Giro D'Italia: Stage 3: Reggio Emilia - Rapallo 173 Kms

[Eshnar]

After the longest stage of the Giro, starting from Reggio Emilia (where the Tricolore was created) the peloton heads towards the Ligurian coast, with a parcour that resembles a Milano-Sanremo (though it's almost half as long).

The first climb will be the 3rd cat. Passo del Bocco (very similar to the Primavera's Passo del Turchino). After that, a long, technical descent will lead the riders to the "real" problem of the day, the climb to Madonna delle Grazie (4th cat.), 3kms @ 6,4%. After this climb, a descent and another small bump, 4 kms before the finish, in the coastal town of Rapallo (not far from where I live , so I could go watch it).

I'll be very surprised if a sprinter can survive to this. Breakaway FTW. Otherwise, some puncheur could get the victory.

 

[Lanark]

This should be no problem for the stronger sprinters like Petacchi. Maybe Cavendish and Farrar will have some trouble if they aren't in great shape.

 

[Eshnar]

no way Farrar and Cav will survive. I don't think Petacchi can, but he has a chance, at least.

 

[The Hitch]

This stage is the reason why Visconti and Hoogerland would be very stupid to do anything today. They have this coming up tomorow.

The Giro guide i have says it will be a sprint but I disagree. Well I hope its not anyway.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

If it is a sprint I expect to see the likes of Ventoso up there. This looks a bit like the stage to Chiavenna that Boasson Hagen won in '09.

This has Giovanni Visconti's name on it though. Looks like his kind of stage.

 

[Ferminal]

I expect Petacchi to win this one.

 

[taiwan]

Don't think the first climb will have any effect apart from sapping the strength, but the late hills look late enough for an attack by Visconti, Pineau or Wegmann.

Could Downing do something? I don't know what sort of a course he favours, but it seems like he'll probably (need to) be quite agressive.

 

[Descender]

I'd be very surprised if the likes of Cav or even Petacchi get to the end. As has been said this is a great stage for people like Ventoso, but if there's a proper fight not even him has a great chance of succeeding.

Expect a puncheur to take it.

 

[taiwan]

Expect a puncheur to take it.

Purito's probably the premiere puncheur participating.

 

[maltiv]

If it is a sprint I expect to see the likes of Ventoso up there. This looks a bit like the stage to Chiavenna that Boasson Hagen won in '09.

This has Giovanni Visconti's name on it though. Looks like his kind of stage.

Indeed, I actually thought it was the same stage but apparently not. Visconti is probably the favourite indeed, but some better sprinters could survive, such as Ventoso. I'll also add Downing as an outsider, but that's probably a long shot!

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Nah, the Chiavenna stage had a much longer descent as it was heading downwards from the Malojapass, that was up on the Swiss border (the stage started in either Switzerland or Austria).

Oh well, it can't be any worse than today.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

ventoso ftw

 

[Parrulo]

i hope visconti wins

i bet he is under some pressure to win a stage this year . . .

 

[Anonymous]

Ventoso, and the reason i put him in my fantasy team.

For Sky i think this will suit Appollonio more than downing but Russ could hang in there. Hes a gutsy little so an so.

 

[killswitch]

Visconti to win and make 3 out of 3 for the Italians.

 

[Tornadin]

who do the experts of you think has the better chance of getting a top 10 here?

Adam Blythe or Davide Vigano?

 

[palmerq]

looks like an interesting stage, how tough is the passo del bocco? it doesn't look like it will cause anyone any problems(except the worst climbing sprinters) the other climb isn't too long either but it is close to the end so I guess visconti or some one could get away and stay away with late attacks, I think it could finish as a sprint from a fairly large group though.

 

[Frosty]

Pinotti to get the jersey back?

Hoogerland lost more time today, maybe an attempt to increase his chances of getting away tomorrow?

 

[Hugo Koblet]

I think this is a good stage for Petacchi. Ventoso should like it aswell. Belletti is also a possibility although I like the two former the most. If it doesn't end in a sprint from a reduced peloton, Visconti, Hoogerland or Wegman are my favorites.

 

[Sophistic]

Ah this is definietly tougher than MSR, 2.5k@6.8-short downhill-1k@6.9, if there are serious attacks even Petacchi isnt gonna be in the mix.
The Killer could get the green light tomorrow..

 

[User Guide]

Farrar to shock, hes not showing much speed, maybe he shows bit of strength

 

[palmerq]

I think this is a good stage for Petacchi. Ventoso should like it aswell. Belletti is also a possibility although I like the two former the most. If it doesn't end in a sprint from a reduced peloton, Visconti, Hoogerland or Wegman are my favorites.

I think you might be right, petacchi was climbing well in the tour of turkey, obviously not the same standard but all the other sprinters were dropped that day, if cavendish falls away on the climbs(I don't think he will) then petacchi could even take the pink jersey if he wins, I think..

 

[will10]

I'm going to pick Cav as an outsider, he might just get over these ones.

 

[Bavarianrider]

Danilo Hondo for the win!

 

[Lanark]

Ah this is definietly tougher than MSR, 2.5k@6.8-short downhill-1k@6.9, if there are serious attacks even Petacchi isnt gonna be in the mix.
The Killer could get the green light tomorrow..

Except that MSR is 300km long, and has most of the top punchers in the peloton in good to great shape doing everything they can to prevent a bunch sprint, and still fail most of the time. Most sprinters these days can climb pretty well, 2k at 6.4% really shouldn't be a problem for most of them. If they'll fail, it will probably be because their teams can't keep it together.