[Closed] the Giro Thread

Epic!

😯

he's just torn the field a new one!

Love Dumoulin a bit right now

Well, blimey.

Take that, and party.

God loves a fighter in Pink.

jonnyboi - Member
What the hell is up with TJV?

His own hype...

Great finish!!! What happened to Quintana though, did he crack or is he saving himself for the longer climbs?

I'm not sure he had it in him today. Looked completely in control, then looked a lot less calm when the gap was hovering around 7 seconds. Also got the feeling he was intending to just slip in neatly as he was caught, only for Dumoulin to hit the gas at that exact moment

Can't see any benefit to quintana in dropping off at theend, just to have to make it up again later - if he'd been feeling OK it's a tiny extra investment in effort to at least keep in the wheels

he saving himself for the longer climbs?

you don't voluntarily give up on a climb that you've attacked on, in a group of 4 with time bonuses for the first 3 places...He lost 14 seconds on the road and then Tom D took a 10 secs bonus. That's NQ's Blockhaus gains eliminated.

Brilliant racing, a great result for neutrals (or non-fans of NQ) and means NQ and Movistar will have to abandon their normally dull conservative Sky-lite tactics and really take it on.

I was already really looking forward to the mountains next week having ridden out there last year - got Tuesday and Thursday off so will be watching both from start to finish.

He lost 14 seconds on the road and then Tom D took a 10 secs bonus.

It's probably worst that that as moviestar were looking at gaining that kind of time themselves today so they are now a nearly a minute off what the they were hoping for.

TJ was beaten by 3 of his teammates today (3min behind the 3rd placed BMC rider) 😯

Am quite surprised Quintana had a go on a day that was suited to Dumoulin when the last week is full of Quintana stages. It seemed a bit of a desperate move that backfired, and he now looks a bit vulnerable and has lost more time.

Am quite surprised Quintana had a go on a day that was suited to Dumoulin

I wonder if NQ's attack was in order to get ahead of Tom D early on the climbs, assuming Tom would diesel past him but he'd limit his losses? In which case, that didn't work either.

so how much time do we think Tom will take from Niro in the tt into milan ? 2 mins ?.

Could easily be. But before then are four classified mountain days including two trips over the Stelvio on one stage.

I'm cheering for Tom though.

Could easily be. But before then are four classified mountain days including two trips over the Stelvio on one stage.

yes, i was trying gauge what time Quintana needs to take over those stages to win in milan.

3mins to be comfortable.

My money is still on Quintana at the moment, 1 big mountain victory and it could be his (would like to see Dumoulin win though)

Yes, I still think it's a big ask for Dumoulin to stay in touch over the mountains - Quintana also has the stronger team.

blimey - hadn't looked at the remaining stages until just now. That's going to be quite a week

forecast looks like it's going to be warm and getting warmer.

friday

[img] [/img]

Yeh the last week is brilliant. set up to be a great bit of bike racing

Hope it does light up in the final week because its been a bit dull so far

When the highlights show begins at 12km, you know it's been dull racing.

Tom Miller thumped that diesel engine up there, though.

Impressive show from TD, although as he said himself, on a climb that very much suited him.

Am quite surprised Quintana had a go on a day that was suited to Dumoulin when the last week is full of Quintana stages. It seemed a bit of a desperate move that backfired, and he now looks a bit vulnerable and has lost more time.

Easy to say in hindsight. Not sure anyone expected Domoulin to win today and I think Quintana's attitude was simply every stage counts. If you're only gaining 30 seconds on each one... Was good to see him so aggressive. Obviously backfired though, and I'm surprised he kept going even when it was clear he was being pulled back, only to sit up and drop his guard when Domoulin attacked - he'll not repeat that one.

I think that's it though - Domoulin absolutely beasted it. I'm not sure Quintana did that much wrong (other than perhaps underestimate him!). And I'm not sure he'll be the only one worried. I bet Froome is watching in anticipation...

Don't just assume that TD will crush the final stage TT. The accumulated fatigue from the crazy final week mountains could really take its toll - On anyone, not just TD. If Tom does crack on one of the stages late next week and lose a number of minutes, it could also start to mess with his head.

