One small mistake in three weeks of racing.
No idea how reliable those time gaps are though.
Before I say too much, are spoilers aloud on this thread?
Don't know.
Clock's ticking.
Everyone looks cooked, seems like a brutal stage.
The GC, blimey, should be a good one tomorrow!
Brutal [img]should be a good one tomorrow!
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Tomorrow will be VERY tasty indeed. There are certain people I thought were out of the running that suddenly look interesting again.
Edit. That stage profile make me feel sick just looking at it.
A few riders in tears at the end of that stage. Emotional turmoil!
I don't think I am the same species as those guys. I just don't understand how they can ride so far, so fast, and over such terrain, never mind do it day after day.
Oh what a surprise! Nibali (The Snake of Messina) makes a miraculous recovery to take the toughest stage in the race so far after failing miserably on every other stage so far.
Not since Floyd Landis have we seen such an amazing turnaround in fortunes...
What are you suggesting... he's found his battery charger?
Anyone else watching the eurosports highlights this morning? First advert break was a spoiler for the rest of the hours programme
Not since Floyd Landis have we seen such an amazing turnaround in fortunes...
I thought Nibali's performance was pretty reasonable. He's not had a really bad day. He's struggled a bit to follow the attacks but he's often rode well to limit his losses, with some impressive solo efforts. He's been there abouts in the time trials too. Certainly not some Lazarus like performance.
Would have been a different race yesterday if it wasn't for Steven K's error.
I see the eurosport player is still bug heavy, 12 months on from using it last time. Still I got a promo for £1 so can't complain too much.
But I definitely prefer Imlach over Flecha. I know where I'll be watching the tour, even if it is in standard definition.
Yesterdays stage was really good though.
30k to decide the Giro. Tension building nicely!
Here we go!
Ooof thought that might happen, he's been looking more and more tired during this last week. Man up the road too.
Can't watch 🙁
makes a miraculous recovery to take the toughest stage in the race so far after failing miserably on every other stage so far
hmmmm, much as I dislike speculation on a one-off, couldn't help but wonder yesterday. I bet those tests he had done required needles in his arm and everything 😐
<runs from thread until gets chance to watch the recorded race>
Chuffing
Ek
😯
No fan of Nibali or Astana but I think he's been pretty consistent and they've played it very well, not making mistakes, having a strong team and good tactics, and really taking advatage of pretty much any opportunity. Chaves's level has been dropping all the way through the last week.
Erm...
Double chuffin ek
😯
😯
Amazing comeback. Unfortunately as it has Vino attached to it I can't help but be a little suspicious
Blimey.
I think what you have more than anything is Nibali showing his experience of riding 3 week tours, his experience of seeing how easily things can change and his experience of winning. And probably more importantly mental toughness. Poor form a week ago can soon change, especially if he remains at the same level while everyone else tires.
Of course this win was really fortunate luck based on Kruiswijk's mistake yesterday. Had Kruiswijk not crashed I'm sure Nibali would have still taken time, but not 3 mins. Even today with his injuries Kruiswijk didn't look too bad, very brave ride considering he could barely walk last night.
https://mobile.twitter.com/NOSsport/status/736308655549775872
Maybe there's something in acupuncture after all?
Amazing that a rider of Nibali's calibre has now won four grand tours. Shows what you can do with consistency, luck, and the right race selection.
I think what you have is everyone else misfiring. Stevie K crashed and then blew up on the climb having had to do a load of work on the flat while Chaves and Nibali got a tow. Valverde can't seem do cope with altitude. Chaves got really tired in the last week too. And Zakarin couldn't stay on his TT bike then fell into a ditch. Despite all the bad press Nibali managed to stay in touch with everyone other than Stevie K.
I think what you have is a rider with Astana, managed by Vino, towed yesterday and on earlier stages by a domestique who worked with not one but two dodgy doctors, making yet another remarkable recovery towards the end of a 3 week GT after seeing doctors for "tests".
Never liked him and never believed in his performances.
Vino looks like the sunburnt blond kid in the park with ice cream chops!
Just caught up, Astana played it really well but can't help thinking Nibali is the luckiest rider...
Neither of the Steves won (Chaves or Kruijswijk) so I am saddened.
I've just watched on demand. Nice of Eurosport to give you two audio streams for the price of one. And the laggy one with lots of inteference, just for a bonus.
Seems like the on demand provision is even worse than last year. The Ned Boulting highlights on youtube are excellent quality, pin sharp image, I'm guessing 1080p but shame at just 3 minutes long no where near long enough to get any context whatsoever. Where can you watch Boulting? I see canada have him for free.
Cracking race though.
From cyclingnews...
The Colombian climber has been struggling with bronchitis in the last few days, with a blocked nose revealing he was not at his best. He is apparently also taking antibiotics but he refused to say that his illness cost him the maglia rosa.
Which would explain the drop of level over the final week.
Doctor - I think Ned (and Dan Lloyd) are doing the English language package for the Giro themselves. For those countries that just buy the package from RCS get the images and their commentary. I think Eurosport just buy the images.
