Giro D'Italia: Stage 5: Piombino - Orvieto 191 Kms

[El Pistolero]

Alberto was good tactically today... He didnt cover any attack just follow... didnt waste any energies today...



It was... but I think that He was just testing the field today... and checking his legs...

BTW Jackson Rodriguez (Venezuela) from Androni punctured and had a crash today... various "points" in his arm... but He can continue...

No, Contador is tactically inept, remember?

 

[El Pistolero]

I don't think it's fair or realistic to think that yesterday would have even crossed a racer's mind as that finish was unfolding. Unless you had mentally rehearsed your victory moment - and that didn't look rehearsed.
I don't know about the podium, but at least someone said he dedicated the win later.

I'm just saying that if it was Contador who did that he'd get tons of criticism. From the media and definitely on this forum.

 

[Publicus]

Alberto was good tactically today... He didnt cover any attack just follow... didnt waste any energies today...



It was... but I think that He was just testing the field today... and checking his legs...

BTW Jackson Rodriguez (Venezuela) from Androni punctured and had a crash today... various "points" in his arm... but He can continue...

Saxo Bank emphasized this point in their press release. And I noticed that Hernandez and Navarro finished in the same group as Szymd. I don't think Saxo was showing weakness today (as someone intimated earlier). I think they are preserving themselves for the fight to come.

 

[roundabout]

I'm just saying that if it was Contador who did that he'd get tons of criticism. From the media and definitely on this forum.

So you're psychic as well?

 

[hfer07]

Nibali's descend seemed like a waste of energy to me.

well- thanks to his "wasteful" descend- the peloton got fragmented & separated the pretenders from the real contenders--I think the one who "wasted" energy was Scarponi trying to catch him, since Vincenzo wasn't really going anywhere with 35 plus Km to the finish.........

he was just tasting the waters-checking who's paying attention and who's in sharp shape-that's all-but nevertheless looked fearless & quite exiting

 

[Je ne sais quoi]

I'm just saying that if it was Contador who did that he'd get tons of criticism. From the media and definitely on this forum.

Yeah, you're probably right, but I think we agree on this point. Unless someone were to take the position that great champions are held to a higher standard and so much in control that even their victory moments are scripted. (but we'll have plenty of opportunities coming up for people to replay that discussion)

Haha. Who amongst us hasn't "rehearsed" their victory moment with 20-20 hindsight!

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

You mean when Lövkvist came back. Scarponi had 3 bike lengths at some point...
Contador was only in his wheel when Lövkvist brought the group back

It was a super retardo attack - he went 50m from the top of the hill, made a 10m gap and then got immediately caught on the downhill. Read the route book chump.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Yeah, because Scarponi fears Lofkvist for the GC.

I don't know on what crazy route your thoughts are right now.

What I mean by that is when Scarponi saw that Lövkvist brought the whole group back, it had little effect going on (with the entire group in your wheel).
Thought that was obvious.

You make it seem like Contador brought the group back or something and that's why Scarponi stopped. Which is simply not true. Scarponi stopped because he couldn't get away sufficiently from the GROUP, which was led by Löfkvist, not Contador, who did little this stage.

I still don't understand how you misinterpretated that one...but then again. it's you

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

It was a super retardo attack - he went 50m from the top of the hill, made a 10m gap and then got immediately caught on the downhill. Read the route book chump.

Yeah I'm not discussing his tactics.

Just saying why he stopped. It wasn't "Because contador was in his wheel" like El Unfollowable put it. But because the whole group was practically in his wheel again.

 

[Cimber]

Btw SBS looked very weak today. If that a sign for the real mountain stages Bertie will get his work cut out for him. But probably Jesus and Navarro will be there in the real mountains. Dirt roads are not for them.

PS: oh and Porte crashed.

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

Yeah I'm not discussing his tactics.

Just saying why he stopped. It wasn't "Because contador was in his wheel" like El Unfollowable put it. But because the whole group was practically in his wheel again.

Yeah completely agree, just quoted you to make clear what I was referring to.

I still think he's a chump though - what a waste of time attack.

 

[hrotha]

Now that you bring up Lövkvist... What the hell was he trying to do? He paced the group for most of the climb, and didn't attack when Weening was potentially within reach. Was he just trying to remain in control so that no one accelerated too much and dropped him? That doesn't seem likely, he looked pretty good and the course suited him. Was he working for a teammate? (Who, Kennaugh?) Again, I doubt it - I thought he was targeting this stage himself.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Löfkvist has no acceleration Hrotha. He was riding at his own pace to not have to deal with all kinds of accelerations from others. This is what tempo climbers often do.

