bennett (Confidential Era)

No changes here. Seems like only a big Alborghetti move can stop burger from winning it.

Team classement
*** Falcor
** L RSV
* SouthWest Packers

3-star Falcor, hooray! Seems like SWP will be close after tomorrow. On paper, SWP and Confidential Era have the strongest leaders for this, but with the escape-success so far, it seems like Falcor and L RSV have better chances here, being in front more often.

Anything you guys would change??

[Robyklebt]

Donkey still not regretting his lineup, although he will probably miss Aurélien at some point. But Gjeldnes would just have been an escape puller giving no further benefit so far, can't ride for himself the way this is going.

Ciclamino kind of open again, but Verwimp needs to keep beating Palamarchuk. Nobody else with chances.

GC and mountain, Rodriguez the loser of the 3 day festivities. Especially Blockhaus, letting escape that... not good. He almost had it under control. But maybe not keeping the whole team together on the pre-mountain would have been an option? After that he rode fast, before not really, and the mountain very slow. Last mountain also too slow, IMO there needed to put in Bennett immediately, 40" at the end, probably wouldn't have been enough, almost sure actually, but "just" Whelan... costs him quite some time. Ok, Bennett finally arrived with the Abdurashitov group, but somehow that brings no benefit at all to Confidential. All in for the win at this point. If the escape was closer, yes, like this, risk all.

Next day I already forgot, dammit...hm, result, hm, can't remember details... but ok, team not fit anymore I guess, that's why on the previous day it didn't matter making it unfitter... Go all in, skip the Fermo stage, let the group go, let SWP control. And be back full power for Sunday. Where after the way it went the 2 previous days it wasn't overly surprising to see hordes and hordes in the attack. Confidential can't hold it, loong flat part that with his team is hard, SWP no interest for bonifications for other climbers. So even the lazy Donks was there with Gallego. Then difficult finish.. 74-71 vs the ones coming from the back for rosa, Donkey rode too much.. well, that's the Donkey way, hoping for the best, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. 74vs71 I thought I was stronger, somehow I wasn't, the helperless km while Ottema still had one? But usually the difference there isn't THAT huge. 2 km, 1 with Cruz, 1 alone, hoping to get a chase going? Or Ottema superb form? Probably a combination, so I rode, hoping that somehow I would get the 18" needed for rosa... and with the group behind coming felt couldn't go out, otherwise chances are gone, chances for stage even going out gone anyway for Gallego. But well, hadn't realized Ottema has TT until after the race, seeing that I should have let him ride 3 km alone, 1 for my km alone, 1 for my km with Cruz and 1 for his TT... One hope was that the other classics would attempt a sieb, Ottema dropping, Gallego staying on, something like that. Didn't work. But well Donkey more often than not is collaborative, Tukh not too happy, get that, but on the other hand he almost profited from that collaboration too in the Tour 24! And I profited from his... similar thing, we both collaborate in an anti CC effort, first I profit, then in the last mountain stage he does, and in 8 out of 10 editions (or more) he would have won it, TT left, every prediction says he wins it, Donkey relying no his luck still was ok with that deal (he gets to take a break so that I can't drop him like on previous occasions) with that Tukh almost assured to win it... I then just was really really lucky in the final TT. Here chances were probably even smaller, but same principle actually. But also Tukh could simply have waited with the attack, continue with Dosmagambetov, slower, like that our rosa is gone (and Donkey very unhappy) attack later, block risk then is bigger, but then he probably wins it. Anyway, was a very interesting finish, everybody with different goals that weren't compatible anymore, Cruz with Redrocks coming for rosa from behind, Ottema and Donkey for temporary rosa, SWP for stage (can understand him wanting to go for that occasionally, he's forced to ride a boring Giro for the rest) was interesting even if with a not good ending for the Donkey, Gallego even lost time to Ottema.. bah.

