Apparently it's not going to rain today so there is a slight chance they might not completely f*ck up the coverage. They will still go back and forth between the lead group and the peloton at the worst possible moments I'm sure.
- Nov 17, 2020
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There's "only" 8,5 km between the end of Valentino descent and the beginning of the last climb...
Almeida's long range attack to hop into top 5. Why not?
If any notable GC contender goes the peloton may be splintered. It could coalesce to reel in an attacker on the flat section, but there's still a shot
Cookster15
Moderator
- May 14, 2011
- 6,169
- 6,675
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2nd on GC is Damiano Caruso at 2:24. Hard to see Bernal not buffering his lead on this stage with the MTF being 9.5 per cent over 11.5 kilometers.
Maybe Yates makes a belated comeback? Too little too late. Bernie should also be strongest of the GC guys in Milan.
Maybe Yates makes a belated comeback? Too little too late. Bernie should also be strongest of the GC guys in Milan.
- Jul 10, 2014
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It's sunny today so Yates will attack, he gets his power from the sun
- Nov 17, 2020
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If on Monday it was mainly a weather issue for him indeed, I can't see a better opportunity for him than today.
- May 9, 2010
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- Jul 7, 2013
- 8,070
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This is one of the hardest combo of 2 climbs I've seen (Crostis+Zoncolan didn't happen). The final climb includes 9 km at 11%, it's brutal but its hardness may cap action on San Valentino. However, if other GC guys want to attack Bernal (and are not satisfied with fighting for top3) they will have to make the race hard there.
- Jan 4, 2020
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Just saw PCS stating that BikeEx is still complete - I nominate the whole team for the ninja award, because apart from Yates I haven't noticed any of them.
I fear for Caruso, so far every rider that was second behind Bernal has faltered soon after.
- May 3, 2010
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Sega di Ala is the climb with the steepest average in the whole Giro, but it doesn't have the altitude of the Giau and it's shorter than the Zoncolan. Bernal can ride defensively or attack in the final 3 km. I don't expect any major changes in the GC, although Bardet might win another place or two.
The stage might go to the breakaway again. Bennett, Mollema and Nibali might have another try, to beaten by another youngster from a wild card team. Evenepoel will probably wait until Friday or Saturday for a try to save his Giro.
The stage might go to the breakaway again. Bennett, Mollema and Nibali might have another try, to beaten by another youngster from a wild card team. Evenepoel will probably wait until Friday or Saturday for a try to save his Giro.
- May 3, 2010
- 4,487
- 4,562
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Maybe...
But it doesn't always happen the very next stage, plus people behind 2nd place can move around freely as well. There probably won't be much movement on stage 18. I could see 2 more people move into second place before the race is over though
- Nov 17, 2020
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Is there any rider fearless enough to risk his top5/top3 position and try some crazy attack against Bernal? If there really is one, that must be someone with strong TT, who could regain eventual losses there. Then who's the strongest TT amongst top5? Caruso. But 2nd place is already an awesome result for him and he's been riding rather defensively up to this point (but very consistently).
Anyway I'd really love to see some action from him, showing that he's ready to fight for the win.
To be honest I think every single person in the top 5/top 10 has said that Bernal is too strong and that victory is out of reach for them. However I do expect attacks from most riders in the top 10, if they have the legs. Carthy who will want at least 2nd, Vlasov's team might try something on the descent, but I think he's more likely to be defensive, Yates will want to recoup time, Ciccone always likes to attack if he can, Bardet will benefit from bad weather and could go for the descent (I hope for him he can post some riders in the breakaway), if some GC riders further down go in the early break I would love for Ineos to put Martinez in there too, Foss will just try to hang on I think, Almeida might go early, maybe initial breakaway again, and anyone in the top 20 could go for the break too.
- Jun 19, 2009
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Maybe the first (and last) time anyone said that. Apparently he's 2nd favourite for the stage though so plenty agree with you
- Nov 17, 2020
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True, I'm also afraid that from now on, this is the race for 2nd. It doesn't mean it's gonna be less interesting though.
Anyway, I don't think Ineos will allow Martinez go for himslef as he's the Bernal's only mountain domestique and they can't just leave him alone in the upcoming stages. Also after last stage, it may be really hard for Almeida to get into the successful breakaway, as it could be to much of a threat for the positions of other riders ahead of him (considering also the final TT, where he can gain a lot).
- Mar 13, 2015
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