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

[Ferminal]

This was the infamous "where is Sastre" stage last year.

I'm still not sure if he got dropped.

 

[Moncoutie]

This was the infamous "where is Sastre" stage last year.

I'm still not sure if he got dropped.

Wasn't there several of those?!

 

[maltiv]

I think David Millar will be able to defend his pink jersey. Those hills shouldn't be too much for him and he should do well on the strade bianche.

My outside bet for the victory is earlier mountain-biker Lars Petter Nordhaug from an early breakaway (if his cold is over of course, but he might still be ill).

 

[Astana1]

Can Garmin successfully defend the maglia rosa today? I would think they are intending to go all out given that once they lose it, they probably won't get it back.

I thought that was an impressive bit of riding on Millar's part the other day. To bridge like that and finish second was exciting.

I got home with 13 kilometers left, turned the TV on to RAI and I had no idea what had happened until I saw the helicopter and checked the internet.

 

[Ferminal]

Wasn't there several of those?!

I think so, might have gone missing on a couple of the "flat" wet stages too?

I fear for Geox today.

 

[Ferminal]

If Scarponi wins he should take Pink, he is 33" behind Millar. The only way I see Millar staying within 14" on that finish is with some creative timing like they did in T-A. If Scarponi doesn't get the maximum time bonus (or doesn't attack the finale) then Pinotti or Le Mevel may be able to take it. Your next favourites after that would be Popo and Macho.

The reason I haven't included Vicioso is that I think Androni will lead more towards Serpa and Sella. It would be a weird situation if Androni were to end up with pink though.

Basically I think Millar should hold it unless Scarponi goes crazy.

 

[python]

This was the infamous "where is Sastre" stage last year.

I'm still not sure if he got dropped.

are you referring to the stage 2 days ago ? if the his and geox's statements are true, he had crashed (btw, on the same downhill as weylandts) and had to ride someone's bike ?

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

they for sure wouldn't defend it though

 

[lancaster]

Wasn't there several of those?!

most significantly, when the answer was "half an hour up the road"

 

[Francois the Postman]

Flicker, you have given your pov. Others have given the counter pov, one that, I suggest, is the one that is a lot wider shared.

To suggest there is a correct way, or a better way, or an incorrect way, is, well, pretty damn arrogant, all the more if you do it from a comfortable distance.

I suggest Flicker, that if you had stated that what you wished for was your personal and idealized preference, folk wouldn't even have had a problem with it. Heck, I am the first to say that I would have loved to have seen Farrar or a Trekkie earn a stage win here. We probably all have things that we would have cheered to the rafters if they had gone for it. The problem isn't with your personal pov, but the way you appear to prescribe it to others, and, by extension, condemn the riders that couldn't face it.

On the whole, most of us tend to let folk figure out for themselves how they want to deal with grief that hit very close to home, and respect their wishes and choices.

[to all]

I also think that for the sake of this Giro race thread, that discussion about what is and isn't appropriate is declared off topic in this thread. There is a clear thread in this forum where people can discuss "where the Giro goes from here".

This is the stage race thread.

It will be impossible to insist that Wouter doesn't get mentioned today, nor can I see a reason why that would be unwelcome or unwise.

However, emotions are still pretty raw and responses are understandably agitated when people display a lack of empathy to the feeling of others.

If people do mention him, we will expect that it is done appropriate, respectful, and with the pov of others taken in mind. If you need to be the wiser one, do so, bite your tongue, and avoid the initiation of a discussion, or the continuation of discussions with opinions that are a bit out there on their own.

Anyone stirring things up, or seen to be stirring thing up, won't get much sympathy from us today. Avoid discussions about the 'correct' way to do things, and accept that others might see that differently.

It is Stage 5 today, and there is some stirring stuff up ahead too. If anyone wants to honour the guy who just died, let's make this a Giro that showed how great cycling is on its own, in tragedy, and in the way it deals with that.

