2015 Giro d'Italia, stage 2: Albenga – Genova 177 kms

[Jspear]

Stage 2: Albenga – Genova 177 kms

From Eshnar's analysis.

Start time: 12:55, May 10th

Analysis:
First road stage, probably the most underwhelming (at least for me) design of the year. With all the awesome options of a city circuit in Genova (my hometown, for those of you that don't know it yet), RCS chose the flattest one they could possibly conceive. There is one bump, but it doesn't go over 4% and 1 km of length, and the finish is slightly uphill. As for the rest of the stage, not much more to say. There's an uncategorized climb at the start (no clue why) and then the first official GPM of the Giro, the cat.4 climb to Pratozanino (4.2 km at 4.9%). Besides those, all the stage is on the coast, which could mean possible windy conditions, but in reality the most frequent wind in Liguria is quite weak from south. If the wind is strong, then it will most likely come from south-west or north, and only the latter case would provide some fun. Anyway, the two laps in Genova will decrease the risk of echelons. Let's say they did their best to ensure a mass sprint. The finish shouldn't be too dangerous, roads are wide and relatively straight.

 

[Jspear]

I think Greipel is the fastest, but personally I haven't been very impressed with his positioning skills lately. I'm gonna go with Viviani.

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

1-Greipel
2-Lobato
3-Matthews
4-Pelucchi

 

[Jancouver]

My prediction is a massive crash with 500m to go caused by Ferrari or some other freak.

I hope I'm wrong this time

 

[Velolover2]

The sprinter with the best technical skills are going to take the jersey today. Is there any bonus seconds in the Giro this year?

 

[movingtarget]

Maybe Matthews but it looks like a good one for Greipel.

 

[Velolover2]

Any chances of crosswind? If so, poor Pozzovivo. Maybe Saxo want to take advantage of it.

 

[Jspear]

Re:

The sprinter with the best technical skills are going to take the jersey today. Is there any bonus seconds in the Giro this year?

10, 6, and 4 bonus seconds.

 

[gregrowlerson]

Give your eyes a rest guys. You'll need them in the coming days.....

 

[SafeBet]

Greipel hasn't impressed me as a sprinter this year. I'll go with Nizzolo.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

I'll go with Modolo here.

 

[Alpechraxler]

Basicly with 2 90° corners one with 2k to go and one with 1 k to go there shouldnt be any crashes because you can still organize your sprint train.

Pelucchi for the win

 

[ILovecycling]

No wind,sunny weather, mass sprint without crashes hopefuly.

Modolo ftw

 

[Tank Engine]

Re:

Greipel hasn't impressed me as a sprinter this year. I'll go with Nizzolo.

I'll second that, but as it's the first road stage and the cream of the sprinters are elsewhere, it will be very nervous and very open. It's very good the finish is non-technical.

 

[Eshnar]

 

[DBotero]

Matthews ftw! Greipel wouldn't be bad too,but he didn't look too hot as a sprinter this year,he impressed me more with his climbing skill.I'm curious if Nippo is going on Colli or they give Grosu a chance.

 

[coinneach]

Matthews for me too, with the bonus seconds, I think OGE is going to dominate the first week

 

[Beacon Hill]

Re:

That is so cool. So many people with a decent chance for the win today. Thinking Pelucchi.

 

[Popchu]

If Matthews is the first rider of Orica today?, does he take the maglia rosa? Or does he need bonus seconds?

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Re:

If Matthews is the first rider of Orica today?, does he take the maglia rosa? Or does he need bonus seconds?

He will take pink then.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Nathan Haas already stole the trophy

 

[Taxus4a]

I hope no crash, today nor any other day, but today will be likely.

I think the circuit is not enough hard for Lobato or Matthews, so Greipel is the favourite.

Anyway todat we will see wich or the sprinters are in the Giro with the willing or the possibility to get a result. Nizzolo should be there.

 

[Eshnar]

I'm watching the pre-race show on RAI... hilarious interview to AC The interviewer asking him the usual dumb questions in Italian and he answering in Spanish every time. Nobody cared to translate either way

 

[Eshnar]

They are showing the finishing line now... it is really narrow, they'll basically use two lanes out of a 4 lanes road

 

[Netserk]

That sounds ideal for Bouhanni. A shame he isn't here, he was by far the most entertaining sprinter.