Wolf Mountain

by Chris Fontecchio on Mar 13, 2009 4:29 PM EDT in News

[N.b., Google Translations says Lupone = Questionaire, but that can't be right, particularly where the wolf (il lupo) is the mother species of Rome.]

The spectacle of Montelupone is similar to last week's Strade Bianche Eroica: a new cycling destination that nonetheless seem far larger than its own sporting history. As far as I can tell the pro peloton hadn't seen the 21% gradients approaching this old Marche region village until last year's Due Mari, the results of which you can scroll down and watch, in horror. That a race can take on such dimensions as a youth is a nod to one of the sport's essential values: spectacle. What makes cycling so great is the idea of the world's best athletes trying to power a bike over terrain that is unthinkable to many of us, even better if the visuals are beautiful as well. Such feats make the imagination soar and send us tifosi to our knees in awe. So Eroica and Montelupone may not be important places on the cycling calendar, but the considerable buzz they generate gives them a different, equally valid importance.

After tomorrow's race representatives from Huy, in Belgium, will have a small sister-city commitment ceremony with the Montelupone town fathers, and herein lies the importance to the riders. Huy and Montelupone aren't just cities on a hill; they are finish lines in the cycling world, and Huy happens to mark the end of Fleche Wallonne. If you see a lot of names tomorrow that you would expect to see at the conclusion of La Fleche, it's no coincidence: this is a big-time dress rehearsal. According to the Killer of Spoltore (Danilo DiLuca), Montelupone is a tad more difficult, owing to its nearly 2km length, while the Mur de Huy is 1.3km. The fact that we're fully six weeks from La Fleche might also be relevant. But expect fireworks regardless, as the Ardennes climbers will all want to revv up their engines.

OK, so you know I hate profiles, and this is no exception. The road to Montelupone is not a vertical cliff. Still, you can see the numbers and figure out what it is: a beast.

Montelupone profile

As for last year, here ya go.

Stage 3 Tirreno Adriatico 2008, Climb to Montelupone (via Wielerflits)

Don't miss this clip either: a dashboard video driving up to the piazza, and listening to very cheezy Italopop.

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Comments

21%

is tough even for 200 yards/meters, no matter who you are. That beast looks brutal. But cycling needs more of this stuff. More gravel roads, too. It’s just about impossible to get a non-hardcore-cycling person to watch 200 guys roll along and chat for 4 hours on a flat stage…even in europe. But show them a bunch of guys about to puke on a hard climb, and even the unhazed non-cycling person can relate and be interested!

"....Up Sestriere on a rental clunker in jeans and loafers? Brother, lemme buy you a beer."

by Rolls on Mar 13, 2009 4:48 PM EDT reply actions

+1

heh… puke…

CQRanking.com, you complete me.

by Chris Fontecchio on Mar 13, 2009 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Puke sells, baby

More Muur...

by Jimbo... on Mar 13, 2009 5:45 PM EDT up reply actions

I can get you puke, Dude. With corn.

Hell, I can get you puke by 3PM. Fucking amateurs.

Dude... why WOULDN'T Thor ride the chicken?

by crashdan on Mar 13, 2009 8:07 PM EDT up reply actions

They puked

on your fucking rug

More Muur...

by Jimbo... on Mar 13, 2009 10:26 PM EDT up reply actions

The definition of carnage

Announcers love to say carnage but after seeing this, the word should be banned except when something like this happens. Visconti: squished like a big hitting a windshield.

J-Rod- Ya know, he did quite well up the Angrilu later that summer as well.

by ursula on Mar 13, 2009 4:51 PM EDT reply actions

Visconti

Don’t blame him for trying, but then… ugh. Boy, when he hit that second 21% stretch, he gave meaning to the phrase “hit the wall”

CQRanking.com, you complete me.

by Chris Fontecchio on Mar 13, 2009 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh yeah- big ups for trying

Makes me wonder. Now that the peloton has a year under its belt dealing with this “hill”, perhaps we won’t see so much destruction tomorrow. We’ll see.

by ursula on Mar 13, 2009 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions

They climbed it twice last year, I wonder what it looked like the first time.

No longer that I call them tights, I call them freedom ware.

by TheFigurehead on Mar 13, 2009 5:52 PM EDT up reply actions

I wonder what it will look like with less CERA in the bunch...

… since that video was Pre-Tour and Pre-Giro. I hate to bring it up… but when Sella started moving at the front I got a sick feeling in my stomach.

Dude... why WOULDN'T Thor ride the chicken?

by crashdan on Mar 13, 2009 8:10 PM EDT up reply actions

+1

by Le Comte on Mar 13, 2009 8:46 PM EDT up reply actions

How many swedes in the top 4 last year, I forget?

I’m guessing two in the Top 10 tomorrow again.

Did your favourite rider just win Montepaschi Strade Bianch Eroica Toscana? OK then.

by Jens on Mar 13, 2009 4:56 PM EDT reply actions

um

zero?

