S14 Ep45: Stage 10 | Viareggio - Massa TUDOR ITT | Giro d’Italia 2026
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The Giro d'Italia 2026's Stage 10 time trial in Massa delivered a seismic shift in the general classification, with Filippo Ganna dominating the 42km flat course at nearly 55km/h, erasing any doubt about his supremacy in time trials. Yet the real story wasn't the win—it was the underperformance of Jonas Vingegaard, who finished 13th, three minutes down, raising urgent questions about his form and whether he’s plateauing at 29. The episode’s core tension lies in this paradox: Vingegaard remains the favorite, but his time trial struggles—echoing poor performances in the Tour and Vuelta—suggest he may no longer be the invincible force he once was. Meanwhile, Italian hopes were dashed as Giulio Pellizzari became the first Italian in GC ninth at this stage of the Giro, a record low. The podcast also confronts a deeper crisis: the Giro’s identity. With the departure of a unifying figure like Marovagni and a shrinking media presence, the race feels stagnant. Journalists and insiders now openly debate whether the Giro needs to change its dates, structure, or even its soul to reclaim its legacy. Amid this, the episode celebrates the quiet resilience of riders like Pellizzari and the poetic rise of 'minor men' like Larry, whose under-the-radar journey embodies the soul of cycling beyond the podium.
Jonas Vingegaard’s 13th-place finish in the Massa time trial—three minutes behind Filippo Ganna—signals a potential plateau in his career, raising concerns about his time trial form after similar underperformances in the Tour and Vuelta.
Filippo Ganna’s dominant 54.9km/h average in the 42km time trial was expected, but his performance underscores his unmatched time trial dominance, with a 64-tooth chainring and a pre-stage haircut for aerodynamics.
Giulio Pellizzari’s 18th-place finish in the time trial was a heroic effort given he nearly quit the Giro due to illness, marking the first time an Italian has been in GC ninth at this stage of the Giro.
The Giro d'Italia is facing an identity crisis: the absence of a charismatic race director like Marovagni, dwindling Italian media coverage (La Gazetta reduced from six to two journalists), and a sense of organizational fatigue suggest the race may be losing its soul.
A growing cultural divide in Italian cycling is emerging between grassroots riders and a 'hipster' culture focused on expensive gear, social media aesthetics, and elite events—alienating the sport’s authentic community.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Welcome to Massa: The Final Day with Brian
The podcast opens in Massa, with Brian’s final day of the Giro. The hosts reflect on their reunion and Brian’s journey shadowing the race, including a touching encounter with a Nigerian immigrant in a hostel. The tone is nostalgic and reflective, setting the stage for deeper themes.
Ganna’s Time Trial Domination and Vingegaard’s Crisis
“Jonas Vingegaard was on the par, but he's still perfectly positioned in the GC compared to everyone else. But... if today was a real indication of his shape and his abilities on the time trial bike, it wasn't a good sign.”
The Italian Identity Crisis: From Pellizzari to Media Decline
“At this point of the Giro d'Italia stage 10 it has never happened that the first Italian rider in GC was as low as ninth position.”
The Giro’s Identity: A Race in Need of a Shake-Up
“The Giro desperately needs to change. It really needs to move dates and it needs to take the Vuelta's dates. That would solve a lot of its problems.”
The Rise of the 'Minor Men' and the Soul of Cycling
“There's a gallery of minor men who emerge from the page more alive than the champions themselves. Domestiques immortalized with the precise tenderness of someone who knows that true cycling lives not at the top of the standings but in water bottles filled too late...”
“The Giro desperately needs to change. It really needs to move dates and it needs to take the Vuelta's dates. That would solve a lot of its problems.”
“When I arrived in La Mezza Terme stepping out of the taxi and you were there greeting me and I was like... Like a bellboy. There's Freiburg and it's the Giro. It's my favorite time of year.”
“this point of the Giro d 'Italia stage 10 it has never happened that the first Italian rider in GC was as low as ninth position.”
Hosts
Guests
michele pelacci
person
daniel fried
person
brian
person
jonas vingegaard
person
massa
place
filippo ganna
person
giulio pellizzari
person
larry
person
ciro scogna emilio
person
gazzetta dello sport
organization
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