Tuesday, May 14, 2024

Giro 2024 Stage 10: Pompei to Cusano Mutri


Where are we? In Campagna, starting in a place you may have heard of before.

Pompeii: Visit Pompeii reminds me that The archaeological ruins of Pompeii cover around 440,000 square meters, a vast area that would take at least three full days to explore completely.
From Pliny the Younger: A cloud, from which mountain was uncertain, at this distance (but it was found afterwards to come from Mount Vesuvius), was ascending, the appearance of which I cannot give you a more exact description of than by likening it to that of a pine tree, for it shot up to a great height in the form of a very tall trunk, which spread itself out at the top into a sort of branches; occasioned, I imagine, either by a sudden gust of air that impelled it, the force of which decreased as it advanced upwards, or the cloud itself being pressed back again by its own weight, expanded in the manner I have mentioned; it appeared sometimes bright and sometimes dark and spotted, according as it was either more or less impregnated with earth and cinders."

Giro Specialties: The “Piennolo del Vesuvio” PDO tomato: this is one of the oldest and most distinctive agricultural products in Campania, so much so that it is even depicted in the scene of the traditional Neapolitan nativity scene. For the purposes of safeguarding the product, it was found that the special feature common to Vesuvius cherry tomatoes is the ancient practice of preserving them ‘al piennolo’, i.e. a characteristic technique for tying a few bunches of ripe tomatoes together to form a large bunch that is then hung in ventilated rooms, thus ensuring optimal preservation until the end of the winter.

Cusano Mutri: The Giro tells me that According to historians, Cusano Mutri, the pearl of the Matese Regional Park, has roots dating back to the Samnite period. With the unification of Italy, Cusano acquired the appellation of “Mutri” and moved under the jurisdiction of the province of Benevento. Several bands of rebels were recorded in the area, which were formed to fight ”the Piedmontese invasion”. Today, Cusano, a renowned tourist destination, defined as one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, welcomes visitors with its proverbial hospitality, its thousand-year-old history, its typical flavours and ancient traditions.

Giro specialties: None listed


The stage: What a place to start a race.

Another summit finish means that we all are expecting another Pogacar stage win.
That said, we would have attempted breaks and more conclusive breaks, because they had to try. There would be large groups, small groups, and groups with a real chance of winning the stage. 
Under 30 kilometers to go and here we were.
Tratnik would stay ahead. Six kilometers to go and he had 40 seconds over the nearest group. The yellow jersey group was 5 minutes behind.
Wow. Just when it looked like Tratnik would have the stage, Paret-Peintre flew by him. By him next was Bardet. What a way for Paret-Peintre to get his first professional win. Netx in, Bardet, gaining some gc time.





The wine: From 21014
 Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio Rosso 'Gelsonero'
$25 at Biondivino:

From Biondivino: 80% Piedirosso and 20% Aglianico, organically grown: broad reddish-black color; smoky aroma with a hint of tar (notes I often find in red wines grown in volcanic soils); aroma and flavor of black fruit (blackberry, black cherry) and woody herbs (thyme, bay, rosemary); medium-weight but light on its feet. It is aged in puncheons for about a year. Drink now with red meats or cellar.

The food: The “Piennolo del Vesuvio” PDO tomato
Maybe time to order some seeds? 
You can also buy them canned from Gustiamo.  
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