Giro d'Italia 2020, stage 18: Pinzolo - Laghi di Cancano 207 km

[Zinoviev Letter]

I find it very refreshing to not have the same old names again and again in front. We have the Vuelta for that...

I like it too. I happily watch nobodies battle it out in the Tour of Azerbaijan. I just don’t insist that the level is actually super high while I’m enjoying it

 

[Leinster]

Almeida is dropping Majka.

I think Almeida is doing a great ride here. He might not do enough to save his Giro, but he's keeping going at a steady pace, but doesn't look like blowing up. There's still the descent, valley, and an easier climb to come.

 

[BlueRoads]

Masnada is absoloute pathetic cut this guy's contract after this stage what a joke. And Kelderman will be the weakest GT winner since Oscar Perriero if he wins. It is like Masnada want's to save as much energy as possible for a top 10.

I don't think a DQS rider would dare to do that... I would not if I had to face PL afterwards...
Masnada is a rather sudden acquirement doing way more than I would have expected. I think he's spent.

 

[craigmalone]

Considering there's still a TT to come, if Almeida can keep sub 3.30 to Hart and Hindley, he might still podium come Sunday.

Hindley surely won't be riding here today either unless he has the opportunity to attack in the last km

 

[Ted Striker]

If Ineos wins this race I'm gonna Puke!

Class comment

 

[dgodave]

I actually get the urge to start cycling and do it in this beatiful landscape.

Start? My goodness what are you waiting for? I used to bike race, but now I'm back to my original cycling love, which is exploring places.

 

[trevim]

I like how Almeida is racing, from the start of the Giro it seemed like he was a bit out of the top GC riders in the long climbs. Still he found his pace, not trying to hide behind other riders.

Can't help but feel some pain for Kelderman, he's in a difficult situation now too, riding alone to the finish as it looks.

 

[JosefK]

For Sunweb, you can't pull HIndley back, right?

 

[Zoophonic]

I actually get the urge to start cycling and do it in this beatiful landscape.

Yes I can see why so many say the Stelvio is their bucket list climb. It is simply stunning.

 

[Colombianfan]

Hindley vs Tao I guess.

If Dennis is in that Valley KElderman will lose minutes

God i hope so.

 

[damian13ster]

Danish commentators saying Majka's gear must be broken, since he is pushing a much too big one.

He said already on Piancavello that he is pedaling squares and doesn't feel 'fluid'. Also, in world of troubles yesterday - stomach issues. Probably simply doesn't have it. Wouldn't look for mechanical here.

On the sidenote, his relationship with Konrad isn't good

 

[Scarponi]

The Brian Smith drinking game. Drink every time he suggests Tao should attack or Hindley drop back to help Kelderman

Or masnada is angry giving up his top 10

 

[Devil's Elbow]

For Sunweb, you can't pull HIndley back, right?

Would be a bad move considering Hindley can win this race too, plus you might need to have two cards on Saturday.

 

[SarahtheDane]

He dropped Novak. Hope lives.

Dennis dropped Nibali. It's 2020, anything can happen.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

The Brian Smith drinking game. Drink every time he suggests Tao should attack or Hindley drop back to help Kelderman

"New study reveals correlation between cycling and cirrhosis of the liver"

 

[Red Rick]

How long and steep is the final climb?

9km 7% or so

 

[spalco]

For Sunweb, you can't pull HIndley back, right?

Holy ***, no!

 

[Broccolidwarf]

Danish commentators saying riders who don't put on a jacket before the descent will be in trouble, with temperatures close to freezing.

 

[46&twoWheels]

anyway, Nibali in Tour of Oman form

 

[Finn84]

TGH and Hindley have now caught and passed Almeida in GC.

 

[Forever The Best]

Finestre would have been awesome, but Vegni gonna Vegni.
#VegniOut

 

[Leinster]

It's a crazy and technical descent... If Dennis makes it over with Tao these 3 might be gone until the finish... The rest I don't, it depends how crazy they are at descending...

That's just it; it doesn't benefit either Tao or Jai to drop Dennis, so if his engine is still going, keep him at least to the foot of the final climb.

Hindley only needs to sit on TGH's wheel for as long as he feels like it.

A big question is how does Kelderman riding a long way up the mountain on his own, versus Almeida riding with Masnada for a bit, but also Konrad, help him. (Pernsteiner obviously won't help with Bilbao ahead)

 

[fuiers]

Things to come still in this Giro

• Kelderman takes the maglia rosa from Almeida
• Kelderman to looses time on saturday and get dropped to 3rd place
• Kelderman looses 3rd place on TT to Almeida
• Tao wins Giro and Hindley is 2nd.

 

[Breezy1985]

Good god can someone please tell ES that jai is actually a second ahead of TGH.
They are fully working on the assumption that if Wilkins dropped TGH is in pink

 

[Samu Cuenca]

The Brian Smith drinking game. Drink every time he suggests Tao should attack or Hindley drop back to help Kelderman

I'm not in possession of Vino's liquor cabinet, so I'll run dry too fast