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85th Giro d'Italia (GT)
Italy, May 11-June 2, 2002
Stage profile Start list Results
Stage 16 - May 29: Conegliano-Corvara in Badia, 163 km
Start time: 12:15 CEST
Estimated finish time: 17:10 CEST
Complete Live Report
14:00 CEST
Welcome to the live coverage of the 16th stage of the Giro d'Italia. Today's stage from Conegliano to Corvara in Badia is the toughest stage of this year's Giro, known as the"Tappone". The riders have to tackle four categorised climbs, including the Passo di Fedaia (2057m at km 117.2 and the Passo Pordoi (2239m at km 142.8). The latter is the highest point in the Giro this year, and is known as the Cima Coppi.
The stage will be crucial in determining the podium of this year's race, with the top contenders being Tyler Hamilton (CSC-Tiscali), Cadel Evans (Mapei) and Dario Frigo (Tacconi Sport). The expected challenge from Francesco Casagrande won't emerge of course, after he was disqualified from the Giro yesterday for behaving in an aggressive manner towards Colombian champion John Fredy Garcia. Garcia is out of the race too due to injuries sustained in his crash.
At the start this morning, the riders were all fairly nervous, with the prospect of such a tough stage ahead. Dario Frigo in particular looked wound up, as this stage could make or break him.
The weather conditions are good: puffy clouds and blue skies, with the possible chance of rain later on today. The riders have a tailwind as well.
14:15 CEST - 70 km/93 km to go
The situation on the road with 70 km covered is that there is a leading group of 22 riders, who have a 3'05 gap to the peloton (down from 4'40). The attack was started by six riders (Igor Astarloa (Saeco), Mario Scirea (Acqua e Sapone), Alessandro Bertolini (Alessio), Vladimir Duma (Panaria), Milan Kadlec (Lampre) and Christophe Detilloux (Lotto-Adecco) after 45 kilometres. They were caught by a group of 16 riders at km 60, including Alessio's Cristian Moreni, who is only 4'16 down on GC and was the leader on the road for a while.
However, the peloton has begun to close in on them on this climb of Forcella Staulanza.
14:30 CEST - 77 km/86 km to go
In addition to Casagrande, his teammate Wladimir Belli (12th on GC) did not start this morning, reducing Fassa Bortolo down to 5 riders. Only 20 km into the stage, two Index-Alexia riders Dario Andriotto and Mauro Zinetti (2nd and 3rd last on GC) abandoned. Finally, Colombian rider Juan D. Ramirez (25th on GC) abandoned at the 70 km mark. There are now 150 riders left in the race, from the original field of 198.
The leading group has lost Scirea, Detilloux, Righi and Schreck on this first climb, and is now down to 18 riders.
14:39 CEST - 83 km/80 km to go
Sergio Barbero (Lampre) attacks from the leading group to take the points on the first climb from Milan Kadlec (Lampre), Ruben Marin (Selle Italia), Daniele De Paoli (Alessio) and Daniele Nardello (Mapei). The peloton, 3'34 behind, is losing plenty of riders including Marco Pantani, who is now riding in the company of two teammates.
14:50 CEST - 91 km/72 km to go
The riders have completed the descent of the Forcella Staulanza, and have 3'26 on the peloton, which is still around 70 riders. Mapei is prominent at the front with Evans, Noe, Cioni. Frigo is also there, as is Perez Cuapio. This could be another good stage for the Mexican climber. Jens Heppner is also there, pretty in pink.
Some names in the front group: Igor Astarloa (Saeco), Oscar Mason (Saeco), Sergio Barbero (Lampre-Daikin), Milan Kadlec (Lampre-Daikin), Daniele Nardello (Mapei-Quick Step), Matteo Carrara (Team Colpack-Astro), Addy Engels (Rabobank), Vladimir Duma (Panaria Fiordo), Bert Grabsch (Phonak), Thierry Marichal (Lotto-Adecco), Daniele de Paoli (Alessio), Alessandro Bertolini (Alessio), Cristian Moreni (Alessio), Francisco Cerezo Perales (Team CSC-Tiscali), Volodimir Bileka (Landbouwkrediet-Colnago), Francisco Leon Mane (Kelme), Jose Cayetano Julia Cegarra (Kelme), Ruber Alverio Marin (Colombia-Selle Italia).
