Giro d'Italia Stage 20: Bormio - Passa del Tonale (178km)

[Race Radio]

Basically Graham says that the word in the peloton is that Vino had a (tacit?) agreement with Liquigas that in exchange for not helping Arroyo and Evans chase down Basso/Nibali, they would let him win today's stage.

Graham also said he saw Elvis buying Twinkies in Walmart the other day.

 

[The Sheep]

Basically Graham says that the word in the peloton is that Vino had a (tacit?) agreement with Liquigas that in exchange for not helping Arroyo and Evans chase down Basso/Nibali, they would let him win today's stage.

why do conspiracy theorists always think of the most illogical explanation for something

 

[issoisso]

Goddamned weather.

If this keeps up we won't get any images at all

 

[Publicus]

Goddamned weather.

If this keeps up we won't get any images at all

Yep. I'm thinking I can get an early start on some yard work if this goes on any longer.

 

[Anonymous]

Who knew Watson could tell us anything other than what the inside of Lance's colon looks like?

 

[Cobblestones]

Goddamned weather.

If this keeps up we won't get any images at all

Gazzetta shows some racing shots. Are they today's (sorry I just tuned in).

Ah ok now it's a still image from the Passo del Tonale.

Ooop, now it's racing shots again.

What is it?

 

[Pantani_lives]

The rumor is that Liquigas and Vino cut a deal where Vino wouldn't work yesterday for a free hand to take the stage today.

Actually Vino did collaborate with Arroyo in the descent. The stage winner is probably still in the group Basso.

 

[Zoncolan]

I honestly think Cadel just peaked way too early, as did Vino. He was in perfect form at La Fleche Wallone, and that was over five weeks ago. Nobody was talking about Basso back then.

Basso looked poor at Trentino, just a week before the Giro.
Looks like the Sastre/Vino group will get caught. Gap down to about 30 secs.

 

[theswordsman]

I concur (another illustration of ill considered tactics/overall season strategy, iff the Giro is your goal). Along with poor team selection (the team did well for what there was but the cloth was threadbare), lack of pacing to limit losses yesterday (and to Basso earlier in the week).

Team BMC committed to TdF and what do they have to offer. ASO should have another team onboard as a top 10 is likely to elude BMC.

The odd bit is they're both coached by Aldo Sassi. But if Basso finishes this off, they'll each have a nice win this season.

I wonder if the race would have been different had Pellizotti been here and Nibali in California?

 

[theswordsman]

Basso looked poor at Trentino, just a week before the Giro.

Yep. It's like Contador saying there's no way he wants to be fit enough to win the Dauphine Libere because it would mean he's messed up for the Tour.

 

[Spare Tyre]

The odd bit is they're both coached by Aldo Sassi.

Yeah, but I different racing programs would call for different preparations & training, no?

 

[Zoncolan]

The odd bit is they're both coached by Aldo Sassi. But if Basso finishes this off, they'll each have a nice win this season.

I wonder if the race would have been different had Pellizotti been here and Nibali in California?

Pellizotti wouldn't have waited for Basso on the downhills, that's for sure. He was very vocal coming into the Giro how he deserves sole leadership. I honestly did not think Basso would win this thing though. Sastre and Evans were my favorites.

 

[El Imbatido]

Even though it seems that Cadel has no hope for pink now......it has still been a good giro for Aussie riders. Porte should confirm his white today and Lloyd should take enough points to secure the mountains jersey and Evans just needs to make sure he finishes with Vino to get the points jersey.

Hopefully ACF remembers this before he tries to commit

 

[Mellow Velo]

This is becoming frustratin'.

 

[JA.Tri]

The odd bit is they're both coached by Aldo Sassi. But if Basso finishes this off, they'll each have a nice win this season.

I wonder if the race would have been different had Pellizotti been here and Nibali in California?

I recon the dynamic of both races would have been significantly different...certainly a deal more spice .

Would be an interesting sight to have them in good form in one race (other races not conflicting).

 

[issoisso]

This is becoming frustratin'.

So very much

 

[Zoncolan]

Yep. It's like Contador saying there's no way he wants to be fit enough to win the Dauphine Libere because it would mean he's messed up for the Tour.

At least Contador will have good team support (unlike Cuddles) and has the experience of having won GTs before.
Poor timing for Evans IMO. Fleche will look great on his palmares, but I bet you he'd much rather have a GT win to his name. (who wouldn't)

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Too much fog.

 

[Zoncolan]

Even though it seems that Cadel has no hope for pink now......it has still been a good giro for Aussie riders. Porte should confirm his white today and Lloyd should take enough points to secure the mountains jersey and Evans just needs to make sure he finishes with Vino to get the points jersey.

Hopefully ACF remembers this before he tries to commit

Sure the Aussies had a great Giro. All the important jerseys, save for the pink. Cuddles got a great stage win. Maybe Cuddles can still get a podium?

 

[LukeSchmid]

Even though it seems that Cadel has no hope for pink now......it has still been a good giro for Aussie riders. Porte should confirm his white today and Lloyd should take enough points to secure the mountains jersey and Evans just needs to make sure he finishes with Vino to get the points jersey.

Hopefully ACF remembers this before he tries to commit

Plus stage wins to Goss, Lloyd and Evans. Alongside that Mick Rogers won California. Been great for Aussies, just not the big prize. Porte or Evans might win the last stage.

 

[dgodave]

Too much fog.

For motos?
.

 

[dsut4392]

I sure hope there will be some good recorded images - a bit of bad weather never caused problems like this in the days of delayed transmission! It would be heartbreaking to have such a killer of a stage, and no images of it.

 

[JA.Tri]

Even though it seems that Cadel has no hope for pink now......it has still been a good giro for Aussie riders. Porte should confirm his white today and Lloyd should take enough points to secure the mountains jersey and Evans just needs to make sure he finishes with Vino to get the points jersey.

Hopefully ACF remembers this before he tries to commit

Yes the Aussies have had a great Giro. And the Giro has been great...and I'm sure ACF94 (on reflecting) will recognise all that. Besides if your hero dominates everything what a boring experience for all (hero worshiper included).

 

[bobs nob]

This is becoming frustratin'.

Consider this Exhibit A for why road cycling will never make it in America. (Among many other reasons.)

If they can't count on TV images, it's out. (And the cost of bringing the race video and the logistics has got to be boggling compared to a stadium/arena event.)

 

[theswordsman]

Yeah, but I different racing programs would call for different preparations & training, no?

But if the Giro was the main goal for each, they would have known what kind of numbers they wanted to have at the start and worked backward from there, establishing benchmarks. Then they could know when to go harder, or do intervals, or back off the intensity.

I guess the difference is that BMC needed results anywhere they could get them, while Liquigas had Chicchi and Sagan, etc. winning and didn't need anything from Ivan.