Giro Stage 10 TT: Roglič Claws Back Time on UAE Double Threat, Hoole Hits out for Career-Topping Win

Primož Roglič clawed back time in the Giro d’Italia GC fight Tuesday while super-outsider Daan Hoole roared to a standout stage 10 time trial victory.

Roglič brushed off a crash during his recon and skated around sketchy wet roads in Pisa to set a time that wouldn’t be topped by pink jersey Isaac del Toro and his UAE Emirates-XRG teammate Juan Ayuso.

The Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe superstar vaulted up the classification to fifth with a performance that puts momentum back into his legs after a damaging ride Sunday on the sterrato.

Roglič is now 1:18 back on race-leader Del Toro, who only narrowly defended his GC lead Tuesday.

Del Toro saw his teammate Ayuso deliver a rocket-speed TT that positions the Spaniard within a 25-second striking distance of the 21-year-old Mexican sensation.

Who of Ayuso and Del Toro will rule the UAE Emirates hierarchy on Wednesday in a tough multi-mountain stage?

Stay tuned.

Tuesday’s time trial put a whole new complexion on a still wide-open classification battle.

Thirteen riders are still within three minutes of pink at this near-halfway point of the race.

Simon Yates (Visma-Lease a Bike) roared into GC podium contention with a blazing ITT that pushed him up the classification to fourth, little more than one minute back on Del Toro.

In contrast, Egan Bernal (Ineos Grenadiers) lost minutes and slid down the standings when he suffered treacherous conditions in Pisa’s city streets.

Earlier in the day Tuesday, Hoole blazed to his only victory outside of the Dutch nationals with an underdog ride that handed Lidl-Trek its fourth win of the Giro.

Pre-stage favorite Josh Tarling (Ineos Grenadiers) finished second on the day, with Ethan Hayter (Soudal Quick-Step) third.

“It’s really unbelievable. No, it’ll take a while before this sinks in,” Hoole said at the finish

“The rain changed a lot for the GC riders, but I beat Tarling in the same conditions. That really surprised me,” Hoole continued. “He started super fast, but I rode a good second part. Maybe he blew up? I can’t understand it.”

Giro d’Italia stage 10 results

Hoole denies Tarling and the TT toppers

There was no room for rusty legs Tuesday after the Giro’s second rest day.

Tuesday’s 28.6km TT into Pisa was super-flat and uncomplicated, making it a test of pure power and aero positioning. 64-tooth chainrings were de rigeur.

However, changeable weather conditions overshadowed the stage.

Many of GC contenders saw their chances for a stage-win sunk by headwinds and pouring rain, while early-afternoon starters like Hoole relished relatively dry tarmac.

Pre-stage favorites Tarling and Edoardo Affini (Visma-Lease a Bike) were stunned by a career-topping ride by Lidl-Trek workhorse Hoole.

Hoole – a top wingman for maglia ciclamino Mads Pedersen – set a time neither Affini nor Tarling could beat before he spent several tense hours in the “hot seat” of race-leader.

Fortunately for the big Dutchman, his wait was not in vain, as strong GC time trialists like Roglič and Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain Victorious) were significantly slowed by filthy, wet conditions.

Outside hopefuls Luke Plapp (Jayco-AlUla) and Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) also left the stage disappointed when they finished way off the pace.

“It wasn’t how I wanted. I couldn’t find my rhythm,” Van Aert said after his ride. “Given how I was feeling the result isn’t a surprise.

“I tried to recover yesterday [from the stage 9 victory]. This morning I felt not bad, but not fresh enough to push through the pain today.”

The ever unlucky Jay Vine (UAE Emirates-XRG) saw more misfortune when his hopes were deflated by a puncture and bike change.

Up next at the Giro d’Italia: Grueling medium mountain stage designed for chaos

Brace for breakaway chaos and potential GC ambushes in Wednesday’s gruesome medium mountain stage.

The Alpe San Pellegrino overshadows the stage with it 13.7km, 8.8 percent slope. The cruel cat.1 tops out 90km from the line but could be crucial in how the stage plays out.