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

[Gregory]

You guys are forgetting one significant factor - a very strong wind blowing in the faces of the riders - Contador told about it after the stage. That is why Rujano was able to ride so much faster on Contador's wheel than previously when he was attacking by himself. That is why the guys from the group were hesitant to go all out, and were instead relying on Niemiec's pace setting and wind protection.

 

[rhubroma]

If there's anyone who is utterly failing at understand the race it's you.

I'm pointing out that Contador attacked at the steeper parts, got 25 meters but couldn't hold it on Rujano, meaning Rujano couldn't follow the accelerations, but matched Contadors steady pace, coming back multiple times. Proving he would probably not get immediately dropped if he stayed in the peloton. But be able to match the pace just the same.

Because it was a fast climb! And because Rujano was already ahead. And there was a headwind.

Like I said, you don't inderstand bike racing.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Because it was a fast climb! And because Rujano was already ahead.

Like I said, you don't inderstand bike racing.

You dont

Rujano could follow accelerations on the steepert parts, but couldn't on the easiest part near the top.

hence, Rujano did not have an advantage on that the climb was easy, like you claim. Because it was at the easiest part near the top, that he finally faltered and was dropped, while he was in his element on the steepest part.

On the real steep climbs in the 3rd week Rujano will have an easier time than he has on tempo climbs like these.

You don't understand anything I've just said.

 

[rhubroma]

You dont

Rujano could follow accelerations on the steepert parts, but couldn't on the easiest part near the top.

hence, Rujano did not have an advantage on that the climb was easy, like you claim. Because it was at the easiest part near the top, that he finally faltered and was dropped, while he was in his element on the steepest part.

On the real steep climbs in the 3rd week Rujano will have an easier time than he has on tempo climbs like these.

You don't understand anything I've just said.

Bla, bla, bla, bla. I can't take it anymore. And no, I don't, because it makes no damn sense.

 

[Delicato]

Any information on VAMs for the final climb?

 

[taiwan]

I'm going to the thread where they don't try to rob Venezuelans of their achievements. You think at the Androni dinner table they're castigating Rujano for being a lesser rider than Contador?

 

[La Pandera]

I'm going to the thread where they don't try to rob Venezuelans of their achievements. You think at the Androni dinner table they're castigating Rujano for being a lesser rider than Contador?

C'mon now. You've got more Rujano supporters here than detractors. Plus I don't think anyone here is actually minimizing Rujano's performance. We all acknowledge that he pretty much stuffed a sock in the mouths of all his skeptics (for now at least).

 

[Mellow Velo]

Jose Rujano is the only rider in the peloton who can get a proper draft from Big Bert.
Certainly must have helped but..........................
Very good for this Giro that Androni stay in the mix.

Anyone who thinks this race is already won is dead wrong. This next two weeks is *** country and there are plenty of spots for a nice ambush.
Get Contador on his lonesome, aways from the finish and hit him with the Fayence offence.
It may..........or may not, come off.

This isn't the Tour, where everybody immediately throws in the towel and looks to ride for 4th or 5th place, cos it adds cash to the contract.

 

[El Pistolero]

It's what they've been doing so far though.

 

[bobs nob]

You dont

Rujano could follow accelerations on the steepert parts, but couldn't on the easiest part near the top.

hence, Rujano did not have an advantage on that the climb was easy, like you claim. Because it was at the easiest part near the top, that he finally faltered and was dropped, while he was in his element on the steepest part.

On the real steep climbs in the 3rd week Rujano will have an easier time than he has on tempo climbs like these.

You don't understand anything I've just said.

Rujano never attacked when he was with AC, not that he was supposed to or should have. He just sat on his wheel (not like anyone could have, obviously) but still. He couldn't or wouldn't attack or pull through. Inconclusive. Like I said earlier. Fun to speculate but we don't really know anything for certain. I wonder what AC was trying to talk to him about, perhaps to work together to put more time on the peloton by working together?

 

[La Pandera]

Rujano never attacked when he was with AC, not that he was supposed to or should have. He just sat on his wheel (not like anyone could have, obviously) but still. He couldn't or wouldn't attack or pull through. Inconclusive. Like I said earlier. Fun to speculate but we don't really know anything for certain. I wonder what AC was trying to talk to him about, perhaps to work together to put more time on the peloton by working together?

AC appeared to be motioning for Rujano to pull through but of course Rujano wouldn't do it.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

J
This isn't the Tour, where everybody immediately throws in the towel and looks to ride for 4th or 5th place, cos it adds cash to the contract.

No, it's not the Tour. There's a lot of riding still to be done and plenty of opportunities for chaos.

But on the other hand it's a race with an overwhelming favourite who has just wiped the floor with the rest of the field on the first big mountain stage. You'd have to assume that quite a number of the alleged main contenders don't believe themselves that they can beat Contador.

Plus, there's a very distinct possibility that the second place finisher might find himself retrospectively awarded the Pink Jersey. Risking a potential second place for an outside chance to finish ahead of Contador may not seem like such a bright idea to some.

