Giro Di Sardegna 22nd to 26th Feb

[Lance Armstrong]

Any highlights? Thanks!

 

[Cobblestoned]

do you think that Sagan can win the overall classification??? i was really impressed today by him! he is not a pure climber! this guy is a real champion!

He will crush the little prince.

 

[jaylew]

Any highlights? Thanks!

http://www.youtube.com/user/worldcyclingchannel3#p/u/0/b_pkRHDdw5Q

Great work from Scarponi.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

I think this is the photo we're looking for here. If Serpa gets to ride for himself at the Giro, I'll be super happy. In any case I have to admit they look like a solid team: like Movistar, no clear leaders, but deep.

rujano is their clear land sole leader. make no mistake about it. everyone will have to work for him and try to win the giro with him.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

bit of a crosswind 20-30km out, suddenly a bit of a break in the péloton, and you're left with a 5-man breakaway consisting of Stefano Garzelli and four LA-MSS riders, who promptly TTTed in (Garzelli refused to take a turn) to win by about a minute as the chase was disorganized, then Vicioso beat Garzelli in the sprint. That's what set up the all LA-MSS podium in the race, because with that advantage, they just had to gang up on Garzelli on the MTF at Acebo.

actually I remember that stage totally different. tomasz marczynsky was in front. the peloton was behind and 3 guys with tondo from la mss (milaneza) started pacing and EVERYONE dropped. it was for everyone clear to see this was epo in it's best form. la mss were caught with transfusion gears and epo later on in june of 2009. ridiculous they coudl think they could get away with this. alsmot as bad as milaneza was in 2003 with francisco perez, lavarinhas, jeker, moller and rui sousa.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

If we are going to compare him against the Cunego of 2004 then that is not going to happen again. Even he admits to that. But he has always been a constant attacker. And he is more likely to succed in short races where recuperation is not such a big issue. But as far as his attacking spirit is concern, that has not changed IMHO.

cunego is actually king of recuperating. he just can;t hold on in long climbs anymore. more hilly rider. but he recuperates fine is always strongets in final week of a gt

 

[taiwan]

rujano is their clear land sole leader. make no mistake about it. everyone will have to work for him and try to win the giro with him.

OK. I'm not so familiar with, or bothered about Rujano, probably because his Giro podium ws before I followed cycling. I don't really know how to rate his abilities either.

 

[Ryaguas]

I think this is the photo we're looking for here. If Serpa gets to ride for himself at the Giro, I'll be super happy. In any case I have to admit they look like a solid team: like Movistar, no clear leaders, but deep.

Rujano is their absolute leader for Il Giro... Sella is their 2nd...

OK. I'm not so familiar with, or bothered about Rujano, probably because his Giro podium ws before I followed cycling. I don't really know how to rate his abilities either.

Rate him as the second best climber in the world... the first is the Great One

 

[will10]

Sella won't wait if Rujano is dropped on the first mountain stage, make no mistake.

 

[taiwan]

Rate him as the second best climber in the world... the first is the Great One

He's been promoted?

 

[Libertine Seguros]

actually I remember that stage totally different. tomasz marczynsky was in front. the peloton was behind and 3 guys with tondo from la mss (milaneza) started pacing and EVERYONE dropped. it was for everyone clear to see this was epo in it's best form. la mss were caught with transfusion gears and epo later on in june of 2009. ridiculous they coudl think they could get away with this. alsmot as bad as milaneza was in 2003 with francisco perez, lavarinhas, jeker, moller and rui sousa.

I didn't see that stage live so maybe you're right. I think the crosswind was the excuse that kept being used for why the break developed where it did. The four guys were Vicioso, Tondó, Bruno Pires and Tino Zaballa, for the record, while Cabreira also finished just outside the top 10. Remembering which piece of ludicrous LA-MSS activity from that time is which is tough, they did a 1-2-3 in a GP Rota dos Móveis stage less than a month later, might be mixing the two up and combining details from both.

LA-MSS were caught in '08, hence missing from the '08 Volta, though some of the implicated riders soldiered on (Cabreira...). Milaneza and LA-MSS were the same team (União Ciclista da Maia) so not too surprising they thought they could do it again.

You also forgot David Bernabéu from your list of 2003-era Milaneza dopers. He was busted at Paris-Nice.

 

[Ryaguas]

Sella won't wait if Rujano is dropped on the first mountain stage, make no mistake.

