2014 Giro d'Italia, Stage 4: Giovinazzo - Bari (112 Km)

[Afrank]

Back into Italy we go for some real...er...flat roads? It's yet another sprint stage, but the good news is the next stage finally has some bumps in it. Just got to get through one more bunch sprint and easy Kittel win.

Or perhaps he will mess up and another sprinter will pounce...Viviani?

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

Swift ftw

 

[Pricey_sky]

One more to go then a couple of nice Vuelta-style hilly finishes!

 

[infeXio]

112 km pan flat.. that's fun.

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

112 km pan flat.. that's fun.

think about the positive side of it.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Much better than a 218km flat stage.

Kittel with a train this time.

Is there a detailed map of the circuit, final few kms?

 

[Kwibus]

Kittels rivals had 2 big chances. Specially yesterday when Kittel was in a really bad position.
Imagine if Giant delivers him properly... he will win with 10 bike lengths

 

[argyllflyer]

On Streetview, the streets in the bottom right of the circuit seem quite narrow. If so, will make it interesting. I might be llooking at the wrong streets though!

 

[naffets]

Agree with kwibus Kittel was out of position yesterday and still managed to get past swifty with a great lead out from ebh. If everybody stays upright giant train Kittel win. Swifty will hopefully get his chance when it gets lumpy.

 

[murali]

though i hate to say this, i think a crash(or lack of getting involved in one) might decide the victor here.
too many sharp bends for my liking.

but this is better than a pointless 218km flat.

 

[saneguy]

This is far too short and flat. Yet another Kittel win. He is far better in this field of sprinters. The way he came back yesterday speaks of the sprinters.

 

[Bavarianrider]

What's the deeper sense behind that stage? I mean 112 km on the fourth day, seriously

 

[BeagRigh]

What's the deeper sense behind that stage? I mean 112 km on the fourth day, seriously

Before they added the rest day today I believe this was supposed to be a short day to allow for the transfer from Ireland.

 

[b3n3v3nt3]

It's allways better to have a ~100km stage with sprint than a boring ~200km one.

Let's see if Kittel gets his third.

 

[Zam_Olyas]

Since we will be entereing italy i would just like to include this pic

 

[SafeBet]

Afraid of what's gonna happen if Kittel starts the sprint close to the front.

 

[rghysens]

Afraid of what's gonna happen if Kittel starts the sprint close to the front.

This

I suppose.

 

[Ferminal]

Much better than a 218km flat stage.

Kittel with a train this time.

Is there a detailed map of the circuit, final few kms?

 

[Ferminal]

 

[miketrout27]

Can the mods put up a poll for this?

 

[maltiv]

Good thing they have this short, easy stage after the tough beginning to the race. The riders certainly need some rest after a short TTT, two completely flat stages with no racing involved, followed by a rest day...

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Who will take responsibility on that circuit? Cannondale again?

Lets just hope for dry roads this time.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Good thing they have this short, easy stage after the tough beginning to the race. The riders certainly need some rest after a short TTT, two completely flat stages with no racing involved, followed by a rest day...

The first 4 stages were an invitation for the top sprinters. Well, only Kittel showed up.

It backfired, hope it won't happen at the Giro again.

 

[BeagRigh]

That's quite a lot of corners in the last 3km!

 

[rainman]

Who will take responsibility on that circuit? Cannondale again?

Lets just hope for dry roads this time.

Cannondale will try to hit the front a bit later this time, Sky nearly upset the applecart and will certainly try again, Giant train got disrupted in Dublin but will have more resolve this time, loose cannon Bouhanni will be there to bite ears off and give everyone a heart attack.