2019 Giro d'Italia Stage 18: Valdaora-Santa Maria d.S. 220km

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Re: Re:

Yeah, breakaway could succeed here. I give them a 20% chance. Although it will highly depend on who is in.

You're far too optimistic, the chance is more like 1-5%.

I am completely the other way. I think the chances of the break succeeding are better than 80%. We'll see, I guess.

I agree. Maybe not 80%, but surely closer to 80 than 5

So... Ackermann to win from the break?!

 

[Asero831]

I am seeing a 10 mins gap between the winner and Pink

 

[Lexman]

Nibali to surprise Carapaz and take the pink jersey... (à la Contador)

 

[Red Rick]

Re:

For me the only good thing will be the start, I'll be there taking pictures and trying to talk to some of the riders.

Tell Carapaz that Red Rick sends his regards

 

[Lequack]

It's over, they already made a full pink bike for Carapaz. They know it's a done deal.

 

[Marmot]

I like sprints, and I've really enjoyed the sprints at this race so far. The front-loading of sprint stages, which I know many found boring, helped attract a pretty high quality sprinter field (especially by Giro standards). I liked the spread of winners, and the fact that most sprints were pretty clean, with most sprinters being given a good opportunity to take their chances (or screw up) on their own terms. I also appreciate that Ackermann and Demare have hauled themselves over the mountains in pursuit of another sprint win or the points classification jersey, or both. The last time I enjoyed a points classification battle at the Giro like this was the classic Evans v Vino battle in 2010. I hope this stage comes down to a sprint, and I'd like to see Demare win it, but I think Ackermann has the edge.

 

[search]

Re:

I hope this stage comes down to a sprint, and I'd like to see Demare win it, but I think Ackermann has the edge.

yesterday Bora said something along the lines of "Pascal had a tough day", so I wouldn't be too sure

 

[Lequack]

Some pics from the start

 

[Lequack]

Valerio Conti abandons.

 

[DanielSong39]

Re: 2019 Giro d'Italia Stage 18: Valdaora-Santa Maria d.S. 2

Not a GC day, hopefully someone within 15 minutes of the lead joins the break so we won't see a total joke of a stage

 

[Oude Geuze]

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Unfortunately a lot of sprinters have got ill ten days before the end of this Giro, in the sight of the first mountain. The doctor said it was an acute case of cipollinitis.

lol

 

[Laplaz]

Break:
Maestri, Cima and Denz.

 

[Mayomaniac]

The riders were warming up 2-3km away from the town, towards Furcia, so walking there woukd have been a bit long.
I just watched the start, Roglic had a lot of Sovenian fans there to support him.
I was able to talk a bit with Sciandri before the start.

 

[Yingge]

Mario actually got over his mountain allergy on at least 3 occasions - for he has 3 Giro points jerseys in his trophy cabinet.

 

[RedheadDane]

Re:

FDJ wants the points jersey, so Ackermann will sit on Demare's wheel for 200 odd kms. Frapporti, Cima & Maestri in the break. Kirby to talk gibberish for three hours and nobody notices.

2/3, not bad.

 

[F_Cance]

Disappointing break.

 

[Lequack]

Re:

Disappointing break.

The break knows when it has no chance that's why it's usually just a couple of guys from the invite teams doing it for the sponsors. If the break had any kind of chance you'd see a much larger bunch. That's why these designated sprint finish days are so boring.

 

[search]

Re: Re:

Disappointing break.

The break knows when it has no chance that's why it's usually just a couple of guys from the invite teams doing it for the sponsors. If the break had any kind of chance you'd see a much larger bunch. That's why these designated sprint finish days are so boring.

that was not the case today though, it took 50k at full speed for the breakaway to establish.

And I would say with Cycling Academy keeping the gap that low, it may not be over yet even. I wouldn't be surprised if Androni closes it down before the climb (to prevent Cima from taking the Sprint Competition) and the battle begins again.

 

[repre]

Re: Re:

Disappointing break.

The break knows when it has no chance that's why it's usually just a couple of guys from the invite teams doing it for the sponsors. If the break had any kind of chance you'd see a much larger bunch. That's why these designated sprint finish days are so boring.

Yep, Bakelants and Hansen tried but got caught and understood they have no chance today

 

[search]

well, there was a 9 men break including a Bora guy before those three men went clear. There would have been a great chance for that one to stick

 

[Lequack]

This is how interesting the stage is

 

[Squire]

Re: Re:

FDJ wants the points jersey, so Ackermann will sit on Demare's wheel for 200 odd kms. Frapporti, Cima & Maestri in the break. Kirby to talk gibberish for three hours and nobody notices.

2/3, not bad.

Logged in just to quote Robert's prediction when I saw the break. Expectedly, somebody beat me to it.

 

[TourOfSardinia]

Re:

This is how interesting the stage is

better than Race Horses any day

 

[fuiers]

Re: 2019 Giro d'Italia Stage 18: Valdaora-Santa Maria d.S. 2

What just happened? Somebody destroyed a bike in front of break

 

[dfromdub]

Re: 2019 Giro d'Italia Stage 18: Valdaora-Santa Maria d.S. 2

What just happened? Somebody destroyed a bike in front of break

I was only listening to RAI coverage and they were talking about some crazy guy throwing stuff.
I could not see what happened, fortunately nobody got hurt.

EDIT: it has just been reported by RAI that, apparently, he was a bit inebriated and wanted to participate in today's stage, he was obbiously denied that, so he lost his marbles