Giro Stage 15 *spoiler*

ellerslierd

greasedscotsman wrote:

ellerslierd wrote:

Basso and Scarponi look the most likely, depending on whether Rodriguez can be kept in check, or Hesjedal can hang on in there.

Do you not think Rodriguez is more likely winner? At the moment, I can't see Basso or Scarponi taking time from him. And Rodriguez has 1:22 on Basso and 1:36 on Scarponi, they need to take time from him.

As others have said, I think some of the longer climbs (Stelvio) will be where Basso or Scarponi (or maybe Hesjedal if recovers well) can make the difference. There is a lot of time to be won/lost there, and if J-Rod has to push on all the preceding stages to take time he may be left short on the Stelvio. And then there is the TT.

If Katusha are forced to work over the coming days Rodriguez will be left exposed.

How does Rodriguez descend? The descent of the Giau may be a problem for Basso if the others can remove his team from the equation?

greasedscotsman

iainf72 wrote:

Basso won't leave it til the TT. Todays' finish was a 2nd cat climb with some nasty steep bits. Suits J-Rod, but when you get to the Dolomites it will be a different story.

Yesterday didn't suit Basso/Liquigas as it was too long, neither did today, it was too short and steep. What makes the Dolomites so different?

iainf72 wrote:

Grand Tours are about recovering, so Liquigas keep it tough, everyone get shattered, some recover better than others.

And taking time from your rivals when you can.

iainf72 wrote:

Little Boots also recovers well.

Who is Little Boots? Basso? Explain!

Coriander

greasedscotsman wrote:

iainf72 wrote:

Little Boots also recovers well.

Who is Little Boots? Basso? Explain!

I think he means Scarponi. Though Scarponi actually means Big Shoes.

iainf72

greasedscotsman wrote:

iainf72 wrote:

Basso won't leave it til the TT. Todays' finish was a 2nd cat climb with some nasty steep bits. Suits J-Rod, but when you get to the Dolomites it will be a different story.

Yesterday didn't suit Basso/Liquigas as it was too long, neither did today, it was too short and steep. What makes the Dolomites so different?

I'd say today worked out exactly as required. Of people who could be problematic, only J-Rod took time. Basso took time on everyone except Little Boots (Scarponi)

With yesterdays climb, I just meant it was so long it was difficult to figure out how to deploy the team. So today you could leave Basso with one guy and it worked out fine, where as yesterday the length of it burned through a lot and Sly had to swing off sooner than expected.

J-Rod was clever today, because he probably managed to get himself some additional help, if worst came to worst.

iainf72

Coriander wrote:

greasedscotsman wrote:

iainf72 wrote:

Little Boots also recovers well.

Who is Little Boots? Basso? Explain!

I think he means Scarponi. Though Scarponi actually means Big Shoes.

Yup, Scarponi. Cadel Evans lovely wife Chiara calls him Little Boots.

frenchfighter

Been fewer Abandons this year demonstrating that the course hasnt been tough up to this point.

If all riders were like Basso then there woulnd't be many spectators. Nibali a lot more attacking.

Definitely need Contador to light them up early. All these seconds count and add up, especially as it doesn't look like anyone could do a monster time gap. Although it only takes one time and I think Basso is the most likely to do that at the moment. Remember that stage with Nibali, Scarponi and Basso:



Stage 19:
1 Michele Scarponi (Androni) 5:27:04 - 0:20
2 Ivan Basso (Liquigas) - 0:12
3 Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas) - 0:08
4 Alexander Vinokourov (Astana) + 3:05
5 John Gadret (AG2R) m.t.
6 Cadel Evans (Omega Pharma-Lotto)
7 David Arroyo (Caisse d’Epargne) + 3:06
8 Carlos Sastre (Saxo Bank)
9 Branislau Samoilau (Quick Step) + 5:27
10 Marco Pinotti (Team HTC-Columbia)

