Sum up stage 17 of the Giro d’Italia in two words? BREATHLESS EXHILARATION. Santiago Buitrago (Bahrain Victorious) comes back from a crash then puts in a vicious attack to fly solo for his maiden Grand Tour victory. His team, especially Wout Poels, set Mikel Landa up to displace UAE Team-Emirate’s Joao Almeida on the third step of the Giro podium. Richard Carapaz (INEOS – Grenadiers) is still in pink with Jai Hindley (BORA-hansgrohe) still locked at three seconds adrift in second, and I haven’t even mentioned the exploits of dynamic Dutch duo of Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin Fenix) and Gijs Leemreize (Jumbo-Visma). Hold onto your hats, people!
Races within races
Leaden grey skies lowered menacingly over the riders as they took the start at Ponte Di Legno for a second gruelling day in the Alps that would see them face two Category 1 climbs in the back end of the race. The statistic on most commentators’ lips was that by the end of stage the peloton would have climbed the equivalent of Mount Everest in a little over 24 hours.
I’d be with Cav…
Anyone want to know how @MarkCavendish feels before todays start?? Here He is. pic.twitter.com/ObItJQrsAa
— Adam Blythe (@AdamBlythe89) May 25, 2022
As always, twitter had Jai and his raincoat at the front of our minds
If Bora didn't make Jai Hindley go through a week of rain jacket training this offseason that's systematic failure of the team#Giro
— Nairo Quintana Fanclub (@NairoInGreen) May 25, 2022
Before any shenanigans could be played out on the Cat 1 climbs the riders had to survive the battle of the Passo del Tonale from the flag drop. What could have been a brutal start was eased as a large group of riders went away relatively early and contained all the usual suspects we’ve seen filling up the breakaways recently. By the time they had descended from the Tonale and started on the steady downhill towards the big climbs, 25 riders were out front holding a lead of over three minutes.
As usual, a big group of 25 riders (via @FirstCycling ) went away with Jan Hirt best placed in GC at 7:42. Also in there: Arensman, Buitrago, Carthy, Bouwman,
Ciccone, Rosa, Fortunato, Valter, G. Martin, Pedrero…
Ineos can't afford them to give them much time. #Giro pic.twitter.com/cbZwnik3Wf— Mihai Simion (@faustocoppi60) May 25, 2022
We had our break of the day and the stage was set for one of those fascinating races within races scenarios:
In the break we had Giulio Ciccone (Trek-Segafredo) versus Jumbo Bee Koen Bouwman for the King of the Mountain points (spoiler Koen took more points to extend his lead). A hatful of stage hunting riders including EF Education EasyPost’s Hugh Carthy for the umpteenth time – surely he has to be lucky at some point.
Can Hugh Carthy shove a whole energy bar into his mouth?
SI, SIGNOR!!!!#Giro105 #Giro2022 pic.twitter.com/fCwvbdigTj— Trevor Ward 🇺🇦 (@willwrite4cake) May 25, 2022
The tantalising possibility that Guillaume Martin (Cofidis) would climb his way back up the GC (spoiler – he didn’t *cries*)
Guillaume Martin in the break with +6:30 on the pack with 50km and two Cat.1 climbs remaining. But where will 'The Human Yo-Yo' finish today's stage in relation to the maglia rosa?
— Felix Lowe (@saddleblaze) May 25, 2022
Wanty corner was in full cry as Jan Hirt and Rein Taaramae slipped into the break. Could Jan leapfrog his way up the GC (spoiler, YES he could)
#Giro 🇮🇹
We’re halfway through the stage & the breakaway with @HirtJan & Rein Taaramäe is currently 4’25 ahead of the peloton pic.twitter.com/PD5JCojk6Y
— Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert (@IntermarcheWG) May 25, 2022
… and Mathieu van der Poel – for any reason you care to name, but mainly because he’s so strong, he can’t help himself and the guy LOVES to race.
Death, taxes, Mathieu van der Poel in a Giro d'Italia breakaway 😁 #Giro #Giro105
— Katy M, Giro Edition (@writebikerepeat) May 25, 2022
Behind them, surely the GC riders would seek to out manoeuvre each other.
