- Sep 2, 2010
- 1,853
- 0
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Carstenbf said:
Boring? How?
Kangert only finished 2 minutes back and he's never been an elite climber so I don't think his TT made a difference in today's performance
- Jul 27, 2009
- 6,604
- 2,500
- 23,180
Nibali looks like the solid leader atm, but in fact he's just in a Il falco situation. It's like if it's 2005 all over again.
Nibali - Savoldelli
Evans - Simoni
Basso - Wiggins
Hesjedal - Cunego
Uran - Di Luca
Santa - Garate (?)
Betancur - Rujano (?)
Gesink - Honchar/ Bruseghin
Scarponi - Caucchioli
Pozzovivo/ Intxausti - Sella (?)
Astana looked pretty weak today, so Nibali has to avoid that 2-3 competitors launch a back to back attack as he can't chase them all down on his own. Otherwise he just might end up in a Poppvych 2004 situation. On one hand Nibali has his advantage in descending. On the other hand, he has to hope that Evans-Uran-Santa-Beta are not launching a Rujano-Di Luca - Simoni attack if he has a weak moment.
The problem is, Sky/Uran obviously has got the better team. And Uran might not be the better climber/ gc rider, but he has that punch to but Bibali in difficulties. If Evans, Santa and Betancur are also going on the attack, it just might be the question who could place the attack that cracks Nibali. Then Nibali has to find "an Ardillia".
Nibali should let get a break away, but who? Betancur would be a very bad decision as he might end up in just the same situation as Falco did with Rujano in 2005. Pellizotti could be an option as former team mate. I guess delfino is trying to go for the Kom now he lost time once again. But altough he looked not strengh enough so far, it's asking for problems to let him gain back a load of time. Di Luca seems to be Santa's last man atm. He could let go guys like Weening, Sella, Pirazzi, Atapuma of course and control the bunch. But most likely Sky would still set up the tempo like they did today in that case.
So if his team isn't getting any stronger, it will still get difficult for Nibali. He's still in the pole position for the winof course. But I have a feeling that could get very very close in the end and seconds might decide who's the winner.
Just like in 2005 ....
Nibali - Savoldelli
Evans - Simoni
Basso - Wiggins
Hesjedal - Cunego
Uran - Di Luca
Santa - Garate (?)
Betancur - Rujano (?)
Gesink - Honchar/ Bruseghin
Scarponi - Caucchioli
Pozzovivo/ Intxausti - Sella (?)
Astana looked pretty weak today, so Nibali has to avoid that 2-3 competitors launch a back to back attack as he can't chase them all down on his own. Otherwise he just might end up in a Poppvych 2004 situation. On one hand Nibali has his advantage in descending. On the other hand, he has to hope that Evans-Uran-Santa-Beta are not launching a Rujano-Di Luca - Simoni attack if he has a weak moment.
The problem is, Sky/Uran obviously has got the better team. And Uran might not be the better climber/ gc rider, but he has that punch to but Bibali in difficulties. If Evans, Santa and Betancur are also going on the attack, it just might be the question who could place the attack that cracks Nibali. Then Nibali has to find "an Ardillia".
Nibali should let get a break away, but who? Betancur would be a very bad decision as he might end up in just the same situation as Falco did with Rujano in 2005. Pellizotti could be an option as former team mate. I guess delfino is trying to go for the Kom now he lost time once again. But altough he looked not strengh enough so far, it's asking for problems to let him gain back a load of time. Di Luca seems to be Santa's last man atm. He could let go guys like Weening, Sella, Pirazzi, Atapuma of course and control the bunch. But most likely Sky would still set up the tempo like they did today in that case.
So if his team isn't getting any stronger, it will still get difficult for Nibali. He's still in the pole position for the winof course. But I have a feeling that could get very very close in the end and seconds might decide who's the winner.
Just like in 2005 ....
- Sep 2, 2010
- 1,853
- 0
- 0
I was thinking that too. Maybe he didn't take too kindly to being yelled at yesterday. However, I think it's probably more to do with Agnoli and Nibali being best friends and therefore Agnoli is willing to almost wreck himself working for him.SafeBet said:
Cookster15
Moderator
- May 14, 2011
- 6,152
- 6,660
- 23,180
hrotha said:
Fair call. But I'm still tipping Cadel to improve as this race progresses. Not sure why you think the remaining stages suit Nibali more - Nibs has been on form for a long time now.
IMO it all comes back to Evans health. With only 1 months solid prep he should only get stronger if he doesn't pick up a bug like Ryder or Wiggins have. Today was Evans major hurdle as it was still early in the Giro and his form will take time to build into the 3rd week due to his late prep.
- Oct 21, 2012
- 3,857
- 3,212
- 19,180
hrotha said:
And the three times he needed two in the final 5k (bonuses and mechanical), he went into a gear that Evans has no chance of living with.
Increasingly looks like Nibali will be on his own towards the end of stages. But that will surely only matter if Lampre, Vini Fantini, AG2R and Sky all work together!
- Apr 16, 2009
- 17,599
- 6,854
- 28,180
I called it from the beginning. He looks the strongest. I don't think he held back when he attacked and was chasing Uran, but I do believe that he delayed his attack because of Uran and Pozzovivo.Escarabajo said:
He should not have said what he said. It is not good for the sponsors or even his friend's victory. He is just being spontaneous and now we are starting to know him better.
- Jan 20, 2011
- 5,041
- 21
- 17,530
maxmartin said:AG2R seems to have the most manpower in the end, but did not make anything out of it. They should have a better strategy
Dr Pozzo tried to attack but didn't seem to have the legs. Then betancur went and finished 2nd, Perhaps Betancur isn't too comfortable attacking from far out.
Otherwise they played their cards reasonably well.
- Mar 17, 2009
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the asian said:
my knowledge is that Rigo & Betancur are tight-needless to say- Carlos spoke from the Heart about Rigo's lack of support from SKY, but not winning cuz of his compatriot being ahead - that's BS.
I can foresee Rigo joining Carlos as soon as his contract spires....
- Apr 16, 2009
- 17,599
- 6,854
- 28,180
Depends on his third week recovery.taiwan said:
But I can tell you something that not many people are thinking about. The next TT favors him.
- Sep 8, 2009
- 15,306
- 3
- 22,485
Rajna31 said:
it is BS indeed. betancur if he could, he wouldn't think twice.
the thing is rigo had something in reserve for the last km. because at one point the gap was really really coming down big time but somehow rigo managed to put it back at 30 sec on nibali
- Jan 20, 2011
- 5,041
- 21
- 17,530
hfer07 said:my knowledge is that Rigo & Betancur are tight-needless to say- Carlos spoke from the Heart about Rigo's lack of support from SKY, but not winning cuz of his compatriot being ahead - that's BS.
I can foresee Rigo joining Carlos as soon as his contract spires....
AG2R? Don't think so.
Aren't OPQS the favourites to land him, although it's an odd team for a Colombian GC rider.
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