Giro d'Italia stage 16 – Live coverage

Buongiorno and welcome to the Queen stage of the 2021 Giro d'Italia into the high Dolomites. 

As the minutes countdown to the start, talks are still ongoing about changing the stage due to the rain and cold weather, especially at altitude.  

The riders are signing on but there are various options to reduce the stage. 

Alberto Bettiol of EF has told Italian television that he, his team and apparently the majority of the peloton want to race the full stage. 

Several alternative routes have been considered, including covering the first part by team bus and then taking times at the top of the Passo Giau.   

Breaking news: According to RAI television, the stage has been cut to 155km, cutting out the Fedaia and the Pordoi but keeping the descent from the Passo Giau to the finish in Cortina. 

The stage will climb  the Passo Giau and in theory descend to Cortina but it seems this could change during the day if the weather does not improve. 

Cristian Salvato, the CPA rider's association representitive has confirmed the stage will be reduced.  

While some riders were ready to race the full 212km and all three major climbs, others were concerned about the cold on the long descents.

That lead to the decision to cut the Passo Fedaia and the Passo Pordoi.

With the stage distance reduced from  212km to 153km, the stage is expected to start later than planned. 

The stage will start an hour later, at 11:30 local time in Italy, an hour later than planned to ensure the reduced stage follows the expected schedule for the final part and finish in Cortina.  However the stage is likely to finish an hour or so before planned.  

Cristian Salvato, the CPA representative spoke about the  changes to the stage.

"I think it’s the best decision. The riders want to race the stage and put on a show but the stage was going to go over 2000m three times. We hoped for an improvement in the weather and tried to do the whole stage but looking at the forecasts for the high mountains they could get worse. 

"We didn’t want to expose the riders to risks in the high mountains and I want to thank RCS Sport for taking the best decision possible. The Passo Giau is still set to be raced in the hope the weather improves during the day.

"The riders will race hard and put on a show." 

This is the new stage profile. As you can see, the Passo Fedaia and the Passo Pordoi have been cut from the stage, reducing the climbing from 5700m to around 3800m. 

The new Cima Coppi, the prize at the highest climb of the Giro, will be awarded to the first rider to the summit of the Passo Giau.

This is the new map and profile. Cutting out the loop over the Passo Fedaia and the Passo Pordoi

Maurio Vegin the head of RCS Sport and the race director  spoke to Italian television after some intense talks with the team representatives and race officials

"Our first objective is to ensure the riders reach Milan safely," he said.

"The weather conditions could be good but we don't know how the forecast will go. We decided it was more important to do a shorter intense stage rather than face a complex situation, that’s why we’ve cut the two long descents.  

“We can’t cancel all the stage, there’s always some risks involved in racing." 

Vegni explained: 

"Now they’ll only risk during the last 10km, on the descent of the Passo Giau to Cortina, we’ve cut out the other long descents and we think we’ve protected the riders and the stage.

"We’re all given up something and the riders have agreed to race the reduced stage.

"The one condition we had during the talks and when accepting the changes was that the stage finished in Cortina. The option of taking the times at the summit of the Passo Giau doesn't exist now. The stage will go to the finish in Cortina."

Yesterday Vincenzo Nibali crashed and hurt a rub but his Trek-Segafredo team have confirmed he will race on in the Giro d'Italia. 

With the stage now scheduled to start at 11:30, the riders are soon expected to head to the start line. 

It's still raining hard at the start in Sacile. 

The changes to the stage reduce the distance from 212km to 153km. However the loss of the Passo Fedaia and the Passo Pordoi will change the stage dramatically. 

The first climb of the La Crosetta after just 13km will surely inspire attacks from riders hoping to get in the break.   

The Passo Giau is the only major climb of the day but it is  ten kilometres long, averaging a very steady but demanding gradient of 9.3 per cent prior to the technical but fast drop down to Cortina d’Ampezzo, 18 kilometres further on. 

The riders are on the start line, wrapped up under capes and warm clothing.

Egan Bernal is on the front line, his maglia rosa covered by two Ineos capes.  

The race holds a minutes silence to remember the victims of the tragic Mottarone cable car accident yesterday, when 14 people were killed.    

As the bells ring out over Sacile,  the riders roll out. 