15:05 CEST - 103 km/60 km to go
The leading group of 16 is almost at the foot of the Passo di Fedaia, an extremely tough climb. They have 3'05 on the maglia rosa group, which contains all the favourites. The weather is still perfect for racing, with no rain in sight at the moment.
It's clear that Alessio is in the boxed seat today, with three riders in the leading group and three more strong guys (Caucchioli, Pellizzotti, and Gotti) in the main group. They are the strongest team on GC, and will surely try to put pressure on the rest on the final climbs.
Marco Pantani has just abandoned after 105 kilometres. He has been suffering from bronchitis for the past week, but decided to ride on. Today, it proved to be too much for the 1998 Giro d'Italia winner.
15:15 CEST - 108 km/55 km to go
Alessandro Bertolini and Cristian Moreni (Alessio) lead the front group on the Passo di Fedaia, with Barbero in third wheel. This is a steep climb, with some 18% sections. In the peloton, Perez Cuapio and Andrea Noe are at the front.
Domenico Gualdi (Formaggi Trentini) crashes and abandons the race.
15:22 CEST - 111 km/52 km to go
The average speed after 3 hours is a brisk 35.4 km/h. The tailwind has really helped things today.
The peloton is not racing hard yet, as they approach the next steep part of the Fedaia, where the leaders are already starting to splinter. Bileka goes off the back of the leading group, which is still being led by Alessio, who are playing the perfect tactical game.
Moreni's pace has really hurt the group, with only Leon Mane (Kelme), De Paoli (Alessio), Marin (Selle Italia) and Engels (Rabobank) able to follow as they make their way past some incredible scenery in the Dolomites.
15:28 CEST - 114 km/49 km to go
The peloton is at 2'38, led by Team Coast's Fabrizio Guidi. Julio Perez Cuapio looks ready to go at any moment - his relaxed face is a stark contrast to Guidi's intense suffering.
The leading group, with Moreni at the helm, is now down to three riders. Only Engels can hang onto the two Alessio riders, but he's not doing it easy.
15:28 CEST - 114 km/49 km to go
The peloton is at 2'38, led by Team Coast's Fabrizio Guidi. Julio Perez Cuapio looks ready to go at any moment - his relaxed face is a stark contrast to Guidi's intense suffering.
The leading group, with Moreni at the helm, is now down to three riders. Only Engels can hang onto the two Alessio riders, but he's not doing it easy.
15:32 CEST - 116 km/47 km to go
Heppner is at the back of what's left of the peloton, accompanied by Matthias KEssler. Hamilton is also there with two teammates. In front, it's Perez Cuapio, Gotti, Caucchioli, Pellizotti, Evans, Frigo, Tonkov, Noe, Savoldelli, Gonzalez - about 20 riders in total.
De Paoli leaves Moreni and Engels behind. One rider in the lead now.
15:32 CEST - 116 km/47 km to go
Heppner has just gone off the back of the peloton, which is gradually reducing in size - now about 18 riders. Hamilton is still there, but at the back with one other teammate - Rasmussen? He doesn't look in great difficulty though, and is able to get out of the saddle to climb.
All of the breakaway riders are coming back to the peloton, with De Paoli leading on his own out in front. Then there is Moreni and Engels, Leon Mane and the peloton.
Hamilton is a little way off the back now - it's no bluff. Cuapio attacks, Evans tries to go with him and closes the gap. Caucchioli, Garate, Savoldelli, Frigo, Aitor Gonzalez, Gotti, and Escartin are following a little way behind. Still 2.5 km to go until the top of the Fedaia.
15:42 CEST - 115 km/48 km to go
Cuapio is riding very well, and the others can't follow him. He still has to catch De Paoli, Moreni and Engels, Nardello and Marin. The next group has Evans, Frigo, Caucchioli, Garate, Beltran(?), Aitor Gonzalez and Savoldelli. Escartin is just off the back of them.
Gotti is not there though, and is just in front of Hamilton's little group. Maybe 40 seconds down.
Frigo's group catches Nardello and Marin, who can't follow.
