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Looks like it's being debated whether the crash happened inside the last 3km... if there's a chance of Aru being in pink then I'd assume it'll be judged to be outside!
Defo outside the 3k it seems.
Meh.
Meh indeed. Game over for Aru and Porte.
Don't think it's quite game over for Aru. Big chunk to claim back, and Contador does not like getting dropped once he's got the lead...but you never know, plenty of racing to be done yet.
Porte on the other hand... Shame, but he just doesn't seem to be able to finish a grand tour without having any problems. Who knows, maybe he'll take himself a stage win.
great ride from Bertie today, result was always going to be so
meh indeed
#imgoinghomesheila
Did Porte just give up. There's no way he should give up 4m to the leaders given his pedigree as an ITT rider.
Australian media suggests that his head wasn't in it after the last few days. Guess it's not much fun to come to a grand tour as the leader of a team that is capable of a podium (at least) to be chasing for a top 10 because of a wheel change and a crash
No official notice yet but he's already commented on going home and also made comments as to talking to Dave about it too.
I reckon he'll not start today.
Bloody shame IMO, if he goes it sends a strong enough signal to the rest of the Sky team that it's all about him. Contrary to his persona this just could become the unraveling of Sky as a team and set a period of instability within.
Sky have some fantastic team riders, whilst they've been held back in support of one (or two) team leaders it's a great way to give the rest of the guys a chance to ride in the manner they really want to, rather than be told not to.
#kiri
#koing
#nieve
Let them ride Dave, give them free rein to show the talents they have, too late for a Giro win but stages can still be clawed back without #imgoinghomesheila.
if his head isn't in it, his head isn't in it, its easy to get demoralised after the week he's had
what id like him to do is take todays stage, lay down a marker, then quit if he wants,
I don't know if the Giro is the cost of Porte riding for Froome in the Tour but it's probably time he stuck to being a super domestique with stage race wins in the smaller races. He's like Uran, good but not great and not a team leader for a grand tour. They should throw in behind developing their other riders especially now Wiggins is gone.
Great ride from Bertie. He's a classy combination of climber and TTer.
I'd be very disappointed in Porte if he goes home. You never know what can happen in a big race. There have been surprise grand tour winners in the past and there are also individual stages to go for. Look what Bertie has overcome to be where he is in this tour and you can see why he is a multi tour winner and why (IMHO) Porte will never win a big tour.
Great ride from Bertie. He's a classy combination of climber and TTer and dodgy beef supplies
This generations LA with Astana as Postal
As for Porte if you come ot win something and you cannot most folk would lose something in the motivational stakes.
perhaps does say he lacks mental toughness but not so sure. Personally i just think he does not have enough talent [ or the correct steaks]
Hadn't heard the rumours of him going home. Makes sense in a practical Sky sort of way though if he's not ok physically (after crash) or mentally. An extra week of recovery and training before putting everything on Froome for the Tour. Let the rest of the team go for stage wins and maybe back Viviani for red.
Is a bit of a shame to feel like the Giro is already over despite what was meant to be a thrilling final week showdown with 5 summit finishes still to come. Bit like last years Tour really.
All over bar the shouting now. Shame. I started watching it on Eurosport in the first week but a combination of Bertie being dominant and the commentators being annoying has turned me off.
Commentators annoying on Eurosport? Blimey. Well avoid ITV at all costs then!
Porte supposedly has a knee injury. If so, it must be crushing to know the world is calling you a wimp for throwing in the towel for being "not mentally strong enough".
Eurosport has chosen the wrong commentators, agree with that. Matt Stephens and Dan Llyod should do it 😀
I'm with RCS on choosing shorter routes/stages. Think this has been the right choice for a mix up Giro, despite the team(s) quite predictable tactics in shielding Lead Riders there has been opportunity for rouleurs to pop off the front and not just be there for TV advertising either. For that RCS have to be applauded, but that's about it.
In one instant they've killed the Tour, chosen to play the "rules" when it suited them by backing an Italian for the win only for it to flat when Bertie, predictably, slammed it into the big ring and rode off. If one person stands out in all of this its him and his strength and sheer ability to overcome mental and physical knocks, on and off the bike. Whilst Aru has been showing great depth of aptitude and ability, turning himself inside out most days, he's still got a great few years coming to him. When Nibbali drops a cog Aru will be there to glide past whilst at the same time wondering to himself if it's the new generation of now 23,4,5 yr olds about to flourish. I think so.
