On Gran Sasso, Zafzaf keeps rosa, Montesinos takes back blue and Pascenco wins.
In a long and hard fight, Pascenco wins out of an escape before Montesinos who was riding hard to collect enough points for blue. Zafzaf comes in third but keeps rosa with now 54'' before Visconti. Montesinos later gave a remarkable interview, noting that he heard a lot of trash talk from Pascenco's manager FL during their escape. He was able to quote some of FL's words (see below, read from bottom to top). International media widely considered it a success by Gipfelstuermer that their team challenged the much more experienced FL so badly, that he had to turn to such dishonorable methods. However, FL's methods were extremely successful again, bringing him the 4th stage win during this year's Giro.
Team FL: I don't complain. I just present you facts that should show, how superior he is in steep climbs against the others.
Team FL: You still gain 4 secs against them on a 5%. Riding alone. With all that power loss.
Team FL: Only important skill is mountain.
Team FL: sprint is not an issue at a 9% finish.
Team FL: Again. If you want to win, work for it. At least I won't gift it to you just like that.
Team FL: esp. with being so much stronger regarding the mountain skill.
Team FL: We would need to go red now, and that would have only been an option with a) more time and b)
Mateo and the rest having less energy than Runov for exampole.
Team FL: And see? Now it gets fast in the back. So you're plan won't work anyway if you (us) want to go for the stage...
Team FL: What you suggest is that we pull you to victory.
Team FL: if he rides those uphill km alone, even in green, some teams won't be represented anymore, others might have to fight....
Team FL: Runov and Islambek will be gone if you ride with
Mateo. And
Mateo not riding is not an option when the other leaders in front ride.
Team FL: Even with riding green,
Mateo will most likely sieb Runov and Islamebek, most likely.
Team FL: Convince us why...
Team FL: Then suggest a way to cooperate.
Team FL: never said you should ride alone with
Mateo.
Team FL: That about 65 km away. Pullers will make that easily with red tempo. But it's also easy for
Mateo to sieb everybody and go alone from then.
Team FL:
Mateo has to come up with a plan soon anyway.
Team FL: sure, if you waste energy with
Mateo, it's easier for the rest
Team FL: As soon as it's about
Mateo, it's his turn.
Team FL: I respect that. But that's your decision to bring
Mateo in this group. So, as said, my advice is to find away for the others to be able to cooperate. And that recquires proactive communication. That's all
Team FL: See? Works for now. The thing with
Mateo, we'll figure out later.
Team FL: For example. Put all pullers in now, make a suggestion how to level out Mateo's mountain skill and hope for the best.
Team FL: If you want to go for the stage, Gipfelstuermer, I suggest you try to convince the otheres in that group for a way to ride too... Because like this, it won't really work out, for anybody in front, I think.
Team FL: Anyway,
Monesinos will be even worse in that group....