Stage 15 also:
1 Ivan Basso (Liquigas) 6:21:58
2 Cadel Evans (BMC) + 1:19
3 Michele Scarponi (Androni) + 1:30
4 Damiano Cunego (Lampre) + 1:58
5 Alexandre Vinokourov (Astana) + 2:26
6 Carlo Sastre (Cervelo) + 2:44
7 Vicenzo Nibali (Liquigas) + 3:07
8 Marco Pinotti (HTC-Columbia) + 3:20
9 Daniel Martin (Garmin-Transitions) + 3:32
10 John Gadret (Ag2R) + 3:45

Last 2km from today:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... vtNmlTCZP4

Coriander

iainf72 wrote:

Coriander wrote:

greasedscotsman wrote:

iainf72 wrote:

Little Boots also recovers well.

Who is Little Boots? Basso? Explain!

I think he means Scarponi. Though Scarponi actually means Big Shoes.

Yup, Scarponi. Cadel Evans lovely wife Chiara calls him Little Boots.

Ah, Ok, her Italian will be better than mine, her being Italian an' all, but still...

calvjones

Um. Don't Italians do sarcasm then?

Coriander

They might, but it appears I don't. :oops:

takethehighroad

I'd think J-Rod needs to beat Basso for 30 seconds on the Pampeago, and maybe take some on the descent into Cortina.

If he has 2 minutes going into the final weekend it will make things interesting

iainf72

frenchfighter wrote:

If all riders were like Basso then there woulnd't be many spectators. Nibali a lot more attacking.

Except Basso is way more popular than Nibali in Italy.

calvjones

Any1 know whether Uran home yet? [/ptpgcfail]

frenchfighter

iainf72 wrote:

frenchfighter wrote:

If all riders were like Basso then there woulnd't be many spectators. Nibali a lot more attacking.

Except Basso is way more popular than Nibali in Italy.

I'd believe it. Yet I doubt that has to do with his riding style, more because he is The Italian GT GC rider and has been for a long time.

I like Basso, don't get me wrong, and think he is King of the Race Face, with effort, yet he isn't as exciting to me as other riders, and is never worth much outside of the Giro.

rick_chasey

iainf72 wrote:

greasedscotsman wrote:

iainf72 wrote:

Basso won't leave it til the TT. Todays' finish was a 2nd cat climb with some nasty steep bits. Suits J-Rod, but when you get to the Dolomites it will be a different story.

Yesterday didn't suit Basso/Liquigas as it was too long, neither did today, it was too short and steep. What makes the Dolomites so different?

I'd say today worked out exactly as required. Of people who could be problematic, only J-Rod took time. Basso took time on everyone except Little Boots (Scarponi)

With yesterdays climb, I just meant it was so long it was difficult to figure out how to deploy the team. So today you could leave Basso with one guy and it worked out fine, where as yesterday the length of it burned through a lot and Sly had to swing off sooner than expected.

J-Rod was clever today, because he probably managed to get himself some additional help, if worst came to worst.

Basso needs to take time out at some point.

Let's look at the remaining stages.


Won't make any time. Perhaps J rod might take a bit more, but even that's unlikely.



Basso will need to be extra-terrestrial to make enough time at the top to make it down with anything significant



Rest day, innit ?



A day where Basso can take time.



A day where Basso can take time - possibly lots (assuming the weather is on side...).



Basso can probably take a bit, but not that much.


So he's got to do it in three days. I'd suggest if he wants to win, he'll have to win at least one - or both MTFs, and be the fastest GCer in the TT.

It's a big ask. I think there's not much to put between him and Scarpo.

frenchfighter

remove

frenchfighter

Some of the stage profiles to come are down-right scary.

Frank the tank

The last two stages have been top drawer racing.

Think the whole job is shaping up for a great final week, I'll be watching avidly.

rick_chasey

Basso's a bit goldilocks :P.

S'why the Italian's like him. And his boyish looks.

Italians like people they think they can mother.

frenchfighter

Rick Chasey wrote:

Basso's a bit goldilocks :P.

S'why the Italian's like him. And his boyish looks.

Italians like people they think they can mother.

