2013 Giro D'Italia, Stage 5: Cosenza - Matera 203km

[Libertine Seguros]

I just want to say that I love the italian definition of sprinter stage: work for it if you want it

Stages 1 & 6 don't make them work for it at all, it's the usual kind of silly charity cases throwing a bone to the guys who already win more than anyone else anyway - so it's nice to see that they have to work for their wins the rest of the time.

 

[trevim]

Stages 1 & 6 don't make them work for it at all, it's the usual kind of silly charity cases throwing a bone to the guys who already win more than anyone else anyway - so it's nice to see that they have to work for their wins the rest of the time.

I'm fine with one or two of those very easy Guardini type of stage. As for the others, let them get dropped, fight back, get back on, dropped again and have a go at the end.

 

[Pricey_sky]

Goss or Degenkolb to win. No real action on GC.

 

[Ferminal]

Bit of rain around so there's a few corners down from Montescaglioso which may provide opportunity/create havoc.

 

[saneguy]

Possibly Goss's best chance. But that wall of Montescaglioso should see some attacks for sure. Rain of course will make sure we see a lot of action...

 

[Dazed and Confused]

http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2003/giro03/?id=results/stage2

Surprised it was a 70 man bunch sprint in 2003, even if the first climb was easier.

And 90 odd riders in 2000. Noone else think that's surprising?

From 2003 CN race report:

There was slow start to the stage on another hot, sunny day across the south of Italy for the Giro d'Italia, with the first two hours covered at the pedestrian pace of 29 km/h. By the Intergiro in Taranto at 85km, won by Mario Cipollini in front of Maglia Rosa Alessandro Petacchi, the speed had crept up to 32km/h. After 4 hours of racing, the average was 36 km/hr as the hot temperatures had kept the lid on the action until the plotone hit the climb with 22km to go, a steep, straight drag to Monte Scaglioso.

The pace was very slow. Simply idea for the heavies. Lets hope for more action today.

 

[theyoungest]

Wiggo will win the bunch sprint. Just to f.ck with your minds.

 

[Cimber]

Goss or Degenkolb to win. No real action on GC.

Agree. Bennati could be in the mix too, but I am not too sure about his form.

 

[kjetilraknerud]

My Giro CQ pick Oscar Gatto will get this!

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Looks like a very interesting finale. Many different scenarios possible making the stage winner hard to predict.

 

[SafeBet]

My Giro CQ pick Oscar Gatto will get this!

He's been very meh thus far, dropping with the sprinters in the last two stages. Maybe just lurking and waiting for the right opportunity, don't know.

 

[nobilis]

Ventoso hopefully. He's by far the best climber among sprinters.
Yesterday, he had really bad luck with the flat, so he had to do extra effort to go back to the group and to get eventually dropped afterwards.

 

[kjetilraknerud]

He's been very meh thus far, dropping with the sprinters in the last two stages. Maybe just lurking and waiting for the right opportunity, don't know.

I know, he's been disappointing - certainly looks like a bad CQ choice so far. Hopefully he has picked a couple of stages and is saving himself, today could be one - yesterday was obviously for Di Luca.

 

[TommyPlus]

Matti Breschel for the all conquering Saxo-Tinkoff juggernaut

 

[webvan]

Might be more interesting than yesterday actually...

 

[eljimberino]

About due for a major crash.

 

[jens_attacks]

http://alfatv.webs.com/

giro mattina starting now

 

[TommyPlus]

Odds on Vini having someone in the break today?

 

[jens_attacks]

"lo splendido, strepitoso danilo di luca" _O_

gotta love this show

 

[kjetilraknerud]

Break away, Pirazzi soon virtual leader. I guess this day is for Katusha to control, maybe Movistar will do some work for Ventoso and Shimano for Degenkolb.

 

[trevim]

Ricardo Mestre in the break again! I thought Euskaltel would draw the lines around Sanchez instead of riding for breaks every single stage.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Semi soft break established quickly.
180km to go, gap 8:10

Tomas Gil (Androni Giocattoli), Stefano Pirazzi (Bardiani Valvole), Alan Marangoni (Cannondale), Ricardo Mestre (Euskaltel), Brian Bulgac (Lotto Belisol) and Rafael Andriato (Vini Fantini).

Mr Pirazzi +3:06 (GC) will keep this interesting.

 

[Eshnar]

Urtasun DNF

 

[TommyPlus]

Pirazzi has been bullied back into the peloton

 

[trevim]

Pirazzi has been bullied back into the peloton

Probably did that not to hurt the break chances?