If Sastre gains no more time in the coming stages, he might even fall out of the top 5 after the final TT. Pellizotti is too far in front, Basso is supposedly better than him in a short, flat TT, and if Levi has a super day, he could even pass him.
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Was that a slight crack, finally from Menchov? I thought I saw a small sign, with 2-3kms to go. DDL should think about an early classics style attack, before Versuvius.
Pity about those lost 5.5kms.
Bet he gives Garzelli a nice big kiss for that. Especially if he loses the GC for 3 seconds!
Maybe this life in this old race.
Harmon: Armstrong looks like he's been put through a mangle!
Pity about those lost 5.5kms.
Bet he gives Garzelli a nice big kiss for that. Especially if he loses the GC for 3 seconds!
Maybe this life in this old race.
Harmon: Armstrong looks like he's been put through a mangle!
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Parrot23 said:
That's what I saw... As if he was thinking, 'can I withstand one more attack like this', because Di Luca sprinted up that hill...
- Mar 11, 2009
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Menchov hasn't exactly covered the magia rosa in glory, but it's exactly what you would expect from a big diesel, that's running on the right mix.
Still, he did show the strain, today. A small crack it might be, but if offers the possibility of excitement on Versuvius and even stage 20.
Overall, though, a pretty poor Giro, excitement wise. That 5kms would definitely have made a major difference to today's finishing times, as it had the steepest ramp somehwere on it.
Still, he did show the strain, today. A small crack it might be, but if offers the possibility of excitement on Versuvius and even stage 20.
Overall, though, a pretty poor Giro, excitement wise. That 5kms would definitely have made a major difference to today's finishing times, as it had the steepest ramp somehwere on it.
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kjetilraknerud said:Seeldrayers keeps his jersey
Someone has a "man-crush" on Seeldrayers!!
Good on him for fending off Mascia. Gotta do it once more, at least.
- Apr 12, 2009
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What a stage Di Luca fantastic performance and menchov he made it look too easy except at the end. Sastre dumb mistake sitting at the back of the group. Armstrong impressed me today he almost looked good today, Levi lucky to catch up to the sastre group. Got to give my props to diluca though. I can understand the maglia verde for garzelli but staying up there with Menchov too good to be true.
A crush? I don't think so. I just think he is an exciting prospect, it would be nice with a strong GC rider from Belgium.
- Mar 18, 2009
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Mellow Velo said:
I have mixed feelings. At first I could not find any excitement because I thought the long ITT would devalue the climbing that made it into the actual course. Since the ITT did not prove to be as decisive as I expected, I have been enjoying the climbing stages.
It is a real shame the original course was not used.
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Mellow Velo said:
If Menchov's perceived sign of weakness is anything to go by, then I think Di Luca knows it, and he will try to crack him on the Vesuvius. Unfortunately Menchov seemed to mis shift before they sprint, and lost a valuable 5s exlc the bonus s. This gives Di Luca even more courage to keep on attacking. It might also have something to do with the temperature, because Menchov seems to do a lot better when its piping hot.
However, if Menchov did not show any signs of weakness, I am sure Di Luca will try to win the sprint at the end of Anagni to steal another 20s.
- Apr 11, 2009
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Mellow Velo said:
His breathing looked okay (whatever breathing I can see, from this human fish
), but his legs look like they exploded. Accumulated fatigue, maybe, a la Sastre today? Hence, maybe his very cautious look about him on the podium today. Hard to tell: poker face, usually.
Guess, Di Luca's only chance is if Menchov on Vesuvius has a day like Sastre's today, and DDL can gain a minute before the TT.
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Mellow Velo said:
Let's see, going through my Mellow post-stage checklist....
1. Comment on how boring the Giro is.... CHECK!
2. Not-so-obvious allusion to the drug-use of a GC contender.... CHECK!
3. Dig at Armstrong.... CHECK!
Inventory present and accounted for - ship it!!
In all seriousness, MV, I agree with BroDeal on this one (he may be surprised given our tete-a-tete on another thread
). ITT was a disappointment, but there has been substantial action for my tastes on the GPM stages. Beats my disappointment at the AdH stage of last year's TdF, where, apart from Sastre, it looked like a group ride with ASchleck controlling things to the top.
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luckyboy said:
Yeah, but his lead was small enough that Di Luca could have ended up the victor in Rome. Maybe he still can if all the planets were to align.
I have found the attacks from Basso, Sastre, Pellizotti, and such entertaining. Plus I like mountain scenery.
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