Despite the reduction to the stage, it should still be an epic day of racing.  

We will have all the action from the stage. 

With the weather wet and cold and the first climb coming early, several teams warmed-up on the rollers.

The riders are tucked in behind the race directors car in the neutralised section of the stage. 

The flag drops and the stage is underway!

The roads are covered in rain but the attacks come straight away.

One riders is off the front of the peloton.

It's a brave Alpecin-Fenix rider.

It's Louis Vervaeke.

Thomas De Gendt (Lotto Soudal) did not start today, posting a moving message to explain why. 

"With tears in my eyes and pain in the knee i have to say goodbye to the Giro," he wrote on social media. 

"I could not perform on my normal level the last 2 weeks and there was no improvement. The only right decision that could be made at this moment. I’m sorry to leave my 2 teammates behind."

Lotto-Soudal now has only two riders left: Harm Vanhoucke and Stefano Oldani.

Other riders are on the move from the peloton. 

A small group of riders are emerging from the peloton as the first climb begins.

Cavagna is there for Deceuninck-QuickStep.

Louis Vervaeke is still out front but the attackers have been pulled back and new attacks made.

Davide Formolo (UAE) is on the move. 

The rain is pouring down but the race is on and the attacks keep coming. 

This video was shot part way up the Passo Fedaia, with conditions worse higher up and cold on the long descent.

Some of the best climbers and attackers are on the move.

Joao Almeida is also in the attack.

Behind Remco Evenepeol had to chase from the team cars after a mechanical problem. but he is back in the peloton.

Others riders have joined the attack to create an interesting and very big break. This could go far.  

There are 21 riders in thew move, including Vincenzo Nibali! 

The 21 attackers are near the summit of the La Crosetta climb. 

It will be interesting to see the gap at the summit. 

The attack will force Ineos to lead the chase. Dan Martin is only 7:50 down on GC, while Joao Almeida is ast 8:32.

Seeing Vincenzo Nibali on the attack, confirms the Sicilian's bravery.

Click below to read Barry Ryan's story from the Giro d'Italia.

Giro d'Italia: Vincenzo Nibali sustains rib injury in stage 15 crash

Other riders are managing to cross to the break. Bardiani CSF have got Visconti and Zoccorato in the move.

This shot shows Almeida in the attack.

These are the riders in the attack. There's some quality and talented riders in there. 

Geoffrey Bouchard (AG2R Citroen), Louis Vervaeke (Alpecin-Fenix), Natnael Tesfatsion (Androni-Sidermec), Gorka Izagirre (Astana-PremierTech), Jan Tratnik (Bahrain-Victorious), Matteo Fabbro, Felix Großschartner (Bora-hansgrohe), Joao Almeida (Deceuninck-QuickStep), Marton Dina (EOLO-Kometa), Jan Hirt (Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert), Koen Bouwman (Jumbo-Visma), Harm Vanhoucke (Lotto Soudal), Antonio Pedrero, Einer Rubio, Davide Villella (Movistar), Tanel Kangert (Team BikeExchange), Nicolas Roche (Team DSM), Vincenzo Nibali, Gianluca Brambilla, Amanuel Ghebreigzabhier (Trek-Segafredo), Davide Formolo (UAE Team Emirates).

The riders are over the top of the La Crosetta and are on the plateau. It's still pouring with rain.

Bouchard was the first to the KOM at the top of La Crosetta, to defend and extend his lead in the mountains competition. 

Nibali was second and Zoncolan winner Lorenzo Fortunato (Eolo) was third. 

The peloton has let them go and the gap is up to 3:00. 

The riders are back on the descent and there is thick mist, making descending even more difficult. 

110km to go

The riders are heading to Belluno and will head up the fast valley road to Agordo.

They will climb from 395m to 998m in Caprile, during the 50km of valley road.

There are a total of 24 riders in the attack.

The break is powering along in the rain.

And guess woh is in there?

Indeed, the break has split on the descent.

Nibali is in the six, with Almeida and Formolo, and they lead the rest of the 24-rider attack by 30 seconds or so.

The peloton has slipped to 3:40.

100km to go

Ineos are lining out the peloton but this will be a real test for the British super team. 

It was raining hard when the stage started in Sacile and its still raining cats and dogs as the race heads into the mountains.

