S14 Ep46: Stage 11 | Porcari (Paper district) - Chiavari | Giro d’Italia 2026
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The Cycling Podcast delivers a vibrant, on-the-ground account of Stage 11 of the 2026 Giro d'Italia, a scenic and strategically layered route from Porcari to Chiavari that doubles as a celebration of Italy’s paper-making heritage—particularly toilet paper, thanks to sponsor Regina. The stage, dubbed the 'Toilet Roll Stage' for its playful branding, featured a long breakaway, a dramatic final sprint won by Jonathan Narvaez, and a surprising absence of major GC changes. Despite rumors of illness sweeping through teams like Red Bull Bora Hansgrohe, the podcast confirms the squad remained healthy and focused, with Ineos Grenadiers playing a quiet but strategic role in protecting their GC contender, Jai Hindley. The episode dives deep into the science of endurance nutrition, with Little Trek’s nutritionist Nicola Maria Moschetti revealing how riders train their guts to absorb up to 140 grams of carbohydrates per hour. The hosts also unpack the cultural quirks of Chiavari, from its iconic Chiavarina chair to a real-life political scandal over a diaper recycling plant. With humor, insight, and a sharp eye for detail, the podcast turns a seemingly light stage into a rich exploration of cycling’s human, logistical, and even bureaucratic dimensions.
Riders like Jonathan Narvaez and Filippo Ganna are dominating the Giro d'Italia not just through talent but through elite preparation, including gut training for carbohydrate absorption.
The Giro d'Italia’s route design is not purely objective—historical examples show it has been manipulated to favor specific riders, such as Francesco Moser in the 1970s and 1980s.
Teams like Ineos Grenadiers are using controlled pacing and front-of-peloton positioning not to attack, but to protect their GC riders and minimize risk in a Grand Tour.
The 'Toilet Roll Stage' is a clever sponsorship-driven narrative that celebrates Porcari’s paper industry, with inflatable toilet rolls and Regina-branded merch turning a mundane product into a stage centerpiece.
Nutritionists now play a critical role in cycling teams, with riders training their digestive systems to handle 120–140 grams of carbs per hour during long stages.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Welcome to the Paper District: Porcari & the Toilet Roll Stage
“We're in the home of Regina, the sponsor, and in the very sort of roundabout or imaginative way that we often do in cycling podcasts. We're thinking of kind of links and cues that we could use to do with toilet roll today.”
The Breakaway That Wasn’t: Strategy, Illness, and the Ghost of Scaroni
The podcast dissects the day’s tactical landscape, noting how teams like EF Education and Groupama failed to get into the breakaway despite having strong breakaway riders. The hosts speculate that illness may have drained energy, though Ineos confirms their team is healthy. They reflect on Christian Scaroni’s crash and how his absence could have made the final sprint more competitive.
Narvaez’s Fifth Giro Win: The Class Rider in the Studio Italia
“Narvaez is the class rider in GC aside he's the strongest rider in the studio Italia isn't he? And today he made it look routine.”
Ineos Grenadiers: The Silent Guardians of Jai Hindley
Jack Haig explains Ineos’s conservative approach: not attacking, but protecting their GC leader, Jai Hindley. The team’s strategy is about minimizing risk and building confidence, especially after Hindley’s past struggles with starting Grand Tours fragile. The hosts highlight how this reflects a shift in modern team management.
The Science of Digestion: Training the Gut for 140g of Carbs per Hour
“We train the gut at home during the training because as we know during the last five years we started from 90 grams per hour till now 130 140 grams per hour.”
“We train the gut at home during the training because as we know during the last five years we started from 90 grams per hour till now 130 140 grams per hour.”
“Narvaez is the class rider in GC aside he's the strongest rider in the studio Italia isn't he? And today he made it look routine.”
“I was like, are there any cafes? Or you know, like I need to go to the bathroom. And you know, because at this time we didn't have buses and stuff.”
Hosts
Guests
pelacci
person
daniele
person
chiavari
place
porcari
place
jonathan narvaez
person
regina
brand
ineos grenadiers
other
filippo ganna
person
nicola maria moschetti
person
jai hindley
person
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