Giro Stage 17 **Spoiler**

cogidubnus

I dunno Geox have been massively disappointing considering they aren't going to be at the TdF. Surely Menchov and Sastre should be much higher up the GC

inkyfingers

Yellow Peril wrote:

inkyfingers wrote:

Surprised Garzelli isn't in the break.

Are Sky still in this race? Clearly Lofkvist is out of the GC battle...surely they could at least try and get someone like Cioni into the break to at least show they tried and get the sponsors name on TV?

I think this is my biggest disappointment with Sky. Brailsford seems intent on doing everything by the numbers. If by mid-point through the race the numbers don't stack up then the team just shut down.

There is no passion or fire in the belly of Sky. Riders should be out there taking racing chances for stages if there is no GC or jersey prospects. Perhaps we'll see something as the stage progresses but I fear they'll just sign off anonymously at the end of the race.

Agree 100%. It was clear after the first week or so that Lofkvist was never going to feature on the GC so at that point they should have gone all out for a stage win by trying to get guys like Cioni, Downing or even Lofkvist into breaks at every opportunity. Even if you aren't successful it gets the sponsors name on TV and at least you can say you tried! They did exactly the same in the Tour last year, only when Wiggins GC hopes were in a box on the way home to England did they try and get Flecha and EBH into breaks, but they were suicide breaks on days when a break was never likely to stick

The only plus point for Sky int this Giro has been Appollonio's performance in the sprints, for a 21 year old to be regularly getting top 5s in sprints in a GT shows serious potential.

It's dissapointing as across the season generally I think they've performed much better.

afx237vi

Rick Chasey wrote:

Worst team in the Giro has been either Quick-Step or Geox.


Probably QS.

BMC have been completely invisible.

cogidubnus

Didn't BMC have that long lone break? which resulted in mountains jersey?

LangerDan

Cogidubnus wrote:

I dunno Geox have been massively disappointing considering they aren't going to be at the TdF. Surely Menchov and Sastre should be much higher up the GC

Sastre has become a shadow of his former self. WRT Menchov, I'd be inclined to hold judgement until the end ot the week. By virtue of doing absolutely nothing, he's up to 7th. I doubt he'll podium but he'll dispense with Nieve, Rujano and probably Gadret over the next few days.

rick_chasey

afx237vi wrote:

Rick Chasey wrote:

Worst team in the Giro has been either Quick-Step or Geox.


Probably QS.

BMC have been completely invisible.

Indeed.

I guess its a throw up between QS and BMC.

Take it your vote for worst team is BMC?

frenchfighter

Imagine if Nibali attacked at the summit, took 2mions on the descent, lost 1min on the climb and gained another minute in the descent. Wow that would be cool.

frenchfighter

LangerDan wrote:

Cogidubnus wrote:

I dunno Geox have been massively disappointing considering they aren't going to be at the TdF. Surely Menchov and Sastre should be much higher up the GC

Sastre has become a shadow of his former self. WRT Menchov, I'd be inclined to hold judgement until the end ot the week. By virtue of doing absolutely nothing, he's up to 7th. I doubt he'll podium but he'll dispense with Nieve, Rujano and probably Gadret over the next few days.

Strong in the third and a great TT rider. I'd say you are right.

cogidubnus

LangerDan wrote:

Cogidubnus wrote:

I dunno Geox have been massively disappointing considering they aren't going to be at the TdF. Surely Menchov and Sastre should be much higher up the GC

Sastre has become a shadow of his former self. WRT Menchov, I'd be inclined to hold judgement until the end ot the week. By virtue of doing absolutely nothing, he's up to 7th. I doubt he'll podium but he'll dispense with Nieve, Rujano and probably Gadret over the next few days.

This is true about Menchov, I would just have liked to see him mixing it abit more at the front

afx237vi

Rick Chasey wrote:

afx237vi wrote:

Rick Chasey wrote:

Worst team in the Giro has been either Quick-Step or Geox.


Probably QS.

BMC have been completely invisible.

Indeed.

I guess its a throw up between QS and BMC.

Take it your vote for worst team is BMC?

Yeah. I forgot they had that one day in the green jersey, but really, that's it. Even though QS are nowhere in the GC, they had Cataldo riding aggressively and above his usual standard in the first week and a half.

luckao

Rick Chasey wrote:

By the way, where's Szmyd been?

Is he really there? Granted, I'm not the most perceptive, although I can't remember see him hit the front like usual. I assumed at one point that he was being kept fresh for Basso's efforts.

RichN95.

Rick Chasey wrote:

By the way, where's Szmyd been?

He was ill earlier in the race - he said that one night he spent more time on the toilet than in bed. I think he's just trying to make it to the end.

jonginge

Luckao wrote:

Rick Chasey wrote:

By the way, where's Szmyd been?

Is he really there? Granted, I'm not the most perceptive, although I can't remember see him hit the front like usual. I assumed at one point that he was being kept fresh for Basso's efforts.

Seen it mentioned a few times that he's been sick. Must be getting a bit better as he did a decent ride yesterday

BarryBonds

JonGinge wrote:

Luckao wrote:

Rick Chasey wrote:

By the way, where's Szmyd been?

Is he really there? Granted, I'm not the most perceptive, although I can't remember see him hit the front like usual. I assumed at one point that he was being kept fresh for Basso's efforts.

Seen it mentioned a few times that he's been sick. Must be getting a bit better as he did a decent ride yesterday

well hes a bit lighter than he was

Doobz

Geox, Lampre, Liquigas starting to turn up the gas

camerone

Doobz wrote:

Geox, Lampre, Liquigas starting to turn up the gas

maybe menchov fancies the descent............

afx237vi

New classic from Sean Kelly: "How many from Spain in the breakaway? Will we have another Spanner victory today?"

Cleat Eastwood

he's in good form today. "2, the same as the isle of man."

BarryBonds

what a great descent, that must be a serious relief after the last couple of weeks


but very smooth can nibali really get time on that?

BarryBonds

ok looking a bit more windy and twisty now
awsome countryside

BarryBonds

shack on the front of the peleoton, not happy to see him looking beind himself

luckao

Way too long to the finish to make any advantage gained on the descent stick.

BarryBonds

ha ha love it not sure whos won

afx237vi

Gawd knows who won that. DQ em both.

luckao

Fiiiiiiight!

Neil McC

ffs Visconti don't chuck away PTP points like that :x

seven7faces

give it to 3rd place

afx237vi

Amazed if Visconti doesn't get relegated here.

smithy21

Surely Visconti's got to get demoted for that.

camerone

visconti HAS to be DQ'd surely! not sure about other chap
other point, Kelly very jovial today, sounds like he has been on the eytalien plonk