Giro d'Italia 2011 Stage 20: Verbania - Sestriere 242km

[boomcie]

Nice intro once again. Much obliged.

 

[No_Balls]

I totally got into the preview until it got to this bit:



For one thing, the news stories all say either mid-July or September because August is vacation time in Europe. The cities heat up, everyone heads to some beach, and the chances of getting all the lawyers, witnesses, arbitrators, etc. all in one place aren't very likely. Maybe they'll prove the articles wrong when they get together next week to pick a date. But Contador fans have had a lot to enjoy about the Giro, with three more stages to come.

Maybe a mod should put a warning in the title here that Contador fans might be offended, and that in a non-Clinic thread someone has tried and convicted him. There was obviously a lot of effort and some nice writing in the intro. Why trash it for some people who actually like the guy who has dominated the event?

One could wonder what that CAS-meeting have to do with the actual race coming this weekend. Last time i checked August is in August. Let us deal with the outcome (whatever that is) when the day has come.

But then again we have these people who loves bringing up this thing always to excuse them ever after: "ohh, it is a clinic-issue, what i am saying."

 

[gilbertador]

Rujano will definitely not make the podium unless Nibali or Scarponi bonk, he needs at least a minute on both in the tt where he will be rubbish, Gadret at 1:50 from Nibali will be potentialy able to make th podium temporarily efore failing in the tt, sivtov and nieve to lose a lot

 

[The Hitch]

I totally got into the preview until it got to this bit:



For one thing, the news stories all say either mid-July or September because August is vacation time in Europe. The cities heat up, everyone heads to some beach, and the chances of getting all the lawyers, witnesses, arbitrators, etc. all in one place aren't very likely. Maybe they'll prove the articles wrong when they get together next week to pick a date. But Contador fans have had a lot to enjoy about the Giro, with three more stages to come.

Maybe a mod should put a warning in the title here that Contador fans might be offended, and that in a non-Clinic thread someone has tried and convicted him. There was obviously a lot of effort and some nice writing in the intro. Why trash it for some people who actually like the guy who has dominated the event?

The bit you highlight is not anti Contador and i struggle to see how you interpret it as such.

Im not anti Contador, but rather trying to hype up the battle for 2nd.

The truth is the battle for first is dead. AC can stop off for a cup of tea with the mayor in Cigliano and catch all his competitors on the climb.

So what is this whole thing about. A stage win?

The Contador CAS hearing gives me another angle.

The batle for second is worth more.

It could be the battle for eventual winner.

Will Contador have his win taken away in August. Maybe he will maybe he wont.

The point is the person in second could take his place, hence the battle for that position is spiced up, and its showdown take place on this beautiful final road stage the Giro has given us.

Nice intro once again Hitch But you missed with the savoldellie epicness stage, you said it was Simoni's greatest triumph (should be Falco's)

This will be carnage once again, cmon Rujanito and Denis !

Cheers mikey. Wow that was a bad mistake. Basically said that Gibo could only watch as Simoni won.

Damn italians have such similar names.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

To be fair to the Sestrières climb, it's usually much longer, but cos they're climbing Finestre they're only doing the latter part.

Expect a handful of small groups at the top of Finestre then Sestrières will break it up just like Aprica after the killer that is the Mortirolo, just the sheer agony of going uphill again after facing the monster in the eye.

 

[roundabout]

The descent from Finestre is only 12-13 minutes long. Nibali would have to be on his best climbing form if he wants to beat Scarpony.

 

[Anonymous]

Great intro.. Hitch...interesting to know what Il falco would say on RAI.

 

[gregrowlerson]

Another awesome intro Hitch.

The Finestre is a marvellous climb. Perhaps the best in professional cycling. So long. So steep. Half paved/half unpaved. Just wow.

Could Contador do an Ullrich, or an Evans, or dare I say it, a Landis?!

HIGHLY unlikely, but surely on a climb as difficult as Finestre it could be possible for any rider to lose a huge chunk of time on a bad day.

