Stage 21: Verona (ITT) - GreenWightRed

Advance Australia Fair! in the lovely Verona Arena

Two ~~households~~ teams, both alike in ~~dignity~~ talent,
In fair Verona, where we lay our scene, …
Bill Rattlestaff (via Rob Hatch)

Sobrero in the Italian TT champion’s colours (Credit: **Tim de Waele/Getty Images**)

The finale was not as tense as anticipated, given that – short of disaster – Jai Hindley had settled the Ineos-Bora rivalry and won the race on the Passa Fodaio yesterday (or “Passos Fojaio” as I heard someone say today). And that wraps up the Jairo d’Italia for another year.

Nevertheless there was a stage to be won, and it was another Italian win, this time by Matteo Sobrero for Team Bike Exchange and for Linda’s It’s all guesswork who also include 9th place Michael Hepburn and 10th place Richard Carapaz, to make them Team of the Day (see also Stage 14).

The Results

The Green-Wight-Red Minileague

Congratulations to Stephen for a comprehensive win, now that the “End of Tour” points are totted up:

1st: Team Ciclominaccia (DS Stephen)
2nd: Don’t ruin it for me (DS Paul W)
3rd: Cashing the Giro (DS Simon)

Shout out to the Maglia Nera (*Hormonal Teenager*) limping over the line with 3 riders lefts, but still with a Top Ten finisher on the final day (Tobias Foss in 8th)

The Top Ten Chart

Top of the Pops was Team Ciclominaccia, so ditto congrats to Stephen in this category too.

1st: Team Ciclominaccia (DS Stephen) with a tally of 36 top ten stage finishers
=2nd: Don’t ruin it for me (DS Paul W) with 32 and 11 podiums
=2nd: Cashing the Giro (DS Simon) with 32 and 11 podiums

Special mensh to Dale’s *Questa Traduzione è Sbagliata* with the most podium finishes (12)

Jerseys and Prizes

This is always fun because of the opportunity for different teams to shine, through the efforts of those who embark on the breakaways (Mattia Bais who won the “Fuga” competition) or the lesser-fancied riders who find themselves defending a pink or white jersey (Juan Pedro Lopez). Congratulations to David whose squad who held off the later challenge of Matt’s team:

1st: Thin Fat Boys (DS David)
2nd: Yo Adrian (DS Matt)
3rd: Questa Traduzione è Sbagliata (DS Dale)

Special mensh to Callan and Dale with the most stage wins (5 each)

And that’s all folks! I hope the minileague and some of this blog nonsense enhanced your enjoyment of a very exciting Giro. Shall we do it all again in the Summer for the Tour de France. Time to get out on our real bikes now…