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Giro d'Italia Stage 16, Limone sul Garda - Falzes/Pfalzen, 174km, 22/05/2012

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taiwan

taiwan

Aug 18, 2009
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After the final rest day, the Giro proceeds into the far north of the country, the German speaking province of South Tyrol on Italy's border with Austria.

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Last time the Giro finished in the town, the stage was won by Cunego, although on that day the route was mountainous. The profile this time is a more ambiguous, with the appearance of a sprint stage, but for a couple of short climbs toward the finish. The second climb levels off at about 2km to go. The only comparison that I could bring to mind was the stage to Fiuggi Terme (stage 6) last year, which came down to an excruciating sprint between Ventoso and Petacchi. However, the flat section before the line here may cause it to play out differently. Could the false flat during the second half of the stage also be a factor?

I guess the outcome will be a top ten containing lighter sprinters like Ventoso, Riders suited to the Ardennes e.g. Gasparotto, and GC climbers with punch e.g. Rodriguez.

Other riders who it might suit: Gatto, Felline, Kristoff, Ferrari, Uran, Cunego.

Could be boring though: no action until the last 30km, most probably.
 
F

Fetisoff

Jan 22, 2011
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Purito to go nuts on the steep bit and ride everyone off his wheel, then just do enough to hold on to the lead on the flat part, grabbing a stage and a 20 second bonus, with Scarponi and Hesjedal coming in right after him.
Basso further 15-20 seconds down
 
Froome19

Froome19

Dec 30, 2011
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taiwan said:
It's basically flat --> easy to pull a break back.
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Not if they have 6 min in hand with 5km to go.

It may be the stage after a rest day but I wonder how motivated the peloton will be to catch riders, considering the stages coming up and the fact that there are not that many teams working as Katusha would be reticent to work too much if unnecessary and Liquigas need to start picking their battles as they seemed to be a bit dry last couple of stages. This stage certainly doesnt suit the flat out sprinters so i cant see their teams working and there arent really any stand out hilly sprinters left, asides from possibly Ventoso whose team I highly doubt will work as they have a different agenda (guys like Benat, Bruseghin, Pardilla, Amador).

Also Niemec claims that in fact you are climbing steadily for the last 80km in this stage, and rather than the route hurting the breakaway riders it is not hard enough to do so yet it is hard enough to make it a difficult to catch.
 
taiwan

taiwan

Aug 18, 2009
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Froome19 said:
Not if they have 6 min in hand with 5km to go.

It may be the stage after a rest day but I wonder how motivated the peloton will be to catch riders, considering the stages coming up and the fact that there are not that many teams working as Katusha would be reticent to work too much if unnecessary and Liquigas need to start picking their battles as they seemed to be a bit dry last couple of stages. This stage certainly doesnt suit the flat out sprinters so i cant see their teams working and there arent really any stand out hilly sprinters left, asides from possibly Ventoso whose team I highly doubt will work as they have a different agenda (guys like Benat, Bruseghin, Pardilla, Amador).

Also Niemec claims that in fact you are climbing steadily for the last 80km in this stage, and rather than the route hurting the breakaway riders it is not hard enough to do so yet it is hard enough to make it a difficult to catch.
Click to expand...

Yeah indeed the false flat could lower the pace/the drafting advantage in the peloton and benefit the break, but there are some bonus seconds there for Rodriguez to pad his lead out before he mountains/chrono, and also if everyone thinks they can win (i.e. climbers, hilly riders, sprinters), every team outside the break will have reason to work.
 
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Fetisoff

Jan 22, 2011
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gooner said:
Did'nt know that. What happenned? I only caught the last 5kms as I was away today.
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Don't know. They just mentioned in the live report that he abandoned before the intermediate sprint. And of course shown as DNF on the results page. I'm sure we'll hear something rather soon
 
G

greenedge

Mar 27, 2011
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gooner said:
I think Visconti will have his mind set on this stage.
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He's out now:(

I think Felline has a big chance here so i shall tip him. Ventoso then Gasparotto/ Gatto.

Slagter to go when JROD goes but they shall get caught again.

My original pick was Pozzato but he is out now.

Thomas De Gendt to initiate the first attack ( near the end ).
 
L

Lanark

May 12, 2010
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taiwan said:
Yeah indeed the false flat could lower the pace/the drafting advantage in the peloton and benefit the break, but there are some bonus seconds there for Rodriguez to pad his lead out before he mountains/chrono, and also if everyone thinks they can win (i.e. climbers, hilly riders, sprinters), every team outside the break will have reason to work.
Click to expand...

Without time bonusses at the finish, Rodriguez will win just as much time if a long break survives or not.

I just don't see anyone sacrificing his team in a meaningless stage like this, with tons of difficult mountains ahead.
 
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