Giro d'Italia 2021 Giro d'Italia, Stage 15: Grado – Gorizia 147 km

[Oliver]

Sagan or Break, probably break!

 

[SafeBet]

Sagan or Break, probably break!

Sagan from the break?

 

[Leinster]

I think this could actually become carnage.

With the climbs being early in the stage, and also evenly spaced, is this the kind of day that a classics team like Quickstep could actually make hard enough to split the field? If they're serious about Remco being a GC contender, this looks like the last day they might have any remote chance for him to gain time on any others.

And yes, obviously everyone will be looking at tomorrow, but in a way that's exactly why an ambush stage might have a better chance.

 

[Red Rick]

With the climbs being early in the stage, and also evenly spaced, is this the kind of day that a classics team like Quickstep could actually make hard enough to split the field? If they're serious about Remco being a GC contender, this looks like the last day they might have any remote chance for him to gain time on any others.

And yes, obviously everyone will be looking at tomorrow, but in a way that's exactly why an ambush stage might have a better chance.

No chance.

 

[WKA311]

This will be similar to the stage that Tratnik won last year. No GC rider is going to do anything with Monday in mind, not even Ciccone.

 

[Red Rick]

This will be similar to the stage that Tratnik won last year. No GC rider is going to do anything with Monday in mind, not even Ciccone.

It's frankly a much easier stage than that, and way shorter to boot.

 

[Lequack]

More rain forecast for tomorrow.

 

[Samamba]

"My knee says no."

No clue if this is just pure banter though.

It's not, and the only remedy is rest. But finishing the GT is still an honor to him so he doesn't wanna quit.

That team is completely in shambles tho. Kluge DNF'ed today so 3 riders left with 2 of them (De Gendt and Vanhoucke) struggling with little injuries.

 

[Leinster]

It's frankly a much easier stage than that, and way shorter to boot.

It's like the 2nd half of that stage.

 

[Amazinmets87]

Sagan? Nibali? Viviani?

From the break should be an option for all riders mentioned at this point. I feel a marquee name is going to win this stage.

 

[Red Rick]

Sagan? Nibali? Viviani?

From the break should be an option for all riders mentioned at this point. I feel a marquee name is going to win this stage.

I actually think the stage is easy enough for the sprinters that are currently there to be interested.

 

[Amazinmets87]

I actually think the stage is easy enough for the sprinters that are currently there to be interested.

A sprint win is possible but unlikely. So many variables at play here. Let's assume the break is caught. Who are the best puncheurs in the race? IMO, no sprinter would stand a chance on this terrain vs a motivated Alaphilippe, but without riders of his caliber in the peloton it may happen.

 

[titan31]

If Bora want it, sprint that Sagan likely wins. If they don't or not capable of controlling it, I can't see Ineos being too interested in riding to control things so break it shall be.

 

[CyclistAbi]

Giro, see you in Slovenia!

 

[DoYouEvenRideBruh]

Bora to pace and Sagan to win this one. There's still a chance they fail to catch the break though. I know some people want to see a Slovenian rider prevail*, but I guess a Slovakian is close enough.

*after Mohoric crashed out, how many Slovenians are left in the peloton? Tratnik and who else?

 

[DoYouEvenRideBruh]

Bora to pace and Sagan to win this one. There's still a chance they fail to catch the break though. I know some people want to see a Slovenian rider prevail*, but I guess a 'Slovakian' is close enough.

*after Mohoric crashed out, how many Slovenians are left in the peloton? Tratnik and who else?

 

[will-10]

Big fight for the break then a day off for most. Fine with me given Monday, tbh.

 

[Amazinmets87]

Bora to pace and Sagan to win this one. There's still a chance they fail to catch the break though. I know some people want to see a Slovenian rider prevail*, but I guess a Slovakian is close enough.

*after Mohoric crashed out, how many Slovenians are left in the peloton? Tratnik and who else?

Yea, a GT stage win is a huge result for Sagan at this stage of his career. Given that he can't cut the mustard in genuine sprint stages, these are his best opportunities. Bora has to attempt to reel in the break. If they receive no assistance and fail, so be it.


Edit: I just consulted the stage overview thread and saw Sagan also has an opportunity in stage 18. That increases the likelihood that Bora doesn't chase. Although a hat trick of stage wins would be glorious...

 

[DoYouEvenRideBruh]

Yea, a GT stage win is a huge result for Sagan at this stage of his career. Given that he can't cut the mustard in genuine sprint stages, these are his best opportunities. Bora has to attempt to reel in the break. If they receive no assistance and fail, so be it.


Edit: I just consulted the stage overview thread and saw Sagan also has an opportunity in stage 18. That increases the likelihood that Bora doesn't chase. Although a hat trick of stage wins would be glorious...

Why not go for both? If he takes home three stages and the ciclamino jersey, that's pretty massive. I think this season Sagan is pretty motivated, he is out of contract and his future salary depends substantially on these results. It's true that the Tour, PR, the Olympics, and the WRR are yet to be disputed, but with JA, WvA, MvdP and Bennett lurking in the darkness you can't count on anything. I hope he won't waste any occasion to rack up a few wins.

 

[Escarabajo]

Sagan or the mountain goat Gaviria!
Cimolai third!

 

[Velolover2]

This would be a nice hilly stage for puncheurs/classics riders in a smaller stage race but this is a GT with a lot of mountain stages.. I think it is more of a reduced sprint vs. breakaway stage.

 

[Panda Claws]

I've been too hyped about many of the previous stages so I'm not high on this one. I'm really hoping for either an exciting breakaway making it a hilly classic among themselves, Sagan having his team drill it again or Evenepoel attacking somewhere out of ego reasons.

 

[luckyboy]

Sometimes I wonder if the organisers even realise when the weekends are when they plan a Grand Tour.

This year we have TT, dullest sprint imaginable, two Appennine 'mountain' stages, bad side of Zoncolan, this, Alpe Motta...

This could easily go to Monday before the rest day instead

 

[Amazinmets87]

I've been too hyped about many of the previous stages so I'm not high on this one. I'm really hoping for either an exciting breakaway making it a hilly classic among themselves, Sagan having his team drill it again or Evenepoel attacking somewhere out of ego reasons.

Oh man... A successful long-range Evenpoel attack a la Indurain in '95 is the stuff dreams are made of.

What are the odds?

 

[movingtarget]

The usual breakaway crowd will contest it probably. Don't really see Bora controlling the stage. Bernal and Yates will be happy with a relatively quiet day, I guess Evenepoel even more so with what's to come.