CQRanking.com, you complete me.

by Chris Fontecchio on Mar 13, 2009 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions

lol

by Bruce Suomi on Mar 13, 2009 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Don't think Axelsson is here this year.

But there’s no reason Lovkvist shouldn’t have another good finish.

People in that large group 25 seconds back who did well on Montelupone last year:

J Rod—won it
Di Luca—2nd
Lovkvist—4th
Gasparotto—6th
Mazzanti—11th
Gerdemann—14th
Landaluze—18th
Pozzato—19th

Andy Schleck didn’t do so well—came in 69th, more than 7 minutes back. But that was last year…on the other hand, there is a time trial coming up. Of the ones who did well last year, Lovkvist and Gerdemann are the best time trialists.

Climbers who weren’t there last year include Basso and Gesink. Basso, as ever, is an enigma.

So, I’ll be looking for Lovkvist and Gerdemann to position themselves well for the final GC tomorrow. “Looking for” and “getting” are not necessarily the same thing, as I remember every year when I unwrap my Christmas presents—still, it’s good to have hope.

He has no charisma--Thomas Dekker, on Cadel Evans

by majope on Mar 13, 2009 6:12 PM EDT up reply actions

No, Axelsson signed with Corratec

Won’t ride any of the more interesting races, I believe. But I’m pretty sure that Jens meant that Fredrik Kessiakoff will be the second Swedish rider in the Top 10 this year. I’m not going to argue against him.

No longer that I call them tights, I call them freedom ware.

by TheFigurehead on Mar 13, 2009 6:37 PM EDT up reply actions

good preview

I’ve been high on Lovkvist all… week. Actually I was wondering who would fill Kirchen’s shoes, but was thinking Siutsou for some stupid reason.

CQRanking.com, you complete me.

by Chris Fontecchio on Mar 13, 2009 6:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Now that you say that about filling Kirchen's shoes...

Where is Rogers? he’s raced two races this year, TDU and Cali; did well in both. Now we are seeing three stage races overlapping with Columbia in each. Siutsou led them in Murcia, Monfort in P-N. Now Lovkvist. Isn’t there any love for Mick? WTF?

by ursula on Mar 13, 2009 7:31 PM EDT up reply actions

He was supposed to be at T-A

my guess is Rogers will get the full support he needs at the Tour, Lovkist can’t climb like he can and I don’t think Kirchen will be fully ready to lead yet, nor can he climb as well as a healthy Rogers either.

I don't know if you knew this, CTV is run by Bernard Madoff

by Phil H. on Mar 13, 2009 7:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Ah Thx.

by ursula on Mar 13, 2009 7:47 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't think Rogers will get full support at the Tour.

He’s got a teammate who will be looking for a lot of support. Cavendish can’t win sprints without considerable help getting into position.

Speed on the descent can easily be lost when you slam into a tree.

by flying dog on Mar 13, 2009 10:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Please can we make het Sivtsov..

It’s nicer when you hear it..

Crashdan: "Veni Vidi Vici beats Wing Kong Exchange... … and I’ll change my signature to a backwards smile for a month."
Franzoi wins Parijs-Roubaix and I win a date with the VDS of Team Txirrindulariak..

by Frinking on Mar 14, 2009 5:55 AM EDT up reply actions

Mmm, Lövkvist

I’d love to see a repeat of the Eroica finish. That was silly good riding.

I’m also interested to see what Gesink can do with a short, hard climb like this. He’s s’posed to be peaking out for the Ardennes. This is a very nice test for that sort of terrain.

Basso? Meh. It’s not May yet.

by Jen See on Mar 13, 2009 7:56 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't get it really

Never in a million years would I have said tha finishes like Montelupone and the climb to the Piazza del Campo would suit Lövkvist. Yet he was 4:th, just seconds behind J-Rod, last year and he blasted away from the entire field (not the absolute top names, mind you) at Eroica.

Pleasant surprise to say the least. With newfound confidence he might even be looking longingly at Fleche this year perhaps?

Did your favourite rider just win Montepaschi Strade Bianch Eroica Toscana? OK then.

by Jens on Mar 14, 2009 6:52 AM EDT up reply actions

He mentioned after Eroica that he had 25 top-ten finishes last year

That boost in confidence might be just what he needs to convert a bunch of those to wins.

He has no charisma--Thomas Dekker, on Cadel Evans

by majope on Mar 14, 2009 7:44 AM EDT up reply actions

I like his chances for Flèche very much.

He seems to falter in the high mountains, but he’s light and strong. So I guess I’m less surprised than you are that he can ride these sorts of races. He looked perfectly at home at Eroica, which bodes very well for his chances in the Ardennes – especially Flèche which has a very similar finish to these two Italian races where he’s ridden so well. With Kirchen out of the picture for the moment, the way is open at Columbia for Lövkvist to do it up. Here’s hoping! I dig this kid.

by Jen See on Mar 15, 2009 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions

I love an evil finish - fantastic!

just a shame it’s so short …… a big thumbs up for a potentially great finish and a small thumbs down for an elevation chart that got my heart beating a little too quickly.

