S14 Ep47: Stage 12 | Imperia - Novi Ligure | Giro d’Italia 2026
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The Cycling Podcast delivers a rich, immersive journey through Stage 12 of the 2026 Giro d'Italia, from Imperia to Novi Ligure, blending historical storytelling with real-time race analysis. At the heart of the episode is the story of Fausto Coppi and the Dama Bianca, the legendary 'White Lady' of Italian cycling, whose romantic entanglements and cultural mythos are explored in the Museo dei Campionissimi. The stage itself unfolds as a tactical masterclass: a breakaway group of 60 riders survives a grueling climb, only to be outfoxed by a perfectly timed 'fucilata' — a rifle-shot attack — from Bahrain Victorious’ Alex Segert, who wins in dramatic fashion. The episode dissects the fatigue building across the peloton, the strategic calculus of teams like Movistar and UNOX, and the personal stories of riders like Josh Kench, a New Zealand cyclist who rose from China’s Pro League to the Giro d’Italia in just one year. The hosts reflect on the emotional weight of live racing versus historical memory, questioning whether witnessing a moment in real time diminishes its mythic power — a debate underscored by the contrast between Daniele’s visceral recollections of Roglic’s 2023 Giro win and Pelacci’s awe for Pantani’s legendary climbs. As the race heads toward Lago Maggiore, the stage promises another breakaway opportunity, but the real story remains the human drama of endurance, legacy, and the quiet triumphs of riders who defy the odds.
Alex Segert’s stage win was a textbook 'fucilata' — a sudden, decisive attack in a depleted peloton with perfect timing and minimal resistance.
The Giro d’Italia’s fatigue is now so severe that only about 30% of the peloton is truly competitive on any given stage.
Josh Kench’s journey from China’s Pro League to the Giro d’Italia in one year is a rare, real-world example of a non-traditional path to the World Tour.
Fausto Coppi’s legacy in Novi Ligure is inseparable from the Dama Bianca and the blind masseur Biagio Cavana, both central figures in cycling folklore.
Riders’ heart rates are 5–10 beats higher than normal at this stage of the Giro, signaling extreme physiological strain.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
The Dama Bianca and the Birth of a Cycling Myth
“It happened that it was a pretty famous historic case in Italian cycling in the 50s. He went with another girl, a woman who used to... Scapatella. Tell the listeners what a scapatella is in Italian, in English. It's like going with a girl who's not your formal one, so to speak.”
The Museo dei Campionissimi: A Cycling Time Capsule
The hosts tour the Champions Museum in Novi Ligure, marveling at Fausto Coppi’s original Topolino car and the museum’s unparalleled collection of cycling memorabilia.
Stage 12 Breakdown: The 60-Rider Breakaway
“It was 60 riders. There were probably a couple of others who just dropped. Sat up in the last couple of kilometers. He's around 60 riders anyway.”
The Fucilata: How Segert Won
“He went over the top of Visma through technical corners. Now, Visma have no interest in the sprint, so they didn't react. So most people wouldn't have seen him go.”
The Human Cost of the Giro: Fatigue and Collapse
“Only about 30% of the peloton is kind of in the race on any given day. The rest are just sort of trying to survive.”
“I always just had the faith I could be at this level. So no matter what... happened regarding teams and situations. I always kind of believed if I kept working at it, it would eventually happen.”
“He went over the top of Visma through technical corners. Now, Visma have no interest in the sprint, so they didn't react. So most people wouldn't have seen him go.”
“Only about 30% of the peloton is kind of in the race on any given day. The rest are just sort of trying to survive.”
Hosts
Guests
daniele
person
novi ligura
place
michele pelacci
person
fausto coppi
person
bahrain victorious
other
movistar
other
alex segert
person
josh kench
person
unox
other
dama bianca
person
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