Tim Merlier held his speed and his nerve in a chaotic sprint to give Giro debutantes Alpecin-Fenix their first podium, and claim his first GT victory and the GORGEOUS maglia ciclamino. The ‘fastest man in Belgium’ screamed to the front with 250m to go, holding off Giacomo Nizzolo (Qhubeka ASSOS) and Cofidis’ Elia Viviani who had to settle for second and third respectively. Filippo Ganna (INEOS Grenadiers) retains the pink jersey, so the only other change in GC is the rise of Remco Evenepoel as he grabbed two seconds to put him on the same time as Deceuninck QuickStep teammate Joao Almeida. Looks like Patrick Lefevre’s comment of leaving this tussle to be settled on the road is coming true.
Slow ride to Novara
The road from Stupinigi to Novara seemed endless. One of those long, interminable stages where the peloton knew it was going to end in a sprint, so had to leave the break out front for as long as possible – no matter how slow they had to go. I will not dwell on the hours except to say CHAPEAU to Vincenzo Albanese (EOLO-Kometa), who secured the King of the Mountains jersey
🚵♂️ First KOM winner at Giro d'Italia 2021: @vincenalban
📺 Follow the race on @RaiPlay, @Eurosport, @gcntweet #Giro pic.twitter.com/KBQF59bXIP
— Giro d'Italia (@giroditalia) May 9, 2021
FINAL KM
A chance to see the sprinters in action and get a feel for who may strut their stuff in the maglia ciclamino.
📽️ In Wouter’s name. The final km of Stage 2 of the 2021 Giro d’Italia!
📽️ Vittoria con dedica a Wouter, ecco l'ultimo km della Tappa 2 del Giro d'Italia 2021!#Giro pic.twitter.com/wb2uXJ8nUL
— Giro d'Italia (@giroditalia) May 9, 2021
Oh my goodness that run to the line! NERVES OF STEEL and that was just to watch it!
That was hard to watch … so worried that they were going to come a cropper
— VeloVoices (@VeloVoices) May 9, 2021
I admit to holding my breath. It looked so NARROW too
— midge (@pariswheels) May 9, 2021
In truth, if you were not in position after that corner, it was game over as Lotto-Soudal and their ace sprinter Caleb Ewan found out to their cost. There was some bumping and barging – looking at YOU, Peter Sagan.
Did you catch #PeterSagan muscling his way to the front with about 1.7 km to go?! #Giro104 pic.twitter.com/lCZR7PWFgk
— CyclingTips (@cyclingtips) May 9, 2021
There was even an incident between Team UAE-Emirates teammates Fernando Gaviria and his lead-out man Sebastien Molano.
— Cycling out of context (@OutOfCycling) May 9, 2021
In truth, Gaviria had taken himself out of contention by choosing to go to the inside when Merlier chose the open line in the middle. Thank goodness the new style safety barriers were in place, or we may have had a finishing crash no one wanted to see.
This must have been a nervous day for Dylan Groenewegen (Jumbo-Visma), without such a chaotic run to the line. However, the Dutchman was competitive at the finish and I’d expect to see him again.
🇮🇹 #Giro
After a strong leadout by Affini and Dekker it's a fourth place for @GroenewegenD in Novara.
— Team Jumbo-Visma cycling (@JumboVismaRoad) May 9, 2021
As I would the seemingly eternal Grand Tour bridesmaid. Come on Giacomo, I know that win is coming!
18: The number of times Giacomo Nizzolo finished in the top 3 of a Grand Tour stage without winning one.
— CafeRoubaix (@CafeRoubaix) May 9, 2021
Giacomo Nizzolo holds the record for the most second-place finishes in stages of a specific Grand Tour without taking a win: 10.
— CafeRoubaix (@CafeRoubaix) May 9, 2021
Our winner Tim Merlier
The best sprinter at the Giro if we look at current form? Oh yes, I think so. His speed is unquestionable and the length of time he is able to hold it makes him hard to beat. On top of that, Alpecin-Fenix did their homework for this finish and it paid off. I am delighted for him and the team that is so much more than just the undoubted talent of Mathieu van der Poel.
