Giro d'Italia Stage 18: Levico Terme - Brescia (156km)

[Moondance]

After days of brutal mountains, the riders get what can best be described as a 'day off' with the shortest road stage of the Giro, a 158km, mostly flat, affair into lovely Lombardy and the city of Brescia. Brescia, a city which can trace it's history back to pre-Roman times, was one of the wealthiest cities in Lombardy and Europe during the middle ages, but was sacked with devastating consequences by a mercenary army in French service in 1512, during the War of the League of Cambrai. Brescia eventually recovered, but never again was this great city of trade and culture an independent force in northern Italy. The stage also travels for a long time along the beautiful Lago di Garda, for many years one of the most exclusive and luxurious resorts in Italy.

My guess is that a break will take this. Garmin no longer have Farrar, and while Columbia still have kept Greipel in the race (presumably for this stage) i doubt the 8-man Columbia team will be in a mood to take over chasing duties for the day; although they might. If it does come down to a sprint I'd certainly be happy to see the big German take a victory.

 

[kjetilraknerud]

Greipel will get his win at last. He even pulled at the front of the peloton today, so he must feel better.

 

[Ferminal]

90% chance of bunch sprint.

140km, what a walk in the park.

 

[Jamsque]

This stage has Oscuro Italiano written all over it. Columbia might want to bring it back for a sprint but they will get no help from the GC teams with the Motirolo looming large on the horizon.

 

[Frosty]

Bunch sprint for me too. Greipel's men havent had to do much recently other than finish(not that that's easy!) so they should be relatively fresh. Some of the second-line sprinters will fancy their chances of getting a win or a high podium finish too. Who else is there? Bonnet? Will Pozzatto fancy his chances?

 

[Mellow Velo]

The 3rd, unofficial rest day. The eye of the storm.
More likely to break the fans, than anything else.
Andre Grumble to finally rumble.

 

[Jamsque]

If Columbia do chase it down tomorrow then Greipel absolutely has to win. If he wants to land a big contract and a guaranteed TdF leadership role for next year then he needs to win multiple Grand Tour stages this year.

Goss DNFed on the Zoncolan, didn't he?

 

[kjetilraknerud]

Goss DNFed on the Zoncolan, didn't he?

I think so, yes. And Reynès, who probably is the second strongest sprinter on the team now, isn't going to be much help after his efforts today. Albasini is quite fast though, perhaps he'll be the final lead-out man.

 

[afpm90]

Bunch sprint for me too. Greipel's men havent had to do much recently other than finish(not that that's easy!) so they should be relatively fresh. Some of the second-line sprinters will fancy their chances of getting a win or a high podium finish too. Who else is there? Bonnet? Will Pozzatto fancy his chances?

Marco Pinnoti is having a hard Giro. Not just finishing!

 

[taiwan]

Bunch sprint for me too...Who else is there? Bonnet? Will Pozzatto fancy his chances?

Henderson, Sabatini, Hondo, Brown, Dean, Hinault, Forster, Duque...

 

[Jamsque]

Henderson, Sabatini, Hondo, Brown, Dean, Hinault, Forster, Duque...

Hey, that sounds like it might not actually be a bad sprint.

 

[tgsgirl]

Technically news of two stages ago, but Garmin's Tuft got a 2,500 Swiss Francs (£1,500, €1,735, $2,155) fine for not wearing his Canadian TT champ jersey (which he left in the truck, because "it didn't feel like a real TT") on the Kronplatz. If I recall correctly, that's 500 francs more than Cuddles and Righi got for trying to punch each other's lights out.

 

[kurtinsc]

Technically news of two stages ago, but Garmin's Tuft got a 2,500 Swiss Francs (£1,500, €1,735, $2,155) fine for not wearing his Canadian TT champ jersey (which he left in the truck, because "it didn't feel like a real TT") on the Kronplatz. If I recall correctly, that's 500 francs more than Cuddles and Righi got for trying to punch each other's lights out.

Okay... that's funny.

 

[taiwan]

Hey, that sounds like it might not actually be a bad sprint.

I think I might like Henderson for this one for some reason.

Technically news of two stages ago, but Garmin's Tuft got a 2,500 Swiss Francs (£1,500, €1,735, $2,155) fine for not wearing his Canadian TT champ jersey (which he left in the truck, because "it didn't feel like a real TT") on the Kronplatz. If I recall correctly, that's 500 francs more than Cuddles and Righi got for trying to punch each other's lights out.

:{ Oops.

 

[Rocksteady]

Dean had a great sprint earlier. Since I'm bias I'll put him top spot for tomorrow. Henderson to show something as well.

 

[zapata]

I'll say a breakaway win again. And it's about time Androni won a stage. Bertolini or Bertogliati, then. Unless this Cameron Wurf happens to be a breakaway specialist? I don't know anything about him, but evidently being australian doesn't hurt.

 

[auscyclefan94]

good gc rest day!

 

[taiwan]

good gc rest day!

Look like a quiet day? In that case, we can expect Vino and Cunego to get in a 40 man escape at km10, Arroyo to lose half an hour, and Charlie Wegelius to take the spint, or some such randomness.

 

[Night Rider]

Greipel from Henderson.

 

[luckyboy]

Yeah, seeing Greipel at the front today was one of the few times I've seen him this Giro. I'd say him too.

 

[blaxland]

This stage is "The calm before the storm" breakaway to suceed and Someone like Luke roberts(Milram) to win stage....otherwise if a bunch finish then Henderson will beat Grieple to the line......

 

[Aus_Orca]

Crazy man Brown to take out half the sprint on the lead in Pozzato to come through with the win........very very sour Greipel

 

[joy118118]

Hondo FTW!
Dont waste the win salute

 

[Cervelo77]

At the risk of being humbled by this Giro, I will say that this will be a boring stage won from a breakaway that goes early. Someone (probably Columbia) will want to bring it back together for a sprint, but the other teams will be having a nap day.

 

[BroDeal]

If Columbia do chase it down tomorrow then Greipel absolutely has to win. If he wants to land a big contract and a guaranteed TdF leadership role for next year then he needs to win multiple Grand Tour stages this year.

+1

Gotta go with Greipel.

It might not come down to a mass sprint, though. Liquigas won't want to do any work. Neither will the teams of the other GC contenders. So a break has a good shot at making it to the finish.