Giro d'Italia 2011 Stage 17: Feltre - Tirano 230km

[The Hitch]

Longest day but a rest compared to the last 4.

Passo Tonale is long at 15k but only 6% average, and comes 70 k from the end, so i wouldnt expect too much there. The descent isnt that bad either and Aprica is a joke.

The Aprica descent is where something might happen (nibali?) but theres 8k straight after that for Scarponi and his helpers do bring him back so i wouldnt count on it.

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

Kill joy.

Alternative scenario, Liquigas make a hard day of it and drop as many as possible by the (admittedly easy) summit of Aprica. Nibali then legs it, with a disorganised chase among the heads of state behind.

I can dream.

 

[Parrulo]

maybe 1 or 2 man up the road and an attack on tonale? i know its far away but the descent from tonale to aprica seems long and it looks like there is no flat btw the bottow of the descent and aprica. with 1 or 2 man up the road maybe nibali can gap every1 on the tonale descent have his minions blow themselves passing him up aprica and then attack again on the aprica descent.
just an idea. if he trully wants to gain time on contador . . . .

 

[will10]

Big break to the finish

Some skirmishes on the final climb/descent but all favourites together at the finish.

 

[The Hitch]

Does anyone know where ES and others are getting this "4 mtfs in the final week" idea?

Ok so Sestrieres and Mcaugnaga and the Nevegal tt we just had but stage 21 is a flat tt and stages 17 and 18 finish on downhills.

 

[TeoSheva]

I hope in Bakelandts, Vicioso, Serpa...

 

[Parrulo]

Does anyone know where ES and others are getting this "4 mtfs in the final week" idea?

Ok so Sestrieres and Mcaugnaga and the Nevegal tt we just had but stage 21 is a flat tt and stages 17 and 18 finish on downhills.

they count sunday as the first day of the last week i believe. since a GT usually starts on a saturday the week finishs on a saturday

 

[roundabout]

Liquigas should go flat out on the Tonale and try to eliminate even Niemiec and Hernandez/Navarro. Nibali bombs the descent and we have an epic stage again.

In the real world a group of riders 30th and back on GC gets away and nothing happens.

 

[valentius borealis]

Does anyone know where ES and others are getting this "4 mtfs in the final week" idea?

Ok so Sestrieres and Mcaugnaga and the Nevegal tt we just had but stage 21 is a flat tt and stages 17 and 18 finish on downhills.

Wasn't this stage originally planned to be a MTF which was scrapped months ago due to safety concerns?

 

[The Hitch]

they count sunday as the first day of the last week i believe. since a GT usually starts on a saturday the week finishs on a saturday

It finishes on Sunday mate.

 

[JPbianchi]

Liquigas should go flat out on the Tonale and try to eliminate even Niemiec and Hernandez/Navarro. Nibali bombs the descent and we have an epic stage again.

In the real world a group of riders 30th and back on GC gets away and nothing happens.

I know the plaace very well and I believe that not that much will happen. This is a day for escapade, and yes the descend of the Aprica is nice not too tecnical but with a beautiful tarmac in some part you can reach 100km easily but I doubt it you can gain a lot of time, but definitely a fun dau for those out of the genaral classification

 

[The Hitch]

Wasn't this stage originally planned to be a MTF which was scrapped months ago due to safety concerns?

Zomegnan wanted the stage to finish on the Moritrolo

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

It finishes on Sunday mate.

Yeah, but there are 4 sunday's in a 3 week tour, it's just awkward groupings. Can't blame them for choosing the most sensationalist presentation.

 

[jobiwan]

Should I take my picks to the guess the break competition?
Surely the GC guys don't race hard tomorrow! But ya never know!

 

[hfer07]

Nibali is hungry for a Stage win- 17 & 18 stages are suitable to him-18th is even better. I hope he gets one as a reward for all the hard work he's put on this Giro.

PS: I know @Dekker_Tifosi is going b!tch about this for sure

 

[Parrulo]

It finishes on Sunday mate.

so now we are counting weeks backwards? good to know

 

[Reverend_T_Preedy]

Break of 20 riders goes early on.

Saxo bank control the lead.

5 riders from the break escape off final climb.

Winner comes from these 5 riders.

Nibali attacks on decent and comes in 20 seconds ahead of other main contenders but 5 minutes back from the break.

 

[Flamin]

I'll support Movistar, in honour of Xavi's tribute tomorrow.

 

[valentius borealis]

Zomegnan wanted the stage to finish on the Moritrolo

I was wrong anyway. It was originally scheduled to be a downhill finish (following a short uncategorised climb) anyway, but I'm sure that you would have remembered that from when the route was released.

 

[whittashau]

Liquigas should put a guy in a break and get Nibali to bridge to him on the descent of the aprica and hopefully stay away to the finish.

 

[robertocarlos]

the problem with liquigas attacking is that 3rd is closer to 2nd than second is to third, and it si my humble opinion that saxo's team altought a bit weaker are fresher at the moment.

 

[18-Valve. (pithy)]

I was wrong anyway. It was originally scheduled to be a downhill finish (following a short uncategorised climb) anyway

It could have made all the difference.

 

[taiwan]

Break of 20 riders goes early on.

Saxo bank control the lead.

5 riders from the break escape off final climb.

Winner comes from these 5 riders.

Nibali attacks on decent and comes in 20 seconds ahead of other main contenders but 5 minutes back from the break.

Good stage, I liked the bit when Nibali got away on the descent - great bike handling. Can someone put the St.18 thread up now?

Where am I?

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Breakaway to win it, Garzelli to get involved in order to pick up some mountains points.

I'd love for Nibali to think better of the attack, with bigger fish to fry later on, but David Arroyo to attack the descent, realising that 9th-10th is probably all he can hope for now, so he may as well try and get the stage.

A very emotional win that would be, too.

 

[El Pistolero]

In order for me to get some excitement after today's stage I hope Contador does an Armstrong(Simeoni) on Garzelli