Giro d'Italia - Stage 7 - Maddaloni → Montevergine di Mercogliano - 110km

[El Pistolero]

I'll go with Purito for this one. Reminds me a bit of stage 12 of the tour last year.

Lol, no way.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Weening could limit the damage on this type of climb.

The problem is, he is only a few seconds ahead and there are boni seconds at the top.
F.ex if Contador wins + takes 10 seconds on weening = 30 seconds = leader

I don't expect Contador to do anything though. But I'm pretty sure Weening loses the jersey, even if he usually finishes 20/30th in mountain stages like this one.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Long and gradual, likely to finish with a bunch of 15-20 fairly close; favours a GC guy with a half decent sprint.

Unless somebody does what Mosquera did on Vallnord Sector Pal last year, I'm saying Scarponi.

 

[thirteen]

Its too bad Vino isn't here for this one.

exactly what i was thinking!

 

[ferryman]

Take your pick on this one. Will be interesting to see if any of the GC guys will show their hand before Etna. My guess is yes I'll go for AC in that case, as he counters and launches after the attacks start. Otherwise, Machado as an outside bet.

But really take your pick.

In any event an intriguing prelude to Sunday

 

[craig1985]

Who else can we tip, Sastre, Menchov, Sella?

 

[Lanark]

Sastre? Wow, can't think of much more guys I would rate less for this stage

Menchov can ride a pretty good sprint, I wouldn't rule him out, although he'd probably prefer it a bit steeper.

 

[The Hitch]

Ive missed the last few stages (well watched them on replay).

Im free tomorow though so I cant wait. Watching cycling is so much better when done with the forum. Even while watching the Strade Bianchi today, I was thinking "wheres Rujano, wheres Contador" whats this person doing, how serious is Slagter but I couldnt. Discuss tactics, discuss how serious the climbs will be etc. Its just a totaly different experience on here.

I particularly wish I had been able to be here during the Wouter Weylandt memorial stage and that I could have watched it live.

But alas. Will hopefully be good tomorow. Should be, its a mtf at the Giro. When has that ever failed to produce? Ok terminillo last year wasnt all that and it came similarly early in the race but there are more climbers this year, bigger names and some of them are down big on gc.

Also maybe another nutter will do what Lang and Koehler have done and go on those 5 hours to think about your life rides.

 

[Anonymous]

The OP has the old stage profile up.

]
corrected. thank you.

 

[ferryman]

Ive missed the last few stages (well watched them on replay).

Im free tomorow though so I cant wait. Watching cycling is so much better when done with the forum. Even while watching the Strade Bianchi today, I was thinking "wheres Rujano, wheres Contador" whats this person doing, how serious is Slagter but I couldnt. Discuss tactics, discuss how serious the climbs will be etc. Its just a totaly different experience on here.

I particularly wish I had been able to be here during the Wouter Weylandt memorial stage and that I could have watched it live.

But alas. Will hopefully be good tomorow. Should be, its a mtf at the Giro. When has that ever failed to produce? Ok terminillo last year wasnt all that and it came similarly early in the race but there are more climbers this year, bigger names and some of them are down big on gc.

Also maybe another nutter will do what Lang and Koehler have done and go on those 5 hours to think about your life rides.

OK I'm relying on you guys to give a great last 5K live feed on here cos I will be (aherm, cough) working

 

[blaxland]

Im hoping Schoop from Bmc will finish in top 3 but more likely Scarponi/Nibali for the win.

 

[Cobblestoned]

Tomorrow live coverage from start to finish. Thats cool.
At least ESP said so....but the streams will run anyway.

Fullgas, hard for breakaway and no surprises seems to be obvious for that short stage, but somehow I smell a surprise, because favorites don't want to waste team's energy too early by taking the lead or chasing.

I think real firework will start on Etna at earliest - if we'll actually see the stage.

I predict a 5-6 man breakaway, and it will be successfull.
One of them will take the maglia rose, while another one of them will take the stage.
Some fireworks in the back-pack from by some clever favorites, who want to have "a look" how the others are doing. But they will finish 3-4-5-6 minutes behind the breakaway.

I guess I have to name some names now after that long prediction.
And prediction-szenario has to match current standings..........öhhhhh......I have no idea......but I guess one of the Android guys will be involved.

 

[hfer07]

setting apart the usual suspects - I'm going to pick Nieves form Euzkaltel, my man Duarte from Geox, Serpa & Sella from Androni, & Garzelli from Acqua.

the big guns are on waiting mode until Sunday's stage to Monte Etna

 

[veganrob]

I think it is too early for the real GC contenders to show their cards. Especially Alberto. He is waiting for the big stuff and will just mark the others.

 

[seaby71]

what about rodriguez do you think he will have a good chance?

 

[veganrob]

what about rodriguez do you think he will have a good chance?

Maybe. He likes those types of finish

 

[Ferminal]

It's more or less a lottery between the top10 climbers.

Wouldn't rule out a break either.

 

[kukiniloa]

Some strong names have been mentioned, but Joaquím Rodríguez Oliver is my pick ftw.

We can be assured that the GC contenders won't stick their necks out. But, we have, on occasion, seen Bertie make early strikes in Grand Tours of the past, haven't we?

When he's confident, he doesn't seem to find any reason to wait...

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Maybe. He likes those types of finish

I like jrod, if it is together with a km to go he is usually pretty good at going at the right time.

 

[Ryaguas]

You got me. You see if Valverde was in the race I would only pick him.

Plz dont say that... You are going to make me cry...

Android guys will be involved.

You mean the app for twitter?

what about rodriguez do you think he will have a good chance?

He could take it if He is in the group to battle for the sprint...
But for me... I can't see beyond Serpa or Scarponi here... Hope that Duarte can get green light and take the stage...
Alberto will just follow wheels and look how the other guys are climbing...

My picks:
Serpa
Michele
Duarte

Hey why nobody has used the "Millar Time" card? He is has been on the attack lately...
Damn it... I want to call it first! Kiserlovski would be a good pick!!

 

[ingsve]

At face value my guess would have been that this stage will be ridden rather defensively with something happening only in the closing kms considering all the though stages that are to come but I think there are enough impatient colombians in the race that won't be able to hold back so that might ultimately make the racing start a lot earlier.

 

[luckyboy]

At face value my guess would have been that this stage will be ridden rather defensively with something happening only in the closing kms

Yeah I think this will happen. And it's just guesswork as to who will win.

 

[Raceoftruth]

Think geox may play one of their cards today, just to test. Duarte or sastre to attack and see what happens. Will allow menchov to do what he does best and suck wheels.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Does anyone know when the estimated time of arrival is since this is such a short stage?

 

[kjetilraknerud]

This reminds me a lot of stage 4 in 2009 to San Martino di Castrozza (although the final climb was a bit steeper) won by Di Luca, when Löfkvist took the pink jersey. I remember a quote from this very forum, "What the hell is Löfkvist still doing there".

12 riders finished with the same time, 43 riders within a minute. Even EBH was only two minutes behind, so the gaps should be absolutely minimal.

My money's on Scarponi, with Garzelli the dark horse.

Pinotti or Siutsou will probably be in pink tonight, but surely Le Mevel knows that this is his only chance of pink as well - as he'll be dropped on Etna.