Eugene Oppelt

The puncheurs had their way today and at, roughly 5 w/kg, they could distance the men with the big thighs and top end speed. The GC guns kept their powder dry because tomorrow will be a good test with a 4000 m + vert tomorrow. And 3 weeks is a long time.

Today's task - very short stage with a key climb that sets up the perfect dramatic finish. Today is all about the climb midway. The race manual says it’s “easy” and 17km at 5% sounds steady but zoom in because there’s 14km at 6% and the first 8km are close to 7% which is Alpine enough to drop plenty, all on a twisting side road too. Sauce: Inner Ring

Magnier!!! Wearing the Maglia Rosa so far from home is a massive achievement and career milestone for Guillermo Thomas Silva, the man from Uruguay. 📸 Getty Images

"When it rains, it pours; but it's your choice if you drown in it or dance in it." - H. C. Paye

Even in the women’s space, the winners are becoming younger and younger. I attribute this to sports science.

Going through the Balkan mountains today. Bulgaria, I've never been. With 14km to go the climb of out Lyaskovets stings. It’s 2.5km at 9.5% and has long parts of 12% and even an 18% moment on the way up thanks to some tight hairpins. It’s all on a small road in woodland so moving up is costly or probably impossible making this a crunch point for stage contenders and GC riders alike. Sauce: The Inner Ring

Can the 22 year old Magnier hold on to the Maglia Rosa? The breakaway artists will be licking their lips. There may be an audacious GC attack. Hmmm. Let's see.

That’ll warm me up

Ma se kinners - what longevity

Whoooshhh

Quirky. Refreshing.

Promotional content is all over the place here in Italy as the Giro is about to start this weekend. Early wintery conditions. Shiny roads are forecasted for week 1 as well. Hoping the Dane will join the exclusive club of having won all 3 Grand Tours. He expressed his desire to reach this milestone in today’s live presentation. Red Bull segments will be in play. Masters at marketing, that brand. Hmmm. Like a video game of sorts:

No one on their deathbed ever said that ‘I should’ve spend more time at work.’

South Korea, beautiful. Must go.

"When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive - to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love." - Marcus Aurelius