Giro d'Italia 2015: Stage 4: Chiavari – La Spezia 150 kms

[Red Rick]

Since Orica Greenedge managed yet again to suck all life out of a race today, and the only moment worth remembering is a horrible crash, let's go on to the next one. Completely in line with my tradition of lazy race threads I present to you, the 4th stage in this Giro d'Italia

Stage 4: Chiavari – La Spezia 150 kms

Start time: 13:10, May 12th

Analysis:
Another hilly stage, this time it's a serious one. The peloton will almost immediatly start climbing the first climb of the day, the GPM3 Colle di Velva (14.2 kms at 3.5%). After the top, a long descending valley will bring the riders to the foot of the famous Passo del Bracco (8.8 kms at 4.8%) which is not categorized as they don't reach the proper pass, but descend before the top. Here starts the most beautiful Cinque Terre area, and the route is almost identical to the 2009 monster ITT. After reaching the village of Levanto, the road goes up again to the GPM3 Passo del Termine (8.8 kms at 6.1%). Once it's done, some false flats and a descent will lead the bunch through a long tunnel that marks the end of the Cinque Terre area. The following descent goes all the way to the town of La Spezia, but the stage doesn't end here: after a first pass through the finishing line, the peloton will simply make a 180° turn and go back into the hills again. The last climb of the day, the GPM3 to the village of Biassa (3.4 at 8.8%, the graphic is wrong ofc), is a very interesting road with increasingly steep gradients. Just as they leave the village, the road connects to the exit of the aforementioned tunnel, and the riders will descend on the very same road they used to get to La Spezia in the first place. After the end of the descent there are only 3 kms of flat, straight roads.

Expectations:
I expect a big spectacle here. The climb to Biassa is definitely enough to force a selection even amongst the gc guys, if anybody wants, and it's in a perfect position, just 10 kms before the finish. Furthermore, all the one-day specialists whose goal is to win a stage and possibly wear pink for a day will have to make the team work and then go for it. All the riders with gc ambitions will need to be on their toes today.

All credits for the work goes to Eshnar. Let's hope that Orica won't manage suck the life out of this one, lets pray for some rain, and may Tinkoff sendg Kreuziger up the road

 

[Jspear]

Before the Giro even started Matthews had this stage as one of his goals. Orica to "suck the life out of this one"; Matthews for the win.

 

[qwer]

matthews will win 4 stages and red jersey

 

[Flamin]

No doubt we'll see good attacks on the final climb. I expect a team like Movistar to go hard here. Also a perfect stage for someone like Cunego.

Clarke or Chaves in pink.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

They can't completely f**k this one up to let Orica strangle the life out of another one, right? This is un-f**k-up-able, surely?

Oh yea, forgot, if Matthews gets dropped they'll all ride like total morons to let Simon Gerrans, the man who makes Levi Leipheimer look like Jacky Durand, continue the reign of terror for Hilly High Road.

 

[DBotero]

Re: Giro d'Italia 2015: Stage 4: Chiavari – La Spezia 150 km

Matthews normally should win this,but i would prefer Gerrans if possible

 

[Netserk]

You most have loved today's stage Libertine with Tinkoff helping Orica close everything down.

 

[Velolover2]

It actually looks harder than stage 3. I don't think Matthews will win it unless the peloton is riding slow and safe. In a one-day race, the final climb would be way too steep and long for him. The penultimate climb is also a tough one.

 

[qwer]

please tinkoff, don't work tomorrow

 

[Jagartrott]

Re:

Before the Giro even started Matthews had this stage as one of his goals. Orica to "suck the life out of this one"; Matthews for the win.

I don't expect him to be here.
He only just hung on on the last climb today.

 

[fauniera]

Re:

please tinkoff, don't work tomorrow

Of course they will. All day.

 

[mrhender]

Re:

please tinkoff, don't work tomorrow

They will work like today and be in front most of the stage...

Today has not done anything to consider them changing approach.
Maybe even on the contrary #pozzovivo

If they want to be at the front they must ride a pace that satisfy other teams agenda.
Else they will be 3th or 4th violin in the peloton and that may be the difference between success and failure.
Especially so early in the race when nervousness is more outspoken...

This may make them look like Orica helpers but I don't think they care....

 

[Miburo]

Matthew and gerrans won't survive this.

I hope

 

[Jspear]

Re: Re:

Before the Giro even started Matthews had this stage as one of his goals. Orica to "suck the life out of this one"; Matthews for the win.

I don't expect him to be here.
He only just hung on on the last climb today.

I thought the climbs today were harder than tomorrows?

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Porte should attack on the last climb and see who he can bring along on the descent.
Anyway plenty riders are way down on GC already luckily, so we could have a great stage.

Bring it on.

 

[Velolover2]

I think Felline will take it tommorow. He is a better climber than Matthews and even Gerrans.

I quite honestly think it's too hard for Matthews. The two last k are as steep as a mountain of the Pyrenees.

 

[Velolover2]

Valverde territory.

 

[Escarabajo]

If the profile gradients are correct, Matthews won't survive the last climb. Smaller group than expected. It is just very steep at the end. The average gradient has a mistake.

 

[Tank Engine]

Re:

Valverde territory.

He'll get beaten by Kwiatek in the sprint

But seriously, Gilbert looked good today and if he didn't wear himself out too much, this could be a day for him. Felline and Gerrans should also do well. I don't think Bling will quite make the cut. I'll go for Phil.

 

[Velolover2]

Re:

Porte should attack on the last climb and see who he can bring along on the descent.
Anyway plenty riders are way down on GC already luckily, so we could have a great stage.

Bring it on.

Nah, he'll probably wait for stage 5. And should IMO.

But sending König or Nieve out could cause some major damage. A battle of the lieutenants.

Rogers vs. König vs. Landa vs. Ion Izagirre.

 

[SeriousSam]

Orica gonna win every stage except the TT and MTFs. I really enjoyed their expert tactial riding today, even if I don't like Matthews.

They're lucky the Tinkov train pulls all day long though.

 

[mrhender]

Don't think any of the SKY/Tinkoff/Astana artillery will be in play tomorrow...
It's much too early and they will just netralize each others attacks..

Not to say no-one is going to try, and if they do early on and consistently it will be mad racing all around...

Would be fun to watch, but I take it they will agree to keep things more steady so early on...

Long way to go...

 

[qwer]

this stage is similar to stage 4 of tirreno adriatico where poels won the stage

 

[The Hitch]

Giovani Visconti.

 

[Netserk]

Re:

Giovani Visconti.

Will he be able to save Movistar's Giro?