Gallery: Bernal’s big-ring powerplay on the Giro’s gravel ramp
Stage 9 of the 2021 Giro d’Italia was a tough day. The saw-tooth profile delivered roughly 3,400 metres of climbing, but it was the last 1.6 km of the stage that promised to be the most exciting. After reaching the ski resort of Campo Felice, the riders would turn off the bitumen and onto a steep gravel track up a ski slope.
It looked like the stage winner was going to come from the breakaway, but the Ineos Grenadiers had other ideas. They rode a strong tempo late, paving the way for a monstrous, big-ring attack from Egan Bernal.
Bernal had said at the start of the day that he still wasn’t sure how his long-running back injury would affect his chances. By the time he crossed the line solo, it seemed clear the 2019 Tour de France winner was back to his best.
Here’s how a wonderful finish to stage 9 played out, with photos courtesy of Cor Vos and RCS Sport.
Big crowds saw the riders off. 
“The most beautiful race in the most beautiful place.” 
Geoffrey Bouchard was the lone survivor from the day’s breakaway, but would be re-joined by Koen Bouwman in the closing kilometres. 
The race was destined for the ski resort of Campo Felice. The last kilometre or so was on a gravel path, up a ski slope. 
Initially with Giulio Ciccone just behind … 
… Bernal surged past Bouchard and Bouwman with 400 metres to go. 
Riding the big ring on a 12% slope on gravel. No big deal. 
The sweet relief of crossing the finish line, having won the stage in emphatic fashion. 
Ciccone finished second, just ahead of Aleksandr Vlasov. 
Ciccone’s face says it all. 
After being way back in the lead group when Bernal attacked, Remco Evenepoel moved up through the field … 
… ultimately taking fourth just ahead of Dan Martin. 
Romain Bardet rode strongly … 
… finishing seventh to move up to 13th overall. 
Here’s Tobias Foss and Nick Schultz surging for the line, with Vincenzo Nibali just behind. 
Race leader Attila Valter finished 49 seconds back and relinquished his maglia rosa. 
Last year’s runner up Jai Hindley lost more time, finishing down in 27th place, 53 seconds off the pace. The West Australia crashed a day earlier. 
Heartbreak for Bouchard who had been leading solo until 1.1 km to go. 
Bernal had plenty to celebrate. It’s the Colombian’s first win since August last year. More than that, it was confirmation that his back injury seems to be (ahem) behind him. 
Bernal now leads the Giro by 15 seconds ahead of Evenepoel. 
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