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Haribo and chips: This is how Dumoulin managed Monte Grappa 2017!
Laurens Ten Dam reports on his sweet motivation for Tom Dumoulin at the 2017 Giro on the legendary Monte Grappa.
Haribo and chips: This is how Dumoulin managed Monte Grappa 2017!
Monte Grappa, a legendary climb as part of the Giro d’Italia, is once again the focus of racing drivers. Next Sunday, the peloton will tackle Monte Grappa, which will be ennobled in the 2024 Giro with two ascents as part of a 181 km stage. The start line is in Alpago and the route runs through the picturesque Prosecco Hills. After 85 km, the riders face the first climb to the top of the mountain, which is 18.2 km long and has an altitude difference of 0 to 1,700 meters. The average gradient is 8.1%, with some flat sections making the challenge even more varied.
Laurens Ten Dam brings a funny anecdote from the dreaded climb's past. His memories come from 2017, when the penultimate stage was brutal for him and his colleagues Bauke Mollema and Bob Jungels. Ten Dam was left behind at Monte Grappa while Tom Dumoulin fought a decisive battle for overall victory. “It was the first year with personal plates for the drivers,” remembers Ten Dam. According to Ten Dam, Dumoulin was annoyed by these plates after the third week and could no longer eat a bowl of couscous at the finish.
Nutrition and strategy
Ten Dam's worries were not unfounded as he was concerned about Dumoulin's chances of victory. In a meeting with then team leader Aike Visbeek, he spoke about how important it was that Dumoulin consumed enough calories. There was a pizza place near the parking lot and Ten Dam suggested ordering eight pizzas there. In fact, after the stage, Dumoulin received a bag of Haribo and chips as a sweet treat, while dinner the following day went according to the nutritionist's plan - albeit with a portion of pancakes, of which the riders could eat as many as they wanted.
The double challenge of Monte Grappa will not only be physically demanding for the athletes, but also strategically crucial. After the first climb, riders still have 78km left, followed by almost 30km of descent back to Semonzo before the second climb begins. According to the organizers, this section will mark the defining moments of the 2024 Giro d’Italia.
Historical significance
As well as being a test of the legs, Monte Grappa also has an extensive history in the Giro d’Italia. Back in 2014, it was the scene of a dramatic time trial that Nairo Quintana won. The climb allowed him to beat Fabio Aru by 17 seconds. In addition, Vincenzo Nibali overtook Cadel Evans and Michele Scarponi after the climb in 2010 and secured the stage win.
The Giro d’Italia itself has been a cycling institution since the 1930s and has produced numerous historic climbs and challenges over the years. From the first major victories of Gino Bartali and Fausto Coppi at Passo Pordoi to modern challenges such as the steep Monte Zoncolan, the race has continually developed and set new highlights.
The return to Monte Grappa brings with it memories and expectations and promises an exciting finale. The coming stages will show which riders can hold their own in this demanding environment and who will develop the best strategies to overcome the challenges of the Giro d’Italia.