🇮🇹 #Giro
Siiiii @MerlierTim ❤️ pic.twitter.com/tRUTaVY8cI
— Alpecin-Fenix Cycling Team (@AlpecinFenix) May 9, 2021
🎙️ @MerlierTim "I'm very happy with this victory in my first sprint at a Grand Tour. My preparation at altitude has been good. I was confident before tackling the Giro."
Powered by @eolo_it #Giro pic.twitter.com/9h3ZxYm8QQ
— Giro d'Italia (@giroditalia) May 9, 2021
Look at that GLORIOUS points jersey
🇮🇹 #Giro
La maglia ciclamino 💜💜💜 pic.twitter.com/4qBOEU0pf3
— Alpecin-Fenix Cycling Team (@AlpecinFenix) May 9, 2021
Nice way to make debut in mass start stages in Giro d'Italia. Tim Merlier proves that Alpecin-Fenix still wins no matter if MVDP is there or not. #Giro pic.twitter.com/JAXHbVBGnD
— ammattipyöräily (@ammattipyoraily) May 9, 2021
#WW108
It has been 10 years since the tragic death of Wouter Weylandt at the Giro, but cycling fans will never forget his name. I know I was not the only one moved when Tim crossed the line with his hands held up in a W. It is important to take time to remember his name, as it is for all the others who have lost their life doing what they loved best.
Tim #Merlier wins the first 2021 #Giro d'Italia sprint and dedicated the success to Wouter #Weylandt 💗 #WW108 forever with us 🙏🏽 #CPA #WeAreTheRiders #Cycling #StrongerTogether #giroditalia 📸 @giroditalia pic.twitter.com/5PTUdBwCPl
— CPA Cycling (@cpacycling) May 9, 2021
Cycling🚴 – Tim Merlier is the first Belgian🇧🇪 rider to win a bunch sprint in the Giro since late Wouter Weylandt claimed the stage to Middelburg🇳🇱 on 10 May 2010 (stage 3).
Weylandt passed away exactly 10 years ago. #Giro104 #WW108
— Gracenote Olympic (@GracenoteGold) May 9, 2021
Please take a moment to look at these tributes from Trek-Segafredo, the present iteration of the team Wouter rode for.
Remembering Wouter.@f_cancellara @Giacomonizzolo @Benna80 @IljoKeisse give special tributes 10 years after the fateful dayhttps://t.co/3hURVHyPs1
— Trek-Segafredo (@TrekSegafredo) May 9, 2021
#WW108 ❤️
A heartfelt tribute.https://t.co/MJkbk9Ey3F— Trek-Segafredo (@TrekSegafredo) May 9, 2021
Results
Stage 1 Top 5
1 Tim Merlier (Alpecin-Fenix) 4:21:09
2 Giacomo Nizzolo (Qhubeka ASSOS) same time
3 Elia Viviani (Cofidis) s/t
4 Dylan Groenewegen (Jumbo-Visma) s/t
5 Peter Sagan (BORA-hansgrohe) s/t
GC Top 10
1 Filippo Ganna (Ineos Grenadiers) 4:29:53
2 Eduardo Affini (Jumbo-Visma) +0:13
3 Tobias Foss (Jumbo-Visma) +0:16
4 Remco Evenepoel (Deceuninck Quick Step) +20
5 Joao Almeida (Deceuninck Quick Step) +0.20
6 Remi Cavagna (Deceuninck Quick Step) +0.21
7 Jos van Emden (Jumbo Visma) +0:21
8 Maximilian Walscheid (Qhubeka Assos) +22
9 Matthias Brandle (Israel Start-up Nation) +25
10 Gianni Moscon (INEOS Grenadiers) +26
All the jerseys
🇮🇹 #Giro104
Jerseys after Stage 2💗🏆 Filippo Ganna 🇮🇹
💜💨 Tim Merlier 🇧🇪
💙⛰️ Vincenzo Albanese 🇮🇹
🤍👶 Filippo Ganna 🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/Q3JOoTvicl— pro cycling trumps (@procycletrumps) May 9, 2021
Leader’s jersey Filippo Ganna (INEOS Grenadiers)
Points jersey Tim Merlier (Alpecin-Fenix)
King of the Mountains Vincenzo Albanese (EOLO-Kometa)
Best Young Rider Filippo Ganna (INEOS Grenadiers)
For full race reviews, go to cyclingnews.
Official race website: Giro d’Italia
Header Image: @GETTY/AFP/Luca Bettini