15:49 CEST - 117 km/46 km to go
The situation near the top of the Fedaia: Daniele De Paoli (Alessio) leads Perez Cuapio by 1'20 seconds, but the Mexican is closing fast. He pasess Moreni and Engels, who are not looking in the best shape at the moment, but that's relative when you compare it to the brilliant Mexican.
Then there is a group with Frigo, Savoldelli, Evans, Caucchioli, Aitor Gonzalez, and Tonkov. Garate (Tonkov's teammate) is back with Hamilton.
15:52 CEST - 118 km/45 km to go
De Paoli takes the 10 points for the Passo di Fedaia, followed by Perez Cuapio at 21 seconds. Then Moreni at 41 seconds, then the favourites group (which has picked up Engels and now numbers 7 riders) at 1'05. Nardello follows at 1'30. The Hamilton/Noe group is at 2'20. Heppner's group is at 2'56.
Now there's a 14 km descent before the Pordoi.
15:58 CEST - 124 km/39 km to go
On the descent, Perez Cuapio catches De Paoli, so there are now two leaders. Duma and Escartin have caught the Frigo/Evans group, which now contains: Frigo, Savoldelli, Evans, Caucchioli, Aitor Gonzalez, Tonkov, Duma, Engels, Escartin and Moreni.
Tyler Hamilton's teammates Rasmussen and Sastre are trying to bridge the 1'20 gap. It works, and they get them before the bottom of the descent. Heppner is also chasing hard to get back on.
16:03 CEST - 128 km/35 km to go
Perez Cuapio and De Paoli reach the bottom of the descent with a 1'24 gap to the next group, which has now just doubled in size as Hamilton's group catches them. Moreni is reported to be still in between the two leaders and the main group, 42 seconds behind Perez Cuapio.
Heppner's group has just caught the leaders group. Hector Mesa Mesa, Daniele Nardello and Andrei Mizourov take the opportunity to attack before the Pordoi. The gap is now 1'56 to Perez Cuapio and De Paoli.
16:08 CEST - 132 km/31 km to go
The results of the Intergiro: 1. Perez Cuapio 2. De Paoli 3. Moreni. The main numbers over 20 riders again, but this will change on the Pordoi.
16:12 CEST - 133 km/30 km to go
The Alessio numbers game is working, as Pietro Caucchioli attacks the favourites group which is now led by three CSC riders, with Hamilton in tow. Caucchioli is a dangerous rider to let go, as he is 6th on GC.
Cuapio has dropped De Paoli and is now leading on the Pordoi.
16:27 CEST - 138 km/25 km to go
Perez Cuapio still still leads the race, with about 1'00 to Caucchioli, who is the virtual maglia rosa. He caught and passed his teammate De Paoli, who had to let him go. The tempo in the peloton is being made by Noe. Heppner is at 3'30 behind Perez Cuapio.
16:33 CEST - 142 km/21 km to go
Perez Cuapio nears the top of the Pordoi, with a handy 1'03 lead to Caucchioli. Denis Lunghi is next on the road at 2'03. The favourites group which is still together is at 2'36.
Cuapio takes the points at the top of the Passo Pordoi.
16:37 CEST - 143 km/20 km to go
Evans attacks the front group with 3 km to go to the top of the Pordoi, but he can't get ride of the others, although the group does reduce in size. Frigo, Savoldelli Evans and Hamilton are there, as is Tonkov, Gotti, Escartin and Gonzelez.
16:43 CEST - 145 km/18 km to go
Perez Cuapio is first over the Passo Pordoi (Cima Coppi) followed by Caucchioli at 1'23. Then Frigo Savoldelli and Evans at 2'14. Evans has some difficulties near the top but makes it over. Tonkov, Hamilton, Gotti and Gonzalez aren't far behind, with De Paoli, Escartin and Oscar Pererio next.
16:47 CEST - 148 km/15 km to go
Perez Cuapio leads on the descent, followed by Caucchioli at 1'20. Then Savoldelli at 1'49. Frigo and Evans are chasing Savoldelli on this very twisty descent. Then Hamilton another 20 seconds behind.
Results of the Passo Pordoi: 1. Perez Cuapio 2. Caucchioli 3. Frigo.
