2014 Giro d'Italia Stage 5: Taranto – Viggiano (203km)

[Bernie's eyesore]

Oss has zero chances of winning this.

Agreed, similar looking finish to stage 11 last year when Navardauskas left him for dead. Surprised to see people mentioning Matthews and EBH as well. The GC riders will probably mark each other allowing Ulissi or Gasparotto to get the win. Weening to take pink.

 

[Jspear]

Interesting....I see a lot of people here saying the GC guys are going to show their colors. This is one of the stages Matthews said he is targeting....I'm going with him for the win. Sorry, but the profile just doesn't look hard enough for the GC guys. Of course I would still enjoy it if they did light things up...or tried to.

 

[Michele]

could anyone please update on the weather? local info appreciated.

if there's even hint of rain, i wud rather stay awake for ATOC.

Weather forecast is chilly and windy but no rain for whole route.

 

[SafeBet]

Weather forecast is chilly and windy but no rain for whole route.

I'm seeing chances of light rain in the afternoon.

 

[Michele]

If it's windy and chilly, it's very likely to be very variable.

 

[Tournesol]

Crikey,what a difficult stage to call,even the bookmakers havent a clue,Ulissi well fancied and everyone else a long shot,dont even think Ulissi is that certain to do well,tough this is,really tough.

Any reason why GC guys like Purito/Quintana wouldnt take ANY opportunity to gain back time lost in TTT to Uran/Evans.If i was a DS at Katusha/Movistar i'd be saying go for it,every chance counts and this is a chance for the bonus seconds.

 

[Butterhead]

Petacchi could actually do good here, if he bother that is.
He´s only 8 seconds down, if he´s in the right shape he could take this.
I wouldn´t mind, but more realistic I think Moreno or Ulissi will fight it out.

 

[postmanhat]

Gutted for Swifty.

Had to ride back yesterday after a bike change, but still nearly beat the best sprinter in the world. Bouhani manages to catch up with Giant's third wheel man

Were the points on the line nullified today? Could be costly in the end for Swift otherwise

Anyone see what happened to Viviani in the sprint? Looked to be in a good position with 300 metres to go

EDIT - Wrong thread, der

 

[Escarabajo]

Petacchi could actually do good here, if he bother that is.
He´s only 8 seconds down, if he´s in the right shape he could take this.
I wouldn´t mind, but more realistic I think Moreno or Ulissi will fight it out.

Wouldn't Petacchi be watching after Uran?

 

[CycloAndy]

Petacchi could actually do good here, if he bother that is.
He´s only 8 seconds down, if he´s in the right shape he could take this.
I wouldn´t mind, but more realistic I think Moreno or Ulissi will fight it out.

Not a day for any of the sprinters. Mathews will lose the pink jersey but Santaromita could keep it for Orica.

 

[GuyIncognito]

This is where we find out Purito's form. If he can't gain time here he won't gain time anywhere

 

[manafana]

maybe see something from roche or keldermann here very open in my view

 

[oliveira]

Really open one. Only guy I'm preety sure will be up in front, top 10, is Santaromita that is going to pedal his guts out for the pink. FTW I'll go with mine wishful thinking and say Battaglin.

 

[observer]

Cadel Evans for the win, maybe even the pink depending on Santaromita.

I'd like to see Santaromita get the pink while being the Italian champ.

 

[gospina]

Duarte or, gulp, Sebastian Henao

 

[VeloHuman]

One of the more versatile lists of favorites from the bookies I've seen in a long time. Ulissi, Evans, Matthews, and Swift all among the favorites? Rather unusual!

 

[greenedge]

Can't see past Cristiano Ronaldo.

Would like Evans to win though.

Who???

I still think someone could attack hard to get the stage win but I doubt that my earlier prediction of Pozzovivo will hold so i'll go for Evans or Swift.

 

[murali]

if weather is going to be bad, then ppl may want to play safe in the final descent.

i m praying for a late attack by the like of a De Gendt or Hoogerland--not really a GC guy, but good enough to ride for a long distance.

 

[fauniera]

De Gendt couldn't even keep up with his team mates at the TTT.

Arredondo should like this.

 

[murali]

De Gendt couldn't even keep up with his team mates at the TTT.

Arredondo should like this.

didn't mean as "de gendt", but as any rider who isn't a contender for GC, but can ride a good distance. could be a hansen or even meyer.

i dont think that any of the GC riders will actually participate in the final sprint, unless of course, JRod is in good shape. we will know by the way katusha rides climb. I dont think any GC teams wud want to take responsibility so early in the giro, esp with the real mountains yet to come.

 

[movingtarget]

One of the more versatile lists of favorites from the bookies I've seen in a long time. Ulissi, Evans, Matthews, and Swift all among the favorites? Rather unusual!

Good finish for Rodriguez, Ulissi, Evans etc......but possibly not hard enough to count out Matthews and any sprinters who can also climb. Bookmakers are not stupid ! But sore losers sometimes.

 

[karlboss]

Weening or Santaromita for Pink, I think the GC and stage hunters will push too hard for the sprinters including guys like swift and it'll come down to punchers like Gasparotto, Geschke, and ulissi. GC riders will play it cool except Rodriguez, but it isn't steep enough for him or Moreno.

 

[trevim]

One of the more versatile lists of favorites from the bookies I've seen in a long time. Ulissi, Evans, Matthews, and Swift all among the favorites? Rather unusual!

Usually this kind of stages delivers great entertainment. Maybe even Rodriguez has a go, he can't miss any chance to take seconds back.

 

[SafeBet]

De Gendt couldn't even keep up with his team mates at the TTT.

Arredondo should like this.

Good call indeed.
I fancy Ulissi and Geschke a bit more though.

Maybe somebody like Hesjedal or Dani Moreno could try before the final climb, if they're feeling ok.

 

[b3n3v3nt3]

Moreno? I doubt it very much. Rodriguez has some time behind the other favorites, he'll want to do everything to help Purito gain some seconds.