Giro Stage 5 ''Spoiler''

13

Comments

  • aurelio_-_banned
    aurelio_-_banned Posts: 1,317
    PeteinSQ wrote:
    We know that Lance Armstrong hasn't had the ideal preparation for the Giro. Is this the explanation for his poor performance or is he just too old now?
    Or perhaps this time he is racing clean?

    Plenty of other riders have performed very well when 'getting on a bit'. Zoetemelk won the world RR championships when he was 38. Poulidor came 3rd in the Tour de France when he was 40...
  • donrhummy
    donrhummy Posts: 2,329
    redddraggon wrote:
    Quite Frankly wrote:
    Di Luca would do very well to limit his losses to Levi in the big 60km TT to around a minute or so.

    I think Di Luca will be lucky if he only loses 3 mins to Levi in the long TT

    I agree. Levi's in a REALLY good position right now. There's no one else up there who can compete with him in the TT. Even menchov, who's good in the TT, is not as good as Levi there. he can handle lot's of speed changes in the mountains better than Levi, but with such a long TT, Levi's looking real good.
  • teagar
    teagar Posts: 2,100
    Basso was fantastic today!

    I'm not a fan, but I must admit i really enjoyed watching him today. Really classy.


    Certainly looks good for GC...
    Note: the above post is an opinion and not fact. It might be a lie.
  • stagehopper
    stagehopper Posts: 1,593
    frenchfighter wrote:
    Can Basso time trial?

    More than handy - the big time trial is very hilly this year and many riders talking about not using a time trial bike.
    @stagehopper
  • PeteinSQ
    PeteinSQ Posts: 2,292
    "Or perhaps this time he is racing clean? "

    It's a possibility, but I'm sure in the past he would have had a better training camp (plus he wouldn't be coming back from three years of marathon running instead of cycling).

    I don't really care if Lance wins the tour or not, but I do find it quite interesting to see how he gets on. Clearly he isn't a contender here in the Giro, but then he never really said he was going to be. But then I'm positive he will want to win the tour, why else do it?

    As for people now clean who maybe weren't before, look what has happened to Cunego... :(
    <a><img></a>
  • Richrd2205
    Richrd2205 Posts: 1,267
    I missed the finale due to being in a meeting, but it looked like an exciting finish.

    Echoing various other comments, Wiggins is certainly climbing a wee bit better this year! He's only 24 seconds down on Armstrong in the GC just now (but I'm unsure if this is about how badly LA is doing or how well Wiggins is doing) in 25th position, which is something of a surprise. If he can maintain this sort of form, top 25 GC position is quite possible.
    I'd have laughed if someone had presicted this a few days ago!
  • deejay
    deejay Posts: 3,138
    teagar wrote:
    Basso was fantastic today!

    I'm not a fan, but I must admit i really enjoyed watching him today. Really classy.


    Certainly looks good for GC...

    A bit different from yesterday as he and his team tried so hard to Drop the "Wheel Suckers".
    I agree, a Class Act. but to no avail, YET.
    Organiser, National Championship 50 mile Time Trial 1972
  • Quite Frankly
    Quite Frankly Posts: 386
    Bruseghin is probably out of contention now. Lost 2.26 today.
  • frenchfighter
    frenchfighter Posts: 30,642
    Garzelli lost 5.24!!
    Contador is the Greatest
  • Quite Frankly
    Quite Frankly Posts: 386
    Wegelius put in a good showing today. 21st place at 1.47 down.
  • deejay
    deejay Posts: 3,138
    PeteinSQ wrote:
    "Or perhaps this time he is racing clean? "

    It's a possibility, but I'm sure in the past he would have had a better training camp (plus he wouldn't be coming back from three years of marathon running instead of cycling).

    I don't really care if Lance wins the tour or not, but I do find it quite interesting to see how he gets on. Clearly he isn't a contender here in the Giro, but then he never really said he was going to be. But then I'm positive he will want to win the tour, why else do it?

