Giro d'Italia Stage 2: Amsterdam-Utrecht (209km)

[Moondance]

So tomorrow is a pancake flat sprinter's stage. I'll pick the Team Sky wave to continue and go with Henderson to win, and take the pink from Ol' Bradley.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Andre Greipel

 

[jaylew]

Greipel in pink tomorrow despite being a bit ill. I figure he can't be feeling too bad considering his ride today. Which other sprinters are close enough to take the jersey with a win tomorrow other than he and Henderson(who I don't think will do it).

 

[Ferminal]

Andre, next.

Although it looks like a windy finish in Utrecht?

 

[Moondance]

Andre, next.

Although it looks like a windy finish in Utrecht?

I hope (for their sake) that noone thinks tomorrow is a 'windy' stage... Because they'll be in for a very nasty surprise come stage 3.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Hendy will struggle to podium imo esp when sky has to ride on the front all day.

 

[Jamsque]

I think Greipel's ****s will hold him back. Farrar to win it, Henderson to take the Maglia Rosa with second, and... Pettachi third? Why not.

 

[Barrus]

I hope (for their sake) that noone thinks tomorrow is a 'windy' stage... Because they'll be in for a very nasty surprise come stage 3.

Do you have any idea of the wind at that point? Because as far as I know it won't be that harsh, or am I wrong? I myself do hope a nice waaier-stage (don't know the english word for such a type of riding, if any of the Dutch or Flemish folks on here can help me on that?) I always enjoy these type of stages to watch

BTW tomorrow looks like a win for Greipel

 

[theyoungest]

Do you have any idea of the wind at that point? Because as far as I know it won't be that harsh, or am I wrong? I myself do hope a nice waaier-stage (don't know the english word for such a type of riding, if any of the Dutch or Flemish folks on here can help me on that?) I always enjoy these type of stages to watch

BTW tomorrow looks like a win for Greipel

Echelons, in English.

 

[Moondance]

Do you have any idea of the wind at that point? Because as far as I know it won't be that harsh, or am I wrong? I myself do hope a nice waaier-stage (don't know the english word for such a type of riding, if any of the Dutch or Flemish folks on here can help me on that?) I always enjoy these type of stages to watch

BTW tomorrow looks like a win for Greipel

Wind today has been pretty mild, but Zeeland always has a brisk wind at the least.

 

[trompe le monde]

Greipel to win, with hopefully Petacchi and either Modolo or Bonnet to round out the podium.

And not to be a pedant, but isn't this technically the first stage as the prologue outcome has no bearing on the final classification?

 

[Barrus]

Greipel to win, with hopefully Petacchi and either Modolo or Bonnet to round out the podium.

And not to be a pedant, but isn't this technically the first stage as the prologue outcome has no bearing on the final classification?

It was more than 8 km, which means that it counts as a TT and as a full stage. Time differences of prologues almost always remain in place

The youngest, thank you, would never have come on that word for it

 

[trompe le monde]

It was more than 8 km, which means that it counts as a TT and as a full stage. Time differences of prologues almost always remain in place

The youngest, thank you, would never have come on that word for it

Ah. Thanks.

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

Weylandt is the quickstep man. Don't think he makes a chance against Pettachi, Greipel, Farrar, McEwen,...

 

[Bernardus]

Preview of the climbs

Forget about the Dolomiti and the Apennines. The riders will have to tackle the Hill Ridge of Utrecht first.

The first climb, listed as the Zeisterweg climb, at 75 km (KoM points at the top)

(This climb is normally known as the Pyramid of Austerlitz, the pyramid was constructed by bored Napoleonic soldiers.)

The second climb at 90 km

The Amerongse Berg at 100 km (KoM points at the top)

The Grebbeberg at 120 km

Sadly none of the climbs will make the live broadcast, so you won't see the suffering on the faces of the riders.

 

[Francois the Postman]

Ah, finally a mountain I know every inch of. The Grebbeberg close to Rhenen. It's a beast and I cursed every time I had it on my way

Yes, "berg" translates as "mountain". 50 yards above sea level. And proud of it.

 

[Barrus]

Hum, perhaps some of the sprinters won't make it over the mountains then

I think we'll see a duthc guy on the attack tomorrow, I won't be surprised if the Rabobank wants to at least leave the Netherlands with the KOM jersey

 

[drb716]

The way Wigan and Vino are "prepared", either of them can win the sprints and the summit finishes as well.

 

[ingsve]

I think it will be Sky in pink after tomorrow as well. The only real threat is Greipel but even if Greipel wins Henderson can take pink by coming 2nd. If anyone else wins then either Wiggins stays in pink or Henderson takes it by being 2nd or third.

After that it's anyones guess.

This of course is unless any of the top sprinters go for intermediate sprints.

 

[Susan Westemeyer]

And not to be a pedant, but isn't this technically the first stage as the prologue outcome has no bearing on the final classification?

And even if it had been a prologue, it would have had its effect on the final classification.

Under the UCI rules:

section 2.6.006
...

3. it counts towards the individual general classification;
...

Susan

 

[Tom T.]

Farrar will in stage 2.

 

[theyoungest]

BTW, it looks like the entire Giro will be ridden in Holland, because of volcano Eye for a kill.

A TTT on the Delta Works... perfection.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

So tomorrow is a pancake flat sprinter's stage

Now now, there is the awfully horrible Amerongse Berg

 

[Anonymous]

Griepel to win and take the pink Jersey, Henderson to finish top 4 and take the points jersey.

 

[The Sheep]

Going to watch it on the **** leading in to Loosdrecht and then watch the finish in Utrecht