Giro d'Italia Stage 17: Bruneck - Peio Terme (173km)

[Moondance]

Despite the favorites hammering their bodies on the way up the Kronplatz, the Giro must go on. Tomorrow's stage, while not as tough as stage 15, or stage 19, still offers two climbs that will surely offer more chances for the favorites to try and make the difference.

The stage will bisect Südtirol, travelling from Bruneck (one of the handful of German speaking cities in the area) to the tiny mountain town of Peio. While the final climb is long, it does not appear to be particularly steep, although the gradient looks the worst in the final few kms.

After the first two weeks produced no stage wins for the trifosi to cheer about, the last few days have been all Italy. I'm hoping this will continue, and one of the hardest battling men of this Giro, Michele Scarponi, to take the stage win after sprinting out of a small group also containing Evans, Basso, Nibali, Vino and....... Bauke Mollema

 

[issoisso]

Breakaway.

Failing that, Sprint between contenders. Garzelli winning. Or Cunego, but Garzelli's finish is faster.

 

[Jamsque]

Took you long enough!

I think we will see some attacks on the Palade, but nothing decisive, and a group of 25 or 30 coming into the last climb together, with Vino attacking inside the last 5km to take the win.

 

[Ferminal]

Typo: Stage 18 is pan-flat, I guess you mean 19 (Mortirolo).

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Breakaway.

Failing that, Sprint between contenders. Garzelli winning. Or Cunego, but Garzelli's finish is faster.

agreed.
It benefits Liquigas to probably let the breakaway take the time bonuses.
If it does come to the gc men, then cunego for the win.

 

[Ferminal]

Most likely it's a break, but a fast finish between Basso, Cunego, Evans, Garzelli, Nibali, Scarponi and Vino would've been nice.

 

[Ferminal]

The finish

http://www.gazzetta.it/Speciali/Giroditalia/2010/pdf/ultimikm/ukm_17.pdf

Ramps up with 3km to go.

 

[kjetilraknerud]

If it's all together, I suspect Liquigas will play out Nibali on the final climb and the fireworks will start. The stage doesn't look too frightening perhaps, but it surely won't be boring in this Giro.

 

[jens_attacks]

vino likes the gradient of the last climb,he'll certainly attack.

 

[taiwan]

Climb detail. Doesn't look like anything Liquigas can't control.

[edit] And the final kilometres.

 

[luckyboy]

I'll go for a breakaway. Or what Isso said.

 

[gabdexa]

I guess tomorrow Lampre; Acqua e sapone, and Astana will try to control the race and dispute stage victory for Cunego, Vino or Garzelli. Cunego and Vino had a good Giro, but I think they wanna try to win a stage.

Maybe Cunego can wait for stage 19 or 20, but Vino has to try tomorrow.

 

[The Sheep]

An Italian is going to win

 

[Moondance]

An Italian is going to win

What a bold prediction

 

[The Sheep]

What a bold prediction

I try my best

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Generally agree on a breakaway, but this is the kind of stage Basso likes to put others under pressure, so expect Liquigas to keep the heat on high.

Stuck this, unstuck 16

 

[Bala Verde]

Hopefully Uran

 

[TRDean]

I'd like to see Cunego take it...

 

[issoisso]

What a bold prediction

Not what people would've said a few days ago

 

[maltiv]

Gadret to win from a solo attack while the GC riders are watching each other.

 

[zapata]

i originally thought this one was for garzelli, but I suppose not, now that he won today. would like to see cunego win a stage. probably someone else from a random breakaway.

 

[trompe le monde]

Before the tsunami of Evans induced psychosis hits the forum, I will modestly post that if Bbox want to win a stage they are down to two realistic opportunities: Tomorrow and Thursday. May either day grant them such an opportunity.

 

[Mellow Velo]

Suddenly a lot of fence sitters around here. Name names for this breakaway win.
Don't be shy.

 

[zapata]

alessandro bertolini

 

[hfer07]

This stage is tricky-Expect lots of breakaways early, but overall I see it as a golden opportunity for liquigas to put a fast pace & somehow to do an assault to Arroyo's maglia rosa. I'd say the stage is suited to Evans, Basso & Vino.