Stage 20, Napoli - Anagni, 203km

[kjetilraknerud]

The break has about 3 minutes, so they probably won't make it.
Many teams in front of the peloton, for example Columbia. They must think Hagen can do something in todays finish.

I'm watching out for Philip Gilbert today, the finale should suit him well.

 

[Zoncolan]

The break has about 3 minutes, so they probably won't make it.
Many teams in front of the peloton, for example Columbia. They must think Hagen can do something in todays finish.

I'm watching out for Philip Gilbert today, the finale should suit him well.

It's a 2.7 km uphill, at over 4%, so I don't think it suits Boasson Hagen or Gilbert. It'll be between Di Luca, Scarponi and Garzelli, that is, if Garzelli dares to go for the stage after Blockhaus. Also I think Pellizotti might give it a go, though I don't think he has enough of a kick.

 

[kjetilraknerud]

I agree with you on those three, but I still think it suits Gilbert as well. And Silence-Lotto need some success.

 

[mr. tibbs]

Announcer Man just gave a shout out to "some forums" that have been making fun of the translations of the cycling terms.

 

[Animal]

I just got online and got the RAI video feed up. Whats the situation?

 

[Zoncolan]

I agree with you on those three, but I still think it suits Gilbert as well. And Silence-Lotto need some success.

I would agree, but for one thing. His apparent lack of form. He showed signs of coming into form in the Ardennes, but has been very quiet since.
I doubt he has the legs to do anything. Maybe if he goes from a long way out.
Attack the first time up the hill?

 

[Zoncolan]

I just got online and got the RAI video feed up. Whats the situation?

Break of 8 ahead, have around 1:40 on the peloton, led by LPR who are closing them down fast. DDL really wants this one.

Make that 1:00

 

[Animal]

Yes, The finish is good for him, and he needs the bonues seconds.

 

[ingsve]

With the 1 minute gap it looks like LPR are trying to get the break back before the bonus sprint at aroun 150km to get the 6 seconds time bonus there as well.

 

[Parrot23]

I just got online and got the RAI video feed up. Whats the situation?

Find this is best:

http://velonews.com/live/2009/giro-d-italia/stage-20/

 

[Animal]

Looks like the break has given up.

 

[Zoncolan]

Menchov takes 4 bonus seconds.
Gap now 20 secs.

 

[ingsve]

LPR shot themselves in the foot since Menchov got more bonus seconds than Di Luca...Can't blaim them for trying though.

 

[kjetilraknerud]

The gap is actually 22 seconds now, which means that Di Luca needs to win the stage AND get a gap to Menchov if he wants pink before tomorrows TT. Excellent stuff from Menchov

 

[ingsve]

The gap is actually 22 seconds now, which means that Di Luca needs to win the stage AND get a gap to Menchov if he wants pink before tomorrows TT. Excellent stuff from Menchov

No, Menchov got 4 seconds and Di Luca got 2 seconds so it's only 20 seconds between them.

 

[kjetilraknerud]

Sorry. I don't watch the stage, so I didn't see Di Luca getting the final seconds

 

[Zoncolan]

I think we should add Menchov's name to the list of favorites to win the stage. The way he's been sprinting this Giro...
Seems to me Di Luca is stronger on a shorter sprint, up to 200m, anything above that and Menchov can wind it up from 300-400m in a bigger gear, and he has Di Luca beaten.

 

[mr. tibbs]

I think we should add Menchov's name to the list of favorites to win the stage. The way he's been sprinting this Giro...
Seems to me Di Luca is stronger on a shorter sprint, up to 200m, anything above that and Menchov can wind it up from 300-400m in a bigger gear, and he has Di Luca beaten.

I don't know, remember how Menchov finished yesterday? He looked like over-cooked pasta on his bike, flopping all over the place. He was good at the intermediary, but he might not have the same kick at the end of the stage.

I would like to see someone like Brut get the win today, but a Menchov Vs Di Luca sprint is too tempting not to hope for.

 

[Zoncolan]

I don't know, remember how Menchov finished yesterday? He looked like over-cooked pasta on his bike, flopping all over the place. He was good at the intermediary, but he might not have the same kick at the end of the stage.

I would like to see someone like Brut get the win today, but a Menchov Vs Di Luca sprint is too tempting not to hope for.

Yes he was wobbling all over the road, but that was at the end of a difficult climb, not such a difficult climb today.
I'm really looking forward to seeing what Garzelli will do. Will he dare attack Di Luca?

 

[mr. tibbs]

Yes he was wobbling all over the road, but that was at the end of a difficult climb, not such a difficult climb today.
I'm really looking forward to seeing what Garzelli will do. Will he dare attack Di Luca?

I don't think Garzelli will do that again after the reaction he got from the Tifosi

But I think maybe Menchov HAS finally broken Di Luca's spirit, and yesterday's wobbly finish was owing to Di Luca's repeated accelerations, which don't seem to suit Menchov's style.

I'm thinking back now to stage 5 (I think), where Basso first played his cards and the pace was strong and steady. When they got to the top, Di Luca couldn't answer Menchov b/c the Russian had never been put into dificulty with lots of sudden pace changes.

So yeah, Menchov probably has the upper hand here. But it would be nice to see Di Luca close the gap a bit more. It'd make the finale in Rome more exciting.

 

[Animal]

Hey! Cool bit of Floyd on the Italian advert. Great Gig in The Sky from Dark Side of the Moon!

 

[kjetilraknerud]

Silence-Lotto definitely are hoping for Gilbert today, why else would they be at the front.

 

[Zoncolan]

So yeah, Menchov probably has the upper hand here. But it would be nice to see Di Luca close the gap a bit more. It'd make the finale in Rome more exciting.

I'm hoping for the same thing. And with the rain forecast for tomorrow, it would make for an interesting TT.

By the way, I think LA might get a top 5 in the TT tomorrow.

 

[mr. tibbs]

By the way, I think LA might get a top 5 in the TT tomorrow.

I agree, and I'm astounded by his form. After three years off, at his age, and then the collarbone (which I never thought was as big a deterrent as it was made out to be) to be showing this much strength is just amazing.

Especially when you consider how big he was at the start of this Giro. He seems to be riding into a form that I never thought he would reach again.

EDIT: They should really get the helicopters out of the announcer's booth.

 

[krebs303]

Ekimov also said Armstrong "wants to try to win the stage tomorrow. He wants to make a test on a flat course. The course is not easy and maybe it will be raining, so he won't take any unneccessary risks."