Giro dItalia stage 21 – Live coverage | Cyclingnews – Cyclingnews.com

2021-05-30T14:51:32.678Z

Here comes Almeida. 

He sets 34: 15. That’s a great ride and is fifth fastest so far.

Almeida has confirmed his Grand Tour talents again. With his all-round ability, he could be a great Tour de France rider in the years to come.

2021-05-30T14:49:05.944Z

Bernal is faster than Yates and has pegged his losses to Caruso. 

2021-05-30T14:48:19.678Z

Bernal sets 10:47 at the 9.2km time check.

2021-05-30T14:47:50.349Z

Caruso went deep yesterday but has something left for today. 

2021-05-30T14:47:12.476Z

Caruso is on track to extend his lead on Yates and so cement his second place overall. He will also close in on Bernal.  

2021-05-30T14:44:14.622Z

Caruso is fast, very fast. 

Is he trying to spook Bernal? 

2021-05-30T14:43:44.367Z

2021-05-30T14:43:05.234Z

Caruso is currently 12 seconds faster than Bernal but that is not a problem.

2021-05-30T14:42:29.397Z

11:04 for Yates after 9.2km 

2021-05-30T14:41:50.018Z

Bernal is clearly not taking huge risks. He leads by Caruso by 1:59 and so can ride carefully. 

2021-05-30T14:39:30.638Z

Almeida sets 22: 30 at the 18.8km time check. 

2021-05-30T14:37:58.612Z

The Colombia fans and from his home town are waiting for him in Milan.

2021-05-30T14:37:14.664Z

3-2-1 Bernal starts his TT. 

2021-05-30T14:36:54.924Z

Here goes Bernal! He bangs his thigh muscle but seems relaxed.

2021-05-30T14:35:30.586Z

Bernal is on the rollers until very close to his start. He is trying to keep his back muscles warm.

2021-05-30T14:34:51.568Z

Caruso gets a huge cheer as he rolls out of Senago.  

2021-05-30T14:33:58.997Z

And now Caruso rolls down the start ramp. 

2021-05-30T14:33:41.858Z

Yates is underway. 

2021-05-30T14:30:18.283Z

The final GC guys are at the start area. Yates, Caruso and Bernal will be off very soon.  

2021-05-30T14:27:40.814Z

36:13 for Nibali. He rode carefully and finishes in the middle of the GC. 

The Sicilian is still expected to ride the Tour de France in four weeks time but only target stage victories as he prepares for the Tokyo Olympics.  

2021-05-30T14:25:28.644Z

Bardet starts next. His ride will be about saving  what he can in the final GC. 

2021-05-30T14:24:08.476Z

Colombian TT champion Dani Martinez starts his ride. 

He needs to pull back just 8 seconds to finish in the top five.  That should not be too difficult. 

2021-05-30T14:22:58.088Z

Dam Martin takes it steady on a slow corner. His tenth place is not at risk today. 

2021-05-30T14:17:51.577Z

Moscon finishes fast, setting 34:32 

That is the eighth fastest so far.

2021-05-30T14:17:01.062Z

2021-05-30T14:16:31.103Z

Almeida starts his TT.  

2021-05-30T14:15:48.722Z

Carthy – who had been as high at third on the overall after he followed Bernal’s attacked on the upper slopes of the Passo Giau on stage 16 – now faces a race against the clock with a battle on his hands to make it back into the top five.

To displace Martínez, in sixth, Carthy would have to make up a 26 second gap, while his deficit to Bardet, the weakest of the three in the time trial, is 34 seconds. He’ll also have to watch his back as Almeida sits just 28 seconds behind in eighth. 

Not only does Almeida look to be carrying formidable form into the third week of the Giro d’Italia but he also came fourth in the opening race against the clock in Turin, finishing 21 seconds quicker than Carthy in the 8.6 kilometre time trial.

“It’s an important day,” Carthy said.

It’s important because there are also significant UCI  ranking points up fro grabs, which impact of team’s WorldTour licences and rider contract values.

2021-05-30T14:13:05.273Z

Alberto Bettiol sets a time of 34:22, that the sixth best time so far.

2021-05-30T14:13:00.218Z

Hugh Carthy and Romain Bardet could be passed, while Dani Martinez could also jump passed Bardet and take fifth place.

2021-05-30T14:11:36.966Z

Joao Almeida will soon start his TT. He has a real chance of moving up from eighth to even fifth. 

2021-05-30T14:07:41.997Z

George Bennett is off, and Dan Martin follows him. 

2021-05-30T14:06:33.196Z

Gianni is on a good ride, he is is 7th fastest after 18.8km of the 30.3km course. 

2021-05-30T14:03:03.193Z

Bettiol is off the pace at the first time check. He’s 25 seconds slower than Ganna. 

2021-05-30T14:01:56.594Z

Spanish TT champion Pello Bilbao is off now. 

2021-05-30T13:56:57.285Z

We’re into the final of the TT now, with the GC riders starting every three minutes.

Attila Valter is underway. 

2021-05-30T13:55:02.819Z

Paul Mertens (Jumbo-Visma) has finished the TT, the Giro and the final race of his career.  