But I don't really wish this upon AC. He's been clearly the best rider in the race and deserves his victory in Milan.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

I was watching the images from 2005 earlier today, the entire Finestre climb.
It's just wow. Total carnage. I expect much of this.

 

[AussieGoddess]

its going to be an exciting night - thats for sure

 

[Climbing]

Yeah, I'm expecting an epic stage.
Add the fact that the stage come after a long and very though Giro... someone could really go backward!
The unpaved part shouldn't favour the diesel like guys, or the ones not slipping when getting on their pedals?
Rujano did miracles the last time here, so even psychologically this should have some impact in his confidence (of course you need the legs too, that's obvious).
Very interesting for podium beetween Nibali and Scarponi, not easy to predict what is gonna happen!

 

[LukeSchmid]

An exciting and suspence building introduction of the highest class, well done Hitch.
I think Rujano will go for it early and go for it hard and try and blow everyone away. It is his only chance at the podium, not sure it will work but is going to be fun watching. I think Gadret can finish in the first 3-4.

 

[BYOP88]

Another great intro Hitch, lets hope the race lives up to it.

 

[El Pistolero]

Contador for the mountain jersey I hope.

 

[icefire]

Just another rumour from the same journalist who tweeted about Zomegnan's demotion:

There is a call, muted by the press, to cut the stage tomorrow in protest for a line of high-speed train. We'll see.

http://twitter.com/#!/FernandoLlamas/status/74092210617991168

If Contador gets the KOM, next Sunday may be his last race in Italy

 

[Escarabajo]

Potential men for the Break:

LeMevel, Garzelli and his team Greagario Sarmiento, Anton, Androni riders insert here, Radio Shack (Machado anyone), Sastre again, ...

 

[roundabout]

Le Mevel is just hanging on the last few days.

Garzelli will attack 110%, same for Anton.

 

[Mellow Velo]

Given the choice of Zoncolan, or Finestre, I'd take Finny every time.
Nuff said.
Weather forecast could be mighty crucial.

 

[Anonymous]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nr8VsVes16k
does anybody know the lyrics?

 

[Climbing]

An exciting and suspence building introduction of the highest class, well done Hitch.
I think Rujano will go for it early and go for it hard and try and blow everyone away. It is his only chance at the podium, not sure it will work but is going to be fun watching. I think Gadret can finish in the first 3-4.

He didn't have much chance before today, but now he's gonna try for sure, if he isn't completely coocked.
I told you he was going up and down, but you guys always get carried away...

 

[Dedelou]

Take a look at the man.. over there, that rider is Alberto Contador. Look how he has ridden this Giro.. Now tell me again what do you hesitating between? 1. Will he put on the hammer ? or 2. will he seat back and watch the race for second? I am told that a friend of his is taping the stage it so he can watch later on, so that only leave the hammer choice, right?

 

[ManInFull]

Post might be needed.

Hitch, that intro was so good that I am now thinking about postponig my 75 mile ride until Sunday morning. Then, I can spend my Saturday morning watching this race!

 

[jens_attacks]

if it will rain and be cold again tomorrow,i can't see rujano at the front unfortunately.i've heard alberto wants to make the tifosi happy,he will cook the rivals on finestre and win the stage with huge advantage.

 

[taiwan]

I'd expect Rujano to want to do something on this stage. I suppose Di Luca might want to get in the break as well, given his history on the Finestre. Not been climbing fantastically well this Giro, though. I'd also like ot see Rodriguez salvage something from the race, although I'm not holding out huge hopes. I may have to accept that he's a puncheur only, but I'm really reluctuant. Actually, he seems to have a shot at getting into the top 5, but then he could easily drop back out in the TT.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

if it will rain and be cold again tomorrow,i can't see rujano at the front unfortunately.i've heard alberto wants to make the tifosi happy,he will cook the rivals on finestre and win the stage with huge advantage.

I think he will win stage 20 and 21.