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

[beroepsrenner]

Any riders who were critical of the Giro organisers for including unpaved roads need to toughen up. There was once a time in pro road racing when these kind of roads were a regular feature. The positive response from the viewing public backs up this decision and personally I found it one of the best stages that i have seen in a GT for some time. Too often the format is so boringly predictable and maybe the TDF organisers could do well to follow suit. In my racing days I often raced on these kind of roads and while it is difficult, sometimes unpleasant and extremely hard on equipment, it is the same for everyone so it brings out a new dimension in riders that isnt always evident.
I also purposely trained on gravel roads as it teaches bike handling skills that can never be attained by only ever riding on asphalt.
I havent always been a huge fan of Evans but his display in this stage showed just how tough he really is.

 

[Nick777]

I watched the last 50k this morning, and called my girlfriend in a couple of times. In her words - "I've never seen anything quite like this - it's great!"

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Good to see you back Beroepsrenner. This too was one of the best GT stages I've ever seen.

A lot of people forget that in days of yonder (as in 75 years plus) nearly all the roads raced on were cobblestones, and nearly all the major cols were dirt, often with stages well over 300km in length. Not that we need to go back to those times, but having a day like today every so often is good for the sport.

 

[beroepsrenner]

Good to see you back Beroepsrenner. This too was one of the best GT stages I've ever seen.

A lot of people forget that in days of yonder (as in 75 years plus) nearly all the roads raced on were cobblestones, and nearly all the major cols were dirt, often with stages well over 300km in length. Not that we need to go back to those times, but having a day like today every so often is good for the sport.

you know I'm always lurking in the shadows.....
I enjoyed this stage all the more because I didnt have to ride it

 

[Hotbrakes]

I think the rain made the stage not the course. It still would have been an interesting stage if it was dry, but that mud has made this stage legendary.

 

[battery89]

not sure. Doing well so far though.

Speaking of youngsters Bobridge and Meyer (The future GT rider right?) again in the last group.

Both are extremely young, recently come off a successful world track champs campaign and are doing there second road race after the world champs, and it happens to be the Giro which is totally decimating the GC thus far (after only 7 days of racing)! I'm sure we can cut them some slack They both have 16 years+ ahead of them, their time will come.

 

[Mellow Velo]

I think the rain made the stage not the course. It still would have been an interesting stage if it was dry, but that mud has made this stage legendary.

Indeed. I think this is why the MPE was moved from October to March, so as to increase the chance of rain. So far, it's been dry, dry and dry.
Imagine 55kms of roads like yesterday's. At some point, it will happen!

 

[beroepsrenner]

I think the rain made the stage not the course. It still would have been an interesting stage if it was dry, but that mud has made this stage legendary.

The rain may have added to it but you have obviously never raced a road bike on a gravel road. Whether dry or wet its nothing like riding a mountain bike on the same surface and totally different again to cobbles. Even dry, high speed cornering is treacherous. It really sorted out the hard men from those that hide in the safety of a fast moving peloton. To say it was legendary is a little overstated as many years ago these conditions would have been considered normal. It just proves how much more interesting the racing can be if something out of the ordinary is thrown at the riders

 

[LugHugger]

Don't just put it on him. He's not the only rider who's complained about today's stage. Even Vino said he didn't think a stage like today had a place in a GT.

that's fair comment and singly matty out might have been unfair. the general consensus from no-hoper-forumites seems to be that the stage and the weather made yesterday one of the most compelling stages in recent GT history though. it seems to me that there are far too many specialists in the pro tour who don't like it when they have to deal with conditions which place them outside of their comfort zones and then b*tch afterwards. why should 'classic' parcours not be included in gt's? it seems to me that the winner of a GT should be the rider best able to deal with all conditions.

i can't wait for the mountain time trial!!!!

 

[hamperium]

evans was impressive

Cadel did a hell of a job
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hamperium_espana/4591522558/

 

[Archibald]

I agree with those who say the Giro is showing up the Tour (and Vuelta) once again how to put on a GT and have interesting stages that aren't big mountains.

Not being from Europe and now living here I find myself going from someone who never paid much attention to the Giro to now preferring it over le Tour. (and loving the spring classics)

cannot wait to watch today's stage

 

[Anonymous]

I just watched the whole thing again on youtube...its still exciting to watch.