2021-05-30T13:52:19.029Z

Vincenzo Nibali is riding his final TT and so will finish the Giro despite his crashes, injuries and problems.

2021-05-30T13:50:47.289Z

Meanwhile the Israel Start-Up Nation have tested a new TT today, with Matthias Brandl riding what looked like a new un-marked aero frame.

Click below for the full story.

New Factor time trial bike spotted at Giro d’Italia

2021-05-30T13:43:14.622Z

2021-05-30T13:42:21.423Z

Matteo Sobrero of Astana bangs on the Groupama team car door. 

He was on a good ride and finished just 13 seconds down on Ganna. 

He was only 1.7 seconds from second place.

2021-05-30T13:41:13.606Z

Opps the finial roads are packed with riders and team cars.

2021-05-30T13:39:22.269Z

Next off is Alberto Bettiol. Could he pull off a surprise and take advantage of  the crashes and punctures?

2021-05-30T13:37:41.821Z

He sits on a kerb and seems shocked about what happened. He is not injured.

2021-05-30T13:37:04.027Z

Cavagna stops and leans over the barriers, in pain and angry about his crash.

2021-05-30T13:36:09.408Z

Cavagna got up to finish and set a time of 34:00, just 12 seconds slower than Ganna. 

2021-05-30T13:34:53.416Z

Ganna gesticulated, Italian style, asking how did he do that? 

Ganna could have been beaten but now remains in the hot seat.

2021-05-30T13:34:03.886Z

Cavagna seemed to fail to see the corner and then lock-up his brakes.

He slowed and then flipped over his bike at the barriers. 

He wasn’t hurt but lost ant chance of victory.

2021-05-30T13:32:08.619Z

He’s up and going again but he’s blown ay chance of victory. 

2021-05-30T13:31:39.578Z

He went straight on a corner with 500m to go! 

2021-05-30T13:31:25.289Z

Cavagna crashes!

2021-05-30T13:31:14.128Z

Cavagna is coming in now. Can he beat Ganna? It will be close.

2021-05-30T13:30:53.363Z

Jan Tratnik is fast but only for 4th place with a time of 34:30.

2021-05-30T13:30:23.193Z

Cavagna is pushing a huge gear.

2021-05-30T13:29:46.722Z

2km to go for Cavagna.

2021-05-30T13:29:21.409Z

Cavagna is in central Milan. 

Ganna is watching worringly from the hot seat.

2021-05-30T13:26:05.767Z

Here comes Cavagna. 

2021-05-30T13:25:27.173Z

Cavagna is off the pace at the second time check. He is 18 seconds down on Ganna. But remember Ganna flatted in the final part and lost 20 seconds.

2021-05-30T13:20:52.255Z

2021-05-30T13:15:19.915Z

Cavagna is diving through the corners. 

2021-05-30T13:12:35.957Z

Cavagna is racing in his French TT champions’ colours.

He went close to victory in Stradella and will want revenge today.

2021-05-30T13:09:51.612Z

10:31 for Cavagni. He’s 13 seconds slower than Ganna, who set 10:18, but Ganna lost about 20 seconds due to his late puncture.

This could be close.

2021-05-30T13:08:46.179Z

Remi Cavagan is out on the TT course. 

The TGV of Clermont Ferrand is perhaps the only one who can beat Ganna’s time. 

2021-05-30T13:00:32.983Z

Meanwhile other riders are still warming up. 

All the GC riders are still to race.

2021-05-30T12:56:32.548Z

Cam Meyer finishes in 37: 41. 

He was ill early in the Giro but played a big role in Yates finishing on the podium.

2021-05-30T12:55:22.934Z

And here is Affini.

2021-05-30T12:55:01.291Z

Here’s Ganna on his stunning blue Pinarello bike.

2021-05-30T12:54:20.799Z

Here’s Ganna at speed.

2021-05-30T12:52:06.300Z

Peter Sagan finishes, waving to the public. He will be on the final podium thanks to winning the cyclamen-coloured points jersey.

Ganna heads to the hot seat. It is difficult to see who can beat him now. 

Maybe Cavagna or Bettiol but it will be a big ask. 

2021-05-30T12:45:23.054Z

Affini stops the clock in  34:01 

That is 12 seconds slower than Ganna, who was hit by a late puncture. 

2021-05-30T12:43:35.941Z

Here comes Affini. Can he go faster? 

2021-05-30T12:43:20.253Z

Ganna is not happy but he is fastest, moving Max Walscheid off the hot seat. 

2021-05-30T12:42:05.894Z

Ganna sets a time of 33:48 despite his late puncture.

He is fastest. 

2021-05-30T12:41:07.626Z

Ganna is close to the finish.

2021-05-30T12:40:54.649Z

His bike change was quick but he lost at least 15 seconds. 

2021-05-30T12:40:30.146Z

He signals he has a rear flat and so does a bike change. 

2021-05-30T12:40:13.296Z

Ganna has a flat! 

2021-05-30T12:39:44.761Z

Ganna is on the long straight Corso Buenos Aires that cuts to the centre of Milan.

