Giro d’Italia 2016: Stage 4 – Victorious Ulissi and Dumoulin back in pink

In a spicy day of action on the Calabrian coast, a feisty Diego Ulissi (Lampre-Merida) did what he so often does at the Giro. Attacking with guile and panache on the final climb and holding on the run to the line to take a superb solo victory – his fifth win in his home Grand Tour. Giant-Alpecin’s Tom Dumoulin leapt out of an elite group of favourites to finish second on the day and secure his second maglia rosa in four stages. The parcours certainly delivered on its promise of attacking racing with several notable names, Movistar’s Andrey Amador and Ryder Hesjedal (Trek-Segafredo) amongst them, losing 37 seconds on their rivals.

Rider of the Race

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We saw attacks a-plenty and there are no shortages of candidates for this coveted prize, but I have to go with the stage winner Diego Ulissi. He was on the lookout for a winning move all through the hectic finale, finally getting away with a very select group before launching his move on steepest part of the last climb. As with any victory, the foundation was laid with some clever teamwork. Matej Moheric made the early break of the day which allowed the Lampre guys to sit back a little. When the blue touchpaper was lit with 25 kilometres to go Valerio Conti made the front group and as Ulissi bridged, set a furious pace to keep the break away to the foot of the San Pietro climb giving his leader the perfect launchpad. Diego was not slow in his praise…

“Valerio Conti was exceptional in the way he dragged the attack away. I gave it everything on the climb and was worried I’d be caught on the descent but I hung and got it. When I looked around with 10 metres to go, I realised I’d got it. It’s a special moment.”

Keeping it in the family

There are not many family names so steeped in cycling’s rich history as Moser. Nephew to 1984 Giro winner Francesco and with father, brothers and cousins all professional racers, Cannondale’s Moreno is the latest to fly the family colours in the Giro peloton. After a cracking opening time trial, he started the stage in 5th place only 21 seconds adrift. Spirits must have been high in the Argyle team car as attacked and then made the initial elite break. But it wasn’t to be the 63rd time for a Moser to wear the pink. Moreno was dropped and has slipped out of the top twenty. But we’re hoping that just means he’ll get the freedom to attack again. You can’t keep a Moser down on home turf.

We are proud of @MorenoMoser's effort to chase the Maglia Rosa. He gave it a good go. The fight continues! #Giro pic.twitter.com/LoM9thoOlP

— Cannondale Pro Team (@Ride_Argyle) May 10, 2016

Benvenuto in Italia

As brilliant as the Dutch Grande Partenza was, there is nothing like watching the Giro wend its way through a beautiful Italian landscape. We were certainly treated to some stunning shots of the Calabrian coastline, complete with sparkling deep blue waters.

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Oh Italy, so beautiful #sigh

While the scenery provides a feast for they eyes, the food delights the taste buds. One of my favourite Giro twitter accounts is sport’s journalist Jonathan Harris-Bass, who provides a local recipe for every stage of the race. Today is pollo alla Cacciatore… I’m going to need to cycle a few kilometres myself if this carries on. Give him a follow on Twitter.

We arrive in Italy for a staple from the fields Polla alla Cacciatore or Hunter's chicken https://t.co/SKyE3KNSry @robhatchtv #homeofcycling

— Jonathan Harris-Bass (@Jono_HB) May 10, 2016

Here’s another Italian cuisine related post courtesy of The Peloton Brief team. Entitled If Pro’s Were Pasta, it’s not a recipe for a tasty treat, but it will certainly serve up some humour to see us all through some of the ‘less exciting’ stages. Here’s a little antipasto …