Giro 2014: Stage 11 - Rogers descends to stage 11 win

Michael Rogers won the 11th stage of the Giro d'Italia, attacking on the final descent after the Androni team had reeled in the 14 man break-away that had looked set to contest the finish. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 11th stage Giro 2014

1. Michael Rogers (aus)
2. Simon Geschke (Ger)
3. Enrico Battaglin (ita) s.t.
4. Wilco Kelderman (Nld) s.t.
5. Gianluca Brambilla (ita) s.t.
6. Moreno Moser (ita) s.t.
7. Ryder Hesjedal (can) s.t.
8. Matteo Rabottini (ita) s.t.
9. Fabio Duarte (col) s.t.
10. Alexis Vuillermoz (fra) s.t.

GC after stage 11
1. Cadel Evans (aus)
2. Rigoberto Uran (col) + 0.57
3. Rafal Majka (pol) + 1.10
4. Domenico Pozzovivo (ita) + 1.20
5. Steve Morabito (Swi) +1.31
6. Fabio Aru (ita) + 1.39
7. Wilco Kelderman (Nld) + 1.44
8. Nairo Quintana (col) + 1.45
9. Robert Kiserlovski (Cro) + 1.49
10. Ivan Basso (ita) + 2.01

Race Report

The fast pace in the first hour – 49.8 kph – explains why it took so long for a breakaway to form. BMC kept the pace high, as there was always a risk a big group could get away and take too much time. The high tempo even created a split in the peloton with Scarponi one of many suffering at the back.

A breakaway eventually formed on the first climb and Arredondo grabbed the mountain points to secure his lead in that classification.

This break didn’t last however, it did setup the real break of the day with Francesco Bongiorno (Bardiani), Moreno Moser (Cannondale), Francis Mourey (FDJ), Jan Polanc (Lampre), Yonathan Monsalve (Nero Sottoli), Perrig Quemeneur (Europcar), Romain Sicard (Europcar), Björn Thurau (Europcar), Georg Preidler (Giant-Shimano), Daniel Moreno (Katusha), Eduard Vorganov (Katusha), Phililp Deignan (Sky), Nicolas Roche (Tinkoff-Saxo) and Ivan Rovny (Tinkoff-Saxo) going clear.

The main peloton at this point was down to about 60 riders. Today had breakaway win written all over it, and at this point, those predictions looked like they would be proved correct.

However, frustrated that they missed the break, the Androni team started riding hard up front, much to the frustration of Cadel Evans who saw teammate Morabito go down in a crash. No other team helped but Androni were committed and managed to close the gap.

At the base of Naso di Gatto the breakaway splintered and Arredondo shot out of the peloton looking for mountain points. He joined the remains of the break – Roche, Moreno, Preidler en Bongiorno – and then soon dropped them all apart from a resolute Preidler. Arredondo took the points and was then joined by Zardini, Rolland, Losada and Androni’s Pelizotti who had all attacked out of the peloton.

This break was shortlived, probably due to Rolland’s high position on GC. Once they were brought back, Michael Rogers attacked solo. The Aussie, just back from a Clenbuterol ban (that he was cleared of) tore down the descent with no regard for his own safety and built up a 40 second cushion.

Once he hit the bottom of the descent it was into time-trial mode and he held off the peloton for a stage win made all the sweeter after his winter troubles.

Giro 2014 stage 11: Images and more

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Michael Rogers


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