This was Egan Bernal at the start. He sits behind four teammates in the peloton but sits up and opens and closes his arms to try to stay warm.  

These are the riders in the attack: Nibali, Ghebreizgbhier, G.Izagirre, Formolo, Almeida and Pedrero.

They are extending their lead on the rest of the 24-rider big attack to 45 seconds. 

The six have extended their lead out to over 1:00. 

The Bernal peloton is at 4:20. 

95km to go

The peloton is 5:0 down on the attackers. 

The rain is so heavy that it is almost dark. 

This is the top of the Passo Fedaia. It's 2C and snowing. 

It was clearly a logical decision to cut the two long climbs and especially the long descents, from the stage route.

The riders are passing through Belluno now. 

80km to go

The break is pushing on.

Nibali is doing big licks in the attack. 

Nibali, Ghebreizgabhier, G.Izagirre, Formolo, Almeida and Pedrero lead the 18 riders from the big break by 2:30. 

The peloton is at 5:45. 

Nibali, Almeida and Formolo are getting close to being virtual race leader.

If they lose time on the Passo Giau, they could still move back into the top ten or better.

Salvatore Puccio and Filippo Ganna are leading the peloton for Bernal. 

The rain is pouring down, perhaps heavier than all day.

This is the summit of the Passo Giau. 

The other 2000m+ climbs have been cut from the stage but the race will climb the 10km climb later and then descend to Cortina.

Ganna is on the front of the peloton, lining out the riders behind him. 

70km to go

Behind Ineos the Bike Exchange are lined out protecting Simon Yates.

The six attackers have a gap of 3:00 on the rest of the big move but they have perhaps made a tactical mistake in the valley. 

The gradual climbing but main road makes it easier for the chasers and so harder for six riders to open a big gap.

The peloton riders through a tunnel and so enjoy a moment of dry roads.

This is the Nibali break. They still lead the chasers by 3:25, with the peloton at 5:30.

Egan Bernal is wearing leg warmers and two capes to try to stay warm.

60km to go

Nibali has the support of  Ghebreizgabhier in the break, with the  Eritrean rider able to drive the attack. 

Izagirre, Formolo, Almeida and Pedrero are also working in the attack. 

However they will need a significant gap on the GC riders to survive over the Passo Giau. 

Britain's Hugh Carthy (EF) was keen to race the full 212km stage sand climb high into the Dolomites.

"We woke up, we saw rain this morning, and Hugh said ‘we have a chance to win the Giro today’," revealed Carthy’s teammate, Tejay van Garderen on Monday morning. 

However, Carthy’s enthusiasm was soon dampened as he turned up to the start and discussions began between riders and race organisers surrounding possible amendments to the route. 

Click below to read our full story. 

Carthy sensed a chance to win Giro d'Italia before stage 16 alteration

Fortunately for the riders, the rain has eased up. It's still coming down, just down in bucket loads like earlier when Ganna was riding on the front.    

Ganna and Ineos have worked so well that they have swept up the remains of the 24-rider attack. 

There are just six riders away now, including Nibali, Almeida and Formolo. 

Nibali, Ghebreizgabhier, G.Izagirre, Formolo, Almeida and Pedrero are all working well together, taking turns on the front of the attack. 

They're trying to escape the grasp of the Ineos-lead peloton before the Passo Giau.

Everyone in Italy would perhaps want a Nibali win but Izagirre, Formolo and Almeida are all tough riders and capable of winning the stage.

Riders are trying to feed and eat as often as possible. 

50km to go

The riders have covered 103km of this reduced stage. 

It's time for the finale in the Dolomites!

We could see Simon Yates attack Bernal today on the Passo Giau. But Yates is staying wrapped up for now. 

45km to go

EF have put two riders on the front to help with the chase because Almeida could move back up in the GC and threaten Carthy's fifth place overall.

The riders are near Caprile and will soon turn right towards the Passo Giau instead of left to climb the Passo Fedaia and the Passo Pordoi.

The riders are just 20km from the start of the Passo Giau. 

Tejay van Garderen is now on the front for EF.  

As the valley road rises, and the pace stays high, some riders are being spat out of the peloton. 

The gap to the Nibali attack is down to 4:20. 

