Giro stage 17 *spoiler*
Comments
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Nibs to shoot off with 5K to go and force Cadel to chase. At the very least, Basso would get some bonus seconds off Cadel in the sprint.
I think they'll be too worried about Arroyo to leave it til the weekend and soft tap.
I know it's short, but can 'Dave' (as Sean calls him) Arroyo TT at all?___________________
Strava is not Zen.0 -
Liquigas still have nine riders, I suspect they might try something since time is running out to dispatch Arroyo. Yes, some big stages like ahead but they can try to fatigue him already, especially using Nibali.0
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Teams are running out of days to have a sort out. I read someone saying in another thread there would be no more 'off' days until the end of the race and I think that is right.0
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Liquigas have to fight on two fronts - get Basso closer to Arroyo, and do not let Evans get any closer to Basso. Today is not the day to do the first, but there is the bonus second threat of the second. Therefore I can imagine Liquigas and CdE letting a breakaway go.
The climb is serious enough to make this a mountain stage, but probably not enough to make any difference for the GC riders, so far from the finish. The climb to the finish will split up what's left of the bunch, but again, between the GC riders it will probably be more about the bonus seconds.0 -
risky not using the opportunity to hurt arroyo but at the same time they dont want to gift Evans bonus time on the line..they have their own dilemmas
they can try something
scarponi's bid for the podium looks a tad desperate at the mo.. a lot of ground to make up as well
if LIQ dont drive or get some maneuver together its a sign of weakness..may indicate basso's feeling the pressure
nibs may have to sacrifice the podium for the greater good of this week..."If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0 -
I think Vino might make a move before the final climb,...he's not so good on long steep stuff but this route today looks more like his terrain. Reckon Evans will wheel suck rather than attack and leave himself vulnerable to Nibali or Scarponi counter attacking...he can do Basso in the final TT will be what's in his mind0
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Liquigas may also be a bit nervous about sastre - he didnt do well yesterday and doesnt seem to be on top form but the last few stages are the sort which he could do well on. I think they will burn up the climb, at least for a bit, to see who they can shake out and then see if its worth carrying on with the effort.
Maybe a day for the guys a way down on GC but who can climb to get in the break and hope that no one in the peloton wants to put on too much pressure. They can then work together to stay ahead and have a go on the steeper bits of the last climb.
Should be starting soon?0 -
Interesting isn't it - I can see why letting a break get away to mop up the time bonuses might suit Basso but if the don't make it hard enough then it's an opportunity to put Arroyo in trouble gone.
If Basso could descend like Nibali I'd say he'd be odds on for the GC now - but there are a couple of stages coming up where he could be in trouble. I reckon those behind Basso looking to make up time - Evans, maybe Vino and Scarponi - will be looking at the descents of the Mortirolo and Gavia with interest. Basso isn't a great descender and there is every chance they can drop him there - Basso may be looking at using his team to chase back after those. Vino and Evans are strong riders and if they get away on the descent they are going to take some pulling back - their weakness is they may lack team mates they could throw up the road in a break to get over the mountains first to help pull on the other side.
Anone know the weather forecast in that part of Italy for Fri/Sat - could be crucial ?
it's a hard life if you don't weaken.0 -
It's been said before, but this is a bloody brilliant race, isn't it?
Just looking at this thread makes you realise how finely balanced everything is, and how much is still up for grabs. It's so exciting...My cycle racing blog: http://cyclingapprentice.wordpress.com/
If you live in or near Sussex, check this out:
http://ontherivet.ning.com/0 -
I think they'll let a group go, then defend attacks in the final 10k
There's still massive days to peg back Arroyo.
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I'm not sure if the descents will be that critical. Liquigas can shell a lot of people on the climbs so they'd have to chase on even before they could attack. Can you see Vino getting up the Gavia in the front if the boys in green didn't want him to?Fckin' Quintana … that creep can roll, man.0
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There aren't the big mountain top finishes to hurt Arroyo though - if they finished at the top of the Gavia and the Mortirolo then I'd agree Arroyo has no chance - but Basso will have to be brave both tactically and in his descending with the route as it is.
it's a hard life if you don't weaken.0 -
iainf72 wrote:I'm not sure if the descents will be that critical. Liquigas can shell a lot of people on the climbs so they'd have to chase on even before they could attack. Can you see Vino getting up the Gavia in the front if the boys in green didn't want him to?
