Giro d'Italia Stage 9: Messina - Etna, 169km (let the race begin!)

[spalco]

wooooow that was booooring. After all the hype this giro is not living up to its expectations. Bertie didnt even look like he was trying and took 50 seconds from the others. At least in mende, arcarlis and verbier he looked like he was putting in a lot of energy. Now I think the only worthy opponent of bertie is andy and he is not in this race. Everyone else is few levels below contador. The only way for the others to win now if something unfortunate happens to bertie. Like a crash or if he cracks on the steep climb.

Not even Andy is on his level; he looked to be in last year's TdF, but Contador didn't seem to be in top-form there, unlike this race.

 

[red_flanders]

I used to be a fan till he won TDF in 2009. I never heard him thanking his team.

I'd be pretty careful about believing anything LA spews out. Several teammates have debunked this nonsense.

 

[Kwibus]

I guess we didn't expect him this early, but he did. He played some psychological games with the world by saying that we should watch him next weekend. Imo that's typical Riis work though.

What an exceptional talent... Ofcourse this isn't news, but we are definately in the Contador era. He's going to dominate for a few more years that's for sure.

I'm afraid this will take out the suspense of the Giro. I just can't see anyone beating Contador uphill....or in the timetrial.. I was afraid of this before the Giro started, but I kept on hoping Contador wasn't at his best.


The good news is: Rujano! Ole ole!

 

[maltiv]

What the hell was Siutsou doing up there?

The new Peter Velits I guess. Amazing how HTC can take a random guy, say he is a GC contender, and suddenly he is.

 

[Bala Verde]

WEENING Pieter
NED
RAB
5:00:44
6:35

 

[Hugo Koblet]

wooooow that was booooring. After all the hype this giro is not living up to its expectations. Bertie didnt even look like he was trying and took 50 seconds from the others. At least in mende, arcarlis and verbier he looked like he was putting in a lot of energy. Now I think the only worthy opponent of bertie is andy and he is not in this race. Everyone else is few levels below contador. The only way for the others to win now if something unfortunate happens to bertie. Like a crash or if he cracks on the steep climb.

He might be the most worthy opponent, but 2010 AC is on a different level than him aswell.

 

[hrotha]

Well, that was quite impressive. I didn't think he would be so superior to everyone else (mostly to Scarponi, who was the biggest disappointment today). This just goes to show Contador is pretty much invincible in short distances. Whoever wants to beat him has to isolate him and attack from far away, force him to ride for a couple of hours. This being the Giro, I hope that's what will happen, but unfortunately it's more likely that Scarponi, Nibali and the rest settle for 2nd.

Other disappointments: Antón, Pozzovivo, Purito, Kiserlovski, Pinotti, Lövkvist.

 

[auscyclefan94]

From CN feed:


Just couldn't savor today for even one moment?

LOL...I would of been the same.

Yes but I can acknowledge that I am sometimes. Certain others can't.

 

[luckyboy]

The new Peter Velits I guess. Amazing how HTC can take a random guy, say he is a GC contender, and suddenly he is.

They're like Garmin

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

wooooow that was booooring. After all the hype this giro is not living up to its expectations. Bertie didnt even look like he was trying and took 50 seconds from the others. At least in mende, arcarlis and verbier he looked like he was putting in a lot of energy. Now I think the only worthy opponent of bertie is andy and he is not in this race. Everyone else is few levels below contador. The only way for the others to win now if something unfortunate happens to bertie. Like a crash or if he cracks on the steep climb.

Well at least it was interesting to see:
1. where Conti is at relative to everyone else
2. the panic on the rest of the field after Conti flew
3. the gaps!!!
and that's hard to do on mellower gradients.

Now it is going to be interesting to see how Conti holds up on the bodacious beastie climbs.

 

[red_flanders]

I do hope Contador has a bad day to make this all somewhat interesting. Right now it's looking like a walk.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

IM pretty sure tschopp came in before Kruiswijk. I was having a joke with you man. Calm the **** down and stop being so sensitive about everything.

they came in the same group

 

[hfer07]

he was trying

and he did really hard- just watch the recap when he takes off- he's on the damn big chain ring

 

[will10]

Don't read my twitter atm...it is for your own good.

Who are you talking to?

 

[Ferminal]

Machado did ok to end up 39th... he was dropped very early.

 

[rzombie1988]

What time did Menchov come in at?

 

[dlwssonic]

Andy schleck is a level above the rest too. He showed in the TDF 2010 that he can put 50 seconds into the others excluding bertie too. I believed if he entered this giro it would have been freaking epic! When I meant contador looked like he wasnt even trying. I meant he didnt look like he was putting in a lot of effort but just destroyed the rest.

 

[LukeSchmid]

What time did Menchov come in at?

2:16 just ahead of Sastre 2:21

 

[Moviefan1203]

A very good ride by Siutsou, I hope he can stay in the top ten by the end of this race, but I have my doubts. It's always nice to see a new GC face in there. As expected, Contador is in top form. When he is on form he is nearly unbeatable much like Armstrong, Indurain, Hinault, etc.

 

[La Pandera]

So many failures today

Feel a bit sorry for Scarponi, who thought he could match it with The Great One. None of the others had the spirit to try and chase.

I think it was more like they were the ones that had the sense not to chase or at least not try to match his acceleration. Scarponi did well to skulk back to the chase group and not get dropped. Nibali rode a smart race but Scarponi still looks the strongest between the two. It appeared when Scarponi dropped back to the chase group that he talking with someone, maybe Nibali and shaking his head as if to say, "I tried but I just had to give up to live to fight another day!".

 

[al_pacino]

I do hope Contador has a bad day to make this all somewhat interesting. Right now it's looking like a walk.

he had that the other day when he failed to hold the wheel in the final sprint.

 

[luckyboy]

What time did Menchov come in at?

23rd place @ 2.16 in a group with Kiserlovski and Bakelandts

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

From CN feed:


Just couldn't savor today for even one moment?

What's there to savour? A guy who tested positive for a banned substance is in the process of throttling the life out of the Giro.

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

Andy schleck is a level above the rest too. He showed in the TDF 2010 that he can put 50 seconds into the others excluding bertie too. I believed if he entered this giro it would have been freaking epic! When I meant contador looked like he was even trying. I meant he didnt look like he was putting in a lot of effort but just destroyed the rest.

Ya, that's what I'm thinking... or HOPING... cuz if Conti races the Tour and Andy's not at that level it will be one boring Tour.

 

[bobs nob]

Why does Contador have to be Contador? Why can't someone more likable be that good?

because you wouldn't like him either.