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

[just some guy]

Yes, maybe I should have said an Anglosaxon team.

Although we all know why ACF likes BMC. Hell, he'd like Miche if Evans were to ride for them.

I have wondered if there is a photo of Cadel on the bedside table or in the family photo section of the house.

 

[Jan the Man]

It will be an interesting stage.

I echo what has already been said and think that the stage will be contested by between ten and fifteen riders, with another group not too far behind.

I don't think we'll see a huge favourite i.e. Contador, Scarponi, Menchov, Nibali show their cards other than if there is a group of 20 or so fighting for the win in the last kilometers.

I think that it is more likely that either someone from a breakaway formed on the first climb wins, or a second tier favourite attacks 5km-6km from the finish and is given enough time by the main favourites.

I think of the second tier favourites maybe someone like Kiserlovski or evem Durate (if Menchov gives him leeway) will win.

If the main favourites are together then maybe Scarponi will win.

 

[theyoungest]

Weening thinks he might be able to hold the jersey. And also Nico Verhoeven believes he can be a stage-racer. Weening himself lost belief in that after 2005 and focussed on stage-wins. But before the Giro started he had as goal top-10.

I think that's a nice ambition to have, but impossible...If he's really in superform, he might get into the top 20, but other than that, he'll probably end up somewhere the same place as last year 24/25th

Weening seems like the kind of guy who could do a surprise top-10 in the Tour, but not in the Giro. Too darn steep. I still consider Kruijswijk to be Rabo's main GC hope in this race.

 

[Finbouy]

Proving I have no imagination:

Scarponi,
Rodriguez,
Garzelli,
Bertie,
Sastre..

I'm going to big up Carlos until the fella actually delivers something solid, surely he's thinking about this one, he's gotta. hahhaaa

 

[kjetilraknerud]

I hope we'll see my favourite part of the Giro today - Szmyd setting a blistering pace up the final climb.

 

[Purit0]

Purito Rodriguez for stage win
Kanstantsin Sivtsov for Pink

 

[hoolaparara]

When I saw this was a long gentle drag I thought this was a Contador stage so ink me into the Contador column for this. I think if its a quiet climb he'll go in the last couple of kilometres to get 30 seconds, if its more aggressive he may not go if he gets only a couple of other GC guys with him in front (but sprint for any bonus seconds).

I think this is a good stage for a breakaway, the stage is not too difficult before the climb to kill a good climber in a break plus no sprinters teams to chase, the leaders is from a fairly weak team.. No idea who though.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Killer should be good here.

Anyway, I know Rujano likes it more steep, but will he give it a go regardless?

Watch out for menchov. I can't see him being dropped, And he has a neat gallop.

rujano will follow and attack for sure when he can. like perez cuapio did on this climb I believe some years ago

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

When I saw this was a long gentle drag I thought this was a Contador stage so ink me into the Contador column for this. I think if its a quiet climb he'll go in the last couple of kilometres to get 30 seconds, if its more aggressive he may not go if he gets only a couple of other GC guys with him in front (but sprint for any bonus seconds).

I think this is a good stage for a breakaway, the stage is not too difficult before the climb to kill a good climber in a break plus no sprinters teams to chase, the leaders is from a fairly weak team.. No idea who though.

contador will never get 30 seconds

 

[Cimber]

Garzelli is my pick.

 

[roundabout]

He rides for an American team, and thus is instantly great.

See: Le Mevel, Christophe.

Nope, Le Mevel is a talented rider who is finally starting to get results in line with his ability and seems suited for this sort of finish.

 

[theyoungest]

Nope, Le Mevel is a talented rider who is finally starting to get results in line with his ability and seems suited for this sort of finish.

Oh, sure he is, but if he rode for AG2R, no one would pay attention to him on this forum.

(or for FDJ, like last year)

 

[Reuell]

rujano will follow and attack for sure when he can. like perez cuapio did on this climb I believe some years ago

How I miss the little black devil.
They don't grow 'em like that anymore

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Weening seems like the kind of guy who could do a surprise top-10 in the Tour, but not in the Giro. Too darn steep. I still consider Kruijswijk to be Rabo's main GC hope in this race.

No, Weening can do top 10 in races like Romandie and Poland (he did so).. In GT's only in the Vuelta, because sometimes the field there is very weak and the mountains are not very steep, and if Moerenhout can finish 12th and Barredo 10th, so can Weening, but what would he gain by that?

Still think it's better to focus on stage wins in grand tours for him, rather than go for a colourless 14th place or something.

For Kruijswijk it's a different story indeed. More of a natural stage-racer and good for the learning process to try and push yourself as hard as possible.
I don't see Kruijswijk as a future top GT contendor either though, but as a luxury helper for a real leader

 

[roundabout]

Oh, sure he is, but if he rode for AG2R, no one would pay attention to him on this forum.

(or for FDJ, like last year)

Probably. But I would like to think that being that close on GC and arguably having the best finish of the top-4 also plays a role.

 

[theyoungest]

Probably. But I would like to think that being that close on GC and arguably having the best finish of the top-4 also plays a role.

Where did I talk about this particular stage? I was referring to his instant greatness by switching to an American team. And suddenly a thread pops up about him being a viable top-5 candidate in the Giro, which wouldn't have been there if he still rode for FDJ, let's be honest.

 

[Climbing]

Most probably a group of 20 riders will get to the top togheter... in that case Scarponi is the clear favourite, imho, considering his excellent condition.
In this stage is very difficult for a breakaway to finish, but you never know.

 

[just some guy]

Where did I talk about this particular stage? I was referring to his instant greatness by switching to an American team. And suddenly a thread pops up about him being a viable top-5 candidate in the Giro, which wouldn't have been there if he still rode for FDJ, let's be honest.

How do you know since I started that Thread -

 

[kukiniloa]

I hope we'll see my favourite part of the Giro today - Szmyd setting a blistering pace up the final climb.

You read my mind! Wasn't it spring 2009 when Szymd was climbing with the best of them?? What happened??

I guess you could say that Szymd is due, and Nibali will need the help up front!

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

edit: whoops wrong topic

anyway for topic: Scarponi wins

 

[Bavarianrider]

Does LeMevel have a shot at a Top 5 finish or ist this too long for him?

 

[El Pistolero]

The fastest sprinter from an elite group will probably win. I'm saying Duarte.

This is what Contador said:

I don’t want to tell the tifosi in advance where I’ll be attacking but if I wasn’t participating at the Giro d’Italia, I’d watch on TV the three consecutive mountain stages [13, 14 and 15, ed.] in Austria, on the Zoncolan and Gardeccia," the Spaniard hinted.

 

[Eshnar]

I’d watch on TV the three consecutive mountain stages [13, 14 and 15, ed.] in Austria, on the Zoncolan and Gardeccia," the Spaniard hinted.

Wow.
I would never have thought that.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

How I miss the little black devil.
They don't grow 'em like that anymore

yeah it's so ashame he left at age 30 europe again, homesick bit with what happened to oliverio rincon and other latin americans

 

[kjetilraknerud]

You read my mind! Wasn't it spring 2009 when Szymd was climbing with the best of them?? What happened??

I guess you could say that Szymd is due, and Nibali will need the help up front!

Indeed! Szmyd was sensational both in 2009 and 2010. Looking forward to watch him killing himself for his captain again!