 

[Walkman]

Now that you bring up Lövkvist... What the hell was he trying to do? He paced the group for most of the climb, and didn't attack when Weening was potentially within reach. Was he just trying to remain in control so that no one accelerated too much and dropped him? That doesn't seem likely, he looked pretty good and the course suited him. Was he working for a teammate? (Who, Kennaugh?) Again, I doubt it - I thought he was targeting this stage himself.

Pretty sure that he was going for the stage but then realized that he wasn't going to open up a gap and since he isn't that explosive he knew that gapping the other riders on the flat would be nearly impossible so he didn't even try after catching Scarponi (Wich I think was a bit of a bad move).

 

[El Pistolero]

Yeah I'm not discussing his tactics.

Just saying why he stopped. It wasn't "Because contador was in his wheel" like El Unfollowable put it. But because the whole group was practically in his wheel again.

Actually, I just said Scarponi stopped his attack when Contador was at(or near) his wheel. I'm pretty sure if he didn't saw him he'd have pushed through even if it was in vain. He wasn't looking at Lovkvist when he was looking back.

Besides my original point was that the group of favorites looked at each other and than you came with your crap that Scarponi was destroying the field or anything. Attack was way too late. If the favorites wouldn't have looked at each other Weening would have been caught, simple as that. But that's racing.

 

[theyoungest]

Totally agree. All they did on Flemish television today was whining. About the course, about the organisation, about how Weening passed the finnish line,...

Like I said: I might try dutch Eurosport tomorow...

Now you've done it. Vannieuwkerke has decided to leave the Giro, as of today.

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

Now that you bring up Lövkvist... What the hell was he trying to do? He paced the group for most of the climb, and didn't attack when Weening was potentially within reach. Was he just trying to remain in control so that no one accelerated too much and dropped him? That doesn't seem likely, he looked pretty good and the course suited him. Was he working for a teammate? (Who, Kennaugh?) Again, I doubt it - I thought he was targeting this stage himself.

He's going for GC and isn't explosive enough for stage wins at the same time.

I'm betting on feeling strong and being a bit daft wanting to use it.

Still, promising, and the first few mountains should suit him, nothing steep for quite a while.

 

[El Pistolero]

Now you've done it. Vannieuwkerke has decided to leave the Giro, as of today.

Who will replace him?

 

[theyoungest]

Who will replace him?

No idea. Let's hope it's not Michel Wuyts, who is even worse atm.

 

[Thomsena]

****ing hell. Slagter with a broken jaw and several cuts to his face. Could easily have been worse. I'm afraid this won't be the last serious crash to this tour. Nervous bunch of riders out there - especially the young and inexperienced ones.

 

[Kwibus]

Now you've done it. Vannieuwkerke has decided to leave the Giro, as of today.

I just watched the race since I have to work I recorded. Unfortunately when I paused watching it and switched to the radio for a sec the impossible happened. Just when I switched they said Weening won the stage. (FFFFUUUUU).
I still watched the final 40km completely and I got the feeling Vannieuwkerke was barely able to commentate on the race and he dragged his co-commentator with him. Who tried to stay positive, but seemed to be afraid to do so because Vannieuwkerke was usually silent and when he said something it wasn't very optimistic...

 

[Ryaguas]

It was a super retardo attack - he went 50m from the top of the hill, made a 10m gap and then got immediately caught on the downhill. Read the route book chump.

I still think he's a chump though - what a waste of time attack.

Wow... easy there mate... I think that you are being too harsh towards Michele... I think that He was just testing his legs cuz He didnt go full gas, maybe trying to involve the others riders in the pursuit to catch Weening?

 

[UpTheRoad]

Now you've done it. Vannieuwkerke has decided to leave the Giro, as of today.

Ridiculous. The course is great. The Strade Bianchi and sterrato is fantastic.

It was an unfortunate accident and because all the racers didn't abandon, the announcer quits. I am saddened by the passing of WW, but there was an entire stage dedicated to his memory. His team, plus Farrar, decided not to continue. That should be the end of it and the race goes on.

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

Who will replace him?

José De Cauwer. Great

 

[El Pistolero]

No idea. Let's hope it's not Michel Wuyts, who is even worse atm.

Yeah, but RENAAT alone?

God help me

Well, wont watch tomorrows stage anyway.