2013 Giro d'Italia Stage 10 : Cordenons - Altopiano Del Montasio 167 km

[Dazed and Confused]

Don't forget that Ryder had some really bad days at this point of the race in Giro 2012 as well, although he was lucky enough not to lose time then. In TDF 2010, when he was 6th, there were also some stage in the 2nd week when he almost got dropped from a 60 man peloton on a semi-mountain stage.

So I wouldn't write him off yet even though he's had a bad day.

stiil, Hesjedal will now have to do something he has never done before: take back 3 minutes on his rivals as a serious GC contender. The situation could create a fantastic race, but the task will be very difficult indeed.

 

[nesocip]

Don't forget that Ryder had some really bad days at this point of the race in Giro 2012 as well, although he was lucky enough not to lose time then. In TDF 2010, when he was 6th, there were also some stage in the 2nd week when he almost got dropped from a 60 man peloton on a semi-mountain stage.

So I wouldn't write him off yet even though he's had a bad day.

I would say he has had 2 bad days in a row now, the TT yesterday (look at his terrible time up the final climb) and of course today.

Either the rest day will do miracles for him, or he will wave goodbye to a good placing on Tuesday.

 

[Lupetto]

Passo Cason di Lanza looks great.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPqB8anlPbY

Wiggins will love that descend.

 

[SafeBet]

Passo Cason di Lanza looks great.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPqB8anlPbY

Wiggins will love that descend.

Indeed.
Amazing scenery. Could become one of my favorite climbs ever.

 

[karlboss]

So who has dropped time on GC, can climb, decend, and has an aggressive attitude? I'm going for that guy. A selective climb, decent, and MTF, after gaps have opened on GC, and relative strengths and weaknesses have been figured out...it doesn't get much better. A little rain would be nice.
I think Wiggins will surprise. His head will be cleared after the rest day. The skyborgs will be with Wiggins over the top of the penultimate climb and after losing time on the decent will drop at the bottom of the ultimate climb with the leaders. Then try as the others might no one will drop him by the top. After expending energy in attempting to drop wiggins noone will have anything left as he sprints the final 200 for the win.

 

[DiscoPants]

Be interesting to see what happens if Wiggo, Henao and Uran have Cataldo and Sitsou with them at the foot of the final climb, could see an attack from Henao or Uran causing problems for Nibali and isolating him.

I'd be shocked if it happened, but a Colombian attack on the final climb if Nibali is looking isolated could be a very brave tactic from Sky. Can't see it happening though, too much of a risk that they also drop Wiggins and then the wrong Sky rider ends up in pink, that would be an embarrassing spanner in the works.

 

[cineteq]

Didn't he win the vuelta cause anton crashed out?

Obviously not. Did Anton win or podium any GT after that?

 

[webvan]

I'd be shocked if it happened, but a Colombian attack on the final climb if Nibali is looking isolated could be a very brave tactic from Sky. Can't see it happening though, too much of a risk that they also drop Wiggins and then the wrong Sky rider ends up in pink, that would be an embarrassing spanner in the works.

Dunno, they might try that with either Henao or Uran (Henao seems more likely) to see what Nibali/Astana does. It's unlikely Wiggo won't be able to follow Nibali, if he can't he won't win the Giro anyway...Uran/Henao can pace him for a while.

 

[karlboss]

I'd be shocked if it happened, but a Colombian attack on the final climb if Nibali is looking isolated could be a very brave tactic from Sky. Can't see it happening though, too much of a risk that they also drop Wiggins and then the wrong Sky rider ends up in pink, that would be an embarrassing spanner in the works.

The only way another Sky rider attacks the final climb is if Wiggins doesn't make it back to the front group by the time the front group starts to climb. They will sit and sit and sit, and then just take the victory.
For me it'll be interesting if Sky riders are allowed to descend away from Wiggins. I think Henao yes, Uran no.

 

[contessador]

My vote is for Betancur!

But...not sure if he'll be up for it. More likely the win will come from a breakaway is my guess. GC contenders will all come in about the same time...

depending on the weather

 

[Jelantik]

The only way another Sky rider attacks the final climb is if Wiggins doesn't make it back to the front group by the time the front group starts to climb. They will sit and sit and sit, and then just take the victory.
For me it'll be interesting if Sky riders are allowed to descend away from Wiggins. I think Henao yes, Uran no.

lol..it would be funny if henao either win or podium in Giro and he leaves sky at the end of the season..

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

He wasn't that great on the climbs. He always had his bad day btw.

If evans is back to his old self he has a very good chance.

curious, at his best evans still never won mtf in GTs. but ok...

