Giro 2017, stage 7: Castrovillari - Alberobello 224 KM

[RedheadDane]

Everyone expecting this thread to be so boring nobody's even started a thread yet?
We don't even have to work, thanks to Eshnar.

STAGE 7: Castrovillari – Alberobello 224 km

START TIME: 11.50 CEST

Technical Overview:
Stage 7 is a long but fairly easy one, that can be divided into two parts: the first part is completely flat along the coast of the Ionian see, almost entirely straight for over 100 km, where the only difficulty might be crosswinds, which are actually quite likely, albeit they're usually weak. The second part of the stage goes into the inland of the Puglia region, where after the first intermediate sprint the only GPM of the day starts. Bosco delle Pianelle (GPM4, 4.9 km at 3.6%) isn't exactly a big deal for a professional peloton. Once through it, the riders will face a bit of an irregular terrain, without particular difficulties but with some little ramps here and there. The finale (see map) is quite weird, regarding both the profile and the planimetry. There are some significant gradients (4-5% in small ramps) and very tricky bends inside the town of Alberobello, where the stage finishes.

The Climbs:
Bosco delle Pianelle GPM4
Did you expect a profile? Lol

What to expect:
Bunch sprint obviously, but a very nervous one. As I mentioned, crosswinds are likely but they should be weak, and even in case they do damage, they will occur at 100+ kms to go... hard to believe they'll mean anything. The final kms, on the other hand, will be extremely tricky for a presumably full peloton.

 

[Alexandre B.]

Will there finally be a clean sprint between the usual suspects?

 

[SafeBet]

Not really the stage to have a clean sprint. Very technical finish, I wouldn't be surprised if somebody pulls a Pöstlberger.

 

[happytramp]

Re:

Not really the stage to have a clean sprint. Very technical finish, I wouldn't be surprised if somebody pulls a Pöstlberger.

Postleberger to pull a Postleberger.

 

[Tank Engine]

That is a particularly sharp bend 600m out. Someone might pull a Postleberger, but probably not Postleberger after today's breakaway.

However, I'll go for a winning sprint from Gaviria.

 

[huangho]

Pibernik FTW!

He really needs a win after what happened...

 

[Laplaz]

Sam Bennett ftw!

 

[deValtos]

I have no doubt this stage will be incredibly exciting.

 

[London Hibs]

I'm currently in Alberobello and it's more than a breeze. Forecast is seemingly windy tomorrow.

What a beautiful part of the world!

 

[Valv.Piti]

Interesting finale.

Hopefully a decent break like today will get away and animate the race if nothing else.. Gaviria to smash the wannabes on the line!

 

[spiritualride]

Re:

The finish doesn't look very technical at all IMO ... the corners are all pretty wide and at relatively mild angles. Check it out: https://goo.gl/maps/eSGyeFbAnW32

 

[Robert5091]

Up and down, and round and around in the last 5 km - breakaway could take it, or 1 strong man pinging off the front in the last 5 km. Just hope all come home safe.
Prediction - someone from a lesser team to take the break all the way.

 

[Poursuivant]

Andre Greipel will win this bike race.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Ewan FTW!

 

[Jungle Cycle]

I'm hopping for a bigger break with more ambitious attackers to question the ability or will of a over cautious peloton just before a big weekend..

 

[Jspear]

I like Gaviria, but I want to see Ewan up there in the finale. I want to see him get beat square and fair.

 

[killzone]

Re:

I'm hopping for a bigger break with more ambitious attackers to question the ability or will of a over cautious peloton just before a big weekend..

That was also a problem yesterday, even the attackers weren't going for it like we see sometimes in Giro or TdF, especially when the leader (QST) announces they wouldn't chase the attackers.
Group of 10+ men, big battle in beginning of stage knowing if you're gone you might win the stage. Now Andreetta gets a nice 4th place.

I can't believe that Quintana needs 8 teammates to protect him on a flat stage, or that losing energy now will have consequences in the third week of this giro.

I think a lot of Belgian fans have stopped watching this GT unfortunately, weak commentary, no battling. Only the real fans are watching so this ain't good for cycling.

 

[silvergrenade]

This is gonna be another snoozefest.
2-3 riders are gonna be interested in a breakaway. They'll make it and then they'll be reeled back 20 kms to go.
Lots of infighting and a crash in the techical finish and a reduced bunch sprint.
*Yawn*

Edit: Greipel to get bottles for the team. :lol:

 

[glassmoon]

has this Centenario thing started already

 

[FilipeFD]

hope we can get some wind today

 

[BullsFan22]

Nibles to fly the coup and steal some seconds!

 

[King Boonen]

I'm just hoping everyone gets through that finishing loop ok.

 

[RedheadDane]

Fonzi and Ponzi are in the break.
Also Kozonchuk, but his name doesn't end with "onzi".

 

[Lexman]

a break of 3 : Fonzi, Ponzi & ... Kozonchuk have 3 minutes on the break...

 

[King Boonen]

Do you reckon Ponzi has a scheme to make the others do all the work..?