Where do we start from? From the Lords of the classification or from the stage winner, the Colombian Santiago Buitrago?
On the big names, given that not even the vinavil separates them, there isn’t much to say. After this new feast of climbs (Ponte di Legno, Passo del Vetriolo and Menador) the changes were minimal. Details. Basically it was a stage in favor of the pink jersey, Richard Carapaz, and his closest rivals, Jai Hindley and Mikel Landa. The one who paid the duty was the Portuguese Joao Almeida who lost 1 minute 8 ”in the final and dropped from third to fourth in the standings. A rather heavy blow for Almeida who until now had always managed to limit the damage. This time, however, he got lost by being undermined by Landa who is now third at one minute and 5 ”.
In second place, just three seconds behind Carapz, is the English Hindley. These three, except for an always possible recovery of Almeida in the final time trial in Verona, are the most accredited for the final victory. In what order, however, it is not easy to understand. Distances are minimal. Carapaz himself, to make it clear who is in charge, sprinted again in the final ahead of Hindley and snatching 7 seconds from Landa. Not much, of course. But in a Giro where no one stands out, even a few seconds can be decisive. There is a leveling at the top, say the great experts on two wheels. It may be, but with all this goodness of ascents, descents and ascents again, a good start when the road rears up, you wouldn’t mind. But perhaps they are nostalgic for other times, for other Tours and also for other personalities. Better to settle and watch the glass half full. Lacking a dominator increases the suspense. And as for the football championship, everything will be decided on the last day.
But there was a fighter of the day. One who fought tooth and nail to conquer this sixteenth stage that from Ponte di Legno arrived in Lavarone amidst showers of rain and a sudden drop in temperatures and the sultry heat of recent days. We are talking about Santiago Buitrago, 23, a beautiful face of an Indian who is easy to cry but is unstoppable. Only a few days ago, when he was beaten in Cogne by Giulio Ciccone, he was so upset that no one could make him stop. Come on, try again, they told him, you’ll see that sooner or later you’ll make it. This time too, however, the day started badly with a bad fall during the descent of Palù di Giovio. Getting up quickly, despite a few blows here and there, Santiago did not lose heart, returning to the best. Almost always among the most active, he ignited the powders in the final climb of Menador, where he went to catch the Dutch Leemreize, second at the finish line in front of the Czech Jan Hirt, already first at Aprica. “I’m happy, don’t worry, this time I’m not crying,” laughed Buitrago, also like Landa from Bahrain, the most active team of this stage. “I am happy because in Colombia the Giro d’Italia is important and everyone will be happy with my victory that I dedicate to my family”. A good climber and also an excellent downhill skier, this tearful Santiago. That from now on, he promised, he won’t cry anymore. .