    As for people now clean who maybe weren't before, look what has happened to Cunego... :(

    Remind me please, but has Basso ever failed a Drug Test or was his Ban due to having a bag of his Blood in Spain like so many others.

    Lance will not win the Tour of France and his objective is to stay in the Public Eye.
    He really wanted the Pink on Stage 1 and after today I expect him to drop out before the end of the Giro.

    In the TDF he again will want a yellow jersey in the early stages.
    Organiser, National Championship 50 mile Time Trial 1972
  • Quite Frankly
    Quite Frankly Posts: 386
    frenchfighter wrote:
    Garzelli lost 5.24!!

    Good spot. Only two Italians in the top 12. :shock:
  • Quite Frankly
    Quite Frankly Posts: 386
    More twittering from the ''great one'':

    ''St. 5 done. As I thought, it was a tough one. Lost 3 mins which isn't bad considering. Rode my tempo and tried to be consistent.''

    he he he
  • dave_1
    dave_1 Posts: 9,512
    PeteinSQ wrote:
    We know that Lance Armstrong hasn't had the ideal preparation for the Giro. Is this the explanation for his poor performance or is he just too old now?

    If the former can we expect this ride in the Giro to beat him into shape enough for a much improved performance in the tour?

    age, his total lack of racing, 3 years off, the collorbone, IMO he will be in the top 5 or 6 by July...think today they wanted to keep Armstrong close enough that he can be used later in the race when he's got some racing form in him -to force other teams to to chase...should he get into any moves that gain 2 minutes and more , Di Luca and Basso will have to chase...IMO that was the strategy today by JB, LA
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKBacb2V ... ata_player
  • iainf72
    iainf72 Posts: 15,784
    TBH, I think Liquigas will be able to work Astana over better than Astana will be able to work over Liquigas.

    If they're riding for Levi he's not likely to get the jump on Basso but I reckon Basso will be able to isolate him when it gets hilly again. Di Luca is a worry but he's prone to a bad day.

    Tom L is an unknown but I suspect he'll fade by week 3. Ditto Mick "training plans" Rogers.
    Fckin' Quintana … that creep can roll, man.
  • frenchfighter
    frenchfighter Posts: 30,642
    edited May 2009
    iainf72 wrote:
    TBH, I think Liquigas will be able to work Astana over better than Astana will be able to work over Liquigas.

    3 Liquigas riders in the top 50 vs 7 for Astana.
    Contador is the Greatest
  • frenchfighter
    frenchfighter Posts: 30,642
    Sastre managed that climbing with this much fat on him : ) (I know it is simply an unfalttering shot and anyone no matter how thin would have that pudge)

    Was impressed with his riding today.

    bettiniphoto_0038437_1_full.jpg
    Contador is the Greatest
  • deejay
    deejay Posts: 3,138
    frenchfighter wrote:
    iainf72 wrote:
    TBH, I think Liquigas will be able to work Astana over better than Astana will be able to work over Liquigas.

    3 Liquigas riders in the top 50 vs 7 for Astana.

    Just shows the difference of "Wheel Sucking"
    Organiser, National Championship 50 mile Time Trial 1972
  • Le Commentateur
    Le Commentateur Posts: 4,099
    Quite Frankly wrote:
    frenchfighter wrote:
    Garzelli lost 5.24!!

    Good spot. Only two Italians in the top 12. :shock:

    The only gloss he can put on that is now he's no longer a GC threat he may be allowed some slack to get away in a break for a stage win, like in 2007, so a good outside PTP bet later on for a hilly but not too mountainous stage.
    Un uomo solo al commando
  • skut
    skut Posts: 371
    frenchfighter wrote:
    iainf72 wrote:
    TBH, I think Liquigas will be able to work Astana over better than Astana will be able to work over Liquigas.

