2012 Giro d'Italia; May 19th; Stage 14: Cherasco - Cervinia(205km)

[Frosty]

Nieve has won 2 gt stages, both from a break. he is 3.50 or so down so not enough to let him go and he will probably choose a more mountainous stage anyhow.

can't see how you can hesitate over superior climbers like henao and dg but include nieve.

They've both been fairly epic stages too - queen stage of the Vuelta 2010 and Giro 2011? Maybe he will see how it goes for now and if it isnt looking too good then back off to allow him to go on stage 17 or the last stage?

http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/vuelta-a-espana-2010/stage-16
http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/giro-ditalia-2011/stage-15

 

[airstream]

Nieve can win the stage straightforward because the bigs can not catch him if they will decide to ride conservatively.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

I mentioned uran as an outside favorite. But I was stating who i think could win and i dont believe that Henao can win this stage

Though i did miss out Nieve who won a mountain stage last year.

the climb couldn't be more perfect for henao though. long and not steep.

still rujano should finish this at least a minute ahead of number 2. like last year etna and this time no headwind I believe.

 

[Gloin22]

Cav is doing the whole Giro then if he gets the time limits. Bit surprising though. I think if he wants to get points jersey here he won't do the whole tour then for points there.

"It took me a week to really fully recover and get my legs back again. The guys are really looking after me though; they are keeping me protected throughout the stages which is perfect and I want to go to Milan and win the points jersey."

So those who said bye Cav. Well he will still get some camera shots in grupetto

 

[airstream]

the climb couldn't be more perfect for henao though. long and not steep.

still rujano should finish this at least a minute ahead of number 2. like last year etna and this time no headwind I believe.

The fact that there is 2k on flat before the finish doesnt confuse you? Rujano can gain time uphill but give it back on flat.

 

[Kwibus]

Cav is doing the whole Giro then if he gets the time limits. Bit surprising though. I think if he wants to get points jersey here he won't do the whole tour then for points there.

"It took me a week to really fully recover and get my legs back again. The guys are really looking after me though; they are keeping me protected throughout the stages which is perfect and I want to go to Milan and win the points jersey."

So those who said bye Cav. Well he will still get some camera shots in grupetto

Good on him. He probably has some pressure from above to leave early.
Cav gets a +1 from me.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

The fact that there is 2k on flat before the finish doesnt confuse you? Rujano can gain time uphill but give it back on flat.

lol. you have no idea about rujano

 

[Kwibus]

OP also gets a +1 from me.
I'm probably lucky I've only just read it since I believe he has been editing it non stop since he posted it, but right now it's real proper stage opening post!

I'm allready looking forward to tomorrow. There will be some dissapointments tomorrow from GC man.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Tze Core > Joux by so much it isn't even funny.

 

[RHRH19861986]

Epic day tomorrow... And, to be honest, it doesn´t need a Pantani or a Contador to make a Giro stage epic, the now expected tight differences might be even more interesting.
Seems like Basso, Scarponi and Kreuziger will be main contenders for the overall, as expected. Hope Rujano has his best mountain legs, then he´ll be part of this fight. First decision will be made after Stelvio, final decision in Milano, I guess, but this weekend´s stages should give good indication.

Can´t wait...

Everyone, especially here in Germany, is looking forward to this soccer Champions League final sh*t... Glad that cycling lovers get the real taste of true sports: passionate, hard, just epic.

 

[Gloin22]

Very possibly cold and wet finish tomorrow.

http://www.cyclofocus.com/wlc/page/weerbericht

 

[Dedelou]

this is the stage we all have been waiting for. The one that all the GC pretenders can't afford to loose, but that GC wannabes will try to win to make up for the time they have lost in the past 13 days. Frank among many others, has to show he is in this race. Loosing more time tomorrow to any of the top ranked guys would spell the end of his podium's hopes

 

[roundabout]

I hope I am wrong but tomorrow is likely to be more about not going off the back than going off the front.

 

[El Pistolero]

Epic day tomorrow... And, to be honest, it doesn´t need a Pantani or a Contador to make a Giro stage epic

True, it needs both of them.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

True, it needs both of them.

i wish there was a time machine so we could have 99 Vandenbroecke vs 98 Pantani vs 2004 Armstrong vs 97 Ullrich vs 2006/07 Ricco vs 2009 Contador

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

i wish there was a time machine so we could have 99 Vandenbroecke vs 98 Pantani vs 2004 Armstrong vs 97 Ullrich vs 2006/07 Ricco vs 2009 Contador

it is called pcm

edit: 08 ricco right?

 

[manafana]

going be such interesting stage tomorrow, so much at stake surely one of gc wannabes down the pecking order gets away to win.

 

[karlboss]

I hope I am wrong but tomorrow is likely to be more about not going off the back than going off the front.

If this stage was later it would make it more interesting. These two mountains are really too long and gradual, for anyone of note to risk anything before the first accent, maybe roll downhill and see who keeps up, but certainly not push. Liqui and possibly Astana to ride tempo to Cervinia and attacks only to come if there is a weakness noted. I actually like these stages, you can watch and as each "contender" slips off the back you can draw a line through their name for GC. There will be lots of lines drawn after this one, and no way we are left with more than 10 names, I'm hoping weakness is noted and we have around 5 names left at the end of the day.
I expect everyone to do well that everyone else does, really hoping Rodriguez can hang in.

 

[blaxland]

This stage looks good to see some interesting time gaps with Krueziger/scarponi,schleck,rodriguez and Rujano all going for the win.My favourite would have to be rujano,his explosive climbing is great to watch.Lets hope he brought his A game today?

 

[Dedelou]

In today's CN article, Szmyd reaffirmed what we know already about Liquigaz tactics to secure Basso's survival as a contender for the final podium. Like many I am dying to see some fireworks explode by those like Rujano, and a few others who don't have powerful team with monster domestics. I watched TOC today and the winner of today's stage made me long for an epic ride by the like of Gadret. ( although, i don't think he has that hunger )

 

[El Pistolero]

Looking forward to see who the pretenders of this Giro are.

 

[boomcie]

Looking forward to see who the pretenders of this Giro are.

Seconded.
________________

 

[gregrowlerson]

I hope I am wrong but tomorrow is likely to be more about not going off the back than going off the front.

I agree with this. Not the day to win the Giro, but the day where a few will lose it. Interesting to see how Rodriguez goes; can struggle on these long climbs.

Should be an exciting days racing though

 

[Pippo_San]

I'm wondering about the status of the colombian duo at Sky. I really do. I don't have much faith in them honestly since they have been used as slave workers for Cav...I hope they'll do well the next days, but I'm keen to think they'll fade miserably...

 

[Random Direction]

Here is a site for a webcam of Breuil-Cervinia: http://www.cervinia.it/pages/WEBCAM_i_en/453 - the Breuil-Cervinia: Cervino location seems to be best. Could turn nasty cold/rain/snow for the finish - how might this affect things?