Tirreno-Adriatico & The Pro Rider’s Fear of Gradients

Here’s proof that pro riders are human after all.  A group of riders – who shall remain nameless to protect their dignity(and because I can’t make out their race numbers) – have come to a virtual standstill at the foot of the final climb of Stage 6 of the Tirreno Adriatico.

It was an epic stage of racing, that echoed the sport’s heroic past when riders like Merckx and Hinault would think nothing of riding up a mountain in a snow storm with just a sodden, woolen jersey for warmth and a mushy banana for sustenance.

It also gave comfort to every amateur racer and pedal-mashing dreamer out there who has felt the energy drain from their legs at the foot of the final climb of the day.

Yesterday, it was the 27 per cent gradient of Sant Elpidio a Mare.  The peloton had already been over this horrible lump three times previously, and now faced a final assault – this time from the opposite, but no less forgiving, direction – before the finish of the 209 km stage.  And all of it under a constant, cold drizzle of rain.

And the photograph above shows the carnage that ensued.

Afterwards, race organisers faced accusations of sadism from riders, but largely praise from fans.

It was a brave decision to include Sant Elpidio a Mare.  Not only has it never been featured in an elite race before, it is the steepest climb on the Italian race calendar this year.  That must provide some consolation to the riders due to compete in this year’s Giro.

Among the riders tweeting their concern was Mark Cavendish who, wisely perhaps, had bailed out long before the stage finish.  He tweeted later:

“Discussing the 27% climb in today’s stage with ‪@martinvelits & wondered what’s the steepest gradient you could possibly ride on a road bike?”

Meanwhile, race organizer Michele Acquarone – who has also designed the route for the Giro – took to Twitter to respond to observations from riders and fans.

One fan wrote: “Watching todays stage made it easy to fall in love with cycling all over again.”

But another said: “What about teams/riders made mistake by underestimating route & insufficiently adjusted their bikes?”

Acquarone obviously empathized with the teams, tweeting this in response to the praise he received:  “You are nice, but if you lose half your peloton, you just have to be honest and learn from mistakes.  Many of you enjoyed it, but it was too much. We lost the right balance.”

If that leads to Acquarone being more cautious with his route planning in the future, it will be the sport’s loss.   Churning up a steep gradient is about as epic as cycling can get.  The effort and suffering of cycling is exposed in sharp, unforgiving close-up.

We want more please!