Stage 19, Avellino - Vesuvio, 164km

[Parrot23]

LPR certainly there. Maybe Rabo tired now.

Maybe they're going to try to go from further out, if they saw a ***** (a crack) in Menchov's armour on Blockhaus. Will see.

 

[lookkg386]

LPR looking to set it up for Di Luca it seems now.

 

[Parrot23]

I just liked him because he would often come up with the goods on long mountain breakaways.

Yup, and that's the only way to beat Menchov, as that poster "Alpe d'Huez" is always saying, ie. throw the long bomb/hail mary type pass. Agree with you there.

 

[kjetilraknerud]

I think Sastre will attack from the base of the climb, and Di Luca will try his move on the 9,8% part, after about 4 kms.

 

[Rechtschreibfehler]

LPR certainly there. Maybe Rabo tired now.

Maybe they're going to try to go from further out, if they saw a ***** (a crack) in Menchov's armour on Blockhaus. Will see.

I still believe the Blockhaus results are overrated, especially concerning Menchov and Sastre, whom one could read of were really struggeling with the shortness of the stage and in Mechovs case also with the rest day.

 

[BroDeal]

LPR certainly there. Maybe Rabo tired now.

Maybe they're going to try to go from further out, if they saw a ***** (a crack) in Menchov's armour on Blockhaus. Will see.

Cool. A new censored word. I wish this site would give us the list. I still cannot believe the word "b-utt" is censored. Is this a rude term in Australia or something?

 

[lookkg386]

Should be all together well before the climb, then from the base you'd think it will be on - anyone think Astana will try and salvage something?

 

[kjetilraknerud]

I don't think Astana will try anything, but I do think Armstrong will give ut a go without thinking of the team

 

[Parrot23]

but I do think Armstrong will give ut a go without thinking of the team

LOL

He fell earlier today But been looking like Lance of old recently, ie. souplesse on the pedals/cadence/climbs.

Vis BroDeal's comment on "sauce": yeah, that Catlin dope testing thing was a fiasco, a joke.

 

[BroDeal]

Should be all together well before the climb, then from the base you'd think it will be on - anyone think Astana will try and salvage something?

Armstrong is the only one who looks like he might be able to do anything. He must be back on the sauce.

With the punches that are sure to be thrown at Menchov by Di Luca, Pellizotti, Basso, and Sastre, the climb will be terribly fast. The only way an Astana man gets away is if the pace starts slow on the lower slopes. None of the Astana riders seem capable of riding with the very best as then beating them in a sprint.

 

[Bala Verde]

Perhaps Menchov is getting nervous

Haha, pooing his pants. If anyone of the two, it's Denis, because I certainly don't think di luca is gets nervous easily... With that face of his!

LPR is going to control the race up till the first 5k of the climb, after which di Luca launches his multipronged attack.

 

[BroDeal]

Haha, pooing his pants. If anyone of the two, it's Denis, because I certainly don't think di luca is gets nervous easily... With that face of his!

Menchov has to be confident. All he has to do is not have a bad day.

Looking at the way LPR is riding, Di Luca must want the time bonus. Too bad there is not anyone who looks like they could finish between him and Menchov.

 

[Parrot23]

Eurosport commentator just said that when Menchov gets nervous, he tends to hang back a bit. Don't know if this is true(?). But commentator adds, whereas Di Luca goes forward/chomps at the bit. Obvious, LOL.

But not sure of Menchov. Just don't know.

 

[Anonymous]

Ah, I liked Virenque. I forgot to include him in my favorite riders list.

oh really. what other admitted dopers are on your favorites list?

i'll try understatement... it appears you positions on doping on him vs. a certain guy from texas appear to SOMEWHAT inconsistent.

 

[Parrot23]

What would the time bonuses give DDL today and tomorrow, together?

 

[BroDeal]

oh really. what other admitted dopers are on your favorites list?

i'll try understatement... it appears you positions on doping on him vs. a certain guy from texas appear to SOMEWHAT inconsistent.

You've got a hard lip, Herbert.

 

[Bala Verde]

Menchov has to be confident. All he has to do is not have a bad day.

Looking at the way LPR is riding, Di Luca must want the time bonus. Too bad there is not anyone who looks like they could finish between him and Menchov.

I agree, but I don't know how he feels, and he is sure to face some tough attacks from di Luca. I mean, he could be feeling already that his legs aren;t good... that must be painful.

I think he generally lacks a bit of confidence in his own capabilities. Hopefully he is as strong as he was in the TT, then it'll be a great battle.

 

[Bala Verde]

What would the time bonuses give DDL today and tomorrow, together?

2x20s, but that's without Menchov finishing in 2nd or 3rd place.

So in the best case scenario for di Luca

40s, and Menchov arrives as 4th or 5th in the 'pack' of which d Luca wins the sprint.

That would put him 40-26=14 ahead of Menchov.

 

[Parrot23]

Okay, thanks. The qualifier, without Menchov 2/3rd is important.

Addition: wow, the math is key here. Throw in a flat at the wrong time, and things get dicey very fast for anybody. Michael Barry said weather forecast for Rome Sun TT is rain, and there are cobbles on the course.

 

[franciep10]

oh really. what other admitted dopers are on your favorites list?

i'll try understatement... it appears you positions on doping on him vs. a certain guy from texas appear to SOMEWHAT inconsistent.

what the hell is wrong with you. this is about the giro don't start it here and can we ignore this guy please.

 

[Zoncolan]

Check out the trains!
Looks like all hell is gonna break loose once they hit the climb!

 

[Bala Verde]

Okay, thanks. The qualifier, without Menchov 2/3rd is important.

Addition: wow, the math is key here. Throw in a flat at the wrong time, and things get dicey very fast for anybody. Michael Barry said weather forecast for Rome Sun TT is rain, and there are cobbles on the course.

Yes, otherwise if Menchov comes in 2 or 3 he'd pick up another 12 or 8s I beleive, reducing the 20s bonus to a mere 8 or 12.

Rain in rome.. that does not favour Menchov either, he is not so much of a risk taker, and given the fact that the TT is flat, cobbles, and very technical, I think it favours the risk taker, who can limit his losses against a true TT specialist, who would normally 'outpound' him on a long flat TT.

 

[Merckx]

This is going to be good.

 

[lookkg386]

Almost like their setting up these guys for a sprint...

 

[Parrot23]

Here comes Liqui. (And I see two Astanas: Popo and Lance?)