Its why Iain loves him also

Pross

Best day's racing I've seen this season. So pleased that Rabottini managed to come through for the win (bloody sit in sprinter ). Good attack by J Rod who probably needs a few more of those and very good ride by Henao who looks like he really could live up to the hype.

greasedscotsman

Rick Chasey wrote:

It's a big ask. I think there's not much to put between him and Scarpo.

There isn't much between any of them!

greasedscotsman

frenchfighter wrote:

Rabottini looks really, really bored!

timoid.

Anyone else think JRod let Rabbotini win?

I expect some favours for Katusha from Farense Vini this week.

rick_chasey

Timoid. wrote:

Anyone else think JRod let Rabbotini win?

I expect some favours for Katusha from Farense Vini this week.

He'd have lost himself a lot of fans/public manna otherwise.

I think Rabbotini made it easy for JRod to 'gift' in that he'd have had to fight pretty hard anyway.

But yes, a favour or two, but that's why we like the Giro isn't it?

You don't get this 'no gifts' malarky. Proper cycling politics all the way.

Pross

Timoid. wrote:

Anyone else think JRod let Rabbotini win?

I expect some favours for Katusha from Farense Vini this week.

Not sure. He didn't ease up when he first passed him so given Rabottini had been out front all day he did well to hang in and even launch a sprint. Whether J Rod decided not to race for the stage when Rabo went back in front or whether he had used everything to get his lead it's hard to tell. If it was a gift it was particularly classy not to make it look like one!

frenchfighter

1 Joaquim Rodriguez Oliver (Spa) Katusha Team 65:11:07
2 Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin - Barracuda 0:00:30
3 Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale 0:01:22
4 Paolo Tiralongo (Ita) Astana Pro Team 0:01:26
5 Roman Kreuziger (Cze) Astana Pro Team 0:01:27
6 Michele Scarponi (Ita) Lampre - ISD 0:01:36
7 Benat Intxausti Elorriaga (Spa) Movistar Team 0:01:42
8 Sergio Luis Henao Montoya (Col) Sky Procycling 0:01:55
9 Dario Cataldo (Ita) Omega Pharma-Quickstep 0:02:12
10 Sandy Casar (Fra) FDJ-Big Mat 0:02:13 - Still up there!

RUJANO WHACKED, down 4mins this stage, now 8mins off GC.

inkyfingers

Am I right in saying there weren't any time bonuses today? Can't imagine J Rod would have gifted it if there were (not that i'm sure he did gift it).

Even though the GC guys left it late as usual I enjoyed the last hour or so. I really didn't think Rabottini was going to stay away and was screaming at the TV when he got overtaken then overtook J Rod again, that was a proper good win.

J Rod doing what he does best but he's going to have to do the same thing at least once, probably twice more if he's to have any hope of holding on in the TT and you always expect him to have a bad day at some point. Personally I can still see Basso and Scarponi duking it out on the Stelvio for the stage and for the overall.

Impressed with Henao, 8th overall now and best young rider now after Uran was distanced on final climb. I said yesterday that Uran seems to lack consistency and today bore that out, both very talented guys though and good to see them getting a chance to strut their stuff in a GT but without too much pressure.

jibberjim

No bonuses on the MTF's this year.

timoid.

Rick Chasey wrote:

Timoid. wrote:

Anyone else think JRod let Rabbotini win?

I expect some favours for Katusha from Farense Vini this week.

He'd have lost himself a lot of fans/public manna otherwise.

I think Rabbotini made it easy for JRod to 'gift' in that he'd have had to fight pretty hard anyway.

But yes, a favour or two, but that's why we like the Giro isn't it?

You don't get this 'no gifts' malarky. Proper cycling politics all the way.

Indeed. Absolutely the right call from Purtito.

Dunno why everyone is saying Basso and Scarponi are going to duke it out for the win. Rodriguez is the man in form and if he can hang in there Hesjedal is by far and away the best TTer.

Basso looks past it. I think he'll be the one to crack on the Stelvio.

iainf72

Timoid. wrote:

Basso looks past it. I think he'll be the one to crack on the Stelvio.

You've noticed he's 3rd in the GC, right?