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

[Kwibus]

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

Szmyd is Basso's elite domestique. A very good climber, but indeed certainly not on the same level as Kreuziger.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Yeah although Kreuziger is massively overrated (not so much nowadays luckily), he did top 10 in the Tour twice. So definately better than Szmyd.

Kreuziger did hang the last few years. I wonder if the move to Astana did him good. We'll find out soon enough

 

[Fourier]

Kohler rockin' the "Axe" on RaiSport

 

[jens_attacks]

kohler playing the guitar live with a band.this is giro.

 

[Climbing]

kohler playing the guitar live with a band.this is giro.

Oh God, I love the Giro!

 

[Eshnar]

Dunno if someone already pointed out.
Last two times the Giro had an MTF on Montevergine, the winner of the stage won the Giro itself.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

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

edit: I mean the Mont Ventoux.

when szmyd puts the hammer down only a few elite guys can follow with his leader basso. kreuziger is more allround/itt and more regular rider so yes he has done top ten in tour but he was never really strong in the mountains except tour de suisse 2008 and his ventoux win was impressive and shows what he is capable of.

 

[insideout leadout]

Valverde was very generous that time, but nevertheless a great performance by Szmyd.

 

[Michielveedeebee]

Valverde was very generous that time, but nevertheless a great performance by Szmyd.

meh Valverde let Szmyd do all the work

 

[Walkman]

Yeah although Kreuziger is massively overrated (not so much nowadays luckily), he did top 10 in the Tour twice. So definately better than Szmyd.

Kreuziger did hang the last few years. I wonder if the move to Astana did him good. We'll find out soon enough

I wouldn't say massively overrated, I actually think he is getting somewhat underrated. I mean, wasn't he sick during the first week(s) in -09 Tour when he managde to be top-10? I could see him being top-5 in this Giro.

 

[The Hitch]

Valverde let Szmyd do all the work

And Szmyd still beat him in a sprint.

The only guy to ever beat Valverde in a one on one sprint

 

[insideout leadout]

meh Valverde let Szmyd do all the work

And therefore he gave him the victory, Valv took the GC.

 

[Moondance]

And Szmyd still beat him in a sprint.

The only guy to ever beat Valverde in a one on one sprint

Yes, Szmyd 'beat' him in a 'sprint'....

 

[insideout leadout]

And Szmyd still beat him in a sprint.

The only guy to ever beat Valverde in a one on one sprint

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvxJnbohkR4

 

[theyoungest]

when szmyd puts the hammer down only a few elite guys can follow with his leader basso. kreuziger is more allround/itt and more regular rider so yes he has done top ten in tour but he was never really strong in the mountains except tour de suisse 2008 and his ventoux win was impressive and shows what he is capable of.

Yes, the guy who puts the hammer down for a few kms and then blows up is obviously better than the guy who stays close to the leaders over the top of the climb...

 

[theyoungest]

Yes, Szmyd 'beat' him in a 'sprint'....

This is Hitch's running gag. Come on, let him have his Polish pride.

 

[Moondance]

Either way, I'll pick Scarponi FTW, although I doubt he (or any other GC favorite) will seriously attack the others. This Giro is simply too back loaded with horrible stages for any sensible GC man to spend serious energy on an attack which would only net a small amount of time.

Le Mevel takes the pink..

 

[Moondance]

This is Hitch's running gag. Come on, let him have his Polish pride.

Certainly he's allowed to have Polish pride, however in light of this comment:

The lack of patriotism is one of the reasons i like this forum. You have a very good list of top quality posters who do not go round supporting riders based on nationality. I dont support anyone based on nationality neither.

I feel obliged to tease.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Yes, the guy who puts the hammer down for a few kms and then blows up is obviously better than the guy who stays close to the leaders over the top of the climb...

he doesn't blow up after a few km

 

[Scirea]

he doesn't blow up after a few km

But he is not there for whole climbs either. Kreuziger > Szmyd

 

[DJ Sprtsch]

Race is on. Pineau and Vorganov have attacked.

 

[Scirea]

Best thing for HTC would be: let a breakaway get home, then attack Weening by Pinotti/Siutsou and take pink.

(If breakaway isn't getting home, Le Mevel can take bonus seconds and pink, he has a fast finish, riding for American team or not.)

 

[Scirea]

No tennis, only Giro highlights on Eurosport and they can still mess it up...

 

[The Hitch]

Certainly he's allowed to have Polish pride, however in light of this comment:


I feel obliged to tease.

It was a joke, not a patriotic comment. Szmyd couldnt beat Valverde in a sprint if you gave him a motorcycle.

(tried to find that picture of a motorcycle stopping Szmyd on Alpe the year after but alas).

 

[AussieGoddess]

I'm going with Scarponi today too