2015 Giro d'Italia Stage 18: Melide > Verbania 170km

[Rob_Roy]

Re: Re:

Rewatched both climbs today. Landa spent more time on the front at Mortirolo than Contador did (pretty much entire time until getting caught while Alberto had couple of riders help him out).
Of course he rode it at bit slower pace, but the way he responded to Contador's attack. Zero stress, consulted with Aru, and then closed 50m gap to attacking Contador in 30 seconds still looking like its completely effortless. And then riding away like that on the false flat after they both basically wheelsucked Kruijswijk. You have to admit it was awfully impressive

Now, it is possible that if Contador just sits on his wheel then he might not be able to drop him, but I wouldn't take that risk if I was Tinkoff-Saxo. Would rather postpone attack as much as possible

Are you kidding me, what do you think Contador was doing for most of the climbing, chasing, and after the catch, Landa just sat on

Just ignore the guy. He clearly only sees what he wants to see

Landa being in front of Aru on the Mortirolo means Nothing.You only use other bikers as a reference on your own speed in a climb like that,it is worse to go 100% in a flat stage with the wind coming slightly from the side even if you are 4th in the peleton.

Going up Mortirolo isnt nice I assure you,but when you have completed it,what a feeling....

 

[Lexman]

when does the stage start?

 

[Jagartrott]

Obvious Betancur win is obvious.

 

[Ruudz0r]

Re:

Interesting if Konig does something here after his claims regarding his descending. If it's all together at the top of the climb he surely must put his money where his mouth is and have a go on the descent.

What did Konig say?

Edit: Nvm just saw it in the Konig thread

 

[DBotero]

Betancur ftw! Katusha should go crazy again in this stage.

 

[The Barb]

The more I look at this the more I am drawn to Trofimov. In the climbing form of his life, a super descender, and sufficiently far away from the podium that the top guys would give him a bit of freedom. He has also been a notable shortener in the markets, so I'm pleased I'm on at 40-1.

 

[Marco Pantani]

Re: Re:

Landa Meana!

I'm sure that even if Landa managed to get away from Contador that Contador can catch him on the descent or on flat before the finish.

Landa has no probs going downhill.

 

[Alcanelo]

Contador to put to bed the Landa rivalry without even full gassing. Betancur will win the sprint.

 

[TourOfSardinia]

Basso to boss it for Bertie

 

[SeriousSam]

Basso has declined to the point where the most notable thing he'll end up doing in this Giro will remain giving Bert his wheel when it was needed.

 

[ILovecycling]

Betancur ftw! Katusha should go crazy again in this stage.

Why Katusha?

 

[Ataraxus]

Betancur ftw! Katusha should go crazy again in this stage.

Why Katusha?

Maybe because they think Trofimov can make up GC time (and possibly positions). He's an excellent descender. Anyway Katusha are not the direct rivals to Contador. Tinkoff-Saxo should exploit their will to push today.

 

[Dedelou]

Kruijswijk is an adopted Tinkoff rider. Contador/Kruijswijk are going to do to Aru/Landa what they did to Contador. When Landa/Kruijswijk/Contador are all together Contador will just follow Landa's wheels whilst Kruijswijk attacks. He won't respond to any attack other than Landa. He will attack after Landa brings it back. Those two will wear down Landa and Contador will gift Kruijswijk a stage win.

Why wouldn't Landa just attack at that point instead of towing Contador?
And making Landa attack earlier is a terrible tactic. It's better to let him wheelsuck if he chooses to do so so that the gaps after he attacks are minimal

Landa won't be able to drop Contador. The only reason why he dropped Contador on the other stage was that Contador did 1000% more work than what Landa did. Landa is not stronger than Contador. Far from it.

2 mistakes:
1-It's not the other stage mate. It's one of the other stages.
2- Please don't use "far from it". Based on what we've seen this far in the Giro, you may have any reason/excuse to believe that Landa is not stronger than Conti. But you don't have any evidence to use the words "far from it"

not far from it.. just 4 X 60 seconds + 2 . not far from it but insurmontable

 

[Ataraxus]

Kruijswijk is an adopted Tinkoff rider. Contador/Kruijswijk are going to do to Aru/Landa what they did to Contador. When Landa/Kruijswijk/Contador are all together Contador will just follow Landa's wheels whilst Kruijswijk attacks. He won't respond to any attack other than Landa. He will attack after Landa brings it back. Those two will wear down Landa and Contador will gift Kruijswijk a stage win.

Why wouldn't Landa just attack at that point instead of towing Contador?
And making Landa attack earlier is a terrible tactic. It's better to let him wheelsuck if he chooses to do so so that the gaps after he attacks are minimal

Landa won't be able to drop Contador. The only reason why he dropped Contador on the other stage was that Contador did 1000% more work than what Landa did. Landa is not stronger than Contador. Far from it.

2 mistakes:
1-It's not the other stage mate. It's one of the other stages.
2- Please don't use "far from it". Based on what we've seen this far in the Giro, you may have any reason/excuse to believe that Landa is not stronger than Conti. But you don't have any evidence to use the words "far from it"

not far from it.. just 4 X 60 seconds + 2 . not far from it but insurmontable

I'm not sure what Sasquatch exactly meant, but I don't think that he referred to the 242 seconds of gap they had in-between.
What I understood was: "Landa is not stronger than Contador. In fact he is far from being the stronger (i.e Contador is stronger than him). " If this is not what he meant or If I understood wrong, I take my comment back.

 

[Lexman]

still all together

Pineau IAM abandoned

 

[Miburo]

There might be no break until the sprints for points.

 

[Eshnar]

Daniel Lloyd
‏@daniellloyd1

Break: Nocentini, Bongiorni, Gilbert, Moinard, De La Cruz, Chavanel, Ferrari, Cunego, Weening, Busato, Villella, Haga, Belkov, Siutsou.

 

[TourOfSardinia]

Break of 14 now at 2mins
go:
CUNEGO

 

[Miburo]

I wonder if astana will ride in an attempt to get the stage.

 

[SafeBet]

Felline and Herrada trying to bridge. Fabio could be a dark horse for the win if he manages to catch them.

 

[Popchu]

Km 50: caduta di R. FERRARI (92)D. CUNEGO (121).

 

[De Snelle Duif]

Gilbert is also a great descender, and so is Belkov

 

[Taxus4a]

I think De la Cruz is in the breakaway becouse urán will go for the stage.

We will see if Astana try something today or they wait for tomorrow queen stage.

 

[cellardoor]

Re:

Daniel Lloyd
‏@daniellloyd1

Break: Nocentini, Bongiorni, Gilbert, Moinard, De La Cruz, Chavanel, Ferrari, Cunego, Weening, Busato, Villella, Haga, Belkov, Siutsou.

Took a while, but that is one hell of a break!

 

[metaCYCLE]

Bongiorno or Villella to smash this one! Yee-haw!