Adam Hansen, president of the CPA riders union has just confirmed that the stage is under talks of being shortened, and that a majority of riders have chosen to do the final 70km of today's stage amidst the weather conditions.
#giro To confirm, Stage 10 of the #Giro@giroditalia is under talks of making the stage shorter due to 3 degrees and rain at the top of the climb. 80km/h Gusty winds is predicted also at the top, plus landslides I head too. All stakeholders are there. The riders choice was to…
— Adam Hansen (@HansenAdam) May 16, 2023
If this was to go through, it could be a blow for any team strategising for a breakaway, and essentially boil it down to a straightforward sprint. But it's not like a race has proven me wrong before!
While I can't help but smile at the maglia rosa-clad G, there's another G who's thinking "not again".
It's that time of year folks https://t.co/AN9AMKcNrRpic.twitter.com/RiC6R5gqkx
— Geraint Thomas (@geraintthomas) May 15, 2023
This Geraint Thomas, a lecturer in visual effects at USW was tagged by several official accounts and received hundreds of congratulations messages, when our Geraint Thomas won the Tour de France in 2018.
Now it's happened again at the Giro! Enjoy this wholesome exchange between the two Geraints from five years ago:
You’re welcome pic.twitter.com/Xs3i0OhROB
— Geraint Thomas (@GeraintThomas86) July 30, 2018
HELP! They're dropping like flies!
#Giro🇮🇹
Unfortunately @CallumScotson has tested positive for Covid-19 with mild symptoms and will not start today’s stage 10 ❌
Get well soon, Callum. pic.twitter.com/uAMZwB0292
— Team Jayco AlUla (@GreenEDGEteam) May 16, 2023
Maybe it is my amnesiac memory, but this recent bout of cases in the peloton feels worse than the peak Covid times...
The virus seems to be spreading way quicker than anyone thought...
Unfortunately, Domenico Pozzovivo and Mads Würtz Schmidt won’t take the start of stage 10 today.
Domenico tested positive for Covid this morning. Mads has returned negative tests but hasn’t been feeling well since yesterday and isn’t in a position to start.
__
🇮🇹 #Giro— Israel – Premier Tech (@IsraelPremTech) May 16, 2023
Am I surprised? No. Am I disappointed? Yes. Could the race organisers have reinstated the mask mandate quicker and provided better precautionary guidelines? Maybe.
And as I was going to hit publish, this just in...
However, Sven Erik Bystrøm started to develop symptoms on the night of Monday to Tuesday. As a precautionary measure and in order to preserve his health, he will return home to rest. (2/2)
— Intermarché-Circus-Wanty (@IntermarcheCW) May 16, 2023
I tried a drill and it skittered on the surface with no effect. Before @cathsbruv jumps in I am fully aware of how much of a muppet I am but the rattle is now very annoying, please help!!!
— mike anthony (@ovverbruv) May 15, 2023
Honestly, I would leave it as it is instead of fiddling around more, but hey I'm also no engineer...
If you readers have any tips for the poor chap, help him out!
The World Championships is coming to Scotland, and there's one thing for certain: there will be some amazing pubs for all visitors to check out.
Glasgow’s Licensing Board has agreed to extend licensed hours for the event, which runs from August 3 to August 13.
A spokesperson for the board said: “The UCI Cycling World Championships will see the world’s greatest riders gather in Glasgow and Scotland to compete at the highest level.
“It is the first time all 13 world cycling championship disciplines will be combined into a single event and this will put Glasgow in the international spotlight during eleven days of competition.
“We will be welcoming competitors, officials and fans from around the world during the championships and there will be a vibrant atmosphere across the city during early August.
“Glasgow has a fantastic reputation for staging major, international events and we are confident Glasgow will again prove to be an excellent host.”
I wonder how will Wout van Aert take to British beers, or some single malt scotch, if that's his thing? Surely nobody will be offered an Amstel again...
> Tom Pidcock unimpressed by Amstel beer... but Pogačar chops the lot
Meanwhile, while the booze is sorted, can we have some updates on the state of the pothole-laden roads please?
Did you think I wouldn't have any updates from the Giro's rest day to kickstart the blog?
Geraint Thomas, who will be wearing the pink jersey when stage 10 of the Italian Grand Tour resumes today (oh, masks are compulsory again, in case you missed it) after Evenepoel pulled out, didn't believe at first that Evenepoel actually had Covid.
"He messaged me just before the announcement," the Ineos Grenadiers rider said. "At first, I kind of thought, 'Is he winding me up a bit? Telling a bit of a joke?' After the whole Roglič stuff, as well. But then obviously came the announcement, and it was a bit surprising."
A new jersey tomorrow morning then 👀 Let's see what we can do about keeping it. But gutted to see @EvenepoelRemco go home like that. The race will miss you mate #Giropic.twitter.com/W0D3IhFj2F
— Geraint Thomas (@GeraintThomas86) May 15, 2023
On the weekend, Thomas had joked about the Slovenian having the virus, after rumours had been flying like cyclists in choppers after a stage, but those rumours were quickly put to bed by Jumbo Visma.
The Welshman will look to extend his lead today, currently just two seconds ahead of Roglič, with Thomas' teammate Geoghegan Hart further behind. Now with Evenepoel out, the Giro d'Italia probably represents Ineos Grenadiers best bet to win a Grand Tour this season, with the team already having five riders in the top 15.
Geraint Thomas arriving to stage 10 in Pink #giropic.twitter.com/25EoQ3c5EO
— Lia (@quellaLia) May 15, 2023