Stage 21: May 27th Milano- Milano 30k ITT

[Descender]

Interesting.
Some years ago, basically only the Italians (and some foreigners that had ridden their entire careers up to that point in Italy) cared about the Giro. Now the rest of the world is back at the Giro. It's getting bigger, slowly but surely. Watch out, Tour.

Sure, when you have people of the likes of Rodriguez, Hesjedal and De Gendt on the podium, you know the Tour has to start shaking.

 

[greenedge]

I think JROD will definitely do a good ITT. However it will not be good enough to hold onto pink.

De Gendt will smash through Scarponi and take 3rd and top 5 on the stage.

I think the ITT shall come down to either Larsson, Phinney or Pinotti.

I shall pick Larsson.

 

[meat puppet]

Does anyone have the start times?

 

[Sophistic]

Hesj avg 25% more watts than Purito on the climbs, even with poor aerodynamics that should be enough to take back the 31s.

 

[T-Nielsen]

I have watched every stage so far but today is my birthday, so therefore I cannot watch this stage. ARRRRRRRGGGGHHHHH... aaarrrggghhh... Mmmm cake.

 

[SafeBet]

Jon is gonna take this. He's beasting in the third week.

 

[El Pistolero]

I think De Gendt will be tired because of yesterday's performance and not do a great time trial.

 

[GazelleFormula]

Izagirre, Larsson, Phinney, Pinotti and Clement for top 5, not necessarily in that order.

I think De Gendt will be tired because of yesterday's performance and not do a great time trial.

I think so too, but top 15 should still be in reach.

 

[The Sheep]

I think De Gendt will be tired because of yesterday's performance and not do a great time trial.

I think the opposite and he will destroy them

 

[Panda Claws]

It is amazing how overrated Hesjedal is as a ITT'er.

Andy Schleck is better than him, yet he gets a lot of crap.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

So tell me again.. Why is that Hesjedal all of a sudden is considered such a great time trialist? In the Tour 2010, when he arguably was in the form of his life, he finished 52nd, 6'40 down on Cancellara.

Don't get me wrong, I think he'll do a good time trial, but that is because of his form and motivation more than it is because of his ITT skills.

 

[GazelleFormula]

It's all relative. Compared to Scarponi and Rodriguez, Hesjedal is pretty good. Although Scarponi's Giro 2011 IT performance was actually pretty decent (1m28 behind over 26km), so he may surprise a few people.

 

[MrRoboto]

It is amazing how overrated Hesjedal is as a ITT'er.

Andy Schleck is better than him, yet he gets a lot of crap.

Yeah...It's mostly because of his good prologue I think. But I guess most of his competition is even worse. I think Hesjedal will do quite well today. Still..It would be fun if Rodriguez surprises us all today, just because everyone seems to take Hesjedal's win as a given. Also would love if De Gendt did something great today.


Too bad that Nieve did manage to perform better yesterday or the other day he attacked. Would have loved to see him attack, win one (or both) of those stages, and take some good time.

 

[will10]

So tell me again.. Why is that Hesjedal all of a sudden is considered such a great time trialist? In the Tour 2010, when he arguably was in the form of his life, he finished 52nd, 6'40 down on Cancellara.

Don't get me wrong, I think he'll do a good time trial, but that is because of his form and motivation more than it is because of his ITT skills.

He is an average time triallist, but that should be more than enough to overcome Rodriguez. Using your example of the '10 final TT, he still stuck 3.37 into Purito - who had motivation to defend his GC position as Hesjedal did.

I think De Gendt will far and away the best of the top three but I think his exploit yesterday may prevent him overcoming Hesjedal, and Ryder will take the overall. I want to see De Gendt pull it off though

 

[SafeBet]

So tell me again.. Why is that Hesjedal all of a sudden is considered such a great time trialist? In the Tour 2010, when he arguably was in the form of his life, he finished 52nd, 6'40 down on Cancellara.

I've been wondering the same thing for almost a couple of weeks now.
I couldn't find a top10 performance in the last 6 years apart from National Championships.
He was ok in the Olympics and World Championships, but last time he did that was in 2008. I would assume he was a different rider back then.

 

[SafeBet]

It's all relative. Compared to Scarponi and Rodriguez, Hesjedal is pretty good. Although Scarponi's Giro 2011 IT performance was actually pretty decent (1m28 behind over 26km), so he may surprise a few people.

Scarponi has never been a bad TTer since coming back from OP, at least in three week races.
Results actually say he's better than Ryder.

Purito on the other hand.

 

[Dedelou]

Either J Rod or Ryder will make a fine overall winner. J Rod is the underdog today. First they said he couldn't get the pink jersey, he still has it. Then they say he would crack in the high mountain and he managed to survive and even take a few meager seconds on some of his rival. Today I wish him to make it. I would hate for him to loose the Giro by 8 seconds or so , like Fignon in the 89 tdf

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

What is the best results Hesjedal and Rodriguez ever had in a ITT?

Because also Hesjedal never showed anything really decent, I think?

 

[wirral]

If Cav can make up 2 minutes, he will catch up with Roberto Ferrari. The "rules of the peloton" dictate Ferrari should give him a big tow for as long as he can get away with it.

 

[Zoncolan]

Purito has a 31 second advantage.
Purito has the maglia rosa on his back.
Purito has a very technical course with plenty of 90 degree turns that he can accelerate out of.
Purito has a Hesjedal, not a great TTer chasing him.
Purito has the benefit of time checks.
Purito HAS A HISTORY OF BOMBING IN TTs.
Can Purito do it?
I doubt it.
Shame that De Gendt's advantage was cut yesterday, he could have challenged for the overall win.

 

[Panda Claws]

Even though Hesjedal isn't that great I don't think he will lose more than 1:00 to 1:30 to De Gendt.

Ofcourse De Gendt is a special one and the casual way he spoke about overtaking Scarponi (who is a better ITT'er than Hesjedal) was impressive.

In addition Basso starts in front of him, which makes a great mark although it will be very very hard if they start 3 minutes apart, but if there is a long stretch of road he could get him within sight.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Rodriguez was 40th in the ITT last year barely a minute down on Nibali, actually less than a minute
And only 30 secs to Scarponi (who was 15th).

Could be a suprising result

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

And on the Tour ITT last year, De Gendt took 3:30 on Hesjedal

 

[Panda Claws]

And on the Tour ITT last year, De Gendt took 3:30 on Hesjedal

I heard people here say that Hesjedal was not trying anymore.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

And on the Tour ITT last year, De Gendt took 3:30 on Hesjedal

So? Hesjedal wasn't trying there and in the ToS last year, which was actually on a more similar distance as today (30km), Hesjedal (27th in tha ITT)lost less than 40 seconds on De Gendt (8th)...