Giro d'Italia Stage 8: Chianciano - Monte Terminillo (189km)

[Wallace]

I just hope that tomorrow is half as much fun to watch as today was. God--what an epic race this Giro is turning out to be. I've argued in the past with people here who've said that the Giro is a better GT that the Tour, but after today, watching Evans in his filthy WC stripes storm into Montalcino--a lovely town by the way. Ahh, Brunello...--I now entirely concede.

 

[Sophistic]

After such a tough stage, 15k at ~8% will be hard, no matter what Scarponi has said before the Giro. I have my doubts that Sastre has the form to launch a significant attack but there enough other athletes who are in good shape and need to regain time like Cunego, Garzelli, Arroyo or Scarponi. I would be surprised if it comes down to a sprint of a big group like Scarponi projected.

 

[taiwan]

Sastre is now forced to attack tomorrow. What else was he saving himself for?

Apparently he wasn't saving himself, just had a whole string of issues: 5 minutes worth!

Having said that I still think he'll have to attack. If he starts now he could ride himself back up the GC (a bit). The stage: Pozzovivo could get into Moncoutie's break. Might be able to get the frenchman's autograph, if not the win. Matt Lloyd: is he going to defend the KOM jersey? He could be another.

 

[Zoncolan]

If Sastre feels good, we should see him attack once the gradient hits 12 %. That is real early in the climb, after only 4 km of Terminillo.
I was really hoping for him to take the overall, as this year's course is tailor-made for him.
I guess, as many of you have pointed out, it is Evans' race to lose now.

 

[Anonymous]

To be honest, after today, and looking at tommorow and the next six days, i would not blame any of them if they went back to the hotel and either packed their bags, or demanded a transfusion.

I almost think there needs to be a doping amnesty for the remaining two weeks, how the hell is anyone going to get through it otherwise.

 

[Moondance]

To be honest, after today, and looking at tommorow and the next six days, i would not blame any of them if they went back to the hotel and either packed their bags, or demanded a transfusion.

I almost think there needs to be a doping amnesty for the remaining two weeks, how the hell is anyone going to get through it otherwise.

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Who are you, and what have you done with Dim?

 

[ingsve]

It's going to be interesting to see what riders get written off tomorrow for a top 20 GC finish. I don't think the racing among the very top guys will be that though tomorrow especially considering todays stage and the weeks to come but some riders that are still high on GC will fall off simply by not being climbers.

 

[auscyclefan94]

To be honest, after today, and looking at tommorow and the next six days, i would not blame any of them if they went back to the hotel and either packed their bags, or demanded a transfusion.

I almost think there needs to be a doping amnesty for the remaining two weeks, how the hell is anyone going to get through it otherwise.

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Who are you, and what have you done with Dim?

+1 Moondance.

Has "evil" dim chucked "good" dim out of the window.

 

[BroDeal]

Evans should take the opportunity to stick a knife in Basso, who might have showed some early weakness in stage 7.

 

[Anonymous]

Well, I used to be a pretty fair organized feller,
Till I turned a scab and then I turned off yeller,
Fought ev'ry union with teeth and toenail,
And I sprouted a six-inch stinger right in the middle of the tail,
And I growed horns...
And then I cut 'em off, I wanted to fool you..

..........

 

[Eratosthenes]

I just hope that tomorrow is half as much fun to watch as today was. God--what an epic race this Giro is turning out to be. I've argued in the past with people here who've said that the Giro is a better GT that the Tour, but after today, watching Evans in his filthy WC stripes storm into Montalcino--a lovely town by the way. Ahh, Brunello...--I now entirely concede.

Epic, fascinating, entertaining ... just a shame that part of this is becasue of crashes which undermine individual rider strength and potential. Also the lack of a handful of other top riders also diminishes it in comparison. Imagine what we had, but with a Schleck or two, Conti et al.

 

[Ferminal]

I'm going against the grain and writing Sastre off for tomorrow's victory, he's more likely to go out the back than off the front.

Quote me when I'm wrong

 

[xmoonx]

I'm going against the grain and writing Sastre off for tomorrow's victory, he's more likely to go out the back than off the front.

Quote me when I'm wrong

You may be spot on; from what i saw Sastre looked shellshocked and from what i read he was beaten up badly in the crash

Look maybe for a Gibo/Garzelli repeat like they did once before on the same climb.

 

[cyclopeon]

Ah, what a great Giro this has been for the fans; I love it!!

