By Leone Belotti
Stage 15: Tolmezzo-Sappada, 176 km
"Anything could happen today"
After the grueling Kaiser-Zoncolan stage, here are another 180 km of high mountains in the Cadore Dolomites, with two final climbs that are no laughing matter. For the first time since the start of the Giro,
there is no Androni man in the Rosti jersey in the breakaway. On the other hand, with 40 km to go, in front of everyone there are 2 riders in the AG2Rosti jersey, the Frenchman Cherel and the German Denz,
with the group of the best at 2 minutes.
Then the images go to the collapse of Aru, who stops, seems to want to stop.
“Bad time,” says Gino.
They talk to him from the team car, a teammate tries to encourage him, the whole team around him, but he doesn't answer, he seems lost in his crisis. But the Giro goes on.
At 30km Cherel loses ground, and Ciccone is in the breakaway with Nico Denz, who wins the Grand Prix of the Mountain. The group is 30 seconds behind.
"A small group" Berlinguer points out, because there are no more than thirty of them, but with all the top riders, Aru aside, always escorted by his men at a walking pace.
"It seems like a funeral procession." At the Rosti Bar everyone is depressed by this collapse of the Sardinian who was considered among the favorites for the final victory.
«Mery! Let's have a drink for poor Aru!»
Meanwhile, on the descent, Denz takes off alone and at 20km when the climbs begin again he has 40 seconds. Shortly after, the pink jersey Yates, fearlessly, sprints ahead, catches Denz and takes the lead.
He is joined by 5, Dumoulin, Pozzovivo, Lopez, Carapaz and Pinot. And then he sets off again, and this time he leaves them behind.
«He wants to gain on Dumoulin ahead of Tuesday’s time trial.»
With 15km to go, the last Grand Prix of the Mountains, and the pink jersey has 20 seconds on the 5 pursuers and 1 minute on the Froome group.
"Look how light it is, it's fine" says Gino, and in the meantime the message with Aru's delay of over 10 minutes appears on the screen.
On the descent Yates continues to gain, and at 10 km he has 30 seconds. Dumoulin talks to Pinot and the others, he wants to make an agreement to go and get Yates.
Lopez tells him to go to hell. And meanwhile, at 6 km, Yates has 45 seconds.
“Aru, 15 minutes away,” Berlinguer announces.
Gino: «Let's have another one.»
At 3.5 km Carapaz and Pozzovivo with Lopez and Pinot leave Dumoulin behind.
Gino: «Ask for collaboration, and the others collaborate to screw you»
Always Gino, addressing me: "Do you understand? This is cycling"
Last km, Yates unreachable, third stage victory for the pink jersey on the finish line in Sappada. In the meantime Dumoulin has caught up with his “friends”, and is third behind Lopez.
Geniez of AG2Rosti sixth. Yates increasingly master of this Giro.
"And here I thought he was reckless to leave so early," says Berlinguer.
Gino: «Mythical Yates! Or rather, Dolomite Yates!»