🤓 In case you hadn't realised, @BORAhansgrohe did not place any men in the breakaway This suggests that @JaiHindley‘s team may be intent on attacking for the Maglia Rosa today. #Giro
— Giro d'Italia (@giroditalia) May 25, 2022
A Tale of Gijs and Mathieu and double Dutch mayhem
Things got feisty in the break-of-the-day at several points during the stage, but with 65km to go Mathieu launched one those stinging attacks, he was eventually joined by VeloVoices Beloved Guillaume, Allesandro Covi (UAE Team-Emirates) and Felix Gall (AG2R Citroen). They pulled out over a minute on chasers and stretched their lead over the GC group to around seven minutes as they headed towards the first of the category one climbs – the Passo del Vetriolo (11.8km at 7.7%)
Hugh Carthy went full pain face to split the chase group, riding off with an elite group containing Buitrago, Bouwman, Hirt, and a yo-yoing Leemreize to join the lead four just before the summit.
I think I know Hugh Carthy’s heart rate better than I know my own thanks to all these whoop live reports #Giro #Giro2022 @whoop
— Jordan (@DatDudeNice) May 25, 2022
🇮🇹 #Giro ¡Nueva cabeza de carrera! Los punteros son: Santiago Buitrago, Felix Gall, Mathieu van der Poel, Guillaume Martin, Hugh Carthy, Jan Hirt, Koen Bouwman y Gijs Leemreize.
🏁 35 km pic.twitter.com/6cBlWWWVPZ
— Ciclismo Internacional (@CiclismoInter) May 25, 2022
The summit was wreathed in clouds, the 12km descent was twisty and technical, but luckily dry.
Il Giro above the clouds. What an image! 😍 #Giro pic.twitter.com/F4infblkEh
— Mihai Simion (@faustocoppi60) May 25, 2022
I still can’t quite believe what happened next. Jumbo Bee Gijs suddenly leapt away with Mathieu in hot pursuit. What followed was a daredevil-double-dutch-descent, at one point everyone held their breath as Mathieu’s back wheel lost traction.
MvdP oops. #Giro pic.twitter.com/fzG99qJaFY
— @cyclingreporter (@cyclingreporter) May 25, 2022
They quickly opened a gap on the more cautious descenders. As they came off the descent they held 30 seconds and that gap only widened as the chasers FAFFED ABOUT arguing over who should put the work in.
By the time they hit the final climb, the Monterovere – 7.9km at 9.9%, they had over a minute in hand. At which point Mathieu made another of those attacks and stomped away.
The beast has dropped the brave Leemreize! If he paces himself well and doesn't go big time on red, Mathieu can win this. #Giro pic.twitter.com/puedQ8Zsfb
— Mihai Simion (@faustocoppi60) May 25, 2022
Twitter went crazy. Van de Poel looked so powerful, so in control we thought he would go all the way to the finish. But Gijs wasn’t finished and as Mathieu’s legs finally tired Gijs caught and passed his compatriot.
Il Sorpasso, Leemreize overtakes van der Poel. Van der Poel could still win today *if* he can stay there given his descending skills and sprint… but now a gap's opening up pic.twitter.com/6meV076IVA
— the Inner Ring (@inrng) May 25, 2022
Behind the dynamic duo, the eventual victor was making his move and ultimately neither Dutchman would take the stage. However, they provided a day of racing we won’t forget in a hurry.
Tantalising glimpses of what we might expect
Fair to say VdP is discovering his limits in the mountains and watching him do so is well worth the viewing
— William Fotheringham (@willfoth) May 25, 2022
🇮🇹 #Giro
🏁 It's P12 for @mathieuvdpoel in the end. We tip our hats to you, Mathieu, for an incredible ride! 🎩 pic.twitter.com/Ydr2p6cvAP
— Alpecin-Fenix Cycling Team (@AlpecinFenix) May 25, 2022
and a new name to add our list exciting young climbers to watch.