The riders who could bring themselves to continue, will do that on the road for us. I am kinda hoping the same from us here. Let's make this Giro a communal celebration of cycling and what makes it great. It's why we are here in the first place, to share our passion.

 

[jens_attacks]

i don't think sella will burn himself today.i have a strange feeling that he will be in the attack in the stages 13,14 and 15.

 

[Finbouy]

I threw Sastre in the mix because I'm a huge secret fan of his.. and I remember last years Eurosport commentators words "where is Sastre!!?" which made me giggle inside.
I want a local to shine today, but fear that the Scarponi's/Garzelli's of the world will shine through.

I would, like most who've been here, recommend this place as some epic riding country. It really is.

Secretly I'm hoping for rain too...

 

[Ferminal]

are you referring to the stage 2 days ago ? if the his and geox's statements are true, he had crashed (btw, on the same downhill as weylandts) and had to ride someone's bike ?

Last year on Stage 7 him and Tondo were reportedly in a second group a minute or so back, for some time before the Liquigas crash. They never actually showed them in the second group, just vague shots which looked like a few Cervelo riders. Then all of a sudden they showed him with the main bunch (without showing the second group chasing back on).

 

[Arnout]

I don't expect anything extraordinary. I don't think Strade Bianche has such a big influence on the race, it are not cobbles, and the stage of last year was hard because of the weather and the climbs as well. This looks less hard to me.

 

[python]

Last year on Stage 7 him and Tondo were reportedly in a second group a minute or so back, for some time before the Liquigas crash. They never actually showed them in the second group, just vague shots which looked like a few Cervelo riders. Then all of a sudden they showed him with the main bunch (without showing the second group chasing back on).

thanks for the clarification, ferm.

your recollection is spot on ! i just re-watched the segment...around 4:30 on the video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdZGcWIl4TI

 

[Bavarianrider]

Igor Anton? No love for him?

 

[Astana1]

Robbie Hunter just said on Twitter that the wind could be a problem today.

 

[just some guy]

Igor Anton? No love for him?

If he gets off the dirt with the lead group maybe- but the problem is getting of the dirt with the lead group.

 

[Bavarianrider]

If he gets off the dirt with the lead group maybe- but the problem is getting of the dirt with the lead group.

I think those "dirt" rodes are vastly overrated. It's not that difficult to ride on them, they are in rather good condition.

 

[cyclingfanatik]

Sastre will win this stage by switching to a tricycle on the dirt hills, borrowed from a baby who is a 'massive' 4cm shorter than he is.

Sastre FTW.
Mollema in 2nd.
Lance gets the last podium spot. He's flyingover fromAustin now after staying up all night doing keg stands at Mellow Johnny's. Maybe WW was part Irish?

 

[Michielveedeebee]

Pineau might takes this, if he starts out of a breakaway with a lead on the peloton.

 

[El Pistolero]

Pinnoti?



Well ive seen the words "mini Giro Lombardy" to describe this stage a few times, and there is someone who only finished 10 seconds back on Big Phil last time round.

One is a pure climber and the other one is as punchy as it gets?

They're really not the same caliber. Besides, as you say, a "mini Giro di Lombardia". Thus the climbing will be easier favoring punchy riders even more

Someone like Ballan and Cunego are more of Gilbert's caliber(even though they don't come near his abilities), but they could sprint in the end for victory.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

In other news, the Giro is sending officials to the Monte Crostis to reevaluate the descent. Climb might get skipped if they find the downhill 'too dangerous'

 

[Mellow Velo]

In other news, the Giro is sending officials to the Monte Crostis to reevaluate the descent. Climb might get skipped if they find the downhill 'too dangerous'

Rumour has it that they are looking at one of today's gravel descents.
I don't have a link at the mo, though.

 

[Wergeland]

are you referring to the stage 2 days ago ? if the his and geox's statements are true, he had crashed (btw, on the same downhill as weylandts) and had to ride someone's bike ?

He had a mechanical or crashed and got Ardillas bike. Ardillas bike was way too small. He was out of the saddle for the rest of stage. How often do you see Sastre out of the saddle?