Back to Sky for a moment, a team rammed with class riders. A team that has both talent and ability in at least 5 of the current 9 in the squad to be set free and each have their own personal wins. But for me it's Dave making limiting decisions imposed on them. No wonder they lost Cotaldo last year, wonder if Kyri stays another year. Heano and Neive astonishing climbers in thier own right seemingly held back in a net cast of support roles. That can't last for very long.
As for Richie, I really do feel for him. The decisions RCS made last week in enforcing a rule that forbids Sportsmanship,respect for other riders and commeradery typifies, for me, a "self, self only" culture. I don't really like that.
But it's ok for me to sit and ponder like I'm in charge, I am afterall just another Fan of road racing.
I hope Ritchie does start today. I would like to see how he goes in the big hills. He could yet move up the standings.
Eurosport commentator is a bit wearing - I know he's probably correct but the over-pronuciation of names seems more important to him than the riding
Porte ?
I reckoned he was a solid bet for second place but the ruling and then the crash must've been a right kick in the guts
Sky should definitely just enjoy themselves for the rest of the race - and TBH Richie doesn't really seem one for the breakaway or even towing a team-mate around, though the hills coming up will be good training for most things I'd have thought.
Is he due to ride the TdF ?
Up until the puncture that cost Porte seconds he didn't look out of place with Bertie in the first week. I was sure after the ITT and the mountain stages he would finish 2nd overall to Bertie. I'm still looking forward to todays stage.
Porte finish 28 minutes down today
amazing that Contador could ride all that way with Aru in his pocket 😯
Great ride by Landa, watched Aru all the way and then told to go for the win, which he did admirably. Excellent talent, watched him through his Euskatel days (him and all the others) and it's great to see riders from there doing well.
Bertie, well he played it like he's won it already. You have to admire the kiss chase going on, only at a base level though when theres really no one else in contention. I predict a 6min lead for him at the finish of this Giro.
We can try to be excited about the coming week, blimey if it was tight we'd be down to the quicks on our nails come Wed's but as it is it'll be another masterclass of pure class by Bertie. Brutal climbs coming up, some very deep and wooded areas where someone could escape off, and I do wish and hope they will. It would be really nice to see a young guy take a stage a top of a mountain, for this I could see Nieve go for it (another ex Euskatel rider) now that Porte will fly home tonight (my guess) Konig will be Ok with that so long as he stays in the top ten, after all Porte won't play any support role in this any longer. Next up I'm supporting Intxusti and Anton (another ex Euskatel rider) who whilst the hills get steeper the better they get.
So I'll try to be excited (I certainly will be) and hope the weather stays good for them since theres been snow falling in the area (if it does I don't see RCS doing anything about changing the course despite the riders safety and health)
Stunning area, ridden around there a lot and so looking forward to some stunning heli shots.
😀
Yes indeed, well played Landa and Contador. I doubt Aru will trouble Bertie much now. He'll probably effortlessly drop Aru at some point soon to nip off and get his stage win in pink too.
A Giro Tour double has a growing whiff of inevitability about it.
nice that bertie nipped out of the Astana train to take the time bonus as well 😆
well played Landa and Contador.
Not quite so well played Landa as he did a bit of a Froome and helped Contador drop Aru and put his leader under pressure 😀
Astana omnipresent in the front group... must have their training and bike set up dialled! 🙄
Think Astana are resigned to second place on GC and now want to bag some stage wins to at least make their obvious team superiority count for something.
My 12 year old daughter said "I thought he was on the same side as the white one" 😀Not quite so well played Landa as he did a bit of a Froome and helped Contador drop Aru
beefed up an already promising squad ?must have their training and bike set up dialled!
obvious team superiority
yes....
already promising squad
hmmm....
beef
Nailed it 😆
anyone any idea what just happened there? saxo off the back 40 seconds behind the aru group
Sounds like it all broke up on the descent with Astana and Katusha pushing the pace. Was making my lunch so missed the action.
Edit... sounds like a puncture for Contador on the descent. Gap getting bigger but I can't see it sticking over the Mortirolo. Big group though.
contadors getting isolated….
It was a puncture for Contador on that descent. Only has one team-mate left...
Edit: 2 team-mates now
Contador on his own now. I can see Astana doing a deal for a Katusha stage win. Zakarin maybe. Still reckon he'll pull it back on the climb.
this is great
Contador after a rest day 🙄
Be interesting to see how much the chase takes out of him and if Aru can attack.
dirtyrider - Member
this is great
Yeah, I'm not getting much work done this afternoon 😀
Looks like he's found a handy Spaniard to help him.
Aru slowing... be nice to see Kruijswijk go for it.
Ah balls. Contador back on. Aru looks spent.
catches Aru
Contador's gone.