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

[Sasquatch]

The only teams that will be chasing are Sky and Columbia.

Can those two teams bring back a break and keep them in check for 140km?

The weather is expected to be crap as well, isn't it?

Favours the break.

 

[python]

not likely but i don’t exclude some surprzes on the gc. everyone is tired may be an opportunity for a sneaky move by vino.

 

[UlleGigo]

Arashiro in a bunch sprint. Ignoring that he will have no legs after yesterday because I think he's a great rider.

 

[craig1985]

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.

Switched from rowing to cycling, and is strong in the TT (ok, he is not Cancellara, but then who is?).

 

[Sasquatch]

Cam Meyer might try a break tonight. Afterall, Garmin have no one left!

 

[online-rider]

Greipel from Henderson.

very likely. but i hope its the reverse

 

[Fourier]

Lampre will be chasing hard to set up Hondo.

 

[Pantani_lives]

I expect a breakaway, because there aren't many teams willing to work for a bunch sprint. I don't think HTC will work for Greipel, because they have issues.

 

[Frosty]

Thunderstorm at the moment in Brescia

http://www.weatheronline.co.uk/cgi-...=IY&LANG=en&ART=tabelle&JJ=xxxx&SORT=2&INT=24

 

[Mellow Velo]

Rumour has it that the Gavia is being taken out on Saturday. Apparently, it has been snowing rather heavily.
Was really looking forward the white knuckle descent.

However, rumour also has it that the Mortirolo will come in as "replacement".

Uumm, twice up the "wall of death" in two days?
Tourmalet poormalet.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

that really sucks
I was looking forward to the Gavia. The tourmalet twice tho, aint too shabby!

 

[theyoungest]

Rumour has it that the Gavia is being taken out on Saturday. Apparently, it has been snowing rather heavily.
Was really looking forward the white knuckle descent.

However, rumour also has it that the Mortirolo will come in as "replacement".

Uumm, twice up the "wall of death" in two days?
Tourmalet poormalet.

Is there anywhere this has been reported other than on the Rabobank website? They spoke to some random fan, who had shared a cabin on a ski lift with someone from the Giro organization, who told him this. It all sounded rather vague to me.

 

[Frosty]

Rumour has it that the Gavia is being taken out on Saturday. Apparently, it has been snowing rather heavily.
Was really looking forward the white knuckle descent.

However, rumour also has it that the Mortirolo will come in as "replacement".

Uumm, twice up the "wall of death" in two days?
Tourmalet poormalet.

Cyclingnews says the road is clear though? They not worried about avalanches or something are they?

 

[Eyeballs Out]

Rumour has it that the Gavia is being taken out on Saturday. Apparently, it has been snowing rather heavily.
Was really looking forward the white knuckle descent.

However, rumour also has it that the Mortirolo will come in as "replacement".

Uumm, twice up the "wall of death" in two days?
Tourmalet poormalet.

Looking at the map it would probably be the easier less steep ascent of the Mortirolo unfortunately. Let's hope it's just a rumour

 

[Mellow Velo]

Is there anywhere this has been reported other than on the Rabobank website? They spoke to some random fan, who had shared a cabin on a ski lift with someone from the Giro organization, who told him this. It all sounded rather vague to me.

Here you go:
http://twitter.com/CQranking
Snow forecast for Saturday and the RCS route alternative.
From the "easier" side.

Climbs for likely alternate route Saturday: Trivigno (14.5km/8.9%), Aprica (6.2km/7.4%), Mortirolo from Grosio (14.8km/8.3%), then Tonale.

 

[Tuarts]

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

A Henderson v Dean show down? Damn those Kiwis, trying to take the limelight off the Aussies this Giro, just like at the World Cup.

 

[krebs303]

Gazzetta feed is up

http://videochat.gazzetta.it/index_giro.shtml

 

[davidw]

Anyone feels like hanging out and talking about the stage, it's back:

http://www.bikechatter.com/chat

As always, with the live commentary via twitter from myself, procyclinglive and _Gavia_

 

[Ferminal]

Bad news if true, I was looking forward to the >6km of vertical climb

 

[krebs303]

This would be a lovely ride for me. not a lot of pesky uphills. beautiful scenery.

 

[Ferminal]

Gli organizzatori del Giro hanno preparato una tappa di riserva, per sabato, nel caso in cui il Gavia diventasse impercorribile. Al momento però, nonostante i 4/6 metri di neve a bordo strada, il tracciato è praticabile. Il Gavia (Cima Coppi - 2618 metri - di questo Giro d’Italia) è l’ultima salita prima dell’arrivo di sabato a Ponte di Legno/Tonale. Il percorso alternativo, in caso di peggioramento del meteo, prevede la partenza sempre da Bormio, giro di boa dopo Tirano con la salita di Trivigno (percorsa in discesa il giorno prima) per proseguire verso Aprica e quindi, scendendo ancora su Tirano, raggiungere Grosio per affrontare il Mortirolo dal versante nord - ovest, inedito per il Giro d’Italia. A 3 chilometri dalla vetta la strada si ricongiunge al “Mortirolo Classico”. Poi discesa impegnativa verso Monno per affrontare infine la salita che porta all’arrivo di Ponte di Legno/Tonale.

Aggiornamento Gavia: al momento le condizioni sono stabili e la tappa originaria dovrebbe disputarsi regolarmente. Ricordiamo comunque che l'organizzazione ha già individuato un percorso alternativo (vedi sotto) e che quindi può riservarsi modifiche fino all'ultimo momento

I guess it just depends on the actual weather.

Maybe this Mortirolo from the North West would be interesting (any idea what it's like?).

 

[Jamsque]

Looking like a bunch sprint probably, the break is only two guys and they are not pulling out any kind of lead.

 

[Jamsque]

Gap is 1:30 with 30km to go, sprint seems inevitable now.

Where is everyone today? This place is dead.

 

[kurtinsc]

Gap is 1:30 with 30km to go, sprint seems inevitable now.

Where is everyone today? This place is dead.

Sprint stage, with a somewhat diminished sprint field late in the race.

People may be watching... but not a lot to comment on.

 

[Fourier]

Sprint stage, with a somewhat diminished sprint field late in the race.

People may be watching... but not a lot to comment on.

Right, unless karpets decides to take a flyer.

The peloton is quite compact, no attacks and no frantic pace. It seems the decision to make this a purely transitional stage has been unanimous.

go Hondo!