Tejay van Garderen's work is reducing the gap. It's 4:00 now.

Ghebreizgabhier is leading the attack, trying to help Nibali stay away.

EF is riding behind for Carthy, so he can perhaps try to win the stage and move up in the GC.

Bettiol is also riding for EF and Carthy. 

Ghebreizgabhier has been dropped from the attack after doing a lot of work to help Nibali. 

The EF pacing in the GC group is also hurting. Evenepoel has been distanced. 

And the Passo Giau has still to start.

Evenepoel is already 2:00 off the pace. That ends his GC hopes but could free him to go for a stage victory in the final week. 

There are just 30 rider in the Bernal GC group. 

The road is steepening here as the attackers start the climb from Caprile to Colle Santa Lucia. It is a 9km climb. 

It is followed  by short descent and then the Passo Giau begins. It is 10km long at 9 per cent. 

It climbs up the side of the mountain up to the rocky Monte Nuvolau.

EF's work has pulled the break back to just 2:30.

Carthy really does want to do something today.

This is the profile of the Passo Giau.

The Passo Giau is a brute of a climb. It's gradient is constant and almost aways close to 10 per cent as it snakes up the side of the mountain.

Mamma Mia! 

On a short descent Izagirre goes not the grass and almost hits a parked car.

He is a little shocked and perhaps has a mechanical problem.  

Here we go! The Passo Giau starts!

The five attackers lead by just 1:40. Despite their brave efforts, it is unlikely to be enough.

Indeed Izagirre has a front flat.

Pedrero leads by  50 metres but Formolo and Nibali are just behind. Almeida is a little further back.

This first part of the Gaiu is especially steep. 

Vlasov has to stop. His cape became caught in his chain.

Vlasov will have to chase the GC group.

Up front Formolo tries to go clear. 

Vlasov is 150m off the back of the GC group as EF drive the pace for Carthy.

Formolo has a gap but is going deep early on the Giau.  

The GC group is down to less than 10 riders.

Martinez is there with Bernal.  

Also there are Carthy and his EF teammate Carr, Ciccone, Bardet. 

Simon Yates is at the back of the GC group.

Up front Nibali is fading. 

Almeida is pacing his ride and spinning a lower gear. He could come past Formolo very soon.

Yates is slipping off the back of the GC group. 

Vlasov is 100m behind the GC group.

There are still 7km to climb of the Giau. 

Yates is off the back. 

Caruso is in the GC group as Vlasov tries to get back on.

Carr is doing a huge job for Carthy. He's hurting everyone. 

Yates is trying to limit his losses in the line of cars.

Pedrero has gapped Formolo and Almedia. They lead by 1:00.  

Pedrero has still to win a race as a pro but he has a chance today.

Boom! Attack by Bernal!

Carthy is on his wheel. Bardet too.

The attackers lead the GC riders by 30 seconds. 

Bernal can see Pedrero and Almeida.

The riders are climbing in the mist.

Bernal is about to pass everyone. 

Carthy, Caruso and Bardet are chasing Bernal.

Bernal is out front alone! 

The gradient is constantly 9% with short sweeping hairpin.

Bernal is taking ti e on all his GC rivals on the climb but he also faces the long descent to Cortina.

Whatever happens, today's reduced stage will shake-up the race.

Bernal is 2.5km from the top of the Gaiu. He's alone, dancing on the pedals out of each hairpin bend. 

Bernal is climbing above the snow level with 1.5km to go to the summit. 

He has distanced all his rivals by 300 metres, he's almost out of sight.

Caruso is leading the chase of Bernal ahead of Carthy, Bardet and Almeida.

Ciccone is 10 seconds or so behind them, followed by Vlasov. 

Nibali was caught and passed earlier on the Gaiu after being in the break of the day.

Bernal is 800m from the summit of the Giau.  

Yates is with Vlasov and chasing Bernal at 1:00.

This is the moment Izagirre almost crashed due to a front wheel flat.

Bernal leads over the top of the Giau. 

Caruso is 2nd at 45 seconds.

Bardet, Ciccone and others are there. 

Riders are making sure they pull on their capes for the fast descent to the finish in Cortina.

Bardet was timed at 1:15 and Ciccone at 1:30.

As first rider to the top of the Giau, Bernal has taken the Cima Coppi prize.   