My favorite loup “wolf” cycling statue:

formerly known as cyclingchallenge

by Willj on Mar 13, 2009 5:09 PM EDT reply actions

PS - thanks for the video addition - excellent

formerly known as cyclingchallenge

by Willj on Mar 13, 2009 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions

and sorry

I didn’t realize the link to photo would be so big (is there a way to edit comments?)

formerly known as cyclingchallenge

by Willj on Mar 13, 2009 5:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Nah

it’s fine. Where from?

CQRanking.com, you complete me.

by Chris Fontecchio on Mar 13, 2009 5:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Pra-Loup

where Merckx Tdf dominance ended in 1975 (after the punch) when Thevenet dropped him here

(the statue is better than the road)

formerly known as cyclingchallenge

by Willj on Mar 13, 2009 5:37 PM EDT up reply actions

I never get tired

of watching cyclists trying to walk up hill in their cycling shoes.

"Never swing a small stick. " Andy Hampsten

by Hons on Mar 13, 2009 5:16 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah

though that’s on the stuck vehicle, right? I guess it’s like the Koppenberg, where once you lose mo’ for any reason, you’re walking.

CQRanking.com, you complete me.

by Chris Fontecchio on Mar 13, 2009 5:21 PM EDT up reply actions

hehe

let’s hope it rains too ;)

formerly known as cyclingchallenge

by Willj on Mar 13, 2009 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Me too!

It makes me feel slightly less rubbish for doing it myself occasionally…..

by Albertina on Mar 13, 2009 7:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Google translator is on crack.

just sayin’

by Jen See on Mar 13, 2009 5:23 PM EDT reply actions

duly noted

CQRanking.com, you complete me.

by Chris Fontecchio on Mar 13, 2009 5:43 PM EDT up reply actions

it does sound funny ;-)

Questionnaire mountain. Heh.

by Jen See on Mar 13, 2009 5:56 PM EDT up reply actions

1. Who are you? A pro-cyclist

2. Do you wan’t to come to the top? Yes
3. Sure? Well, I think so.
4. Why? It’s a race.
5. Dude, are you stupid, do you know how steep I am? Uhmmm… kinda

No longer that I call them tights, I call them freedom ware.

by TheFigurehead on Mar 13, 2009 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions

lol

You must answer all questions in order to reach the summit.

Name: _____________________
Date of Birth: ________________
What color is your bike?
Select one: Campy Shimano Other
If you chose Other, please specify:
Who is your favorite superhero?
Do you have a cat?
Please give a brief explanation for the ontological necessity of man’s existential dilemma.
Is the sky blue?

by Jen See on Mar 13, 2009 7:53 PM EDT up reply actions

heh

WHAT… is your favorite color? Uh, blue. No, gree—AAAIIIIEEEEEE!!!!!

by Le Comte on Mar 13, 2009 8:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Ha ha!

by tedvdw on Mar 14, 2009 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions

Short, but bitter

It’s short, but a bit of nastiness for sure. The profile isn’t that bad – you just have to read the scale ;-)

Not expecting much in the way of time gaps, but should entertaining.

by Jen See on Mar 13, 2009 5:24 PM EDT reply actions

you're right - and I didn't mean to be negative

I generally like profiles and scale reading is essential …. I went searching for an “HC” initially ;)

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by Willj on Mar 13, 2009 5:39 PM EDT up reply actions

lol

I’m a huge fan of profiles – I think I’m like the only one ;-)

Ja, it’s all about the scale, though. About the only time I pay attention to numbers.

by Jen See on Mar 13, 2009 5:56 PM EDT up reply actions

The video stops before the part

where several pack riders struggle across the line and then cling to the barriers for dear life while the try really hard not to black out. I remember this finish from last T-A. It was even worse than that video shows…

More Muur...

by Jimbo... on Mar 13, 2009 5:49 PM EDT reply actions

Basso: I go to sleep now.

And visions of hill profiles dance in your head.

by Jen See on Mar 13, 2009 5:58 PM EDT reply actions

So eloquent, that Basso.

(Is that how you spell eloquent??)

by Albertina on Mar 13, 2009 7:40 PM EDT up reply actions

yes and yes :-)

by Jen See on Mar 13, 2009 7:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah but

my Italian twitter would be full of helpful posts like “my eat cat bike” or some shit.

CQRanking.com, you complete me.

by Chris Fontecchio on Mar 13, 2009 10:17 PM EDT up reply actions

you forgot the exclamation point

after eat

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by Jimbo... on Mar 13, 2009 10:29 PM EDT up reply actions

They are going over it with 13km to go first(last year it was with 26km to go)

just to get a nice little preview in of what we will see shortly afterwards. Di Luca and J-Rod are the favorites but I expect leenooos and Lovkist to finish high up and set themselves up for a TT battle, oh and Gasparotto too. .

I don't know if you knew this, CTV is run by Bernard Madoff

by Phil H. on Mar 13, 2009 6:17 PM EDT reply actions