Giro stage 15: Forlì - Faenza, 161 km

[Mellow Velo]

Av speed now just under 37kph.
Grivko on the attack, yet again and taking the GPM points.
Don't know about the rest of you, but I'm beginning to wonder about teams with lettered names.
ISD, this year's CSF?

Hope I'm not speaking out of turn.

 

[kjetilraknerud]

Rabobank actually has to do some work to keep the break in check today, since Serpa is "only" 9.52 behind Menchov. An italian alliance trying to destroy Menchov's team before the big stages next week perhaps? Could we see Cunego in a break tomorrow? Or perhaps Scarponi?

 

[Leopejo]

ISD, this year's CSF?

Hope I'm not speaking out of turn.

Being born out of a succesful semipro team in Tuscany doesn't speak in their favour, I fear.

 

[Mellow Velo]

Watching RAI, did I hear that right?
Forcast 35C for today and tomorrow's stage?
Will add to the wearing down process, I feel.

 

[Stelvio]

Did I hear that right?

Yes, no arm warmers today..

 

[ingsve]

Looks like this stage will be similar to the 2003 stage. The break just won't get 15 minutes since Serpa is only just over 9 minutes behind and giving them more than 4-5 minutes brings him well within the top 10. So they'll keep the break at half distance like now and then we'll see if anyone tries to bridge the gap to try something...

 

[kjetilraknerud]

Perhaps Simoni will try something on one of the climbs, he has Serpa up front to help him. Should be an interesting finale.

 

[Escarabajo]

Liquigas is taking over.

 

[Mellow Velo]

Break up to 6'-20". Rabo unable to control Serpa.
So who shows up at the front? Liquigas of course! Give me strength.
What are they playing at? Let Dennis's boys wilt.

Interested watching LL who has sucked on DDL's wheel all afternoon.

 

[Jasper]

Surprise move by Liquigas, the bunch has broken into several smaller groups. I bet they won't stop anymore now. It looks like all the GC contenders are in the front group?

 

[Mellow Velo]

Wow! OK, so they've blown the race apart!

 

[Parrot23]

Liquigas

Finally a team is starting to do something for the overall this Giro. Good day to do something, BEFORE everyone expects the fireworks tomorrow.

Make it long and hard, and blow up Rabo BEFORE the big days. It's Basso and Pellizotti's only chance. Good to see they're trying something: light the matches in the gasoline.

 

[Parrot23]

Will Quickstep help Astana (re Astana helping Davis the other day, pulling at the end in the sprint)? re Bruyneel's Belgian connections.

Who's friends with whom here?

 

[Jasper]

Auch, Simoni missed the cut and has to fight his way back to the maglia rosa group alone.

 

[Jasper]

Basso attacks!

 

[Parrot23]

Good for Basso! Kudos. Get that VW Golf diesel engine going, lots of mileage. Fire your blanks long before the end, and keep going.

 

[kjetilraknerud]

Garzelli and Basso look great, the rest of the GC riders look terrible!

 

[Parrot23]

Get far enough ahead, and force Menchov to start thinking hard (get him to do what Evans had to do on Alpe d'huez last year: too many guys to watch/cover). Then Astana should attack Menchov.

 

[Jasper]

And of all people it's Garzelli who can jump to Basso's wheel. It's hard not to make certain assumptions


Seeldraeyers is looking very good today, kudos for the young lad! I wish they'd go back to the leading group again, Serge Pauwels was looking very strong in front.

 

[Escarabajo]

Bye, bye Simoni. Maybe his last year.

 

[Parrot23]

False flats. Perfect for Basso' VW Golf diesel. Deceptive and grind the other into the ground. Basso looking good: dancing on the pedals.

 

[Mellow Velo]

Liquigas copying Saeco's 2003 tactic!

Menchov? Sitting a bit far down the group?
Gibo finally killed off.

 

[kjetilraknerud]

This is great stuff. Someone has to do the work in the maglia rosa group, maybe Menchov has do to it himself.

 

[Jasper]

Basso and Garzelli are no real threat for Menchov - yet. All he has to do is keep an eye on Di Luca and Leipheimer, saving his strength for tomorrow, when Liquigas is bound to attack again.

 

[Cobblestones]

This is great stuff. Someone has to do the work in the maglia rosa group, maybe Menchov has do to it himself.

Astana should show what they're worth. Basso threatening LL's podium!

Go Ivan! Ballsy move.