🇮🇹 #Giro
"This was the best I could do. I knew I had to try something, because if I sprinted, I would be third anyway." ~ Gijs Leemreize
Read more in our report! 👇
— Team Jumbo-Visma cycling (@JumboVismaRoad) May 19, 2022
A tale of Santiago and the winning move
As the two Dutchman attacked each other on the final climb and the chase group dithered in their pursuit, Santiago took matters into his own hands, determined not to let another chance to add a Giro stage to his palmares. The Colombian made his winning move out of the chase group with a vicious attack and proceeded to dance a storm up the Monterovere, stalking down and passing both Dutchmen before the summit.
🇨🇴 @SantiagoBS26 🇨🇴#Giro pic.twitter.com/XtXgteYbwY
— Giro d'Italia (@giroditalia) May 25, 2022
It was a masterclass of the swift and clinical climbing attack, particularly the double kick that finally put paid to Gijs.
Ahh that 2nd kick by Buitrago exploded Leemreize's legs but can he get back on the descent? #Giro
— Tim Bonville-Ginn (@TimBonvilleGinn) May 25, 2022
No one had the energy to claw their way back to him on the descent, or the run for the line on the plateau and downhill swoop into Lavarone.
🔥 @SantiagoBS26 is on fire! @giroditalia #RideAsOne #Giro
📸 @SprintCycling pic.twitter.com/F3aiQJHvEw
— Team Bahrain Victorious (@BHRVictorious) May 25, 2022
He crossed the line arms aloft and in tears, this time tears of joy rather than the despair of finishing second on stage 15.
🇨🇴 @SantiagoBS26 🥺🥺🥺#Giro pic.twitter.com/HaWoo6yRJq
— Giro d'Italia (@giroditalia) May 25, 2022
All this after crashing earlier in the stage
That corner is grim 😬 Really tough for Buitrago 😥 #Giro105 #Giro pic.twitter.com/qZijzzuljd
— Katy M, Giro Edition (@writebikerepeat) May 25, 2022
Amazing from Buitrago, crashes on a descent, nearly hits a wall, gets back on and now goes on to win the stage with a monster ride on this final climb. Chapeau.
— Ian (@cyclingbetting) May 25, 2022
#Giro 🇮🇹 – 🏁 FINISH
🇨🇴 Santiago Buitrago wins the stage after a perfectly timed attack on the Monterovere. Crashing and winning? Masterclass!
After the tears two days ago, he takes his first GT stage win. It's only his second win in his career.
Chapeau!#DomestiqueLive pic.twitter.com/tCjJQw5Y8J
— Domestique (@Domestique___) May 25, 2022
The tale Mikel and Joao
If BORA-hansgrohe came with a plan yesterday, it was Bahrain Victorious red who brought their A-game today. Mikel Landa started the stage only 15 seconds behind third placed Joao Almeida and they made their play for the podium on the final climbs of the stage. The men in red came to front and drove the pace on the the Passo del Vetriolo, winnowing the GC group and immediately putting Joao in trouble off the back of the group. This pressure continued to the Monterovere where Wout Poels, surely the rider of the race today, set Landa up time after time. Every time Wout looked like he could attack no more, somehow he came back to help his leader one more time.
#cyclisme 🚴♂️ Tour d'Italie 🇮🇹 17e étape
… et Wout #Poels est revient#Giro #Giro2022 #Vélo pic.twitter.com/ZUJ3Tj6J0D
— Jean-Philippe Henneton (@JPHHenneton) May 25, 2022
This is vintage Wout Poels. Bahrain on fire today. #Giro pic.twitter.com/JRm1we4LS4
— Mihai Simion (@faustocoppi60) May 25, 2022
Not going to lie I’m sat here totally ignoring any potential stage/GC results and just cheering for @WoutPoels right now. What a ride!!!
