Tirreno - Adriatico Stage 5, Ortona -> Chieti, 230 kms (10/03/2013)

[Eshnar]

So... game over? Not yet! Will AC and Nibbles team up to derail the train? Will there be carnage on Passo Lanciano, or will the big boys deploy the white flag?

 

[SafeBet]

I'm sure they'll try. But I'm also convinced Sky train is simply too strong to be derailed.
Hopefully some entertaning racing.

 

[Parrulo]

does any1 actually expects any1, or any group to be able to stay away from sky over the top of lanciano? let's not kid ourselves

 

[Miburo]

AC and nibali will for sure go on lanciano but yea sky train...

 

[Ferminal]

Given where the rest of Astana and Saxo were it's hard to see them being strong enough to damage Sky on Lanciano. I do not think they will even try, so group of 30 sprinting in Chieti which is probably only a few less than usual.

Better to save legs for Monday which will be harder for Sky to deal with.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

There will be wild racing, but Froome will win stage.

 

[Forunculo]

Given where the rest of Astana and Saxo were it's hard to see them being strong enough to damage Sky on Lanciano. I do not think they will even try, so group of 30 sprinting in Chieti which is probably only a few less than usual.

Kreuziger were near but yes, miles behind Cataldo, Henao and Uran performance

 

[El Pistolero]

There will be wild racing, but Froome will win stage.

Not even Froome is as good as Sagan.

 

[SafeBet]

Given where the rest of Astana and Saxo were it's hard to see them being strong enough to damage Sky on Lanciano. I do not think they will even try, so group of 30 sprinting in Chieti which is probably only a few less than usual.

Better to save legs for Monday which will be harder for Sky to deal with.

They might try to send somebody in an early break and then see what happens.

 

[airstream]

Well, the profile gives Purito and probably Alberto some edge. Froome will have to close the gaps himself I think. Waiting for beautiful open fight!

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Not even Froome is as good as Sagan.

lol, think Passo Lanciano will be raced very hard and Sagan won't get to the finale in time. We shall see.

 

[Ferminal]

Yeh considering Sagan has only once conquered an HC climb and that was almost two years ago, he's far from a favourite.

 

[jens_attacks]

i would love alberto to go nuclear. sadly it won't happen
sky will control this with an iron fist and they will shed kwiatkowski. the win probably between chris or nibali.

but yes it will be carnage up lanciano no doubt

 

[Parrulo]

will we get live coverage of lanciano? if it is like today by the time coverage starts we will be half way down the lanciano

 

[Eshnar]

will we get live coverage of lanciano? if it is like today by the time coverage starts we will be half way down the lanciano

Coverage should start at 14:30 CET, but again I don't trust RAI schedules at all.

 

[El Pistolero]

Anyway, I liked this race more when it wasn't just another climber race. We already have to DL/TdS and the 3 GTs for that.

Medium mountain stages is the way to go for races in March.

 

[Gloin22]

Anyway, I liked this race more when it wasn't just another climber race. We already have to DL/TdS and the 3 GTs for that.

Medium mountain stages is the way to go for races in March.

No Belgian rider in view. Check.
No enjoyment. Check.
I.e. **** race. Check

 

[El Pistolero]

No Belgian rider in view. Check.
No enjoyment. Check.
I.e. **** race. Check

Kwiatkowski is leading plus OPQS won the TTT. The race is still more exciting with hills and classic specialists who don't ride with trains.

 

[Ferminal]

I can't say I disagree, a good hilly stage here is usually more enjoyable than L-B-L. MTFs are transferrable, chained steep hills not so much.

 

[Gloin22]

Kwiatkowski is leading plus OPQS won the TTT. The race is still more exciting with hills and classic specialists who don't ride with trains.

I was kidding

But I agree, hilly stages are far better in March than high mountains. Well mostly that's the case.

 

[El Pistolero]

I was kidding

But I agree, hilly stages are far better in March than high mountains. Well mostly that's the case.

I know you were, just explaining my reasoning.

 

[spalco]

how's the descent off lanciano? looks tempting for nibali possibly.

 

[Eshnar]

Anyway, I liked this race more when it wasn't just another climber race. We already have to DL/TdS and the 3 GTs for that.

Medium mountain stages is the way to go for races in March.

Kind of agree, Tirreno should have high mountains only in the form of this stage (or the stage of Sassotetto in 2011). MTFs are a cancer of cycling after all.

 

[Eshnar]

how's the descent off lanciano? looks tempting for nibali possibly.

I have no idea. But he'll need a couple of teammates in the breakaway in order to survive the 15 flat kms after it.

 

[rhubroma]

Well, the profile gives Purito and probably Alberto some edge. Froome will have to close the gaps himself I think. Waiting for beautiful open fight!

That would certainly be nice.