Garzelli time trials to stage win

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It may be a decade since Stefano Garzelli won the Giro d'Italia but atop the Plan de Corones this afternoon he turned back the clock to take an intriguing 16th stage that scaled the feared slopes and netted the Italian veteran the title: King of Corones.

The 36-year-old Varesine last tasted Giro success in 2007, winning two stages en route to finishing 16th overall, and as he started today's vital test against the clock more than 30 minutes in arrears of the general classification leaders, it was a brave soul willing to bet on him for honours at day's end.

But that's what he did, mastering the gravelled slopes that last hosted a stage of the Giro just two years ago (when Franco Pellizotti prevailed) and in so doing capping what could be his last appearance at the race in fine style, regardless of what happens in the following five days.

"I normally go well in time trials when they contain hills. I had a great ride in the Cinque Terre last year and I also usually go well the day after the rest day," said Garzelli.

"I got my best result at the Tour de France with a third place at L'Alpe d’Huez in 2006. But I didn't expect to win today. This is one of my nicest victories. I had times of reference, so I knew what to do in that climb."

For all the sentimental value attached to Garzelli's win, however, the battle that intrigued journalists, fans and the riders themselves was being waged between Ivan Basso and Cadel Evans, the Italian proving the strongest on the slopes of Monte Zoncolan last Sunday, where he moved himself into serious overall contention with a stunning performance.

He was up against the grinta of Evans however, the current road race world champion demonstrating his skill against the clock by taking back 28 seconds on his esteemed opponent, who, like the Australian, is trained by respected Italian cycling stalwart Aldo Sassi.

BMC Racing's captain had clawed back 18 seconds by the 7.6km intermediate time check (with the fastest split of 21:11) and another 10 seconds by stage's end to send an unmitigated message to the Liquigas leader: 'Ivan, you're not going to take this one easily!'

"I went my own pace," said Evans afterwards. "The stage was hard and a bit dangerous at times because of the crowds. But I was feeling good with my experience in mountain biking."

In the opinions of many watching today's proceedings it was essentially the battle for the maglia rosa, or at least a litmus test for expectations throughout the final week of racing, the settimana tanta dura set to provide more brilliant racing and test the resolve of those with aspirations of overall victory.

And despite the surprises of Garzelli's victory and John Gadret's fantastic third place finish on the stage, one aspect became crystal clear: both Evans and Basso have the form and mental toughness to battle this title fight through to the final chapter, the last day in Verona, where yet another time trial will pit the two against each other, with the Giro's trophy the reward at day's end.

This was reflected in Evans' comments after the stage: "There's still a ways to go. It's still an open Giro," he said. While today's chronoscalato didn't tell us who will prevail at race's end, it did provide an indication as to who's hot and ready for a fight over the next five days.

The stakes rise with the slopes

The key to performing well in today's stage was consistency; as riders faced 12.9km of climbing at an average gradient of 8.2 percent that maxed out at a ridiculously steep 24 percent, the man who could best manage his effort and retain a consistent pace would go far.

And that's not factoring in the effects of gravel roads, riders forced to try and maintain traction on the strade bianche section of the Plan de Corones, as though it wasn't difficult enough already.

Garzelli was the man to achieve that, smashing the hitherto best time of 43:04, set by Caisse d'Epargne's Riberto Uran. It was then a waiting game for the Acqua e Sapone rider, whose masculine features have netted him top billing on Dolce and Gabbana advertisements in the past and ultimately the face that would smile under the crown awarded to the King of Corones.

"I took it easy when it wasn't steep and I sprinted when it was hard," Garzelli said. "For the gravelled road the smallest possible gear: 34x29. When I saw my time at the finish, one minute behind Pellizotti's two years ago, I thought I had done really well. Maybe the GC contenders have started too strong on the Passo Furcia."

But before the celebrations could commence for a job well done, it was time for some machinations from those general classification contenders. Today's stage was labelled as an important step in the makeup of the final podium and it didn't disappoint, serving up an interesting treat for fans.

While first and second place on general classification at the start of the day, David Arroyo and Richie Porte respectively, were expected to struggle on the difficult parcours, all eyes were on Basso, Evans, Michele Scarponi and Carlos Sastre, the quartet of contenders carrying the weight of leadership in this challenge up Corones' brutal slopes.

Basso trailed the Caisse d'Epargne rider by 3:33, Sastre by 4:21, Evans by 4:43 and Scarponi by 6:34. By day's end the big winners were the aforementioned two men to watch: Basso and Evans, who moved into second and fourth respectively, plus Garzelli, who weathered the storm to win the stage by a whopping 42 seconds, and to a lesser degree Porte, who survived yet another tough test to remain the Giro's best young rider.

As for Arroyo, he netted himself 16th on the stage but more importantly stays in the maglia rosa for another day. "I'm happy, I thought I would lose more time. I've got through an important day today," he said.

"I'm not sure if I can win the Giro but the important thing is I've still got the pink jersey and I'll fight day-by-day to keep it. Hopefully we can carry on like this. If so, I could finish on the podium.

"I've got a lot of faith in my team. They know what they've got to do. And they always ride for me."

The surprise of the day was undoubtedly Gadret, Ag2R-La Mondiale's diminutive cyclo-cross expert pulling out a sensational time of 42:22, bettered only by Garzelli and Evans. Vincenzo Nibali also maintained pressure on the front runners with a 42:29 - good enough for fourth - which keeps him in sixth place, just 17 seconds off Sastre.

Tomorrow's stage ain't a ride in the park, for those thinking of a rest after today's efforts; the Passo delle Palade is the highlight of the parcours while the 173km stage finishes with a climb to Peio Terme. Look for Liquigas on the front of the peloton, keeping the pace high and protecting Basso's chances while a plucky break may aim for a brave, if unlikely, stage win.

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