Rujano has been riding in great shape since last year and getting results... Sella showed something in yesterday's stage of Giro di Sardegna but He needs to show more... Rujano being dropped in the 1st mountain? keep dreaming

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

OK. I'm not so familiar with, or bothered about Rujano, probably because his Giro podium ws before I followed cycling. I don't really know how to rate his abilities either.

the way I see him since the last 2 years he is the greatest climber in the world, he was 3rd in giro at age 23in his first gt! only he has his problems, he can really blow in a stage as he truely throws away his energy mountainstages where he starst leadiing the peloton from climb 1 till climb 5 are no rarity. I've sene him do it many times when he won vuelta colombia without basically a team. this is dangerous and when he blows he really blows, he also has issues with his health and getting sick and he can't stand the cold with his small tiny body.

however in all good conditions there is no one on par with him. the guy is 48 kg in topshape and pushes 8,3 watt per kg weight, which is toally out of this world. gesink does 7,1 for instance. so you can imagine minus the extra weight of gesink that he climbs way harder than him. he is basically a powerrider, riding quite heavy gears over the mountains, not evry explosive, but very aggressive.

savio named him few years ago the biggest physical talent he ever saw and would probably ever see but criticised his bad mentality and people around him. they are fortunately gone and I like savio believe he changed his ways when he left europe few years ago, won vuelta colombia and become the biggest sportshero in venezuela. the first venezuelan to ever win the biggest race in america.

 

[The Hitch]

This was very nice to read.

the first venezuelan to ever win the biggest race in america.

But can you tell me more about this bit? I like to read about cyclists being sports heroes.

 

[ingsve]

This was very nice to read.

But can you tell me more about this bit? I like to read about cyclists being sports heroes.

It's clearly made up. Rujano has never won Tour of California.

 

[Parrulo]

It's clearly made up. Rujano has never won Tour of California.

priceless i need 10 characters <_<

 

[Ferminal]

If we are going to compare him against the Cunego of 2004 then that is not going to happen again. Even he admits to that. But he has always been a constant attacker. And he is more likely to succed in short races where recuperation is not such a big issue. But as far as his attacking spirit is concern, that has not changed IMHO.

Oh no way 2004, more 2008-2009 where he was able to win stages and classics (or at least be competitive in them).

 

[Ferminal]

k, this Giro 2005 talk makes me want to DL and watch it... or at least the mighty Finestre.

 

[Ryaguas]

when he blows he really blows

That is my biggest concern... also He tend to "hunger knock" sometimes like last year's Vuelta a Colombia... when He lost 3min in 7 or 10km? I dont remember well...

It's clearly made up. Rujano has never won Tour of California.

Hahahahaah... Nailed it!

 

[Ryaguas]

k, this Giro 2005 talk makes me want to DL and watch it... or at least the mighty Finestre.

Here Ferminal Giro 2005

 

[will10]

Rujano has been riding in great shape since last year and getting results... Sella showed something in yesterday's stage of Giro di Sardegna but He needs to show more... Rujano being dropped in the 1st mountain? keep dreaming

Sella was good in Langkawi too. Rujano is incredibly inconsistant, I guess the only thing to say is "we'll see"

I would love to see him back on top form, he was who I rooting for on the Finestre stage in 2005, but I can't see him getting back to that sort of shape. Vuelta a Colombia is not the Giro, despite what the fanboys will have you believe

 

[auscyclefan94]

Ballan, Lucas Euser and 5 others in the breakaway

 

[Mellow Velo]

A breakaway already on stage 3 and here's me only just having watched Rai's hour.
Nice to see Cunego break his duck and all the usual suspects playing chess from within the lead group.
A rugged stage to say the least.

 

[hfer07]

however in all good conditions there is no one on par with him. the guy is 48 kg in topshape and pushes 8,3 watt per kg weight, which is toally out of this world.

you're right-in this world cannot be done
not even Pantani in the highest of his powers was able to put near 8.0 watts-Looks like you really like the guy but there is no need to exaggerate the facts. Rugano's big problem is himself: lapses of concentration during the races & consistency nearly killed his career in Europe & he needs to get those problems solved if he wants to bring back what he left off back in 05

 

[TourOfSardinia]

A breakaway already on stage 3 and here's me only just having watched Rai's hour.
Nice to see Cunego break his duck and all the usual suspects playing chess from within the lead group.
A rugged stage to say the least.

did you see the bit when Cunego went Wahhhh! to the camera.
It was at a wooded point near the top of Monte Ortobene I remember visiting
years ago - great view from up there - much recommend - Nuoro was bit of a hole then - I guess it's better now.