Not sure anyone expected Domoulin to win today

I'd heard some pundits and other riders including Nibali saying TD was the favourite for today as the climb suited his riding style.

When the highlights show begins at 12km, you know it's been dull racing.

a neutralised downhill start from Coppi country as the roads were too sketchy and then a 100km flat drag to the bottom of Oropa, it was like a 'transition stage' with a decent final climb. Actually had eurosport on from the gun and watching the time and effort that takes a break to form was interesting (and something we don't usually see as the TV starts after it's formed) even if that break was never going to get to the line.

Stage 15 Valdengo > Bergamo After the Fireworks

The stage starts in Valdengo as it did in 2014. The route covers 150 km on perfectly flat roads with the typical obstacles of all urban areas (i.e. roundabouts, traffic dividers, etc). Past Zogno, the route takes in two categorised climbs: Miragolo San Salvatore (unprecedented KOM) and Selvino, (here the last KOM was Tony Rominger in 1995). After Selvino, there is a long descent with a few hairpins in-between, then, a further 9 km lead to the upper city, and all the way to the finish line. Over the final kilometres, the route runs across the upper city (Bergamo Alta), climbing up to reach Porta Garibaldi and then Largo Aperto (covering 200 metres on pebble paving). In the first sector, gradients never fall below 10% (with a maximum of 12%). With 1,800 m to the finish, a sharp bend and a sector on narrowed roadway lead through Porta Sant’Agostino. The road takes a wide bend to the left after the flamme rouge, leading to the finish line. The home stretch (800 m long, on 7.5-m wide asphalt road) runs initially downwards and levels out afterwards.

[img] [/img]

[img] [/img]

[img] [/img]

[img] [/img]

[img] [/img]

[img] [/img]

[img] [/img]

[img] [/img]

1. Tom Dumoulin (Ned/Sunweb) 59hrs 31mins 17secs

2. Nairo Quintana (Col/Movistar) +2mins 47secs

3. Thibaut Pinot (Fra/FDJ) +3mins 25secs

4. Vincenzo Nibali (Ita/Bahrain) +3mins 40secs

5. Ilnur Zakarin (Rus/Katusha) +4mins 24secs

6. Bauke Mollema (Ned/Trek) +4mins 32secs

7. Tanel Kangert (Est/Astana) +4mins 55secs

8. Domenico Pozzovivo (Ita/AG2R) +4mins 59secs

9. Bob Jungels (Lux/Quick-Step) +5mins 28secs

10. Andrey Amador (Crc/Movistar) +5mins 36secs

I don't think Adam Yates gets enough credit. He seems to have quietly developed into a world class talent. Ok he lost some time yesterday but for the most part is able to stay with the main gc contenders.

it's going to come down to Movistar going long, like they did in the Vuelta to beat Froome. NQ can't just pinch 30 seconds on TomDum at the end of a big climb. He needs more than that.

TomDum needs Sky* to help him diesel away all day, if he gets gapped by Movistar.

*thereby tiring NQ out for the TdF....

Quintana needs to gain at least 5 minutes on Dumoulin going into the last day. He's got about 5 stages to do it over. Be very interesting.

like they did in the Vuelta to beat Froome.

That Vuelta was a freakish stage and all down to Contador rather than any cunning by Movistar. Quintana made it into that move by the skin of his teeth.

Be more like when a dominant Astana and Aru wore down an isolated Dumoulin.

Today looks like a Yates stage to me. Wonder if he wants to keep sitting in and try and see how far up the gc he can get or if he wants a stage?

mental stuff break has 11s half distance, they flew through the feed zone some team going to the front trying to call a halt! looney stuff 🙂

TomDum needs Sky* to help him diesel away all day, if he gets gapped by Movistar

As conspiracy theories go I like this. Didn't Sky and another team (Astana?) Supposedly plot whilst in the same hotel for a GT stage last year?

As conspiracy theories go I like this.

Orica boys on the front giving relief to sunweb 🙂 Whitey wasn't impressed by movistar !

well that was like a good one-day Classic! NQ has turned from a climber to a sprinter, now?

Quickstep turning thier season around

Today looks like a Yates stage to me

Ooh and so close.

Indeed but we still dont know if he's going for stages or trying to crack the top ten both came as one today.

double post