16:52 CEST - 143 km/10 km to go
Cuapio now has 10 km to go, and is on the final climb of the Passo di Campolongo. He is chased by Caucchioli, who has a gap to Savoldelli. Then Frigo, Tonkov, Evans, then Hamilton and Gonzalez.
16:54 CEST - 144 km/9 km to go
Cuapio should stay away to win this stage, but the question is who will take the pink jersey. It looks like Caucchioli, who has a 1 minute hap to the Frigo/Evans/Garate/Gonzalez group, which has just been caught by Hamilton again. Paolo Savoldelli is chasing Caucchioli, in front of the Frigo group.
16:59 CEST - 146 km/7 km to go
Perez Cuapio nears the top of the Campolongo, with 1'20 on Caucchioli and 1'42 on Savoldelli. Then there is Frigo's five man group with Evans, Hamilton, Gonzalez and Garate.
Bruno Cenghialta (Alessio DS) interviewed earlier today: "This was our tactic today to put a bunch of guys up the road to help Cuacchioli. We'll see what his gap is at the top of the Pordoi. But we've still got Gotti and Pelizzotti
17:03 CEST - 148 km/5 km to go
Cuapio takes the points on the Campolongo. Now just a 5 km descent before he can take the stage. Caucchioli is slowly being caught by Savoldelli, who is in turn being caught by Frigo, Evans and Hamilton, Gonzalez and Garate.
Gaps at the top: Caucchioli at 1'08, Savoldelli at 1'36, Frigo/Evans group at 1'46.
17:06 CEST - 150 km/3 km to go
It's going to be very close for the pink jersey. Cuacchioli needs around 30 seconds on Evans, but will get a bonus for the finish if he stays away. This descent is not technical, and Frigo's work starts to pull back Savoldelli
17:08 CEST - 152 km/1 km to go
Savoldelli catches Caucchioli with 2 km to go - nice descending. He drops him! Gonzalez has tried to go off the front of the Frigo group.
17:10 CEST - 153 km/ 0 km to go
Julio Alberto Perez Cuapio (Panaria) wins his second stage - very good ride. He will win the green jersey too as Joaquim Castelblanco is out of the race with a pulled muscle. Second is Savoldelli, who's had a great ride. Then Frigo, who gets 4 bonus seconds.
Evans is in pink!
Caucchioli, who is not a great descender, lost all of his lead in the last 5 km that would have had him in pink. Hamilton had a great ride considering how much time he lost on the Fedaia - will he recover enough for tomorrow, or will Frigo (who looked very good today) come back again. The Giro is certainly not over.
Results
Provisional 1 Julio Alberto Perez Cuapio (Mex) Panaria 4.54.54 2 Paolo Savoldelli (Ita) Index Alexia 0.53 3 Dario Frigo (Ita) Tacconi Sport-Emmegi 0.55 4 Juan Manuel Garate (Spa) Lampre-Daikin 5 Aitor Gonzalez Jimenez (Spa) Kelme-Costa Blanca 6 Tyler Hamilton (USA) Team CSC Tiscali 0.58 7 Cadel Evans (Aus) Mapei-Quick Step 8 Pietro Caucchioli (Ita) Alessio 9 Eddy Mazzoleni (Ita) Tacconi Sport-Emmegi 10 Oscar Pereiro Sio (Spa) Phonak Hearing Systems 11 Ivan Gotti (Ita) Alessio 12 Fernando Escartin (Spa) Team Coast 17 Michael Rasmussen (Den) Team CSC Tiscali 18 Denis Lunghi (Ita) Team Colpack-Astro General classification after stage 16 1 Cadel Evans (Aus) Mapei-Quick Step 73.09.23 2 Dario Frigo (Ita) Tacconi Sport-Emmegi 0.16 3 Tyler Hamilton (USA) Team CSC Tiscali 0.18 4 Aitor Gonzalez Jimenez (Spa) Kelme-Costa Blanca 0.24 5 Pietro Caucchioli (Ita) Alessio 0.32 6 Paolo Savoldelli (Ita) Index Alexia 0.48 7 Juan Manuel Garate (Spa) Lampre-Daikin 1.26 8 Fernando Escartin (Spa) Team Coast 2.09 ... 12 Jens Heppner (Ger) Team Telekom 5.00
