As part of my stay at the Hotel Residence Esplanade in Viareggio, I was perfectly located to see three stages of the Giro d’Italia – including the Stage 9 finish in Siena. I found a spot at 600 meters to go on the final climb into town – the climb itself is about 600-700m long of very agonizing incline – and proved to be the ideal spit to see the results of this Classic-style stage. The action played out over about 30+ minutes, and I’ve edited it down to hopefully show just how painful this stage was for the riders.
Click Play to watch the race action unfold from the 600m to go mark:
This was a stage that played out like a proper Classic – and race unto itself where the cream rose to the top and the rest of the peloton came in shattered to bits in groups small to large.
From my base the the Hotel Residence Esplanade in Viareggio, I was perfectly located to see three stages of this year’s race – Stage 9 from Gubbio to Siena, the Stage 10 time trial in Lucca, and the Stage 11 start right in Viareggio.
The same finish we love to watch in Strade Bianche – its iconic.
Siena was a two hour drive each way, but well worth it – as you’ll see in the video. The spectacle of the race coming by on such a steep climb – especially as the finale – was simply intense.
I was stunned by how fast Del Toro and Van Aert flashed by – because even walking up the climb and it’s 12% grade is bloody hard.
The chase group was some 20 seconds behind – which included Simon Yates – and a handful of other GC hopefuls. After that the gaps to the following groups got bigger and slower as the faces more strained – even haggard… desperate… hollow. And the pace slowed as each rider literally hauled his way home – likely dying to get this stage done and over.
It was an epic day – even for me with 4+ hours of driving just to see it. But so worth it.
That is the Giro roadside experience.
Freshly made pasta Carbonara at lunch – I convinced the chef to show me how he did it – and that video is coming. And yes – it tasted as good as it looks.
The gruppetto making its way home, and well within the time limit.
I stayed here in Viareggio – and recorded this review of the best bike hotel I’ve seen in the region…
Thanks for reading –
Pez
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