Oh nononononononononoo!!!! Primož Roglic is in crisis at the giro ditalia!!!!!!!!
I don't see why it's too tough for Pedersen. There aren't too many climbs on those gravel sectors, and he has come second in Flanders, which has much more climbing than this and tougher climbs than this finish. Plus, he had an easy day todayBernal if he has the legs will certainly go for it from the guys going for GC as will del Torro.
Pidcock will also target this stage (and is favourite imo) but am not counting him as a GC guy etc- finish too tough for Mads even though I think he will.mix it up on the gravel for Ciccone.
You must have missed his 50km 3 Man TTT for the opening hour at near red zone effort trying to establish a breakaway.I don't see why it's too tough for Pedersen. There aren't too many climbs on those gravel sectors, and he has come second in Flanders, which has much more climbing than this and tougher climbs than this finish. Plus, he had an easy day today
I agree with this, I think there will be a lot of guys at the finish, or at least big (10+ or so) groups. Which makes me think about how narrow that finale really is, both the climb and the turns at the top, assuming it's exactly as in Strade. That last climb is super selective in Strade, but I wonder how it might affect bigger groups.I don't see why it's too tough for Pedersen. There aren't too many climbs on those gravel sectors, and he has come second in Flanders, which has much more climbing than this and tougher climbs than this finish.
I think this is a subjective view. In my view Grand Tours are supposed to reward the best riders over all conditions - not just climbs and TTs.Such stage doesn't really belong in a GT race
What's the objection for you? Introducing too much luck/random mechanical potential? Something else?Such stage doesn't really belong in a GT race ...
I have no idea about history or abilities of all prospects but Del Toro has been racing off road all his life, was picked to support Pogacar for Strade Bianche can't see how anyone can be picked over Pidcock but he is not in a sweet spot, he has sprinted excellent in Giro so far, has not been gapped bad and is only 1:27 back in 19th overall, he has to be marked favorite.. Too many guys to not dismiss, including Mads Pedersen.. I certainly agree that if a prospect powers off and is way down in GC maybe a surprise, but race is a third over and stage wins are more important than ever.. Nothing is going to be given away before a rest day,Tomorrow is a big day for the prospects of this Giro. If we get carnage with riders all over the place and big GC gaps, there’s a chance we actually get some good racing on the likes of stages 11,17, and 19. If not, we’re probably going to be bored to death until a final showdown on Finestre.
I am the biggest fan boy..not going to happen, GC not anything else.. Sorry IsaacHopefully Del Toro has the authority to go for it and isn’t shackled to Ayuso if he is struggling.
Just say his name. Pidcock.Someone with cyclocross/mountain bike skills will win in Siena.
I mean Bernal came 3rd in Strade Bianche before his giro win in 2021.Just say his name. Pidcock.
And one of Evan's greatest wins along with the Fleche Wallone and Worlds win.Of course yes. One of the best grand tour stages of this century. How did I forget that 🤦♂️
He spoke about this on a podcast two years ago. Practiced the finale several times as he knew the course was perfect for him. He would have done more damage if he had peaked for the Giro that year too.And one of Evan's greatest wins along with the Fleche Wallone and Worlds win.
If I recall Evans was frustrated at having a bad Tour in 2009 and decided to see if he could ride himself into form for the Tour by riding the Giro beforehand. 2010 was the year he fractured his elbow wearing yellow. Certainly Cadel was a different (more aggressive) rider after he won those rainbow stripes. He finally delivered the following year (2011).He spoke about this on a podcast two years ago. Practiced the finale several times as he knew the course was perfect for him. He would have done more damage if he had peaked for the Giro that year too.
Call me cynical but I'm convinced these gravel races/stages are gaining prominence only because the bike manufacturers are targeting the off-road market heavily. There's a lot of hype around this stuff and it's not all 'organic growth' or even sport related. Numbers matter and dirt/gravel/off-road has a huge market.
I mean "back in the day" as they say no one used to judge Marco Pantani on his gravel riding abilities. Just saying.
I get it's exciting for neutrals but the one thing that really grinds my gears is how sheer bad luck and incidents these days are getting spun as some sort of examples of mythical "bike handling". That was also never a thing back in the 1990's. I'm also convinced that's a pretty recent trend aimed at giving cyclotourists and amateurs a bit of an ego boost along the lines of "hey look, you might not have the watts of a pro but you sure as hell can become le bike handler master. Trust me bro!" *contingent upon the purchase of high end bike equipment bien sûr
Happy gravel stage everyone. Let's hope everyone makes it through intact for the sake of the Giro.
You might be right. However, I think the main reason we've got a gravel stage in the Giro this year is because of how successful the Tour's gravel stage was last year. Ultimately nothing really happened with GC gaps, but it was seriously fun and definitely got everyone talking. I'm hoping this stage will be similar, although I'd also lie a few GC gaps.Call me cynical but I'm convinced these gravel races/stages are gaining prominence only because the bike manufacturers are targeting the off-road market heavily. There's a lot of hype around this stuff and it's not all 'organic growth' or even sport related. Numbers matter and dirt/gravel/off-road has a huge market.
I mean "back in the day" as they say no one used to judge Marco Pantani on his gravel riding abilities. Just saying.
I get it's exciting for neutrals but the one thing that really grinds my gears is how sheer bad luck and incidents these days are getting spun as some sort of examples of mythical "bike handling". That was also never a thing back in the 1990's. I'm also convinced that's a pretty recent trend aimed at giving cyclotourists and amateurs a bit of an ego boost along the lines of "hey look, you might not have the watts of a pro but you sure as hell can become le bike handler master. Trust me bro!" *contingent upon the purchase of high end bike equipment bien sûr
Happy gravel stage everyone. Let's hope everyone makes it through intact for the sake of the Giro.
Bambi on ice?Anything will be better than that Remco struggle stage from a few years ago.