Giro Stage 3: Grado - Valdobbiadene

[BroDeal]

Discuss....

 

[Leopejo]

Locals like Bruseghin and Pozzato are warning that it won't be as easy as yesterday for the sprinters. The KOM at 40 km to go has 10 % slopes and is followed by a tricky descent. The finishing circuit is twisty and on narrow roads, they say, and the last 600 m slightly uphill.

 

[Mellow Velo]

Great.
Means no trains and riders racing as individuals.
Giro stages are more like one day races, that often don't favour those GCers who have concentrated upon their power output ratios, instead of
how to ride smart.

 

[Bala Verde]

Seems like a difficult finale indeed. That one steep hill at 157 (40 km) and then there is that little bump in the road at 182 (15 km). Ultimately, the the lead up to the finish (last 3km) seems to be slightly rising, ie an uphill sprint. Although I can;t really see how steep it is, I am inclined to call this a typical 'Freire finish'.

All of this is not likely to favout Cavendish. Pettachi seems to be a little stronger on these types of finishes, or maybe Pozatto. It's also likely that a more AGR or LBL type of rider will try stay away either 15 km or 3 km before the finish. Who knows, Gilbert? Besides, I bet Voeckler will give it a go as well...

And like yesterday, big names could lose time here...

 

[Jasper]

It remains to be seen if this is a Gilbert/Davis/Pozzato kind of finish, or a real Di Luca/Garzelli/Cunego uphill finish?

 

[BroDeal]

I wish the stage profiles on CN would include a zoom in on the altitude profile of the last four or five kilometers.

 

[krebs303]

steephill tv has route in google earth and maps

 

[BroDeal]

Vande Velde hurt.

Does not look good.

 

[Jasper]

Vandevelde is forced to abandon the race and is taken to the hospital by ambulance. Bummer.

 

[Bala Verde]

Broken collar bone... ouch! Not good.

On the other hand, if it happens, it's good that it happens early, so he can still get fit for the TdF

Leipy in the break, clever with that mass standstill/crash! He's probably going to regain some time on Menchov

 

[ingsve]

His biggest problem might be that he doesn't get the Giro in as training for the Tour which was the plan.

 

[franciep10]

Well it's a part of cycling well maybe after he is healed he can race in other races that aren't as strenuous as doing the Giro, but he should be in Good Form for the tour though. and my Prediction of the day is Pozatto I think he is a decent sprinter and the uphill finish will suit him.

 

[Bala Verde]

Liquigas seems to be heavily invested in this stage. Are they up to something today, or do they want to assure that Basso doesn't lose time again?

 

[ingsve]

Looks like it might be more serious than a collar bone. Possibly a femur or ankle.

 

[Bala Verde]

Didn't I tell you that Voeckler was going to have a go at it haha

 

[franciep10]

well this looks like the decisive move.

 

[BroDeal]

Liquigas seems to be heavily invested in this stage. Are they up to something today, or do they want to assure that Basso doesn't lose time again?

I was wondering about that. They were doing work yesterday also. It seems like they would be better of getting a free ride until Basso takes pink.

 

[Bala Verde]

Now they are working hard (LIQ and LPR) to keep Cav and Menchov out of the peloton. Too bad only ardilia is with Menchov, that's not a big help. Cav needs to do some more work if he wants to connect with the peloton!

They are never going to get to the bunch anymore... Only 2-4 people working, ouch, add 20-30s to menchov!

Cav seems like he bonked.

 

[franciep10]

what the hell is going on in this race

 

[Bala Verde]

What is he blabbing about LA taking pink? I thought Petacchi was ahead of him in the GC after stage 2, and he won today, so he even took bonus s

 

[benpounder]

Ignorant commentator...
With time bonus's Petacchi is in pink, followed by Farrar.

 

[BroDeal]

Cunego's high finish bodes well for him. He must be in good form.

Rogers has kept his nose clean. He is sitting pretty.

 

[ingsve]

What coverage is it that has stupid commentators like that?

 

[Bala Verde]

What coverage is it that has stupid commentators like that?

Someone who has never seen/reported a race before, Universal sports. I think he still needs the start list to distinguish between the most important riders. He is def not on top of his game. Can't even tell anything a bout team tactics and strategies, and has a mancrush on everything that is anglosaxon or is named LA.

Great day for Alessandro, and interesting to see that the AGR /LBL people like Gilbert and Cunego did well in this stage. Pleasantly surprised with Farrar!

Wonder how much menchov lost in the end, painful, unfortunately for him, again. I also wonder what happened with that crash, because the whole bunch seemed to be stuck/blocked in for a good 30s-1m!

 

[benpounder]

Farrar will wear the sprinters jersey tomorrow!