Stage 16 and Possible early Coverage

[Mellow Velo]

Right.
Rai Piu should have live coverage, non geo restricted of today's early stages, from anytime after 11-45am GMT.
It will be mingled with a fair bit of studio chat, but should continue until 13-30GMT.
After a 15 minute break, they come back on, until the end, but may well go geo-restricted, whereby it's Justin.tv time or whatever.
http://www.raisport.rai.it/dl/raisp...tentItem-18b9bd8c-1ab9-44e8-a684-fd3430493964

 

[craig1985]

Levi Leipheimer reckons he will attack on this stage "if the legs are good". I think he is just looking to gain some seconds and wait to the Rome TT and smash Menchov (TBF he is no mug at the TT) and Di Luca.

 

[Jasper]

Interesting yet expected developments so far. A leading group of 20 riders is already 5 minutes ahead on the peloton leaden by the Rabo guys. Most important riders in the break: Popovych, Cunego, Bosisio, Scarponi and Voigt. But nearly all GC contenders have a man or two in front, except for Columbia and Cervelo.

My guess is that LL, Menchov, Di Luca and Basso/Pellizotti placed their lieutenants in front, at first to earn themselves a few quit hours while the breakaway does its job, and afterwards to serve as a jumping board and extra help when the big guns attack. Makes perfect sense. But what about Cunego, Scarponi and Voigt, what will they do? Are they convinced they can stay away and fight for the stage win? Is it a bold move to get closer in the GC again? Or are they themselves only playing domestique for Bruseghin and Simoni?

In any case, I don't see much happening the first few hours, maybe only until they hit the Monte Catria.

 

[kjetilraknerud]

I would just like to quote myself from yesterday;

"Could we see Cunego in a break tomorrow? Or perhaps Scarponi? "

 

[kjetilraknerud]

Wiggins seems to have lost his climbing ability already According to Eurosport, Wiggins and Tom Danielson have lost contact with the other 18 riders in the break on the first climb of the day.

 

[Mellow Velo]

Davide Cassani has just done his "preview ride", on tv.
"No question, the hardest stage of the Giro."

Monte Nerone looks VERY narrow, in parts.
All look to have heavy surfaces.
Second half of the Monte Catria descent is "very technical."

 

[DenisMenchov]

14 leaders over the top are Dion (AG2R), Bellotti (Barloworld), Jeannesson (Caisse d'Epargne), Popovych (Astana), Sprick (Bouygues), Bosisio (LPR), Voigt (Saxo Bank), Scarponi (Diquigiovanni), Cunego (Lampre), Cataldo, Carlstrom (Liquigas), Gomez (Fuji), Ardila Cano (Rabobank), De Bonis (Diquigiovanni).

 

[kjetilraknerud]

And Popovych is closing in on being the virtual leader of the Giro

 

[DenisMenchov]

Katusha's Pavel Brutt has hit the tarmac along with Dario Cataldo and Michele Scarponi!

 

[elapid]

Levi Leipheimer reckons he will attack on this stage "if the legs are good".

Does he know how to attack?

 

[Mellow Velo]

That live Rai Piu feed is working and they are now showing the race live, albeit intermittently, with the chat.

 

[Nevermind]

I think Popovych and Voigt dropped the escape group, unless they were trying to drop the other guys in the break. Anyone with info on that?

 

[Nevermind]

I think Popovych and Voigt dropped the escape group, unless they were trying to drop the other guys in the break. Anyone with info on that?

I guess live coverage just answered my question, they are still in the break group.

 

[Jasper]

I think Popovych and Voigt dropped the escape group, unless they were trying to drop the other guys in the break. Anyone with info on that?

How's your Italian?

# 13:20 Y. POPOVYCH (27), J. VOIGT (202) si rialzano e si lasciano raggiungere dal gruppetto di inseguitori.

 

[Jasper]

Looks like Scarponi had a nasty fall as well, judging from his torn up jersey...

 

[Zoncolan]

Both Menchov's and Scarponi's jerseys are torn in a few places. Seems they both had a tumble.
Both seem to be riding without difficulty though.

 

[Zoncolan]

Looks like Scarponi had a nasty fall as well, judging from his torn up jersey...

Beat me to it

 

[Mellow Velo]

Lance has what appears to be a plastic, fruit and veg, shopping bag, tied around his neck!
You can tell because of the handles.

As with all things Lance, it's catching. LL has done the same.
Eccentric seems to be his dress code these days.
Ice pack?

 

[Zoncolan]

Lance has what appears to be a plastic, fruit and veg, shopping bag, tied around his neck!
You can tell because of the handles.

As with all things Lance, it's catching. LL has done the same.
Eccentric seems to be his dress code these days.
Ice pack?

Yeah. Ice pack. I saw Levi putting one on his back.

 

[Escarabajo]

Wiggins seems to have lost his climbing ability already According to Eurosport, Wiggins and Tom Danielson have lost contact with the other 18 riders in the break on the first climb of the day.

They started good, but as it is normal in the third week of a Grand Tour, is where you see how your body recuperates. And we see these two guys are not coping well with it.

 

[kjetilraknerud]

I can't remember Danielson to cope well with anything, so that wasn't really a surprise too me

 

[Cartesian Centaur]

They started good, but as it is normal in the third week of a Grand Tour, is where you see how your body recuperates. And we see these two guys are not coping well with it.

Well, Wiggins did say he fancied the final TT, so he could just be planning to spend most of the week in the bus - it's not as if Garmin need him to work for anyone.

 

[Parrot23]

That live Rai Piu feed is working and they are now showing the race live, albeit intermittently, with the chat.

Dang, I was hoping ole Berlusconi would come with some dancing girls, while the wife hovers around in the background (former dancing gal, herself).

More fireworks there than we've had from Levi so far....

 

[Mellow Velo]

Rai back live and we are on the Monte Nerone....

 

[William H]

Wiggins had a puncture. Tickers suggest he got back on temporarily, but if so the effort must have hurt him on the climb.