2014 Giro D'Italia, stage 8: Foligno - Montecopiolo 179 km

[hfer07]

We're barely through the first week. They are racing like they have two more weeks and many opportunities to fall out of top-10.

Tomorrow is the first test. It's going to sort out the top-10 for the rest of the race.

usual selection scenario, the first mountains don't determine the winners, but rather the losers

Evans will in fact be happy to have this situation going on until the ITT when he can even gain more time on to his contenders and perhaps by stage 14 the others might bother doing something about it......... to little too late???

 

[luckyboy]

Wonder if BMC will try and let a break go tomorrow.
Less work for them and no time bonus losses before the TT.

Somebody/Quintana will surely have to try and take a bunch of time

 

[whittashau]

Any chance that Ulissi can continue this form? He often struggles on longer climbs, but today's climbs were rather long and he seemed fine albeit somewhat hidden.

 

[Rollthedice]

Ulissi the new Purito. Never expected fireworks today, Cadel is not the type and he is still comfortable in the lead, Uran didn't show anything this year, Quintana doesn't look in the best shape and he has the last week to make or break, others too weak.

 

[Hugo87]

Duarte lost 7:12m...

GC already done for him, hopefully he will put a fight to take some stage.

 

[movingtarget]

Ulissi starting to look like the new Rodriguez. Another great sprint. Strong ride by Kiserlovski. AG2R wasted a lot of energy but if they didn't, Rolland would be celebrating. Morabito looking very good as well. Not a great time to get the Pink for Evans but he will be happy with way things stand before the first TT. Was hoping that Rolland or the Colombian would hang on. Too cruel but that's cycling.

 

[Netserk]

I don't see why you wouldn't compare it to the 2012 Giro.

He listed the last couple of years in the Tour, comparing it to Tignes '07, Hautacam '08, Arcalis '09 (okay that was fair, but not really great terrain for action unlike today), Avoriaz '10 (Also fair, but still better than today), Luz Ardiden '11 (Not awesome, but way better than today), PdBF '12 and Ax-3 '13

 

[UlleGigo]

Evan Huffman? What do his teammates have to do with Evans?

Not sure if serious? Or re-level?

 

[SafeBet]

I'm 70% sure that was Delfino.

I know Rosa's style on the bike very well, and I'm pretty sure it was him. Plus he's leaner than Delfino.

 

[One Eyed Aussie]

Not sure if serious? Or re-level?

He was having a pedantic go at your apostrophe placement.

Evan's vs Evans'

 

[DirtyWorks]

Wonder if BMC will try and let a break go tomorrow.
Less work for them and no time bonus losses before the TT.

Somebody/Quintana will surely have to try and take a bunch of time

They (BMC) have to manage the gap to the climbers in the GC top-10 tomorrow so it won't be an easy day for anyone with top-3 aspirations.

The normal situation would be a climber far down GC winning tomorrow with GC contenders in the second group. Anyone not prepared will lose enormous amounts of time tomorrow.

Great stage today. Fireworks tomorrow.

 

[movingtarget]

Movistar did not look too good on the final climb apart from their leader.

 

[doperhopper]

He looked good, yet he didn't attack in a terrain that favors him more than Evans.

tomorrow should be even more suitable for Nairito (attackable once it gets steeper, though diesel Cadel may recover later on when it drops below 5%)

http://www.cyclingstage.com/giro-2014-route/stage-9-italy-2014/

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Movistar did not look too good on the final climb apart from their leader.

yep, very poor team from the evidence today.
Better wait getting the leader's jersey for sure.

 

[UlleGigo]

He was having a pedantic go at your apostrophe placement.

Evan's vs Evans'

Oh wow. I did notice that but I never edit my punctuation after midnight. It's kind of a rule I has.

 

[glassmoon]

well movistaer team fell apart pretty quick. Wonder if Nairo is starting to be worried... just for a little bit

 

[murali]

Where were all the team mates of Quintana?

Seems like Evans, Pozzzovivo and Uran were the only GC contenders with teammates around them

 

[Arredondo]

I'm 70% sure that was Delfino.

The Androni man who was in 6/7th position on the Carpegna, was for sure Rosa. Pelizotti was the guy back in 20th position then.

 

[doperhopper]

AG2R wasted a lot of energy but if they didn't, Rolland would be celebrating.

any fanco-french rivalry there?

 

[movingtarget]

I think Uran and Quintana are waiting for the TT. I see tomorrow's stage being similar to today. The Colombians will have plenty of opportunities to attack Cadel in the final week. Obviously the TT is going to be crucial. Evans can't afford to do a mediocre one, he really needs to build on his lead.

 

[movingtarget]

any fanco-french rivalry there?

Don't think so I think they expected Pozzovivo to do better at the finish.

 

[SafeBet]

Matthews lost 34'19" today, just for the record.

 

[movingtarget]

Matthews lost 34'19" today, just for the record.

He hit the wall on the first climb. But he expected as much.

 

[Anderis]

Duarte +7:12

LOL and Ryo said he would be a main worry for Quintana in GC for this race.

 

[doperhopper]

looks like Rolland's problem is to decide whether he wants stages (= lose deliberately 5 min first and then attack) or TOP10 (= stay with favs in stages like today)