2015 Giro d'Italia, stage 1: S.Lorenzo al Mare – Sanremo TTT

[Eshnar]

Stage 1: S.Lorenzo al Mare – Sanremo 17.6 kms TTT

Start time: 15:10, May 9th

Analysis:
The Giro kicks in with the nowadays traditional TTT. The particularity of this time trial is that the course is almost entirely on a "pista ciclabile" (= a bike track) instead of on a normal road. The track is all on the coast, which means very nice scenery and some wind exposure. The track is not very wide and has a few swift turns and tunnels, so this stage might actually provide a serious challenge for the teams.

Expectations:
Tiny gaps but a couple of teams to mess up and lose big time.

Starting list:
LAMPRE - MERIDA 15.10'00"
AG2R LA MONDIALE 15.15'00"
ANDRONI-SIDERMEC 15.20'00"
ASTANA PRO TEAM 15.25'00"
NIPPO - VINI FANTINI 15.30'00"
TREK FACTORY RACING 15.35'00"
BARDIANI CSF 15.40'00"
BMC RACING TEAM 15.45'00"
TEAM SKY 15.50'00"
ETIXX - QUICK-STEP 15.55'00"
TEAM GIANT - ALPECIN 16.00'00"
IAM CYCLING 16.05'00"
MOVISTAR TEAM 16.10'00"
SOUTHEAST 16.15'00"
CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE 16.20'00"
ORICA GREENEDGE 16.25'00"
TEAM LOTTO NL - JUMBO 16.30'00"
LOTTO SOUDAL 16.35'00"
TEAM KATUSHA 16.40'00"
TINKOFF SAXO 16.45'00"
TEAM CANNONDALE - GARMIN 16.50'00"
FDJ 16.55'00''

 

[Eshnar]

I hope the poll works...

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Alright, here we go! Orica to take the first scalp. I wonder who they will put in pink?

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

no startlist yet with times?

 

[LaFlorecita]

I voted Orica but I think Tinkoff-Saxo will ride a very strong TTT.

 

[Eshnar]

Re:

no startlist yet with times?

I assume the draw for the starting list will be done/published during the presentation today afternoon.

 

[fauniera]

Re: 2015 Giro d'Italia, stage 1: S.Lorenzo al Mare – Sanremo

I hope Atapuma doesn't get dropped by the big motors like Küng.

 

[Pricey_sky]

Orica should take this; they have a strong team again like last year.

 

[dirkprovin]

Re:

Orica should take this; they have a strong team again like last year.

Not their 'optimal' TTT lineup as the likes of Meyer & Impey as well as the injured Tuft would be part of that. However, this still has a very powerful engine room of Durbridge, Lancaster, Hepburn, Bewley and the likes of Matthews, Clarke & Weening aren't likely to be weak links. The less than fully fit Gerrans & Chaves may be the one's struggling to hold-on. Given neither are GC aspirants, they may not seek to carry them full distance.

 

[ILovecycling]

I voted Saxo but it will be very close with Orica, I hope they trained a lot

 

[staubsauger]

Wasn't Chaves named as protected GC rider by Orica? Anyway, if they manage to win the TTT they'll probably put Pieter Weening into the maglia rosa. Actually as he has a high chance for a long-term stint in the leaders jersey in that case. At least within the first week.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Re:

Wasn't Chaves named as protected GC rider by Orica? Anyway, if they manage to win the TTT they'll probably put Pieter Weening into the maglia rosa. Actually as he has a high chance for a long-term stint in the leaders jersey in that case. At least within the first week.

Hmm, don't you think they'd rather put someone in the pink jersey who won't be able to keep it the next days? I mean Matthews/Gerrans/Weening all have a decent chance of getting the jersey from stage 2 and onwards, so I think that Orica might want to put someone like Lancaster or Durbridge in pink the first day to get as many as possible to wear it.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Re:

Wasn't Chaves named as protected GC rider by Orica? Anyway, if they manage to win the TTT they'll probably put Pieter Weening into the maglia rosa. Actually as he has a high chance for a long-term stint in the leaders jersey in that case. At least within the first week.

lol. weening is more suited to the first week than chaves? you have no clue it seems

 

[Jagartrott]

I think it is important to note that the TTT is only 18 km.
This requires different riders than a 50 km TTT.

Edit: I heard a number of riders say after scouting that the 1.5 km tunnel is quite challenging/dangerous.

 

[DBotero]

Re: 2015 Giro d'Italia, stage 1: S.Lorenzo al Mare – Sanremo

Orica should win it,Katusha has a decent team might do well too.

 

[Netserk]

Basso will wear pink at the end of the day

And he will keep it the whole way! _O_

 

[Eshnar]

Re: 2015 Giro d'Italia, stage 1: S.Lorenzo al Mare – Sanremo

Starting list
http://www.gazzetta.it/Giroditalia/...tenza-crono-a-squadre_TTT-startlist-order.pdf

 

[jens_attacks]

1. tinkoff,easily- basso maglia rosa
2. astana
3. sky
4.katusha

 

[Eagle]

Re: 2015 Giro d'Italia, stage 1: S.Lorenzo al Mare – Sanremo

Starting list
http://www.gazzetta.it/Giroditalia/...tenza-crono-a-squadre_TTT-startlist-order.pdf

How did they choose the start order?

 

[Eshnar]

Re: 2015 Giro d'Italia, stage 1: S.Lorenzo al Mare – Sanremo

Starting list
http://www.gazzetta.it/Giroditalia/...tenza-crono-a-squadre_TTT-startlist-order.pdf

How did they choose the start order?

Drawing of lots is my guess. Just like previous years.

 

[Flamin]

No team that stands out here. Orica vs Tinkoff I think, but there are more teams who could win. I'm curious how the course looks because of this cycle path, and I also heard there's a pretty dangerous 1,5k tunnel.

 

[Carols]

Oleg says Tinkoff will win........boys better win!

 

[Gigs_98]

Re:

Oleg says Tinkoff will win........boys better win!

If Tinkoff is always angry when his team doesn't do as well as he expected it he probably has a very sad life...

 

[Miburo]

Re: Re:

Oleg says Tinkoff will win........boys better win!

If Tinkoff is always angry when his team doesn't do as well as he expected it he probably has a very sad life...

I'll take his life, i'll take that sad life.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Orica should take it, Trek on the podium.