Stage 17 Chieti → Blockhaus

[53x11 in DC]

Not long enough for anyone (except Levi) to truly blow. Sastre will attack early and take another minute, with Menchov doing his best to stay level with DiLuca on the Killer's home turf. Levi may let LA mark the leaders as a test. Basso, Pelli, others not a real factor.

 

[53x11 in DC]

Also excited for the Seeldr/Mascia showdown

 

[Cobblestones]

It's on now.

 

[fox1981]

Basso/Simoni/Garzelli for the win.

 

[Aapjes]

I think the front groups will be Rabobank for most of the stage, LPR occasionally, and Liquigas at the end for the lead in to the attack that Basso will put in and which will see him eventualy finish a dozen seconds or so back from Menchov, Sastre, and Di Luca (with Sastre again taking the win).

Rabobank will probably let their non-climbers drive a fast pace on the flats, perhaps letting an escape go with non-threatening riders, such as Serpa, Cunego and Simoni. Then Ardila and Ten Dam will drive a decent pace at the bottom of the climb, until Liquidas & LPR take over (which might be very soon). They will put down the hammer to reduce the peleton and wear out the GC candidates a bit. Then various riders should attack in turn to try and get free. Interesting to see who will have the best legs then.

 

[dgodave]

Why did they chop the last 4k off the big climb? A favor to DDL (says the cynic)?
.

 

[wenieboy]

Levi and the Astana team will be trying to make up time. Surely they will be up front some.

 

[Bala Verde]

Since the climb is long and gradual, but 'not too steep' (only 6.9) I think Basso, Menchov are the favoured climbers today. The steeper sections are early on in the climb as well, which might be too early to take off. If Menchov is good, he will be able to counter every Di Luca attack. If Sastre goes and Di Luca seems to breaks, he will surely follow Sastre to gain more time. I don't think Basso has shown he is strong enough to ride away, but this could be his possible day of glory, if he can follow Sastre.

I don't really expect the attacks to begin from the start, but more or less around 6-8 km before the finish, full out.

 

[53x11 in DC]

Why did they chop the last 4k off the big climb? A favor to DDL (says the cynic)?
.

Whoa, dgodave - you ARE new to the forum!!

The cynics on this forum (whom you will get to know all too well all too soon) are all 100% CERTAIN that it was Lance and Zmeg in some diabolical plot to give him a chance for the GC title.

Some of them will even find an obscure, poorly translated article from Berzerkistan's weekly sports page to PROVE it indisputably!!!

 

[Zoncolan]

Good old Tommy Voeckler

 

[Cobblestones]

Voeckler attacks and they're showing pictures of the airport. LOL

 

[Merckx]

Stage wouldnt be complete without a Voeckler attack

 

[Rechtschreibfehler]

Actually Voigt should attack at some point.
The stage fits him pretty well.
Short and only a single mountain.

 

[53x11 in DC]

Stage wouldnt be complete without a Voeckler attack

I do like that he draws people out. Hopefully he will develop into a Jacky Durand-type who actually sticks a few big ones towards the end of his career. (Not that he hasn't stuck a few already, or that the tricolore or MJ are anything to cast aspersions at).

 

[53x11 in DC]

Actually Voigt should attack at some point.
The stage fits him pretty well.
Short and only a single mountain.

That's a good call.

 

[53x11 in DC]

too many frites and duvels for our belgian commentator

 

[mr. tibbs]

Lol somebody broke their chair in the announcer's booth. This commentary just got meta.

 

[Jasper]

too many frites and duvels for our belgian commentator

There is no such thing as too many frites and duvel

 

[Bala Verde]

There is no such thing as too many frites and duvel

Unless you want to climb Blockhaus by bike...

LPR setting the pace... RAB is kicking it back... Good deal for RAB...

Seems like Di Luca is already pedalling at a high cadence to get the legs ready for the climb...He's spinning fast on the flat compared to the other guys. I know he does it uphill, but here...

 

[VeloBabe]

Whoa, dgodave - you ARE new to the forum!!

The cynics on this forum (whom you will get to know all too well all too soon) are all 100% CERTAIN that it was Lance and Zmeg in some diabolical plot to give him a chance for the GC title.

Some of them will even find an obscure, poorly translated article from Berzerkistan's weekly sports page to PROVE it indisputably!!!

LOL! I'm new here too. Sound like it's an "interesting" forum.

Babe

 

[wenieboy]

That's a good call.

teach me please, what is the purpose of an attack at this point when the GC guys are wanting that bonus time for the stage win?

 

[53x11 in DC]

There is no such thing as too many frites and duvel

Yeah - he just needs to sit in stronger chairs! (context for those of you not listening to Universal - the belgian commentator's chair just collapsed under his girth)

 

[dgodave]

Whoa, dgodave - you ARE new to the forum!!

The cynics on this forum (whom you will get to know all too well all too soon) are all 100% CERTAIN that it was Lance and Zmeg in some diabolical plot to give him a chance for the GC title.

Some of them will even find an obscure, poorly translated article from Berzerkistan's weekly sports page to PROVE it indisputably!!!

Yep. New. All I can say is that pro cycling amply rewards the cynic, it seems.
.
But its hard to quit watching...
.
Anyway, why did they cut 4k of the top of the Blockhaus climb?
.

 

[Rechtschreibfehler]

@wenieboy

What would be the point of an attak anyway ever at all than?

It's always risky!
But it might work.
Also, most GC Contenders might not want the bonus seconds to be a topic at the end of the day...

 

[53x11 in DC]

teach me please, what is the purpose of an attack at this point when the GC guys are wanting that bonus time for the stage win?

You ever seen Jens race? Outcome desn't matter, though occasionally he pulls it off in the face of common sense. Would you prefer he sit in?!?!