giro stage 10: Cuneo - Pinerolo

[Merckx]

I have the universal video feed with the volume muted. I prefer the eurosport guys

 

[Bala Verde]

Sweet! New Universal commentator!!! Ears no longer bleeding.

Noticed that too! He received a crash course cycling in the week we had to put up with mr 'all sports'...

 

[ingsve]

I wonder if they will catch Garzelli. I doubt it actaully. They need to really step it in the downhill to gain time cause if tey reach the final climb and Garzelli still has over 5 minutes he might hold on to win.

 

[Merckx]

I think he'll end up winning it, but he won't gain much time on the GC. Fair amount of racing left though

 

[Jasper]

I really don't get it anymore. There's a fairly large bunch of GC riders that needs to attack in stages like this, but yet they don't. Are they really that confident about their own timetrialling abilities? Why else would they let themselves be led to the guillotine that is stage 12 like this?


Kudos for Garzelli for at least trying to make things a bit more interesting.

 

[BroDeal]

To think that Garzelli was not invited to the 2008 Giro. Crazy.

 

[Cobblestones]

Unfortunately, Garzelli's lead over the MR group is coming down. Now below 5'.

 

[ingsve]

I really don't get it anymore. There's a fairly large bunch of GC riders that needs to attack in stages like this, but yet they don't. Are they really that confident about their own timetrialling abilities? Why else would they let themselves be led to the guillotine that is stage 12 like this?

There will priobably be a move or two in the last climb but it's obvious that noone would attack in Sestriere. Its' too far to the finish and the downhill is too long and thus too easy for chasers to gain back time with alot less effort.

Other than it's also a matter of it being alot left of this giro with 4 more mountain/hill finishes so if you attack on this stage and for example take the MR you will be in defensive mode going forward. Also after the TT it will be clearer what amount of work needs to be done in the last week.

 

[Merckx]

Poor Garzelli. I want him to succeed, but at the same time I'd rather see him lose since I didn't pick him in the prediction game ;P

 

[Merckx]

3.30!!!! gap is coming down fast?

 

[BroDeal]

I really don't get it anymore. There's a fairly large bunch of GC riders that needs to attack in stages like this, but yet they don't. Are they really that confident about their own timetrialling abilities? Why else would they let themselves be led to the guillotine that is stage 12 like this?

Because this Giro course sucks, so there is nothing they can really do. Zomengen the Brilliant actually thought that the circuit in Milan would hurt the older diesel-type riders who time trial well. Apparently that circuit made cutting down the climbs in other stages make sense. Yeah, that worked out well.

 

[Merckx]

Here's hoping that the final climb will be explosive.

 

[53x11 in DC]

Garzelli is descending with his brakes on, apparently

 

[Jasper]

Other than it's also a matter of it being alot left of this giro with 4 more mountain/hill finishes so if you attack on this stage and for example take the MR you will be in defensive mode going forward. Also after the TT it will be clearer what amount of work needs to be done in the last week.

Risky tactics if you take into account the fact that Menchov, Sastre and Leipheimer are known for improving over the course of a grand tour, thus being very strong in the last week. Especially risky since they're also the ones (well, Menchov and Leipi at least) that will most likely gain time in the upcoming TT. But if the other GC contenders are really that confident that they can make their moves in the final week, I'm not complaining. As long as I see some epic and heroic bike riding, not this dull waiting game

 

[Merckx]

Garzelli is descending with his brakes on, apparently

Haha, made me laugh

Guess he's feeling those 160k alone up front.

 

[Animal]

Well the inseguitori have him. (20') Hopefully, he'll be able to hang on to them.

 

[Animal]

Yeah, he's waiting now.

 

[ingsve]

Well, now the benefit of being a group goes down soon. Now it's all about climbing fast enough to not get caught.

 

[Merckx]

Will they be content to let these guys battle it out for victory, and keeping their lead to under 2 minutes?

 

[Cobblestones]

You mean DiLuca not chasing bonus seconds?

 

[Bala Verde]

Will they be content to let these guys battle it out for victory, and keeping their lead to under 2 minutes?

I believe so, they are all pretty insignificant for the GC (if they keep it around 2m)... Garzelli has shown some weakness in the earlier climb, and I think he knows it, so he goes for a stage win. On top of that, the GC contenders have observed his tactics, and since Garzelli has wasted a lot of energy to pursue a win, I think they're convinced he will not play an important role in the GC anymore.

 

[ingsve]

Will they be content to let these guys battle it out for victory, and keeping their lead to under 2 minutes?

I'm sure there are lots of guys in the main group that smell a chance for victory. Barloworld and Lampre for example.

 

[ingsve]

Looks like Liquigas are setting up for a new fast climb like the previous mountains.

 

[Animal]

Good 3-up. They're all cranking.

 

[lookkg386]

I'm sure there are lots of guys in the main group that smell a chance for victory. Barloworld and Lampre for example.

...and Liquigas it seems