— Gemma Nicole Porte (@gemmanicoleb) May 25, 2022
Hindley, Carapaz and Landa stuck to each other like glue on the climbs, not in a mountain train but in a mano-a-mano attack fest
Me meo con Landa imitando a Carapaz jajajajaja#Giro #Giro105 #Giro2022 pic.twitter.com/cOLRp6uoPx
— Aitor Arotzena Lopez (@AitorArotzena) May 25, 2022
The run to the finish line was a different story. Somehow Landa lost their wheel and managed to lose a precious six seconds to his two closest rivals. It seemed a typical Landa , all that work only to throw it away at the end. He did gain enough time on Almeida to take 3rd on GC. But we all know how persistent the Portuguese rider is, and there is still a TT to survive.
More from @JooAlmeida98 : “But we're going to fight until the last kilometre.
I'll keep fighting and not give up, this #Giro is far from over." 💪🏻🤍 #Giro 2 | 2#UAETeamEmirates #WeAreUAE pic.twitter.com/D3ydTbvFRZ
— @UAE-TeamEmirates (@TeamEmiratesUAE) May 25, 2022
Such thoughts are for the next stages. For now let’s celebrate an attackity Landa and a brilliant day for Bahrain Victorious
👏 What a day for our team! @SantiagoBS26 won the stage, and @MikelLandaMeana moved onto the GC podium @giroditalia #RideAsOne #Giro
🔗 https://t.co/tW9dCpWCJg pic.twitter.com/WkmfxZvLcX
— Team Bahrain Victorious (@BHRVictorious) May 25, 2022
¡Esto es lo hermoso del ciclismo! 🤝 Mikel #Landa se acercó a Santiago #Buitrago para felicitarlo por su gran triunfo en el #GiroDItalia. 👏😁#ESPNCiclismo pic.twitter.com/HanaaKe6WA
— ESPN Ciclismo (@ESPNCiclismo) May 25, 2022
Here’s your highlights
The tale of Simon PHILIP Yates
The news from BEX part way through the stage. Let’s hope all he requires is rest.
#Giro 🇮🇹
UPDATE: @SimonYatess has abandoned the @giroditalia ❌
Full details to come. pic.twitter.com/fvGf5SPmOR
— Team BikeExchange-Jayco (@GreenEDGEteam) May 25, 2022
UPDATE:
"The knee pain grew worse and worse, eventually leading to the decision for his retirement from the race.” – Matteo Beltemacchi (Team Doctor) 🎙#Giro 🇮🇹 https://t.co/S31XfPyiYj
— Team BikeExchange-Jayco (@GreenEDGEteam) May 25, 2022
Final thought
https://twitter.com/racejunkieblog/status/1529545036211396617?s=20&t=jqafBGrpwdyvwKASGH-ZNQ
All the results
Stage results
1 Santiago Buitrago (Bahrain Victorious) 4:27:41
2 Gijs Leemreize (Jumbo-Visma) +0:35
3 Jan Hirt (Intermarche-Wanty-Gobert) +2:28
4 Hugh Carthy (EF Education-EasyPost ) same time
5 Richard Carapaz (INEOS-Grenadiers) +2:53
GC Top 10
1 Richard Carapaz (Ineos Grenadiers) 73:19:40
2 Jai Hindley (BORA-hansgrohe) +0:03
3 Mikel Landa (Bahrain Victorious) +0:59
4 Joao Almeida (UEA Team Emirates) +1:54
5 Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) +5:48
6 Pello Bilbao (Bahrain Victorious) +6:19
7 Jan Hirt (Intermarche-Wanty-Gobert) +7:12
8 Emanual Buchmann (BORA-hansgrohe) +7:13
9 Juan Pedro Lopez (Trek-Segafredo) +12:27
10 Domenico Pozzovivo (Intermarche-Wanty-Gobert) +12:30
All the jerseys
http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/1399214445
Leader’s jersey : Richard Carapaz (Ineos Grenadiers)
Points jersey : Arnaud Demare (Groupama-FDJ)
King of the Mountains: Koen Bouwman (Jumbo-Visma)
Best young rider: Joao Almeida (UAE)
Team : Bora-hansgrohe
For full race results, go to CyclingNews
Official Giro d’Italia website is here