Giro d'Italia Stage 7: Carrara - Montalcino (222km)

[theyoungest]

Bingo, the last climb has Vino written all over it. He might try to gain seconds there, with or without a breakaway up front. If they catch the breakaway early, there'll also be bonus seconds to hand out. With a, say, 20-30" gap from the climb and the 20 bonus seconds, you could almost gain a minute with a moderate effort. Vino is still peaking, I guess, but it's not going to last. The more seconds he gains in early stages, the easier it'll be to defend in later ones.

Such a climb is not where Vino can make the difference. It's more likely he'll hang on for dear life when guys like Scarponi, Garzelli, or even Evans have a go.

 

[taiwan]

Such a climb is not where Vino can make the difference. It's more likely he'll hang on for dear life when guys like Scarponi, Garzelli, or even Evans have a go.

Here's the climb in detail (pdf).

From the plan (pdf): 5.6k climb, 6.5% average gradient, max 16%, with an area at 15% also.

Maybe a bit like the stage of the Tirreno-Adriatico which Gasparotto won? Less demanding, in fact.

Actually it's quite a bit longer, with more metres ascent, if not as steep. I still think Vino's capable of doing something there.

 

[auscyclefan94]

I'd love to see BMC get their s*** together and give this stage a go!

+1

BMC are fast becoming Australia's answer to Disco Shack Lance.
I think we are now getting troll baiting in each Giro thread, knowing that ACF will bite every time.

No. But i do have a tendency to bite to your posts.

Montalacino stage finish.

 

[blaxland]

Well, basically that means Cadel needs to get his shit together, because he's the only guy on BMC I can see winning this stage.

I guess Santambrogio is capable of winning it too if he gets into the break and it stays away, but thats a serious hypothetical.

Santambrogio finished with the front group yesterday so his form is getting better.......Dont think he will win stage but will be reliable helper for Evans....

 

[auscyclefan94]

Santambrogio finished with the front group yesterday so his form is getting better.......Dont think he will win stage but will be reliable helper for Evans....

yes, expect some fireworks tonight blaxland.

Will be interesting to see how satsre goes on these gravel roads.

 

[dgodave]

Will be interesting to see how satsre goes on these gravel roads.

How bad are these white roads?
Will it be a big dust bomb at the back half of the peloton?
.

 

[auscyclefan94]

How bad are these white roads?
Will it be a big dust bomb at the back half of the peloton?
.

It could split the race apart. GC riders will need to be attentive as some of the lower down contenders could attack to get some time back.

 

[Sasquatch]

Pozzato wants this.

Pozzato will do anything for this.

He either wins it from a break (most logical reason) or he wins it when the break is caught. I doubt the peloton will want to work fast today so a break is the logical explanation.

Pozzato will pip Voeckler on the line from the break.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Pozzato wants this.

Pozzato will do anything for this.

He either wins it from a break (most logical reason) or he wins it when the break is caught. I doubt the peloton will want to work fast today so a break is the logical explanation.

Pozzato will pip Voeckler on the line from the break.

It is not just the gravel roads but the gravel climbs. 4km climb is in there and it max's out to 16%. pozzato reckons that basso and sastre may struggle. he said that the big gravel climb is different to the strade bianche. Could they get the Corones climb into the strade bianche?

 

[theswordsman]

Just clicked on the weather link for the finish at Steephill. There's a 50 percent chance of rain, which should be kind of a big deal for the dirt and gravel roads, especially the climbs. I think Pozzato is right about experience riding the stuff and knowledge of the area coming into play. But I'm still picking the break to stay away.

 

[Race Radio]

The white roads are better with a little rain. As long as it does not pour rain it is better in the wet.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Just clicked on the weather link for the finish at Steephill. There's a 50 percent chance of rain, which should be kind of a big deal for the dirt and gravel roads, especially the climbs. I think Pozzato is right about experience riding the stuff and knowledge of the area coming into play. But I'm still picking the break to stay away.

That will make it a great race. Something out of the ordinary. Prudhomme was saying that AZ copied the tdf with the strade bianche stage but I think this definetly will out do the tdf stage of cobbles.

