Watch the highlights of Day 2 here
NOMAN’s strength in depth was out for all to see in the scenic Dolomites today, as they extended their lead after Stage 2 of the Trois Etapes Giro today [Sunday 8th June 2014] with a total of 28 points.
They did just enough to hold off dZi Foundation, who are just two points behind [26 points].
In a similar vein to yesterday, no sooner had the Trois Etapes Giro riders got into the saddle they were climbing again with the Passo Giau, averaging at 9%. As the first timed ascent of the day, wise riders had taken in a few kilometres beforehand as a warm up before getting underway. Starting soon after leaving Caprile di Alleghe. The Giau’s 9% gradient was unrelenting and unforgiving, and characterised an exciting and testing climb that harboured some of the best vistas and scenery of the whole Trois Etapes Giro.
A descent to the 25km mark at the mountain town of Pocol brought about the second timed ascent on the Passo Falzarego, and although shorter than the preceding climb, riders were beginning to toil having covered so much climbing over the two days.
With the two big timed climbs out the way, the Passo Campolongo was still in the way for the Trois Etapes riders as they made their way back home. Comparatively, the Campolongo should have been an easier climb with an average grade of only 5% over just 6km, but with what had gone before you could have easily been forgiven for thinking it was much the same as the Giau and Falzarego.
Once crested at 1875m, riders could relax – a long descent back to the start town of Caprile di Alleghe ahead of them, and just reward for the three passes covered today. They will be glad of the rest and comparatively short nature of the stage (only 84.8km) because stage three is potentially the hardest of them all, with the Passo Fedaia ahead.
Tomorrow’s stage includes the Passo Fedaia and the eighth rider’s time is taken towards the General Classification, meaning teams will have to truly work as a team to take the double points and be in with a chance with overall victory. The dZi Foundation have riders who can dig deep, so will be out to take on NOMAN.
Team member Tristan Almada started the NOMAN campaign with his sisters Justine and Camille and the overwhelming support of their inaugural participants, to increase awareness about the Human Papillomavirus and its connection to men, while creating a unique endurance experience designed to represent the struggle and isolation that many cancer patients feel – especially those that carry an extremely challenging stigma.
The Trois Etapes Pro-Am Cycle Series – consisting of Trois Etapes Giro and Trois Etapes Tour – is organised by Cosaveli. The series provides a fantastic fundraising platform for charity partners and in just two years has seen an incredible $4.5 million raised for worthwhile causes.
The events are designed to give riders the chance to truly experience team cycling under race conditions, with the full support that a pro would have in a Grand Tour. The Trois Etapes incentivises tactical team riding – each team has its own team car and Directeur Sportif, and every rider has a radio link with their team car and the Race Director.
STAGE 2 BRIEF RESULTS:
NOMAN 28 points dZi Foundation 26 points Kids Company 18 points World Bicycle Relief 8 points