    3 Liquigas riders in the top 50 vs 7 for Astana.

    That's cos the Liquigas riders have been burying themselves on the first part of the climbs on behalf of Basso
  • frenchfighter
    frenchfighter Posts: 30,642
    I know I have watched all the stages beginning to end. However, it means they wont be as fresh come the later stages and if they cannot help Basso in the last part of races then he will be at a disadvantage and they will not be able to work over Astana. I'm not a fan of any Astana rider btw, apart from Contador (who is my favourite out of any rider) and Levi.
    Contador is the Greatest
  • frenchfighter
    frenchfighter Posts: 30,642
    Can someone explain why LA has WC stripes on his sleeves and who drinks the two bottles of Trentduc after each stage?!
    Contador is the Greatest
  • donrhummy
    donrhummy Posts: 2,329
    frenchfighter wrote:
    Sastre managed that climbing with this much fat on him : ) (I know it is simply an unfalttering shot and anyone no matter how thin would have that pudge)

    That's not fat. Riders consume so many calories and liquids that their stomachs expand. They're ripped but when they relax their abs, it actually sticks out quite a bit.
  • DaveyL
    DaveyL Posts: 5,167
    frenchfighter wrote:
    Can someone explain why LA has WC stripes on his sleeves

    Cos he won the Worlds in 1993?
    Le Blaireau (1)
  • moray_gub
    moray_gub Posts: 3,328
    jimycooper wrote:
    can someone please assure me that wiggins isnt on drugs. he is probably the rider i respect the most, and it would have serious consequences on my morals if he was.

    Well earlier in the season the doping allegations were being flung in Alberto Contadors directionbecause he blew away Wiggo in a prologue TT despite being a renowned tester and now we have Wiggo who normally climbs like an aerodynamic brick dropping a little climber like Cunego so i suppose the same folks should be asking the same question............over to you DaveyL ?..........
    Gasping - but somehow still alive !
  • moray_gub
    moray_gub Posts: 3,328
    Kléber wrote:
    SpaceJunk wrote:
    Good to see that LA has three working for him, whilst Levi only gets two.
    It is silly, isn't it. They might as well carry him in a Sedan chair:

    powley.jpg
    Note the team colours.

    You obviously think then that the three with Lance were capable of being at front with Levi , imo that would be very unlikely.
    Gasping - but somehow still alive !
  • oldwelshman
    oldwelshman Posts: 4,733
    They were'nt working for him, just keeping him company :D
    http://s290.photobucket.com/albums/ll245/oldwelshman/
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aK5Bfqj5fxY
  • moray_gub
    moray_gub Posts: 3,328
    aurelio wrote:
    PeteinSQ wrote:
    We know that Lance Armstrong hasn't had the ideal preparation for the Giro. Is this the explanation for his poor performance or is he just too old now?
    Or perhaps this time he is racing clean?

    Plenty of other riders have performed very well when 'getting on a bit'. Zoetemelk won the world RR championships when he was 38. Poulidor came 3rd in the Tour de France when he was 40...

    and as we all know Zoetemelk didnt get any advantage at all from his positive tests of 77,79 and 83..............
    Gasping - but somehow still alive !
  • DaveyL
    DaveyL Posts: 5,167
    Moray Gub wrote:
    jimycooper wrote:
    can someone please assure me that wiggins isnt on drugs. he is probably the rider i respect the most, and it would have serious consequences on my morals if he was.

    Well earlier in the season the doping allegations were being flung in Alberto Contadors directionbecause he blew away Wiggo in a prologue TT despite being a renowned tester and now we have Wiggo who normally climbs like an aerodynamic brick dropping a little climber like Cunego so i suppose the same folks should be asking the same question............over to you DaveyL ?..........

    You know how they say you should never wrestle with a pig?...
    Le Blaireau (1)
  • stagehopper
    stagehopper Posts: 1,593
    oldwelshman wrote:
    They were'nt working for him, just keeping him company :D

    Though made in jest that's probably a serious point. They've (Bruyneel/soon to be ex-Astana) invested in Armstrong for the Tour and the last thing they want publicity wise is to see him trailed off halfway down the mountain alone. Much better to give the impression of a paced ride with team mates as he slowly builds fitness.
    @stagehopper

Categories