Here are the main contenders for gc who rode the MPS race and finished.
Garzelli
Evans


the rest did not finish. basso or sastre did not ride.

 

[Ferminal]

I think Katusha will work hard all day and set it up for Pipo... They will be all over this, and he will want the win.

Astana might try and boss it though, and setup Gasparotto or Vino, but that means opening the door to Garzelli/Scarponi/Evans.

 

[Ferminal]

And for some reason Aus Eurosport is showing French Rugby Semi-Finals instead of Stage 7/8... Looks like I will be recording it and sleeping

They've both got strong teams (Basso/Sastre) to help them but it depends on how much they want to risk it on the descent. - Pozzato

Is that what Pipo is planning? There is what looks like a 6-7km gravel descent, is that his place to charge?

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

It's definitely going to be fun to watch. This is the first real stage where we could see some top riders come out to play. It's most interesting because on tomorrow's stage there is the big climb to Terminillo, so several GC riders aren't going to want to take chances here or burn too much here, and other riders will know that and take advantage of it.

RR is right. a light rain will help keep the dust down and make it a little easier. But if it rains a lot between now and during the race like it did in 2007(?), as long as they don't cancel it, it could be a real muddy mess.

 

[trompe le monde]

It is not just the gravel roads but the gravel climbs. 4km climb is in there and it max's out to 16%. pozzato reckons that basso and sastre may struggle. he said that the big gravel climb is different to the strade bianche. Could they get the Corones climb into the strade bianche?

For the last sentence I think you mean 'at the strade bianche' rather than into. Not sure the Giro planning crew had enough bulldozers and dynamite to cram the Plan de Corones 'into' some modest gravel.

And to answer the last question you phrased poorly, no. You can't compare the two climbs as they differ in length and severity. Best thing for the GC contenders would be if Pozzato or someone else breaks away 20 or more kms from the finish and only those interested in a stage win are willing to chase him down.

 

[Roland Rat]

Looking forward to this stage. I think Steve Cummings of Sky might also be wanting a dig at this one, but doubt he'll be able to mix it with Pozzatto et al if they go for it.

Can I also echo the sentiments hoping today's thread doesn't turn into garbage like yesterday's. Hopefully this stage will be interesting enough so that people don't need to start bickering about other sports.

 

[Michele]

The white roads are better with a little rain. As long as it does not pour rain it is better in the wet.

Im not in Tuscany, but there's bad weather in almost whole north/center Italy today.

 

[Mellow Velo]

Here are the main contenders for gc who rode the MPS race and finished.
Garzelli
Evans
the rest did not finish. basso or sastre did not ride.

So you don't consider Vincenzo Nibali a contender?
He finished 20 places ahead of your reason for making this post.
Cuddles was close to last.

A lot of Giro riders in the 2010 result.

 

[Mellow Velo]

A few riders will be leaving the Giro, over the weekend.

How far will Jack Bobridge go?
I think he'll find it really tough to stay in the race, over the weekend, but I will probably be eliminated on stage 11.

 

[Sasquatch]

Bertolini could be an underdog tonight. Has the form. The climb is suited to him. Guess it depends if he gets in the break.

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

For the last sentence I think you mean 'at the strade bianche' rather than into. Not sure the Giro planning crew had enough bulldozers and dynamite to cram the Plan de Corones 'into' some modest gravel.

And to answer the last question you phrased poorly, no. You can't compare the two climbs as they differ in length and severity. Best thing for the GC contenders would be if Pozzato or someone else breaks away 20 or more kms from the finish and only those interested in a stage win are willing to chase him down.

Someone's arsey this morning.


As much as Cuddles' lover is a bit of a tit, given 'the strade bianchi' is a pretty standard name used around here for Montepachi etc, it's not exactly strange to ask whether you could include a climb in the route for that race. His failing is geographical, not grammatical.

 

[Michele]

Just heard from a guy on the course that the last peloton before the last climb (which is steep) will have a downhill and then a tight bridge to pass which could make things more difficult.

 

[theyoungest]

Bruseghin and Capecchi DNS.

 

[craig1985]

What's Bruseghin's problem?