Carthy was 5th over the Giau, ahead of Almeida and Vlasov.

No sign of Yates in the top ten.  

Today's stage will shake-up the GC.

Carthy is descending well, despite the cold.

10km to go

Bernal is still away alone on the fast descent to Cortina.

Caruso is about 45 seconds behind, with Carthy at 1:20 or so.

Simon Yates is taking risks on the descent as he fights to stay in the GC top five.

Caruso has emerged as the strongest behind Bernal.

Caruso is at 30 seconds, he's slowly closing the gap on Bernal.

Yates is timed at 2:40! 

8km to go. 

The gradient eases at Pocol but then dives down again.

There are fewer hairpins on this final part of the descent.

Yates has lost time to Vlasov on the descent.

6km to go. 

Bernal leads Caruso by 30 seconds.

5Km to go

Bardet is close to catching Caruso, they're 40 seconds behind Bernal.

Yates is at 2:40.

3km to go.

Bernal is about to reach Cortina and win his second stage of this year's Giro. 

Bardet has caught Caruso and they're only 32 seconds behind Bernal. 

Bernal is the lower part of Cortina. He just has to climb to the finish in the town centre.  

1km to go.

Here's Bernal. He pedals all the way to the finish line.

Bernal wins in Cortina! 

He takes off his cape in the final metres to show off his maglia rosa!

Here come Bardet and Caruso.

They finish 27 down on Bernal.

Ciccone  wins the sprint for 4th place at 1:18. Then Carthy and Almeida come in. 

Here comes Vlasov.

Vlasov finishes 2:12 down on Bernal.

Yates is suffering and finishes at 2:36.

Meanwhile Evenepoel is timed at over 21 minutes back at the summit of the Giau.

Bernal celebrated with his arms in the air, venting his anger and pride by shouting 'Yes!' as he crossed the line.

Wow! What a ride by the Colombian.

He showed his talent by winning the 2019 Tour de France but now he is showing his grinta and determination. Chapeau!  

The riders are finishing one by one, all tired, empty and wet after racing all day in the rain.

This is the stage result.

Bernal lost a few seconds with his determination to take off his cape to show off his maglia rosa. But he really wanted to win in pink.

Bernal has extended his overall lead to 2:24, with Caruso up to second. 

Carthy is third at 3:40.

Vlasov is 4th at 4:18.

Yates has slipped to 5th at 4:20. 

This is the top ten General classification after stage 16:

1 Egan Bernal Gomez (Col) Ineos Grenadiers 66:36:04
2 Damiano Caruso (Ita) Bahrain Victorious 0:02:24
3 Hugh Carthy (GBr) EF Education-Nippo 0:03:40
4 Aleksandr Vlasov (Rus) Astana-Premier Tech 0:04:18
5 Simon Yates (GBr) Team BikeExchange 0:04:20
6 Giulio Ciccone (Ita) Trek-Segafredo 0:04:31
7 Romain Bardet (Fra) Team DSM 0:05:02
8 Daniel Martinez Poveda (Col) Ineos Grenadiers 0:07:17
9 Tobias Foss (Nor) Jumbo-Visma 0:08:20
10 João Almeida (Por) Deceuninck-QuickStep 0:10:01

"Winning in the maglia rosa is special, I want to do it well. I’m really happy. I think we rode a great stage," Bernal said soon after the finish.

Bernal is on the podium in a new, clean maglia rosa. 

Here is Yates earlier in the stage. He suffered today.

Here's Bernal celebrating his stage win in Cortina. 

Bernal also takes the special trophy for the Cima Coppi. 

Uff. Remco Evenepoel finishes now, his GC hopes are over. He lost at  least minutes today.

Bernal really wanted this victory.

"I wanted to put on a show," Bernal said. 

"This is the kind of cycling I like, when its wet and cold and you need Grinta. 

"I wanted to do something special. It’s risky but I thought I could do it and the team believed in me." 

Here comes the gruppetto, including Peter Sagan. They finish over 45 minutes down. 

EF DS Charly Wegelius spoke post-stage about Carthy. 

"We knew that with the revised route that we were racing today and the fact that Ineos were racing in defense, the scenario that was playing out didn't really fit Hugh's characteristics the best so we tried to make the race suit Hugh well and I think the team did a great job with that," he said.

