2013 Giro d'Italia, stage 18: Mori - La Polsa 20.6k

[karlboss]

Ok, but this way round you're waiting for almost 3 weeks for the decisive stages, then they don't appear. If they had been earlier the racing might have been different. Not that I haven't enjoyed the Giro. Just unfortunate, not a reason to have the queen stage in the first week.

I thought the course was a good one, there was enough going on early with Hesjedal attacking, and the questions over Wiggins form, and the decisive time trial to set the scene for the rest of the Giro, it's just been disappointing that weather has altered some stages.

This stage, really isn't that steep compared to some of the other MTTs we've seen recently. So I don't think the flyweight climbers have a shot. Kangert 1st Nibali 2nd, Evans 3rd.

 

[Afrank]

So is tomorrow going to be Nibali's proverbial bad day?

If your hoping for Nibali to have a bad day, then IMO you should prepare to be disappointed. This years Nibali is one of the, if not the, strongest we've seen him.

 

[Ferminal]

A reasonable headwind is expected, the first 100 starts will not have it as bad.

 

[Random Direction]

A reasonable headwind is expected, the first 100 starts will not have it as bad.

Which will put it right into the pocket of Garzelli, Dowsett, Cobo, Tiralongo, Kessiakoff, Tuft, one of the Columbian climbers well down on the GC, or someone similar, no?

Edit - Ferminal, which weather report are you looking at - the ones I see show a consistent 9k/hr wind for Mori, which would render the above mostly meaningless.

 

[Ferminal]

Which will put it right into the pocket of Garzelli, Dowsett, Cobo, Tiralongo, Kessiakoff, Tuft, one of the Columbian climbers well down on the GC, or someone similar, no?

Edit - Ferminal, which weather report are you looking at - the ones I see show a consistent 9k/hr wind for Mori, which would render the above mostly meaningless.

http://www.weather.com/weather/hourbyhour/graph/Brentonico+ITTA1070:1:IT?pagenum=2&nextbeginIndex=6

Half way point between the two climbs.

1pm W 14kmh
2pm WSW 14kmh
3pm SW 14kmh
4pm SW 16kmh

Start to finish direction is SSW so not as much in the face of the early starters.

 

[jens_attacks]

this is for garzelli
or dowsett/other movistar rider

 

[Random Direction]

http://www.weather.com/weather/hourbyhour/graph/Brentonico+ITTA1070:1:IT?pagenum=2&nextbeginIndex=6

Half way point between the two climbs.

1pm W 14kmh
2pm WSW 14kmh
3pm SW 14kmh
4pm SW 16kmh

Start to finish direction is SSW so not as much in the face of the early starters.

Thanks. Kessiakoff, garzelli and Dowsett go early, so it could be one of them. Tuft isn't good enough on climbs. Any idea of exposure on the climb?

 

[Hugo Koblet]

http://www.weather.com/weather/hourbyhour/graph/Brentonico+ITTA1070:1:IT?pagenum=2&nextbeginIndex=6

Half way point between the two climbs.

1pm W 14kmh
2pm WSW 14kmh
3pm SW 14kmh
4pm SW 16kmh

Start to finish direction is SSW so not as much in the face of the early starters.

It doesn't seem to be that big of a difference, though I guess small differences can be crucial in ITT's as well.

 

[Sasquatch]

this is for garzelli
or dowsett/other movistar rider

Cobo

 

[Pippo_San]

The last weather forecast says it shouldn't be really rainy until almost 4 PM, then there's a high risk of heavy rain or even thunderstorms

 

[janraaskalt]

this is for garzelli

Didn't even know he was riding the Giro. Invisible.

 

[jeosdk]

Do you really think that Scarponi will do well? To me it seems like Niemiec will do better today and the two following stages.

 

[number0]

my opinion..Nibali has the first match ball,today

 

[Cookster15]

Didn't even know he was riding the Giro. Invisible.

Garzelli was invisible in 2010 Giro too until he won the MTT that year. I think maybe he saves himself for these efforts.

 

[Red Rick]

Pirazzi to wait for his one minute man, before starting to attack him again and again

 

[SafeBet]

Garzelli was invisible in 2010 Giro too until he won the MTT that year. I think maybe he saves himself for these efforts.

I reckon he's not in good shape but we'll see.

Astana domestiques will likely save themselves for the two mountain stages, so I don't think Kessi can be a factor. Kangert maybe.

Dowsett not a chance in the world.

 

[movingtarget]

The top three riders look pretty solid. Nibali has looked comfortable up till now and starts behind Evans. The only way he does not increase his lead is if Evans puts in a super ride. Couple of the top 10 riders will probably struggle, further down the GC and lose more time.

 

[number0]

Garzelli was invisible in 2010 Giro too until he won the MTT that year. I think maybe he saves himself for these efforts.

he had 3 years less...

 

[Eyeballs Out]

They need another time check - after the flat section before the 2nd climb

Kessiakoff would be the obvious choice but he seems to be really out of form so Uran FTW

 

[SteelyDan]

Do you really think that Scarponi will do well? To me it seems like Niemiec will do better today and the two following stages.

not today.

They're both in good shape but Scarponi is a better time trialist.

 

[Sasquatch]

not today.

They're both in good shape but Scarponi is a better time trialist.

Being a good time trialer is irrelevant on mountains

 

[Sasquatch]

They need another time check - after the flat section before the 2nd climb

Kessiakoff would be the obvious choice but he seems to be really out of form so Uran FTW

He lost 10 seconds to Cadel on the steeper climb in the earlier TT. So he's thereabouts I would imagine.

 

[Sasquatch]

I reckon he's not in good shape but we'll see.

Astana domestiques will likely save themselves for the two mountain stages, so I don't think Kessi can be a factor. Kangert maybe.

Dowsett not a chance in the world.

Astana want a stage win.

Kessiakoff and Kangert will be told to go for it as they can get one through those two riders with Nibali of course. The others will rest up.

 

[liamito]

1 Michele Scarponi (Ita) Androni Giocattoli 0:14:55
2 Matteo Carrara (Ita) Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team 0:00:17
3 Przemyslaw Niemiec (Pol) Miche 0:00:20
4 Riccardo Ricco' (Ita) Ceramica Flaminia 0:00:21

 

[SafeBet]

Being a good time trialer is irrelevant on mountains

Scarponi is a very good MTTer.