Giro d'Italia 2015 Stage 7: Grosseto – Fiuggi 264 kms

[DBotero]

Re:

Imagine this stage to be tomorrow's stage. You think nobody who aims for GC should attack because Bertie is unwell?

They should ride in the grupetto,fair play should prevail

 

[mrhender]

Re:

Bandiera (Androni), Boem (Bardiani), Mihaylov (CCC) and Dr Negri (Nippo). Very weak break and the peloton is letting them go.

Please, let this NOT be the break of the day...........

 

[Miburo]

Re:

Bandiera (Androni), Boem (Bardiani), Mihaylov (CCC) and Dr Negri (Nippo). Very weak break and the peloton is letting them go.

Thank god.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

Imagine this stage to be tomorrow's stage. You think nobody who aims for GC should attack because Bertie is unwell?

I just think, it would look very well on the other teams if they decided to decide this race in the mountains instead. Let's be honest, if they ride like maniacs today it'll be because they want to see Contador lose contact with the peloton because he can't put too much pressure on his arm. That is very unsporting. What would be off limits then, attacking when one of his teammates is helping him put on a rainjacket or stuffing a muffin into his mouth because he can't do it himself? Or is that okay too?

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

Bandiera (Androni), Boem (Bardiani), Mihaylov (CCC) and Dr Negri (Nippo). Very weak break and the peloton is letting them go.

Thank god.

I second that

 

[DBotero]

Re: Re:

There's nothing dirty in exploiting your opponent's weaknesses. It's the basis of the sport, of any sport actually.
If I'm Astana, I surely test Contador's conditions in the last 30 kms.

Visconti will be eager to wear pink today and he's in monster shape. So yeah, Movistar cuold play a big role today.
I'm also expecting Kung to give it a go.

It isn't dirty, and it is not cheating, but I think it is pretty unsporting. Since cycling has a code of respect for the leader's jersey, I think there might be the view that neutralising the day in a three week race does not come at real cost to the other GC contenders, and hence is the 'right' thing to do. Saturday, all bets will be off.

I'm not sure I would want to 'win at all costs' - but then, there's a reason I'm not an elite sportsman! And if any teams do put the hammer down, I think they would be inviting a certain amount of ill-feeling. Maybe they wouldn't care.

I agree Electress, maybe dirty was not the right word, I meant "unsporting".

Wouldnt go so far as to say i was a rabid Sky fan. I do however like to balance things out as i think they get a rough deal here. Just think Contador deserves a little respect today. If the race breaks up because another team forces it, then Astana and Sky have to follow. I would be disappointed if they forced the issue. Saturday? Now thats a different ball game altogether

It's a very long stage.It would be really dumb if a big team doesn't try to tire their opponents out and this got nothing to do with Contador's condition.

 

[SafeBet]

Gap already at 7 minutes.
That's your break of the day.

 

[the sceptic]

Re:

Imagine this stage to be tomorrow's stage. You think nobody who aims for GC should attack because Bertie is unwell?

if Contador wins the giro because his competitors waited for him to heal it will be a hollow victory.

if they don't ride on todays stage they are morons.

 

[The Barb]

Re: Re:

Bandiera (Androni), Boem (Bardiani), Mihaylov (CCC) and Dr Negri (Nippo). Very weak break and the peloton is letting them go.

Please, let this NOT be the break of the day...........

Unfortunately it looks like they're off and gone for the next few hours. I hope Movistar will contribute to the chase for Lobato. This is one of the few stages they have a strong chance of winning.

 

[Netserk]

Re: Re:

Imagine this stage to be tomorrow's stage. You think nobody who aims for GC should attack because Bertie is unwell?

I just think, it would look very well on the other teams if they decided to decide this race in the mountains instead. Let's be honest, if they ride like maniacs today it'll be because they want to see Contador lose contact with the peloton because he can't put too much pressure on his arm. That is very unsporting. What would be off limits then, attacking when one of his teammates is helping him put on a rainjacket or stuffing a muffin into his mouth because he can't do it himself? Or is that okay too?

Everything that isn't against the rules is okay. Attack the leading rider when he takes a piss? Fair. Just don't expect anyone else to give you an easy time next time you take a piss yourself.

 

[BeagRigh]

Re: Re:

Bandiera (Androni), Boem (Bardiani), Mihaylov (CCC) and Dr Negri (Nippo). Very weak break and the peloton is letting them go.

Thank god.

I second that

Why? I'm not sure a soft break is good for Contandor.

These guys will get caught and the last 20km will be hectic!

