Stage 20: Saturday May 26th, Caldes/Val di Sole - Passo dello Stelvio 219km

[issoisso]

Vande Velde FINALLY told to drop back. Seriously Garmin, that was freaking stupid

This stage is quickly becoming awesome

 

[gerundium]

Finally a shot of the Tschopp group, VdV dropping back to Hesjedal finally.

 

[Christomir]

4th, I believe

4th if I'm not mistaken.

Thanks, guys. Looks like he won't get it then...

 

[SafeBet]

Can't believe Garmin waited for so long. They're playing with fire.
De Gendt is a real time trialist, not like the amazingly overhyped Hesjedal.

 

[meat puppet]

How is Gendt on TTs compared to Hesjedal? Are they about the same?

I'd give the edge to TDG actually.

 

[meandmygitane]

De Gendt is much better.

Good to hear! GO DE GENDT! If Purito (and to a lesser extent Scarponi) can't win then I will cheer from him

 

[cineteq]

Big pressure on Garmin!!! Loving it!!!

 

[User Guide]

_O_ 4'13" now and a lot of guys in that group have strong reasons too push

 

[GazelleFormula]

VDV back again.

 

[Rocksteady]

VDV is back I think... Stet also there from behind.

 

[Kwibus]

And they'll get them straight back if they bother to ride.

It's a result of them all stopping just now.

Well nothing is lost yet, but they let guys go that really didn't lose that much time on the climbs compared to the 4 big favourites. It's going to be extremely interesting now.

 

[Parrulo]

How is Gendt on TTs compared to Hesjedal? Are they about the same?

de ghent is much better, he finished 4th on the last itt of the tour last year iirc

 

[The Sheep]

are the times correct? looks like a lot less than 4 minutes

 

[seldon71]

Soon 4 minutes the difference between de Gendt/Cunego/Nieve and Maglia Rosa-group... Soon this starts to threaten overall. Remember, there is Izaguirre & Carrara for a bit more work...

VdV forced to wait now as Hesjedal is getting no help whatsoever. J-Rod is playing BIGGEST poker I've seen from a Maglia Rosa. Ready to lose EVERYthing (incl. Maglia Rosso which is about to be gone) in order to make Ryder crack.

 

[gerundium]

Stetina and VdV riding, but from the looks of it they are cooked. TDG group just gaining time on Maglia Rosa.

 

[TourOfSardinia]

Tschopp & Catalado also at around 6 mins in GT have been let go.

 

[will10]

Zaugg waiting.

 

[issoisso]

GC aside, De Gendt is looking extremely good for the stage right now

 

[Trofinios]

OMG, what is happening? De Gendt will end up on the podium? He could take a couple of minutes on the TT tomorrow.

Forza De Gendt!

 

[Parrulo]

look at this road!!

 

[DominicDecoco]

What a race!

 

[diorgen]

 

[Parrot23]

So this is a Garmin team car failure. Asleep in the team car?

 

[More Strides than Rides]

Garmin group making up time now, now down to 4 minutes even

 

[Trunnions]

Saw this the other day:

http://velonews.competitor.com/2012...-feather-light-wheels-in-the-dolomites_220565

Thanks for the link.

From those pictures it looks like Basso is using 50/34 and 11x30 for the Dolomites.

I know Millar used mountain-bike big cogs for the Vuellta last year. Mainly so he could still spin. I'd need the big ones just to mash!