Maybe, maybe not. I can't see many Liquigas getting up there in front of Vino so Basso may choose to shell Vino far enough on the climb but then he risks isolating himself and Evans can descend better than Basso - probably Scarponi and a few others too - then Basso does what - sits up and waits for his team or chases solo - maybe with one or two riders sitting on him saying go on you chase you have to win the Giro. Evans maybe picks up a couple and promises not to contest the finish if they work with him. You never know.
it's a hard life if you don't weaken.0 -
They've started now, nine riders trying to go clear.0
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Cumulonimbus wrote:Liquigas may also be a bit nervous about sastre - he didnt do well yesterday and doesnt seem to be on top form but the last few stages are the sort which he could do well on. I think they will burn up the climb, at least for a bit, to see who they can shake out and then see if its worth carrying on with the effort.
Maybe a day for the guys a way down on GC but who can climb to get in the break and hope that no one in the peloton wants to put on too much pressure. They can then work together to stay ahead and have a go on the steeper bits of the last climb.
Should be starting soon?
there is still all sorts of semi dangerous riders still up on gc.... need to very watchful of breaks which my make for some really leg breaking stuff early on"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0 -
Tom Butcher wrote:There aren't the big mountain top finishes to hurt Arroyo though - if they finished at the top of the Gavia and the Mortirolo then I'd agree Arroyo has no chance - but Basso will have to be brave both tactically and in his descending with the route as it is.
they will go two mountains out rather than one... the big attacks have to come earlier if arroyo is still there... nibs will have to ride if LIQ get dropped in the process... nibs basso evans and whoever else can hang on is my guess?..
but first today.... 8)"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0 -
mididoctors wrote:Tom Butcher wrote:There aren't the big mountain top finishes to hurt Arroyo though - if they finished at the top of the Gavia and the Mortirolo then I'd agree Arroyo has no chance - but Basso will have to be brave both tactically and in his descending with the route as it is.
they will go two mountains out rather than one... the big attacks have to come earlier if arroyo is still there... nibs will have to ride if LIQ get dropped in the process... nibs basso evans and whoever else can hang on is my guess?..
but first today.... 8)
Yes, that's the most logical - Basso/Evans trying to distance Arroyo on the Mortirolo and Gavia, and leaving the fight between themselves for the easier finish climbs. Both Mortirolo and Gavia are hard enough for that scenario, and close enough to the finish.0 -
This Giro is amazingly tough - just as one illustration, today is classified as 'middle mountain', and cyclingnews just wrote that main climb today is considered 'not really difficult', but its distance, average percentage and max steepness are similar-ish to for instance the Col d'Aubisque. It's just that there are so many ridiculously tough climbs in this Giro that some others seem 'easy' in comparison.0
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I've ridden the first climb they do today and it's pretty tough, comparable to the likes of the Aubisque as FJS points out. It starts at around 300 metres above sea level so whilst the summit isn't that high it's still a long climb.
It may not be decisive but the cumulative effect of this final week is going to tell come Friday and Saturday. Time gaps will be in the minutes then, rather than seconds.0 -
47k in and no break is being allowed to go so far"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0
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andyp wrote:I've ridden the first climb they do today and it's pretty tough, comparable to the likes of the Aubisque as FJS points out. It starts at around 300 metres above sea level so whilst the summit isn't that high it's still a long climb.
It may not be decisive but the cumulative effect of this final week is going to tell come Friday and Saturday. Time gaps will be in the minutes then, rather than seconds.
i could see a major contender cracking into a thousand pieces and losing 10 mins in a single stage"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0 -
The stage is very fast so far, lots of moves but none succeeding. One attempt now has 19 riders, but only 22 seconds ahead of the bunch.
EDIT: they have 1:52 now. Cummings and Igantiev up front, no big GC names0 -
Kléber wrote:The stage is very fast so far, lots of moves but none succeeding. One attempt now has 19 riders, but only 22 seconds ahead of the bunch.
EDIT: they have 1:52 now. Cummings and Igantiev up front, no big GC names
not allowing them to build a big lead before the climb....?
edit up to 5 mins..."If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0 -
Break-away names: Wyss, Efimkin, Ochoa, Kireyev, Arashiro, Amador, Konovalovas, Duque, Monier, Stortoni, Hondo, Marzano, Moreno, Kruijswijk, Cummings, Reynes, Ignatiev, Fothen and Nicki Sorensen
Only Efimkin relatively high-placed in GC. Not as many climbers in there as you would expect. Efimkin, Monier, Moreno, Kruijswijk and Stortoni should be able to last - well over 10 minutes now0 -
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There's some riders in red with something like BMC on their jerseys at the front of the bunch, haven't seen them before
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Eh? What's this about a camera on a bike that Kelly is on about?0
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greasedscotsman wrote:There's some riders in red with something like BMC on their jerseys at the front of the bunch, haven't seen them before
BMC jerseys are red? It thought they had that rainbow pattern on them. That's the only BMC jersey I've seen so far.
Twitter: @RichN950 -
If they let this go much further, we could have Efimkin in pink tonight !0
