I liked the stage, it was a good one.
Contador ir strong and he is maybe the maximun favourite. It is good when a rider behave as a champion and try to do something almost everyday and using strategy. It is what cycling must be.
it was a good race for Purito, but he is not a good shape. Today he was close to the best becouse the climb suits him very well. Tomorrow he will be better in shape, but the climb suits him worse, so he is expected to lose time.
Henao was the stronger today, but he didnt take time, so that is not good for his interest. He has lot of numbers to win this race, but Contador is at a similar level and his experience in thi race make me put him a little bit above still.
Quintana. He has past the worse days for him and he just lost a few seconds. He looked strong today despite the rain. Tomorrow he could desmostrate he is the best climber of the world, but the climb is not very long for him., and there is a flat and a descent before the finish.
Pinot, looking strong, I wouldnt be very surprised if he win tomorrow and GC as well, but today he lost some energies in his particular ego fight with Aru that he could need next days.
Landa. He was dead for GC today, but finally the GC riders looked echar others and he is very alive, third in GC. But he should attack first thinking in Henao, he should put his possibility of podium behind his leader here, despite he is basque. He won in Aia last year but it is not a climb that suits him very well. All the day in the front of the group has its advantages, but finally you can pay that. He is not at his best, but even at his best, Aia is too explosive for him. Tomorrow is better, he has his options, but the main leader should be Henao, better as well for ITT. As it is usual in Landa, when people expect him or there is pressure, he used to fail, and when nobody expect him, he do amazing things. For that reason SKY has his risk by getting this rider to leader of the Giro. But if he is mentally and phisically well, he is a magical rider able to do what maybe nobody can.
Samu. he is there, so that is becouse he is strong. He told today it is not easy to recover for him. But he has won in Arrate and he has won ITT at this race. It is no possible to put him appart now.
Kelderman. The same than Samu. Tomorroow they need to put a hight pace becouse he is at good shape and he is a good trialist.
it was nice to see Verona figteen for the stage, Wellens looked very strong, but he had his chances.