best giro stage win... ever?

[The Hitch]

You're just ****ed because Evans won!

Oh Gawd. Tour isnt even 6 weeks out yet and already the sportzchick evans groupies are lining up at the gates to come in and constantly attack everyone for being anti Evans, even when people praise him or dont even talk about him.

 

[King Of The Wolds]

I would agree with you on Di Luca.

But Garzelli would've of contributed as usual and seeing a young rider like Betancur would of been good also. Napolitano would probably of done better in the sprints than the likes of Chicchi, Guardini and Bennati.

You want to sack off Radioshack and OPQS?! Guardini's been a shambles, but he's earned a shot at the Giro over the past year or so. Many on this board were saying he'd be a genuine rival to Cav over the next few years not so long ago.

 

[Caruut]

Yeah. My impression was that Rodriguez showed even more class than merely gifting the stage, he gifted it without making a show of it. Impressed me greatly.

I think it was a semi-gift. I think Rodriguez was hurting a lot, and would have gone anaerobic a fair amount on that attack. I think he wasn't planning to give it away until Rabottini gets past him. By that point, it's going to be a big effort to win, though I think he could have done. I felt it was a combination of a gift and not wanting to push any more. Agree on not making a show of it, shows class. If you watch closely, I think you can see him smile has Rabottini wins it.

 

[benpounder]

I respectively disagree. Rodriguez could have won if he really wanted, but he showed respect for Rabottini. (As he deserved to win the day)

Your logic evades me. If Rodriguez wanted to "gift it", why did he power past Rabottini at 300m? Rabottini was clearly in difficulty (1+ bike length back for 50-75m) but timed his efforts based upon knowing the finish, and having just enough left in the tank.

Certainly not a gift in my estimation. And a heck of a performance by Rabottini.

 

[The Hitch]

I rather see some fresh faces in this Giro than someone like Garzelli who has done this race dozens of times already. And even better: no Di Luca in the Giro.

lol funny to see your hatred for Garzelli (previously explained as a result of him taking down a belgian team), disguised under the prejiduce of agism.

Of course it ignores that Betancur would probably be the most talented young rider that could be invited to this race, certainatly for the mountains under 24.

Never mind that your original argument was that A and S shouldnt be in the race because Net App have "done enough", which says absolutely nothing about how only young riders should be allowed wildcards into the Giro.

 

[MrRoboto]

I find it a bit strange that the OP can elect the best stage win in the Giro, when he clearly don't even remember as far back as last year.

 

[greenedge]

That and Zoncolan that year are my favourites.
Zoncolan last year was also good.
I don't really know other stages.
I hope another MTT is included next year.

 

[UlleGigo]

I thought gift as soon as I saw it. Semi-gift at the least imo.

 

[eljimberino]

My view is that whoever rounded the tight corner first had a clear run to the line. I think Rabo knew this and timed his run perfectly. I'm calling no gift.

 

[Walkman]

Oh Gawd. Tour isnt even 6 weeks out yet and already the sportzchick evans groupies are lining up at the gates to come in and constantly attack everyone for being anti Evans, even when people praise him or dont even talk about him.

That was a joke... I actuallt thought the "" smile would give it away. I don't "attack everybody", never has, never will stop acting like a child.

And what has the Tour to do with anything?

 

[fatsprintking]

I say no gift. You have one guy that has gone flat out up the last 2k trying to take time, and another guy who has rode a steady tempo. I would not be surprised if he got the message to wait for him to come past, sit on and then outsprint him. Rodriguez was at his limit trying to take max time. Rabotinni he rode a really smart and cool race. If he had of been caught say 750 meters earlier I dont think he could have done it, but as it was he rode a really classy last 350 meters giving the tifosi something to cry into their short blacks over for the next few years.

 

[jens_attacks]

man purito was coming like a motorbike,he could have dropped him or easily win the sprint...i don't know what deal he had but i'm sure it was good

at least give some to poor losada,i was sorry for him gotta say.

rabottini's ride was excellent again i say it.

 

[CobbleStoner]

how about the best 2nd place finish in a Giro stage, '88 Gavia Pass where Andy Hampston won the Giro d'Italia

 

[spalco]

^^
I love the glasses.

 

[greenedge]

Oh Gawd. Tour isnt even 6 weeks out yet and already the sportzchick evans groupies are lining up at the gates to come in and constantly attack everyone for being anti Evans, even when people praise him or dont even talk about him.

It takes a while for us all to warm up ( some are awakening now ). I will only start at The Dauphinie thread or if anyone says Evans is not the favourite ( unless if that person is Airstream- talking about Andy).

I thought it was a great stage win in 2010 ( hard as the mud shows ) and the rider was the WC and displayed his all round abilities.

 

[airstream]

No, take it easy, Evans is a favorite cos Dauphine interests Andy in no ways

I'd point out Savo's Zoldo Alto win in 05.

 

[goggalor]

A crash leaves 10 riders together at the front.

3 of them get away from the others, ride together for 10k and one of them wins in a sprint.

Not quite a 150k break.

From that year, Pineau and Tschopp were way better.

Last years Kiriyenka and Nieve put all 3 of those to shame.

Your recollection of that stage is extremely poor. That is not at all how it played out, and it was a stunning stage, certainly one of the very best GT stages I've every seen. Pineau and Tschopp's stage wins don't even compare.

Gazzetta commentary from yesterday's stage: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YKWO0ARkig

Brilliant!

 

[MrRoboto]

Gazzetta commentary from yesterday's stage: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YKWO0ARkig

Gazzetta in dutch?

 

[goggalor]

Gazzetta in dutch?

Wrong link! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=756v27-bivw&feature=player_detailpage#t=339s

The Dutchies weren't quite as passionate.

 

[Havetts]

Wrong link! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=756v27-bivw&feature=player_detailpage#t=339s

The Dutchies weren't quite as passionate.

Were the belgians . But Renaat Schotte & Jose de Cauwer usually arent overdoing it but they were exciting for Rabbotini. Quality commentating.

 

[goggalor]

Were the belgians . But Renaat Schotte & Jose de Cauwer usually arent overdoing it but they were exciting for Rabbotini. Quality commentating.

I thought it might be Belgians, but it didn't sound like the usual Sporza guys (Michael Wuyts?) so I guessed the were cloggies. Definitely good commentating though.

 

[The Hitch]

Your recollection of that stage is extremely poor. That is not at all how it played out, and it was a stunning stage, certainly one of the very best GT stages I've every seen. Pineau and Tschopp's stage wins don't even compare.

Gazzetta commentary from yesterday's stage: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YKWO0ARkig

Brilliant!

im open to being proved wrong but usually when you offer a counter opinion you back it up rather than spend 3 lines telling me im wrong and the stage was great.

 

[goggalor]

im open to being proved wrong but usually when you offer a counter opinion you back it up rather than spend 3 lines telling me im wrong and the stage was great.

Your description of the stage was just wrong, that's not how it happened. You can probably find the stage on youtube or cyclingtorrents if you're interested.

That stage being awesome is just my opinion. I love breakaway wins, but there's a difference between the entire peloton riding all out to get to the line and arriving at the finish spread out over 30 minutes, and one man staying away because the favourites didn't care enough to chase.