 

[iZnoGouD]

Any information on VAMs for the final climb?

that would be cool

 

[No_Balls]

any video with the last k's of the race? from a bit before contador attacked would be pretty cool

From Contas attack and onwards.
http://www.steephill.tv/players/you...ashboard=giro-d-italia&id=Z_neP49ROFA&yr=2011

 

[Cimber]

You dont

Rujano could follow accelerations on the steepert parts, but couldn't on the easiest part near the top.

hence, Rujano did not have an advantage on that the climb was easy, like you claim. Because it was at the easiest part near the top, that he finally faltered and was dropped, while he was in his element on the steepest part.

On the real steep climbs in the 3rd week Rujano will have an easier time than he has on tempo climbs like these.

You don't understand anything I've just said.

Bertie knew he had to attack 5 km before the finish at the latest as 5-8 km before the finish were the speepest part (as he said in the interview). By the time he had closed the gap to Rujano the steepest part of the climb was over. So I agree that if Rujano had been in the group he probably would have had a tough time following Bertie. But that doesnt mean that Rujano didnt ride brilliantly. Cos he did and he had also put in a huge effort in his initial attack, so brilliant stage by him. But had the climb been steep the last 5 kms I think Bertie could have dropped him.

Anyways here is the profile of the climb: http://www.climbbybike.com/profile.asp?Climbprofile=Etna---Rifugio-Sapienza&MountainID=2118

 

[taiwan]

Other disappointments were Pozzovivo, who lost so much time he might have to write the GC off, and Pardilla who I hoped might ride a decent GC also. Some pretty large time gaps for one of the milder climing stages.

 

[Wergeland]

Rujano's so inconsistent though. He's liable to lose time somewhere else but I'm hoping he puts up the good fight like today and shows his talents in all the moutainous stages. He was definitely impressive today. Imagine if he was riding a bike that fit and wasn't weight restricted.

I'm not that well versed in these technical things. Care to explain?

 

[Midnightfright]

Was also very impressed with garzelli, I really didn't expect a lot from him after all the energy he had to use just to get back on too peloton.

 

[Publicus]

Give Rujano his propers for hanging with AC. Doesn't matter why, he just did what no one else could do and that really is all that matters. I will say Scarponi really took it on the chin mentally today. I think AC rides defensively on stage 13, blows the doors off on 14 and rides defensively on 15.

 

[Barrus]

Give Rujano his propers for hanging with AC. Doesn't matter why, he just did what no one else could do and that really is all that matters. I will say Scarponi really took it on the chin mentally today. I think AC rides defensively on stage 13, blows the doors off on 14 and rides defensively on 15.

I don't know, I think he'll go Valverde on us. Trying to race as much as possible animate races and try to win as much as possible, just in case he gets a suspension. Today, just as yesterday it appears as though he did not listen to team orders that much. I say this because there was no order yesterday and today he appeared to have his earpiece out at the moment of, and most of the time after, his attack. I would not even be surprised if he tried something on stage 11

 

[La Pandera]

I'm not that well versed in these technical things. Care to explain?

This is just my own observation and opinion but Rujano always looks quite stretched out on his bikes such that his arms are almost straight when he's riding in the hoods. As far as the weight, the UCI has weight restrictions on all the bikes that the pro's ride on. This rule definitely isn't an advantage to a small rider like Rujano and gives a slight advantage to riders larger than him.
The bike fit part is all about comfort and being properly measured to a bike that optimizes one's abilities while at the same time allowing a certain level of comfort for the long days in the saddle. Rujano just looks to me like he's riding a bike that is not properly fit for him. I'm surprised he doesn't have his frames custom made and just have them painted with the bike sponsors logo.
Of course I could very well be wrong too.

 

[No_Balls]

I don't know, I think he'll go Valverde on us. Trying to race as much as possible animate races and try to win as much as possible, just in case he gets a suspension. Today, just as yesterday it appears as though he did not listen to team orders that much. I say this because there was no order yesterday and today he appeared to have his earpiece out at the moment of, and most of the time after, his attack. I would not even be surprised if he tried something on stage 11

It seems as AC followed team orders according to a press release from Bjarne Riis to a danish newspaper. They come up with the strategy this morning and it looks like even the place for the attack was planned.

I really sense Riis management in this.

 

[zapata]

I'm no expert, but to me Rujano definitely looks to small for his bike.

 

[rhubroma]

Jose Rujano is the only rider in the peloton who can get a proper draft from Big Bert.
Certainly must have helped but..........................
Very good for this Giro that Androni stay in the mix.

Anyone who thinks this race is already won is dead wrong. This next two weeks is *** country and there are plenty of spots for a nice ambush.
Get Contador on his lonesome, aways from the finish and hit him with the Fayence offence.
It may..........or may not, come off.

This isn't the Tour, where everybody immediately throws in the towel and looks to ride for 4th or 5th place, cos it adds cash to the contract.

Now that's f'n funny. And smart.

 

[Escarabajo]

Any information on VAMs for the final climb?

It won't be as good because of the wind. It would be better just to estimate the power on the last 10K. Maybe I'll do it later.