 

[karlboss]

lol..it would be funny if henao either win or podium in Giro and he leaves sky at the end of the season..

It may already to be too late, Henao would be about 40 seconds down if given a free hand from the start, and would be (still is?) eyeing a podium. I'd certainly leave him with the leaders on descents, however if Wiggins is climbing well and there on the final mountain of the day he should work for Wiggins.
If Wiggins can't be with the leaders at the base of the final climb of the day, using Uran, Cataldo, and Siustou. He couldn't win if Henao waits around too.

 

[webvan]

Yeah, one support rider will be enough if Wiggins is not up to it, hopefully it can be Siutsu to keep Uran and Henao in the mix.

I guess the problem is more if he's feeling good, it wouldn't make a lot of sense in that case to take risks by having Henao or Uran attack, unless they're trying to test Nibali and counter when he's bridged back. Didn't work too badly for CSC in 2008 to have a three pronged attack...since they arguably beat a stronger (but wounded) overall rider.

I'm pretty sure they'll try that at some point, but can Uran or Henao really take off alone on long CAT1 climbs? So far they haven't shown great acceleration abilities in the high mountains...but maybe they hadn't really had the opportunity to do it, well they did in the 2012 Giro...

 

[Dedelou]

role reversal

Interestingly, Nibali is now in a rare situation when he can just sit and enjoy the sky train, saving energy for bursting at the right moment and even gaining a few seconds is enough to keep him safe. Sky will have the job of trying thing they never did allow before.

 

[maxmartin]

Interestingly, Nibali is now in a rare situation when he can just sit and enjoy the sky train, saving energy for bursting at the right moment and even gaining a few seconds is enough to keep him safe. Sky will have the job of trying thing they never did allow before.

Yep and Nibali's climbing style is similar to Wiggin's, it could be their plan all along. This is directly from ASTANA DS

“We are happy Wiggins is still okay, he’s more of an ally for us. If he was further back, I’d be more worried, to tell you the truth,” Martinelli said. “The team might start to play with Sergio Henao and Rigoberto Urán. Instead, Wiggins is still the leader and there’s more tranquility.

 

[Jethro]

I think a breakaway will win the stage, but the important thing is which GC contender will gain on the others. Given the race so far and the conditions in the area, Evans hasn't really faultered and has the skills to take time out on the other GCs, so I voted for Evans - not so much the stage but the overall GC 'benefitor'.

 

[Ferminal]

Indeed.
Amazing scenery. Could become one of my favorite climbs ever.

Hopefully Crostis - Cason di Lanza - Descent Finish next year

 

[Pricey_sky]

Now the serious stages start!

Lots of questions to answer too, Does Wiggins have the form for this like he has said? Does he even have the right frame of mind? Has Evans found the form of 2011 or will he start to drop when we go to the top of the cols? If Wiggo is on form and the train hits full gear can Nibali hold on?

I can't wait to find out all of the answers.

P.S Come on Santa!!!!!

 

[Afrank]

Santambrogio, Nibali, Betancur; one of those guys and the other 2 not far behind (not far behind in stage placement). Hoping for the highlighter, on paper they should have taken a couple stages by now.

Looking forward to seeing how Cadel goes, hopefully he hangs in there with the front group.

 

[whittashau]

Passo Cason di Lanza looks great.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPqB8anlPbY

Wiggins will love that descend.

Wow, that's more treacherous than I thoght
BMC, Garmin and Astana should all send someone in the break and attack there forcing Sky into yet another dilemma

 

[TheRossSeaParty]

Gesink to to feature, always attacking even if to his own detriment. Would love to see him prove his capabilities as GT contender. Like the Vuelta edition that Valverde won...

 

[The GCW]

Lots of talk with only one certainty.

We can talk but there is so many things that could happen that it is mind boggling. Ryder, Wiggo, Nibs, Evans, Scarponi etc. It's just too much to predict.

What a race.

There is one thing that is certain though, if it rains, if the roads are wet, Wiggins descent will slow Him down a lot. Wigborg is dependent on the weather more than the other GC'ers.

-0-

And I agree with Ferryman: if Ryder was in good shape today, Wiggo would have been at a loss...

If all the GC contenders are going to have a couple of bad days, Ryder and Wiggo have had theirs, Nibs and Evans will get theirs later...

I guess there is one more certainty. We have a great couple of weeks of racing ahead.

 

[virandociclista]

To this etapa I will go with scarponi.

 

[Cimber]

????

Your comments confuse me as usual.

You make it sound like Nibali sucks at climbing.

He makes any1 who is not Schleck or Sky sound like they suck. I usually just scroll past his comments