Stage 17 Chieti → Blockhaus

[Jasper]

Let the action begin!

 

[Parrot23]

Lance right beside Menchov. Clearly not there for cycle touring.

 

[Jasper]

Liquigas opens the debates, seems like they don't want to wait until the last km's.

 

[kjetilraknerud]

I wonder if Szmyd can actually win the stage, if nobody cares about him
That would be great, but he is probably just going to help Basso/Pellizotti

 

[Parrot23]

He looks good. Another Liqui joins, and Lance bridges! Good stuff.

Will Liqui and Astana work together, re directors cooperating?

 

[Jasper]

Armstrong trying to jump to Pellizotti's wheel, but he just can't make it. Ouch.

 

[53x11 in DC]

Armstrong trying to jump to Pellizotti's wheel, but he just can't make it. Ouch.

Doesn't quite have that punch yet

 

[Merckx]

Armstrong!!

 

[Parrot23]

Lance looks good. Souplesse/dancing on pedals, like years before--or starting to get there.... But the weight/muscle looks like it then starts to drag.

 

[Jasper]

Seeldraeyers not in the maglia rosa group, bummer

 

[jaylew]

Lance's bike is the ugliest I've ever seen.

 

[kjetilraknerud]

That explains why Masciarelli is doing so much work.
I think most of the people in the MR group look quite good, expect Simoni maybe.

 

[53x11 in DC]

Lance looks good. Souplesse/dancing on pedals, like years before--or starting to get there.... But the weight/muscle looks like it's a drag.

2 or 3 fewer kilograms will make him verrrryy interesting come July

 

[Parrot23]

Notice Levi is looking better today. On the point of chasers, or 2nd. Wouldn't be there if legs were dead, like the other day.

 

[kjetilraknerud]

Pellizotti looks very good as well.

 

[Parrot23]

Is that Rogers near the front now?

 

[Parrot23]

Oops, Parrot shut up!

 

[kjetilraknerud]

Di Luca goes! Menchov is glued to his wheel

 

[Zoncolan]

Sastre left behind!

 

[kjetilraknerud]

That's a fantastic attack by Di Luca. What does Sastre do now?

 

[Jasper]

And there goes Di Luca! Sastre and Leipheimer missed the break, Basso, Menchov and Garzelli didn't. Meanwhile Pellizotti still looks very strong.

 

[kjetilraknerud]

Look how easy Sastre will bridge up now, what a climber,

 

[Jasper]

Good to see Simoni having a better day. Leipheimer on the other hand...

 

[Parrot23]

2 or 3 fewer kilograms will make him verrrryy interesting come July

Yeah, the weight got him. Dropped. Too much baggage still.

 

[kjetilraknerud]

And Menchov looks like he is going downhill, hardly any effort at all.