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

[taiwan]

I suppose I'd like to see any of:

Rodriguez getting himself a useful few bonus seconds.
Duarte taking a stage for Geox.
Someone new making a name for themself.

 

[theyoungest]

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

I don't know if their (Liquigas') tactic will be the same as it was with Basso or Pellizotti as their leader, in a relatively weak field... by setting a high pace from the foot of the climb, who of Nibali's rivals do they expect to shell, before Nibali himself gets into trouble?

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

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

There's been a bit of talk about John Gadret's chances of a top 10, and he does ride for AG2R. And he isn't as good as Le Mevel.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

I don't know if their (Liquigas') tactic will be the same as it was with Basso or Pellizotti as their leader, in a relatively weak field... by setting a high pace from the foot of the climb, who of Nibali's rivals do they expect to shell, before Nibali himself gets into trouble?

The approach they used with Kreuziger in the Vuelta when he was riding for Nibali was to stick him on the front and keep the pace moderately high but very steady, relentlessly dragging Nibali back to any attacks by more explosive climbers. Maybe they'll try and deploy Szmyd in a similar role?

 

[theyoungest]

The approach they used with Kreuziger in the Vuelta when he was riding for Nibali was to stick him on the front and keep the pace moderately high but very steady, relentlessly dragging Nibali back to any attacks by more explosive climbers. Maybe they'll try and deploy Szmyd in a similar role?

Szmyd is no Kreuziger. He'll probably be dropped already when the real contenders attack.

 

[jens_attacks]

i don't know if szmyd will be necessary today.hey it's just montevergine after all.nibali won't implode here.keep him fresh for etna and the trilogy.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

Szmyd is no Kreuziger

Hard to argue with that.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

time limit of only 20 minutes today because the stage is so short...

 

[Eshnar]

time limit of only 20 minutes today because the stage is so short...

This could be a problem for someone

 

[insideout leadout]

This could be a problem for someone

Graeme Brown.

 

[Climbing]

i don't know if szmyd will be necessary today.hey it's just montevergine after all.nibali won't implode here.keep him fresh for etna and the trilogy.

It is very good to stay at wheel on those gradients, so he will be very usefull to protect Nibali (with Agnoli too I suppose).
Probably won't make the pace me thinks.

 

[kjetilraknerud]

I don't know if their (Liquigas') tactic will be the same as it was with Basso or Pellizotti as their leader, in a relatively weak field... by setting a high pace from the foot of the climb, who of Nibali's rivals do they expect to shell, before Nibali himself gets into trouble?

Fair point, but as I can recall - the only time Nibali was dropped last year was when Basso attacked on Zoncolan, except for a few seconds on the penultimate stage, so I think he'll handle himself.

 

[just some guy]

time limit of only 20 minutes today because the stage is so short...

This could be a problem for someone

Graeme Brown.

Robbie as well

 

[Cimber]

I don't know if their (Liquigas') tactic will be the same as it was with Basso or Pellizotti as their leader, in a relatively weak field... by setting a high pace from the foot of the climb, who of Nibali's rivals do they expect to shell, before Nibali himself gets into trouble?

When u are a non-explosive rider its often in your interest to keep a relatively high but steady pace (thereby hopefully taking the punch out of some of the more explosive riders). Nibali would love if he could wear out /tear down some of the explosive riders today.

But imho this stage will "just" show he is there and ready. Most likely noone will be able to attack and win time on the other favorites today, but some might lose time. Time to see who are ready and who arent.

 

[dlwssonic]

BMC have said that frank and tschopp will try something on this stage. I think frank will try to get into the break because he is way down on GC but tschopp is only 1 min back. Maybe Tschopp will attack early on the final climb

 

[will10]

I'll give you a few names; Bakelandts, Tiralongo, Tschopp, Lastras, Seeldraeyers.

I'll bet an Evans avatar against all of those names.

 

[will10]

time limit of only 20 minutes today because the stage is so short...

Time limit depends on how fast they ride the stage right? Which schedule are you working out 20 minutes based on?

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Szmyd is no Kreuziger. He'll probably be dropped already when the real contenders attack.

szmyd is a better climber than kreuziger in my book. but he won't be top here as he's said he is ordered to focus all on tour to help basso

 

[The Hitch]

Scarponi seemed weak to me in his inability to close the gap on Weening.

Kreuziger would be a good tip but hes being named ahead of Anton, Rodriguez, behind only Michelle Menchov and Nibali by Contador and the media so everyone seems to expect better things than they should from him, hence he wont be let go.

I predict a similar stage to Terminillo last year with a none gt rider going off as everyone marks eachother.

Could be anyone but if I have to choose the identity of the rider - Vasily Kiriyenka.

Wow.
I would never have thought that.

Agreed, those are the 3 biggest days of the cycling calendar.


Actually forget "cycling". Those are the 3 biggest days of the sports calendar.












Actually, forget "sports". Those are the 3 biggest days of the calendar period.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

today will be duarte, he has the biggest punch and is also the fastest of the climbers

 

[insideout leadout]

Scarponi wasn't weak, but he gave up when a strong riding Lofkvist closed the gap on him.

 

[Eshnar]

agreed, those are the 3 biggest days of the cycling calendar.


Actually forget "cycling". Those are the 3 biggest days of the sports calendar.












Actually, forget "sports". Those are the 3 biggest days of the calendar period.

(10 char)

 

[TeoSheva]

Serpa ftw...
or Vicioso!

 

[Cimber]

Scarponi wasn't weak, but he gave up when a strong riding Lofkvist closed the gap on him.

If it had only been Lövkvist he wouldnt have stopped. It was cos Lövkvist had Bertie and the rest ofthe favorites in his wheel.

 

[theyoungest]

szmyd is a better climber than kreuziger in my book.

What is this based on? His win on the Alpe d'Huez?

edit: I mean the Mont Ventoux.