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

[Angliru]

He doesn`t speak English.

I've heard him speaking English in the past.

 

[ManInFull]

This has been, since I've followed the sport, a tradition where stages are often gifted to former teammates, riders that may have helped in allowing a stronger rider achieve a goal, or even as an agreement between teams that have a shared interest. Why is this all of a sudden an issue?

I agree. It's only an issue because the controversial Alberto Contador is involved.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Contador can take the mountain jersey as well tomorrow

I suspect this the point of his attack today, was bizarre otherwise.

damn these gifts.

---

Excellent stuff from Kruijswijk. Damn Svitsov's breakaway, gonna steal a top ten from steven as a result of that I am very pleasantly surprised at how well he has done here tho.

and yeah, Rujano fail. I'm sorry, but he ain't 2nd best climber in the world.

 

[Angliru]

I get what you're saying, but I also appreciate the sincerity of Contador's gesture. I think he was protecting both his AND Tiralongo's interest in the way he rode. Everyone knows that Contador is currently on a different level, so for him for feign defeat would probably look bad and only open him up for more criticism.

Plus, Tiralongo didn't seem to mind one bit. He was ecstatic with his win today, and when all is said and done, his name will be in the history books and he'll forever have a photo of himself crossing the line first with Alberto Contador right behind him. A story that, no doubt, his grand children will know by heart.

Additionally, Tirolongo get's to be in front of the crowds getting his reward on stage for his victory, between 2 beautiful podium girls, uncorking the champagne after what might be more than 10 years of laboring. Reminds me of the Valverde gift the Ventoux stage at the Dauphine for that riders first win (was it Spilak or Szmyd?).

 

[Andy99]

Sounds like Russ Downing had a lucky escape today. Hopefully he can get round the next few days. If anyone can Russ can ;

(teamsky.com)

Russell Downing’s hopes of completing the Giro d’Italia are hanging in the balance after he suffered a nasty crash mid-way through the 19th stage.

The 32-year-old was descending off the first-category Mottrone when a rider’s error immediately in front of him caused him to career over a crash barrier and fall approximately 20 metres into a ravine below.

Unbelievably though, Downing was able to get back on his bike and battled on to the finish line in last position, but just inside the time limit.

The Yorkshireman was soon driven to a local hospital to determine the full extent of his injuries, and it was while he was in transit there that we caught up with him to gain his blow-by-blow account of the day’s events.

He told us: “I was pretty lucky really. There was a Rabobank rider immediately before me who overshot the corner, and that meant that I was catapulted sideways. I hit the barrier and then went straight over it and down about 20 metres into the woods. My bike went even further than me but fortunately I hit a tree, which stopped me falling even further.

“After dusting myself down I managed to scramble up the slope with some help from the fans and get back on my bike, but the fall had broken my shoe plate, which offset my balance, and I crashed into the barrier again about two corners further down the road.

“That completely broke my bike, so I had to wait for a spare, and then 5km later I had to change my shoe before I could sprint back on to the grupetto and then climb the last 28km to the finish.

“I was happy to finish but we’ll have to see how I shape up for tomorrow now. It’s dependant on what the doctors have to say, but I would really like to start.

“I’m feeling pretty rough and have given my ribs a fair old crack. I’m coughing a bit of blood up, which is never a great sign, but I’ll survive. I’ve worked really hard to get here and it would be a shame if I wasn’t able to make it to the finish line now.”

 

[oronet commander]

(was it Spilak or Szmyd?).

Szmyd. Great gesture by Alexander the Great

 

[Angliru]

Szmyd. Great gesture by Alexander the Great

Thanks! I get the two of them confused all the time. Both great gregarios.

 

[Ryaguas]

I HATE this **** of s*** this not the way you race. I hate those gifts, yes I wanted Tiralongo to win but is just a disgrace. [edited by mod - take it to the clinic]

You mad bro?

He doesn`t speak English.

He speaks english better than You...

He was caught behind a crash when the peloton split.

Then he returned, and then he was caught behind dropping riders when the peloton suddenly accelerated and got suprised again.

Poor positioning cost him his head today

The cold and the rain killed him today... He was really struggling with all that rain and cold weather...

Contador could volunteer in a leper colony and his haters would accuse him of trying to upgrade body parts.

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Purito won't be happy, he will be wondering, why Tiralongo and not me?

Maybe cuz Tiralongo was the one who broke his ar$e off in the last year's Tour for Alberto?

Reminds me of the Valverde gift the Ventoux stage at the Dauphine for that riders first win (was it Spilak or Szmyd?).

Was Szmyd!

Alberto is just too much class!!
Did you see the people at the finish? They were REALLY HAPPY for Paolo! When Alberto was being interviewed in Processo alla Tappa the public there were cheering him big time... What happened Today wasn't a move for an alliance or politics, Was just Alberto saying a BIG "THANK YOU" to Paolo...

A shame what Happened to Rujano =( He lost 5 GC positions today! I hope that He can recover it tomorrow!

 

[taiwan]

If Bert just went all out throughout the race:

a) the race would be a joke because he'd be half an hour ahead or something.
b) he'd be resented by his rivals/colleagues in the peloton.
c) everyone would shout 'dirty'.
d) he wouldn't be distinguishing his palmares any more.
e) the other GC riders would have their credibility/motivation damaged.

Better when gifting isn't so frequent/obvious, but it's just an effect of Contador being in a completely different class.

 

[Parrulo]

what a class by contador.

he worked for his old team mate who put himself through hell so contador could win another tour and gave him his first professional win. if that isn't class i don't know what it is. i am not the kind of guy to like stages getting gifted but this is one of those times when i love them. just like piti letting szmyd win on the ventoux and jaja in the vuelta. those kind of gifts are awesome and show some real character

 

[rzombie1988]

I've heard him speaking English in the past.