He bumps over tram tracks but stays in his aero position.

2021-05-30T12:37:23.386Z

4km to go for Ganna. 

2021-05-30T12:37:08.685Z

Ganna passes Cimolai and the ISN rider waves him past.

2021-05-30T12:36:40.684Z

Ganna is in the centre of Milan now. 

2021-05-30T12:36:23.084Z

Ganna is not fully focused and may have a slight problem with his bike but he keeps blasting away. 

2021-05-30T12:35:05.800Z

Seven minutes left to race for Ganna. 

2021-05-30T12:34:25.419Z

Affini is 30 seconds or slower than Ganna. He’s pushing  a big gear but is struggling to get it round. 

2021-05-30T12:33:40.302Z

Brandl sets a time of 35:11. Good but not the best time. 

2021-05-30T12:33:09.398Z

Ganna is taking risk but its not a perfect ride, he almost crashes on a fast corner.

2021-05-30T12:32:54.718Z

Elia Viviani finishes his Giro in a time 2:50 slower than Bodnar.

2021-05-30T12:30:53.627Z

The second check is after 18.8km. 

2021-05-30T12:30:30.917Z

21:55 for Ganna at the second time check. He’s the fastest. 

2021-05-30T12:30:04.112Z

Ganna is chasing down his minute men one after another. 

2021-05-30T12:27:23.089Z

Bodnar is new fastest time with 34:42. 

That’s the benchmark for Ganna to beat. 

2021-05-30T12:25:36.342Z

Ganna has 15km to go. He’s halfway to probable victory as he pushes a 58×14 gear.  

2021-05-30T12:23:06.598Z

Minali is the first to finish the TT in a time of 37:27 in central Milan.

2021-05-30T12:22:29.885Z

Affini sets 10:33. He’s 15 seconds slower than Ganna.  He seems to have endured a slow start and is perhaps fatigued after a long, hard Giro. 

2021-05-30T12:20:31.771Z

Ganna sets 10:18 at the first tine check 

2021-05-30T12:19:05.849Z

Ganna is flying and about to catch his minute-man Iljo Keisse.

2021-05-30T12:18:18.786Z

According to unofficial times after 5km, Ganna already leads Affini by 11 seconds.

We’ll see if that is right at the first time split after 9.2km.  

2021-05-30T12:17:34.165Z

There are sections exposed to side winds and so Affini tries to stay close to the right.  

2021-05-30T12:16:00.862Z

Ganna dives into a tight curve and accelerates out of the saddle as soon as possible before quickly getting back into his aero tuck.  

2021-05-30T12:14:35.505Z

Peter Sagan is also underway. And Cameron Meyer will start soon. 

The Australian could go all out today.

2021-05-30T12:12:12.375Z

Ganna’s biggest rival Eduardo Affini of Jumbo starts too. 

The stage will perhaps be decided between these early starters and TT specialists. 

2021-05-30T12:10:03.266Z

Ganna is world time trial champion and chasing a fifth consecutive time trial victory after his three wins in 2020 and his victory in the opening TT in Turin.

If he wins, he will beat Francesco Moser’s record of four wins in 1994-1985.

2021-05-30T12:08:19.027Z

3-2-1 Ganna is off! 

2021-05-30T12:07:58.767Z

Here’s Ganna. 

2021-05-30T12:04:10.122Z

Bodnar is fully kitted out for the TT with a full length skinsuit covering all his arms.

He quickly catches and passes Richeze.

2021-05-30T12:00:50.766Z

Bodnar is the first rider off who is really targeting the stage victory. 

2021-05-30T11:56:44.621Z

It’s warm, sunny and 23C in Milan at the moment.

2021-05-30T11:56:07.962Z

This is the start ramp. 

2021-05-30T11:51:40.512Z

Other riders are warming up for their effort. 

2021-05-30T11:50:10.961Z

This is the map of the TT. 

2021-05-30T11:49:47.970Z

Minali is riding steady on the roads towards central Milan.

2021-05-30T11:48:24.788Z

Most of the riders start at 1-minute interviews, with the final 15 riders off every three minutes to ensure a fair fight for the GC placings.

2021-05-30T11:46:45.581Z

Minali rolls down the start ramp and so we’re off! 

2021-05-30T11:40:03.160Z

Click below fore the full start times. 

Giro d’Italia: stage 21 time trial start times

2021-05-30T11:39:20.517Z

Riccardo Minali (Intermarche) is first off at 1:45 local time.

He is trying to ‘defend’ is maglia nera as last in the GC.   

2021-05-30T11:37:48.077Z

As the Cyclingnews blimp takes height over Milan, the first rider is about to start the TT. 

2021-05-30T11:20:34.806Z

Buongiorno and welcome to the Cyclingnews live coverage of stage 21 of the 2021 Giro d’Italia. 

The final 30.3km time trial to Milan is set to crown Egan Bernal as overall winner as Filippo Ganna tries to hold off the other time trialists to win the final stage.

We’ll have all the action from the first rider off to Bernal finishing in Piazza Duomo,  plus all the post-race celebrations and analysis.