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

Imagine this stage to be tomorrow's stage. You think nobody who aims for GC should attack because Bertie is unwell?

if Contador wins the giro because his competitors waited for him to heal it will be a hollow victory.

if they don't ride on todays stage they are morons.

And if Porte or Aru wins the Giro by exploiting Contador's injury, it would be a hollow victory for them.

 

[mrhender]

Re:

Gap already at 7 minutes.
That's your break of the day.

What a waste of the longest Giro stage for at least 15 years

 

[Sasquatch]

Re: Re:

Imagine this stage to be tomorrow's stage. You think nobody who aims for GC should attack because Bertie is unwell?

if Contador wins the giro because his competitors waited for him to heal it will be a hollow victory.

if they don't ride on todays stage they are morons.

And if Porte or Aru wins the Giro by exploiting Contador's injury, it would be a hollow victory for them.

They won't win.

Uran will win.

 

[hrotha]

Well since no one can win a meaningful victory anymore, I suggest they just award the Giro to Pirazzi.

 

[movingtarget]

Re: Re:

Imagine this stage to be tomorrow's stage. You think nobody who aims for GC should attack because Bertie is unwell?

I just think, it would look very well on the other teams if they decided to decide this race in the mountains instead. Let's be honest, if they ride like maniacs today it'll be because they want to see Contador lose contact with the peloton because he can't put too much pressure on his arm. That is very unsporting. What would be off limits then, attacking when one of his teammates is helping him put on a rainjacket or stuffing a muffin into his mouth because he can't do it himself? Or is that okay too?

It's not unsporting at all, it's part of sport. You really think other teams will take it easy because he is injured ? Being a flat stage should be easier than up and down all day. He won't have to get out of the seat much. Uran has been sick and no one waited for him. Other teams that don't have a rider for GC will want this stage so there is no real reason for Astana to go hard. The length of the stage will be hard enough for Contador. It would be be better for Contador to lose the Pink on this stage as long as he does not lose too much time to Aru and Porte.

 

[BeagRigh]

Do we know who is on the front of the peleton at the moment?

I'm hoping a second break with some more firepower goes on Monterotondo.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

Imagine this stage to be tomorrow's stage. You think nobody who aims for GC should attack because Bertie is unwell?

I just think, it would look very well on the other teams if they decided to decide this race in the mountains instead. Let's be honest, if they ride like maniacs today it'll be because they want to see Contador lose contact with the peloton because he can't put too much pressure on his arm. That is very unsporting. What would be off limits then, attacking when one of his teammates is helping him put on a rainjacket or stuffing a muffin into his mouth because he can't do it himself? Or is that okay too?

Everything that isn't against the rules is okay. Attack the leading rider when he takes a piss? Fair. Just don't expect anyone else to give you an easy time next time you take a piss yourself.

I do not agree at all.

 

[Squirbos_19]

If Sky or Astana, or rather just Porte and Aru attack Contador today they'll probably get a bad name in the peloton. Attacking the GC leader when injured on a day that really won't change anything on GC unless they attack. But winning is everything in this sport (or just going for top 10s but whatever) so Sky and/or Astana could try something.

 

[Tank Engine]

I agree that this break is not good for Bertie wanting a rest day. It'll get caught and then the racing will begin. At least it won't be too hectic before then.

 

[Maaaaaaaarten]

Why such a weak break in such a nice stage?

I don't care about Sky, Astana and Contador much today, but there's a platoon of classics riders in this peloton who should be trying to make this race hard for the stage win. This stage should always be raced by the likes of Gilbert, Ulissi et cetera to try and get rid of the sprinters.

 

[vladimir]

Re:

Why such a weak break in such a nice stage?

I don't care about Sky, Astana and Contador much today, but there's a platoon of classics riders in this peloton who should be trying to make this race hard for the stage win. This stage should always be raced by the likes of Gilbert, Ulissi et cetera to try and get rid of the sprinters.

There is apparantly a quite strong headwind. I expect Phil, Diego etc. not too keen on 7 hours plus if there is a strong wind blowing straight against them...

 

[Netserk]

Matthews today easily. Gerrans again as the perfect leadout man.

 

[Beacon Hill]

Re:

Well since no one can win a meaningful victory anymore, I suggest they just award the Giro to Pirazzi.

I hear you, and agree wholeheartedly

 

[pastronef]

Re:

Well since no one can win a meaningful victory anymore, I suggest they just award the Giro to Pirazzi.

yes Hrotha, Italian guy to keep the Maglia Rosa is the best solution for RCS when the victory has lost any meaning since one of the favourites is injured