GIRO D’ITALIA 2021

Giro d’Italia 2021 Recap

The 2021 edition of the Giro d’Italia has now come to a close and what a show it was. Israel Start-Up Nation went into the race with a strong line-up and ambitions to win a stage and go after the General Classification. Throughout the 21 day race through Italy’s most stunning, yet brutally challenging regions, the team rode day in, day out giving their all for a result.

Their hard work was rewarded early on as Alessandro De Marchi rode himself into the Maglia Rosa on Stage 4 after an incredibly gutsy ride. De Marchi made the day’s breakaway and charged on to claim second on the stage, soaring into the race lead as he went. The Italian rider has been professional for 10 years, and on this day, realised his childhood dream. He went on to proudly defend the lead, wearing the leaders jersey on Stage’s 5 and 6, marking a historic occasion for the team as their first ever moment in pink. It was a beautiful scene as De Marchi raced in the Maglia Rosa on board the Factor OSTRO VAM.

The team persevered through a relentless middle week, enduring incredibly tough conditions, and unfortunately losing Alessandro De Marchi due to an unfortunate crash on Stage 12, as well as Alex Dowsett to illness.

Although lacking numbers, their desire to succeed never lessened, their dogged determination once more paying off on Stage 17 when Dan Martin put in a magnificent effort to take the Stage victory atop the Sega di Ala climb on the OSTRO VAM.

The victory came after making, then attacking the day’s breakaway, perfectly pacing the final 9km relentlessly steep climb to hold off a fast chase and claim honours at the summit finish. The victory was highly momentous for the team and Martin who added the final string to his bow, now a stage winner at all three Grand Tours.

Come the finish in Milan, the team could hold their heads high, coming away with a stage victory, two stages in the Maglia Rosa, and 10th in the General Classification with Dan Martin.

A Giro to remember!

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Andiamo Giro d’Italia

Israel Start-Up Nation are primed and ready to hit the first Grand Tour of the 2021 season this weekend in a brand new kit and big ambitions to gain a top result in the General Classification and chase stage wins as they go.

The team return to Italy hungry for success following their memorable performance at the 2020 edition where Alex Dowsett claimed their first ever World Tour victory on Stage 8.

This year, the squad return looking to achieve an overall result with Dan Martin. Following a highly promising 2020 season with a stage victory and fourth overall at the Vuelta a España, Martin’s proven strengths, climbing talent and extensive experience will have him and the team lining up brimming confidence at this weekend’s Grande Partenza.

“At the end of last season, I decided it was time for a new challenge and I was really excited to do the Giro d’Italia. This is a course that really suits me. I know that I’m stronger than I’ve ever been right now – both mentally and physically. My fourth place overall in the Vuelta last year was a big stepping stone to becoming more confident in doing well in the GC. Obviously, winning a stage is also a big goal. I have two in the Tour de France and two in the Vuelta a España and to complete the set of Grand Tour victories is a big ambition of mine.” – Dan Martin.

Martin will be backed by a strong and versatile team of domestiques, climbing specialists and fast-men, ensuring the team’s options will also be wide open when the opportunity presents itself to go for stage victories.

“The main goal for us is to gain a top result in the GC with Dan [Martin]. He is in great shape and he will have full support from the team to reach his – and our – goals. However, we will also aim for stage wins as we have a team that can play a part in all terrains in this race.” – Sports director, Nicki Sørensen

TEAM LINE-UP

– Dan Martin– Patrick Bevin– Matthias Brändle– Davide Cimolai– Alessandro De Marchi– Alex Dowsett– Krists Neilands– Guy Niv

To learn more about the riders lining up and the team’s ambitions at the Giro, read their race preview here.

Route Highlights

The 104th edition of the Giro d’Italia presents a typical brutally tough route, packed with mountainous stages, gravel sections and two individual time trials that will open and close the 21 day race.

Action gets underway on May 8 with a short, sharp opening race against the clock in Turin. From there, the peloton will head straight for the hills with several undulating stages to follow.

If that’s not enough to shake things up, the first uphill finish lies as early as Stage 4 in Sestola.

The mountains will then come in full swing with Stages 6, 8 and 9 all including over 3,000 metres of altitude gain, ensuring the climbers and GC contenders will well and truly have their work cut out for them chasing precious seconds through the first week.

Stage 11 includes a lesser-known route from Perugia to Montalcino that will dish out its fair share of challenges, including 35km of gravel roads.

From there, it will be all eyes on Stage 14 where the infamous Monte Zoncolan awaits. For the first time since 2003, the race will return to conquer the daring ascent from the Sustrio side.

Other key climbs featured throughout the Grand Tour’s final week are the San Bernadino Pass, the Alpe di Motta and a new finish up the Alpe di Mera in Valsessia.

In typical Giro d’Italia fashion, the race will round out its time in the mountains with an absolute bang, including a penultimate stage that covers over 4,800 metres of climbing.

The final stage 29.4km Individual Time Trial will once again run into Milan, leaving one last opportunity to fight it out for the overall standings.