On Bernal, he said: "You have to put that in your planning in any case, with a Bernal in top condition he's extremely explosive. That's not a surprise to anybody.

"Obviously it's another rough day for the riders on the Giro, they've had a lot of rain and cold weather but I think they put on a super race. I hope the TV pictures will make it out some day because it was a good race."

Here is Bardet and Caruso as they finished 27 seconds down on Bernal. 

Other riders are still finishing the stage but they are all inside the very wide time limit.  

This is the CPA rider's association position on the reduction of the stage. 

Bernal was happy today. He proved he's the strongest in the race and also won the stage.  

Bernal's victory was his second at this year's Corsa Rosa. 

The last rider finished at 49 minutes but everyone was ruled to finish inside the time limit. 

To read our full stage report and see our growing photo gallery of all the racing in the rain and over the Dolomites, click below.   

Giro d'Italia: Egan Bernal wins stage 16

Well what a stage. There is much debate about if the weather was bad enough to justifying the loss of the Passo Fedaia and the Passo Pordoi but nobody could have know the exact conditions  on the climbs an the long descents. 

By making a compromise we still got a great stage of racing, with Bernal proving he is the strongest rider in the race. 

Our colleagues at Bici.Pro captured the moment Remco Evenepoel struggled into the team bus. 

However later he came out to talk about his day and loss of 24 minutes.

Our journalists in Cortina, Barry Ryan and Alasdair Fotheringham  were there to see Evenepoel speak.  

To understand the new GC at the Giro, click below on our special story. 

Giro d'Italia: Which GC riders lost time on stage 16 in the mountains

Ineos were happy to end the stage  with another  win and also strengthen Bernal's lead to 2:24 on Caruso, 3:40 on Carthy and now 4:20 on Yates.

Lead DS Matteo Tosatto spoke to Italian television after the stage. 

"The Giro doesn’t change one single bit for us," he said calmly.  

"We’re well placed, Egan feels good, and so does all the team. But we know we’ve got to be careful all the way to Milan. People say that rhetorical but it’s true. 

"If I was in the position of other teams, I wouldn’t sit on the wheel but would go on ther attack. We’ll take it stage by stage and see what happens.  There are still three hard stages to come and so the Giro is still open, I’d say it’s super open. 

We’ve just got to be careful that we race well, not get sick and carry on as we’ve doing all Giro."   

Asked about the polemics about the stage being reduced and two climbs cut due to the tough weather, Tosatto seemed to agreed with the decision.

"We were all ready to ride whatever the stage was," he said. 

"Then we heard the stage was reduced we prepared for that. It hurts not to ride a full stage but the forecasts were terrible, especially for the Passo Fedaia and Passo Pordoi and the I saw riders suffering in the cold even in the valley." 

For Bernal it was a day of celebration, for Simon Yates it was a day of suffering. 

Bike Exchange team manager Brent Copeland spoke to Italian television RAI about Yates. 

"We honestly hoped that Simon would do better. He didn’t suffer with the cold or for hunge knock, he just had a bad day, it can happen in a three-week race," Copeland said. 

"Now we’ll see what we do in the final week. His Giro is not over but against such a strong Bernal like today, it’s going to be very hard. We’re riding to win but Bernal is riding well too. It’s not over and we’ll try to do something and make it a spectacular Giro."

This photo summarises today's stage. It was cold and wet but spectacular. 

Alasdair Fotheringham and Barry Ryan were at the finish and the team buses in Cortina to witness the rider finish and talk to them post stage. 

We also have several quick stories with initial reaction, including this one on Simon Yates.

Simon Yates suffers bitter blow in Giro d'Italia GC battle on Passo Giau

Alasdair Fotheringham spoke to EF directeur sportif Charly Wegelius about Hugh Carthy moving up to a podium spot. 

Hugh Carthy moves into podium position as EF-Nippo go for broke at Giro d'Italia

We'll more stories and analysis from Cortina during the rest of the day. 

Tuesday is the second rest day of the Giro. Racing returns on Wednesday with stage 17 from Canazei to Sega di Ala, with another tough climb up to the finish near Lake Garda. 

We'll be back on Wednesday with full live coverage of all the action.