Giro d'Italia, Stage 19: Bergamo - Macugnaga 209km

[henryg]

I have not seen such a dominant performance in a long time. He was relentless with the GC contenders, putting the boot in every stage. Letting them know in no uncertain terms who was the alpha dog - snuffing out any hope of the possibility of challenging him. All the while he divided the spoils of war with those who allied with him - and he was not stingy about the cut you received if you rode for him.

He has redefined the shape of the battlefield in his favor for any coming GT he rides in.

 

[rxgqgxnyfz]

 

[inri2000]

Great picture, more here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ew39Pwlw1zA

 

[Hugh Januss]

I am not sure the ASO and RCS will be pleased with such 'racing', to see 2 riders come to the line and discussing alliances and then at the line 1 makes like he has beat the other to take the stage. Kills the sense of anticipation of who is gonna win the fight for the line, and these type of finishes are not going to win new fans to the sport. A little bit like a goalkeeper letting his mate on the other team score a goal and not making the effort to try and save it.

Ah well, keeps the CN forum happy.

Nope, it's a 3 week race, everyone picks their battles. Being upset by this is the same as being upset by the riders who soft pedal one day in order to lose time so they are allowed to go in breaks to try for a stage win later.