GC: SWP in control, but not convinced by his contribution for control. It's in the end, which at times then just means he's riding for one team against others... much better early. Sensible not to let Rodriguez have bonifications, so less help there... BUT, actually Rodriguez is not a danger, to make collaboration more likely he really could have just gone for full control on one of these... Rodriguez gaining 17" instead of 7" really doesn't bother Abdurashitov in the least. And it seems more likely that Confidential will help on mountain stages in the future. Yes, he sort of has to anyway if he wants that stage with Rodriguez, but at some point he might just decide to skip one, to stay fit for the next one, then SWP is forced to ride alone all stage. So while it's sensible to minimize the bonifications for direct opponents.. here really Rodriguez isn't a direct opponent. He has 36 reg, he has 49 TT. He'll lose so much today, that 10" bonification here and there are completely irrelevant for SWP.
On the other hand he rode the final climbs quite badly twice IMO. Blockhaus wasn't punished, but he waited very long to put Bondarew in. Riding for stage with him? Okay.. but then should have ridden before, so don't think that was it (and he could try that actually on some stages) LIke this he risked the double attack by Confidential. And while that still doesn't make it close in GC, losing 30"+ seconds is an unnecessary risk. Like losing 20" to Redrocks and Burger on Corno alle Scale, there as well after blocking a Rodriguez attack nicely, then went out, waited for the guys further back, instead of riding and then possibly waiting for Lub coming from the front... Ok, with that action happening way down in the screen somewhere... but still, IMO twice far from perfect riding from SWP there, unnecessary risks. But well, this happens when the win is so safe, I remember a Dectour that I had won before it even started, rode consistently badly, still won it including x stages, concentration goes down, because in the end doesn't really matter. Won't matter in the end, even if he ends up losing 30" to Rodriguez (or REdrocks or Burger or anybody) every mountain stage... but unnecessary risk, playing it safe there more sensible than on the bonifications only.

GC?
I still see Lafuente as an option for podium. Burger? no TT, no reg, again, today these riders will be punished heavily.
Without thinking much further using 78 as skill for Abdurashitov instead of 76, making the TT just 40 km I see
Lafuente 4' back
Bondarew, Trkman, Redrocks 6' back
Rodriguez, Burger 6' back and way under reg or 7' back
That means that after the TT normally Lafuente is second, under attack by Redrocks who should be at 1'20". Trkman at 1'40" Bondarew at around 2'. Rodriguez, Burger... risky stuff and close, then relying on their classics to save their GC on Wednesday, which can work, or safety riding and further back. The risk, Trkman, Redrocks and Abdurashitov will be fit, Lafuente too, they all can try to take advantage of weaknesses by others on Wednesday. Not sure what makes more sense for Rodriguez, Burger (and Iskanderov, although not being leader the choice in his case is much easier, energy) Be under reg and then on the defensive or lose a bunch of time and hope to win it back in the remaining GC stages? Talking about podium only here.

So I would actually see Trkman as second favorite here. Not Rodriguez, not Burger. They can come down to the *** spot with Lafuente. Redrocks could go up, but the downtraining risk... .but ok, not that huge yet, so actually he could go up to *** instead.

***** Abdurashitov
**** Trkman, Redrocks
*** Rodriguez, Lafuente, Burger
Burger there because of the + training hope. Otherwise Urbanek might actually be the better chance. And Kairi is being ignored, but well, with his offlining. Kairi online would actually be at **** ahead of Redrocks, REdrocks dropping back to *** and I kick Burger down to ** then. Iskanderov btw can have 0 stars, or at the very most *, he's clearly here to defend Lafuente, he also has no reg, no TT, no downhill, just lots of talent.

Anyway, today TT, Poblenou for the win! But L wants it too, how is the form setting?
Tomorrow interesting hilly stage, the hardest one, lots can happen there, which includes nothing at all.
Then Palamarchuk vs the flat sprinters second edition? Or all together for the sprint?
Escape with hard finish, can you say Piskun vs Cruz?
Aosta mountain festival, up and down, ideal for long range attacks, Confidential vs South West? Or the conservative helper saving riding they did so far? Or does Alborghetti do a Tukh-wonder again. Do L and Donks and Falcor try something? Does FL manage to make a new record in bad puns? Does a climber go for the mountain jersey?
Milano, Arcadio conquers Lombardy.

[team fl]

Anyway, today TT, Poblenou for the win! But L wants it too, how is the form setting?

My bet would be Pyry Pitkäaikainen for the win. Raul Valero and Domingo Gonzales with the better nominal TT skill, but I doubt they have better form or a better TT strategy than Pyry.

[L RSV]

I will not spoiler Pyrys form, but he is only 21...
And no strategy neither

[team fl]

I will not spoiler Pyrys form, but he is only 21...
And no strategy neither

Huch, almost didn't see that he's that young. So it's a 21yo against two 24yo riders for the win. the future is bright!