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I think it really depends on Ineos. With guys like Ganna, Moscon, Narvaez and Castroviejo, they really have a team to hammer it on these low gradients climbs. I would lean towards a GC-battle for the stage.I looked at those gradients and winced. Far too easy for a strong team to control this race.
Due to the fact that GC action is unlikely, what are the odds the break takes it?
Well, which serious contenders are they going to shed? Seems to me hammering a hard tempo will simply dispatch lower-tier riders who were unlikely to be a factor in any case.I think it really depends on Ineos. With guys like Ganna, Moscon, Narvaez and Castroviejo, they really have a team to hammer it on these low gradients climbs. I would lean towards a GC-battle for the stage.
Likely noone will lose a lot of time, but it's always possible someone has a bad day.Well, which serious contenders are they going to shed? Seems to me hammering a hard tempo will simply dispatch lower-tier riders who were unlikely to be a factor in any case.
Been there, done that. However, i never did a "radioactive" joke.They knew Rigoberto was not going to ride this race so they decided to skip it.
Bardet. How I would love for him to go wild in this stage it is far more likely he will disappear when the stage gets toughLikely noone will lose a lot of time, but it's always possible someone has a bad day.
Do we really consider Bardet a serious contender?Bardet. How I would love for him to go wild in this stage it is far more likely he will disappear when the stage gets tough
I have a small each way bet on him so I would certainly like him to be a serious contenderDo we really consider Bardet a serious contender?
Think he would have preferred 2019 with a nice ITT on stage 9 actually.If ever a Giro was going to allow Evenepoel to ease himself back into racing this would be it. He has to be happy with the route and his race so far. Disappointing stage design. Don't see why a break couldn't take this stage even if there isn't much flat on the stage.
If i were Ineos, i would absolutely not drill this stage. The profile fits Evenepoel a lot more than Bernal. Say they did drill this stage, burn the likes of Moscon, Ganna, Castro & Narvaez, hoping to wear down Evenepoel and they get in the final of this stage with Bernal not having 2 big motors by his side, Bernal could get a beating. Best case, Bernal takes a few seconds on the line, he gets pink and Ineos have to work every day. Worst case, he loses a lot more and wore the team down for nothing.
And i think Evenepoel is not going to do anything, unless maybe Ineos throw it in his lap. Which they'd be doing by drilling it, imho. Had this stage been in the last week, and Evenepoel needed the time, then i think he would go for it. But at this moment, it would be stupid of him to set up a raid... unless maybe Ineos throw it in his lap.
Bardet is actually very good at hard, hilly one day races.Bardet. How I would love for him to go wild in this stage it is far more likely he will disappear when the stage gets tough
Yeah. He has wasted a lot of his career trying to be a good GT rider.Bardet is actually very good at hard, hilly one day races.
Yeah and there are some beautiful places along the way if you like mountain scenery: Barrea, Scanno, the plateau between Ovindoli and Rocca di Cambio.
I know the profile is not very appealing but those roads bring back such good memories for me that I'm ok with this stage.