I haven't an inkling what this stage will bring, but just expect it will bring more excitement.

I do expect, too, that we haven't seen the last of the fallout from today's gravel/mud roads. I will be surprised if, despite the best efforts of the mechanics, there are no niggling mechanical glitches in the next couple of days. Worse, I expect some of the peleton will have picked up a gastrointestinal bug with the mud diet, and we're going to see a few sick riders in a few days. Hopefully none of the contenders, but who knows. Even more hopefully, I will be wrong on both counts!

 

[theswordsman]

Epic, fascinating, entertaining ... just a shame that part of this is becasue of crashes which undermine individual rider strength and potential. Also the lack of a handful of other top riders also diminishes it in comparison. Imagine what we had, but with a Schleck or two, Conti et al.

If the Schlecks were there, they'd probably be training through it like Wiggins.
The Italians haven't really started racing yet. Normally they're everywhere at the Giro - manning the breaks, attacking on the climbs, chasing sprint points and going for stage wins. Hopefully they'll be out with the tifosi on the final climb tomorrow, and the GC guys and domestiques can take it a bit relaxed on the stage and grow back some of their skin.

 

[cyclopeon]

Question for those in "the trade" (journalistic, that is)

Is there any reason why the audio from the helo cameras isn't unplugged? The mikes are clearly not going to pick up anything other than the blade flap, which really doesn't add to the atmosphere and frankly gets a bit annoying after awhile.

 

[blaxland]

+1 Moondance.

Has "evil" dim chucked "good" dim out of the window.

If he has is it to late to catch him and bring him back.....I like the old DIM............................I thought cioni rode a good race today?What you think Dim?

 

[Inner Peace]

Stage 8 will be the first test as to whether Evans can "easily outclimb Basso", which I claimed a number of days ago and was rubbished for it.

Question: should Evans try to dominate the first half of the Giro and then hold his lead defensively?

Concerns over his third week form now arise, because as we have all been saying for weeks, Evans and Vino are in peak form already, whilst Basso and Sastre you would expect to grow in the third week...

So should the humble Aussie and the evil Kazakh p) try to take more time from the former Giro and Tour winners on today's stage and really try and defend later on? or should they play it cool tomorrow and 'force' Sastre and Basso to attack... adopting a wait and see strategy, or kick em while they're down strategy?

Whoever challenged me on my Evans outclimbs Basso call, it's now time for your tip to do as you said, and we might see Basso "launch" up a mountain for the first time in 4 years? I highly doubt it...

 

[blaxland]

As others have posted Cadel and Vino will follow Basso/Cunego/Nibali/Sastre everywhere today and i think someone like Scarponi will win this stage....He has lost to much time to be a serious threat......

 

[auscyclefan94]

As others have posted Cadel and Vino will follow Basso/Cunego/Nibali/Sastre everywhere today and i think someone like Scarponi will win this stage....He has lost to much time to be a serious threat......

+1

Good point. Their goal will be to not lose time and a punchy rider like Scarponi will kick away in the last km.

 

[movingtarget]

Stage 8

Cunego impressed me yesterday. Be interesting to see how Vino, Evans and the other favourites back up after yesterday. Basso is obviously not the rider he was. Liguigas may have made an error yesterday having Nibali wait for him. Another crucial stage which could be neutralised by yesterday's efforts.

 

[Cal_Joe]

Question for those in "the trade" (journalistic, that is)

Is there any reason why the audio from the helo cameras isn't unplugged? The mikes are clearly not going to pick up anything other than the blade flap, which really doesn't add to the atmosphere and frankly gets a bit annoying after awhile.

+1 on that question. I gets fricking annoying. All i can think of is "I love the smell of napalm...."

 

[flicker]

+1 on that question. I gets fricking annoying. All i can think of is "I love the smell of napalm...."

It is canned blade flapping so that we know the footage is shot from helo

 

[Cervelo77]

Evans and Vino are in peak form and would be foolish not to try to put more time into their rivals. I say either or both will go full gas on the final climb if they're having a good day. Sitting in with Basso and Nibali only makes sense if they're suffering and worried about being countered or blowing up.

Scarponi for a stage win sounds about right to me.

 

[Cal_Joe]

It is canned blade flapping so that we know the footage is shot from helo

Well then, I'm glad they do that. In the US we hear these weird rumors about the semi-secret flying cars that are available only in EU countries and cannot be exported, or even discussed, outside of the EU.

I have been waiting to buy a flying car for over 30 years. Damn the EU.