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

[hrotha]

40 guys on the base of the Stelvio.

 

[Wigwan]

If Basso, Scarponi and J-Rod can't make Hesjedal crack on the Mortirolo, they will never be able to crack him.

 

[Panda Claws]

I still think Ivan Basso will win the Giro.

Any chances of Szymd miraculously getting better by tomorrow?

 

[WindLessBreeze]

The*Hitch/The^Tifosi/Das'$Poet

Tell us about yourself, before you caught that smoking habit. Were you a cyclist? What level? Track? Off-Road?

 

[The Hitch]

Tell us about yourself, before you caught that smoking habit. Were you a cyclist? What level? Track? Off-Road?

Avatar is not.me any more than timmy is Evans or Boomcie gesink

no experience with.elite.or even competitive cycling. just do.it for leisure.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

A fairly large group of half dead riders will arrive at the base of Stelvio and they will begin the long grind up the climb. It will be painful for them and perhaps for quite a few fans.

 

[Dedelou]

"And as our unnamed rider from 6 hours ago

Who on the first climb was ready to blow.

Finaly crosses the stage finish line.

Shows little emotion, and goes back down the climb

Few will pay attention, but to us hes a hero.

This aint the Tour mate.

This here,

it’s the Giro. "



Hey, Hitch. Thanks for such a great stage intro. Best I read so far, worthy to be copywrighted. Can't wait to see the stage tomorrow

 

[icefire]

We'll see more or less what we've seen on Pampeago: 3 kms of racing. OK, slow motion will make them look like 4kms.

Anyone knows if there are snow machines around?

 

[hrotha]

The current maglia rosa, a climber going into a tough mountain stage, thinks it's Hesjedal's race to lose. Fortunately the current Giro champion might launch another long-range attack with 3 km to go so it might still be interesting.

 

[Aapjes]

Anyone save enough energy for a breakaway win tomorrow? Txurruka?

Intxausti gave up 40 minutes, which shows that he went into major energy saving mode after cracking. I expect him to go for the breakaway.

 

[El Pistolero]

The current maglia rosa, a climber going into a tough mountain stage, thinks it's Hesjedal's race to lose. Fortunately the current Giro champion might launch another long-range attack with 3 km to go so it might still be interesting.

You reckon Berti will pull a VDB?

 

[Justin Pain]

Anyone save enough energy for a breakaway win tomorrow? Txurruka?

Maybe, or Amador have another shot. He is on fire in this giro

 

[jsem94]

The stage has SUCH potential to make important riders crack. That's the only way we're going to get an interesting race. I don't want to see 5 or 6 riders bunch ride up the Stelvio.

 

[The Hitch]

Breakaway pick for tomorrow. why not Roman. He's got his stage and he's 30 mins down. why not give it a go for another stage.

 

[staubsauger]

Breakaway pick for tomorrow. why not Roman. He's got his stage and he's 30 mins down. why not give it a go for another stage.

is it 2008 again?

 

[taiwan]

I wonder if Basso's really hit his limit, and if not what Liquigas' plans are for this stage. I don't imagine they'd want Basso alone for the entire Stelvio but they won't have much choice. Maybe they'll plant someone in the break.

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

Hardest stage ever? No way.


This stage will decide whether this becomes the worst GT in ages or just about.

It´s already decided. It´s the worst ever, no matter what happens tomorrow.

BTW, since hrotha predicted sarcastically action of the leaders 3 km from the finish (actually Ryder did it w/some 2.1 km to go) for today, i´ll top that:
Action will not start earlier than 2.5 km from finish.

Hope for Ryder to win it all, some surprise guy with guts tomorrow taking second overall (Uran maybe). And the coward "contending" italian riders (outside of Cunego) taking 3rd. I absolutely don´t care if that is Scarponi, Basso or Pozzovivo. This Giro doesn´t deserve a better ending. Especially not after they got rid of Zomegnan and replaced him with a non-cycling PR-Guy...

 

[Pantani_lives]

I look forward to this stage. On a course like this something has to happen. Hesjedal is favorite to win his first GT, but this will be the biggest test of his career.

Pozzovivo for a stage win?

 

[Pantani_lives]

I wonder if Basso's really hit his limit, and if not what Liquigas' plans are for this stage. I don't imagine they'd want Basso alone for the entire Stelvio but they won't have much choice. Maybe they'll plant someone in the break.

I believe Basso is getting a bit old. His team is strong, but being dropped by Hesjedal yesterday was not according to plan.

 

[hrotha]

It´s already decided. It´s the worst ever, no matter what happens tomorrow.

BTW, since hrotha predicted sarcastically action of the leaders 3 km from the finish (actually Ryder did it w/some 2.1 km to go) for today, i´ll top that:
Action will not start earlier than 2.5 km from finish.

Hope for Ryder to win it all, some surprise guy with guts tomorrow taking second overall (Uran maybe). And the coward "contending" italian riders (outside of Cunego) taking 3rd. I absolutely don´t care if that is Scarponi, Basso or Pozzovivo. This Giro doesn´t deserve a better ending. Especially not after they got rid of Zomegnan and replaced him with a non-cycling PR-Guy...

I agree with everything, except for the bit where you say Urán might be the guy with guts. He's been as cowardly as anyone else, and more so than many others.

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

True. But Uran wasn´t expected to be there. They let him. So i don´t count him one of the cowards... May he, or Henao, or even Cunego take some bride and go all in.

 

[Poursuivant]

Intxausti gave up 40 minutes, which shows that he went into major energy saving mode after cracking. I expect him to go for the breakaway.

Interesting that.

 

[Pantani_lives]

Another explanation would be that he was just bad, but that's a bit far fetched.

 

[hiero2]

Hitch - GREAT doggerel! Loved it! Much more fun for me than riding the mountain itself.

Two other comments - all those comments about a boring Giro this year: what the heck are you guys watching????? It sure ain't what I am watching. You must be watching the basketball semi-finals or something.

And, GO RYDER!!!! GO IVAN!!!!! Yeeehaaa!

 

[Justin Pain]

My pick for the stagewin: Nieve from a late breakaway. His performance in stage 15 last year was stunning. He even climbed into 6th place on Zoncolan the day before