I don't think I could call what he can speak english. I'm really surprised he doesn't know it as I think it would benefit him.

 

[luckyboy]

I'm sure I've heard him speak English at some point this Giro, and thought that he was pretty good, though might be getting mixed up with someone else.

 

[jens_attacks]

incredible, you can't be classier than alberto is...what a champion.what a super stage.i was so happy for tiralongo ,being one of my favourite riders,he's such a hard worker...a true rider.one of the best domestiques i've seen.

oh absolutely terrific and i was uber-excited to see the future winner of the vuelta a espana 2011 in full action.demolishing the field,slaughtering the weak.like in the good old days.
il killlllllllllllllllleeeeeeeer di spoltoreeeee!!!!!!!!!!

look at him!!!!!!!!he's so so so back in the business!

again gadret was out of this world.attacking alberto,nibali,scarponi after almost 3 weeks of race.goddamn legend.

 

[No_Balls]

I remember once when Indurain was around the peloton used to say: We all need to pray to Saint Miguel wheter you´ll need to pee or have a rest

He was the last true patron around (thus he rewarded stages from left to right). What we saw today was the emerge of the new one.

All hail, Saint Alberto.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

incredible, you can't be classier than alberto is...what a champion.what a super stage.i was so happy for tiralongo ,being one of my favourite riders,he's such a hard worker...a true rider.one of the best domestiques i've seen.

oh absolutely terrific and i was uber-excited to see the future winner of the vuelta a espana 2011 in full action.demolishing the field,slaughtering the weak.like in the good old days.
il killlllllllllllllllleeeeeeeer di spoltoreeeee!!!!!!!!!!

look at him!!!!!!!!he's so so so back in the business!

again gadret was out of this world.attacking alberto,nibali,scarponi after almost 3 weeks of race.goddamn legend.

You dissapoint me, no word about Kruijswijk who also briefly attacked and then finished with the best after 3 weeks of racing

 

[taiwan]

If he's the patron, he needs a stronger team, you'd think. One that can control races from start to finish. Maybe he'll add enough value to Saxo Bank that Riis can buy a load of good guys next year.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

I remember once when Indurain was around the peloton used to say: We all need to pray to Saint Miguel wheter you´ll need to pee or have a rest

He was the last true patron around (thus he rewarded stages from left to right). What we say today was the emerge of the new one.

All hail, Saint Alberto.

Mig, however, wasn't really interested in being a patrón; he ruled with generosity rather than the iron fist of, say, Hinault.

 

[thirteen]

AC speaks english perfectly fine.

he doesn't like to do it in interviews, etc., lest he use the wrong words and they get twisted. he's careful, that's all. and lord knows he has reason! people jump on him for the stupidest reasons

 

[Granville57]

I hope his grandchildren dont dwell on the part where Grandad was allowed to win, Grand Uncle Alberto.

Not to beat this into the ground but...

I imagine the story going something like this:

"You see this picture children?! That is that Great Alberto Contador behind me! He was the greatest Grand Tour rider of his generation. Your Grandpa was such a trusted and loyal domestique to the Great Alberto when we were teammates that, even though we were riding for different teams waaaaay back in 2011, he personally escorted me to the line for my very first win! He kept looking back to ensure my success that day. Had anyone challenged his supremacy, he would've warned me and the two of us would've attacked even harder!"

Sounds like Russ Downing had a lucky escape today. Hopefully he can get round the next few days. If anyone can Russ can ;

“I’m feeling pretty rough and have given my ribs a fair old crack. I’m coughing a bit of blood up, which is never a great sign, but I’ll survive. I’ve worked really hard to get here and it would be a shame if I wasn’t able to make it to the finish line now.”

What are these guys made of. It never ceases to amaze me what they can withstand. Impressive.

 

[El Pistolero]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxhhz3IWcdY&playnext=1&list=PLC245F0075B2B4E08

 

[No_Balls]

Not to beat this into the ground but...

I imagine the story going something like this:

"You see this picture children?! That is that Great Alberto Contador behind me! He was the greatest Grand Tour rider of his generation. Your Grandpa was such a trusted and loyal domestique to the Great Alberto when we were teammates that, even though we were riding for different teams waaaaay back in 2011, he personally escorted me to the line for my very first win! He kept looking back to ensure my success that day. Had anyone challenged his supremacy, he would've warned me and the two of us would've attacked even harder!"

"Did you race with Contador, dad?"

*BIG EYES*

Hell of a story.

 

[jens_attacks]

You dissapoint me, no word about Kruijswijk who also briefly attacked and then finished with the best after 3 weeks of racing

kruijswijk was already god this giro.remember when alberto attacked on fedaia and the dutchmen was the only one who could follow?what a mind fucc that moment was!

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxhhz3IWcdY&playnext=1&list=PLC245F0075B2B4E08

This is the difference in thinking between a real winner and a non-winner. Contador: "I have pain in my legs, but I think, the others have even more pain".

While a normal rider might think "I have pain in my legs, I'm not good enough".

 

[Granville57]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxhhz3IWcdY&playnext=1&list=PLC245F0075B2B4E08

That's a recent clip, I see. Probably one of the best examples I've seen of his English articulation. Great video. Makes me want to ride.

 

[quiensabe]

A little help

"Did you race with Contador, dad?"

*BIG EYES*

Hell of a story.

Eurosport's David Harmon (watching Tiralongo following Contador to the line) "What could be better than Contador for giving you a wheel to follow?"
Sean Kelly: "A 250 cc motorbike?"