[Closed] the Giro Thread

agreed, but would have been good to find out in a fair fight.

mind, this is still good 😯

Rooting for Pinot here. I like Pinot.

Nice work from Nibali here

Good ride from pinot..

Nibbles pops.

Good ride from pinot..

right up until you said

Good ride from pinot..

[edit] looks like he's recovered a bit

30 seconds, I think Pinot and Dumoulin would have taken that at the start of the day.

And business as usual for Sky at the Giro!

Interesting stage. Here's my observations and predictions.

When will the cycling press stop talking about Tejay vG as a GT contender? And G to join him in that camp shortly.

Nibali, clearly not on top form but can't be ruled out yet.

Dumoulin to supply interest but ultimately fall short.

Mollema to unspectacularly ride himself into the top ten at least.

I'm hoping Pinot has continued to improve his time trialing.

Sky should pull out in protest.

It's about time someone grew a pair of political balls and made a stand.

G had his shoulder "popped out". You have to wonder what the organisers would have done if it was Nibbles and team Bahrain–Merida wiped out by a motorcycle.

Kind of agree with bikebouy. No one wants to see a bunch of GC riders eliminated that way. But there's always been crashes, could just have easily been a bit of road furniture or a dodgy bit of tarmac. Should teams walk out whenever there's a crash? Ridiculous place to park a motorbike though.

And yet again Quintana presses on and gains time on everyone in slightly controversial circumstances in the Giro. Can't blame him though on a stage he need to win big on with a TT coming up after the rest day.

When will the cycling press stop talking about Tejay vG as a GT contender? And G to join him in that camp shortly.

See them a bit like Wiggins really. Given the perfect course, circumstances, opposition, then possibly.

No one wants to see a bunch of GC riders eliminated that way. But there's always been crashes, could just have easily been a bit of road furniture or a dodgy bit of tarmac

there's a big difference between road furniture/potholes and outside human influences like cars, motorcycles and "spectators" one is a mishap the other can be deliberate (not saying that this is btw) Hence when this kind of incidence happens the fairest thing to do is to neutralize the race.

Is this the end of senior riders controlling the peloton in these circumstances? Or as they were already pushing on it was fair to continue?

See them a bit like Wiggins really. Given the perfect course, circumstances, opposition, then possibly.

You might be right about G but van Garderen?

I feel the the race should have been neutralised there. Commentary suggested it was a difficult decision to make, but I don't think it was. They were just hitting the start of the climb, and the climb was the race. That would have been far from ideal, but when a moto takes out several GC riders...

Nibali, clearly not on top form but can't be ruled out yet.

Nibali's not always the best of climbers when with the top of the field. I think he often wins races with the risks he takes. Let's see if he can pull anything out of the bag.

Dumoulin to supply interest but ultimately fall short.

Would expect him to take the pink jersey on Tuesday. Will be interesting to see by how much. He could be in a very good position considering how well he went today.

Its Sunday, its the Blockhaus, Italian TV would have melted down if the had neutralised it at that point. Especially after the (bit of a)non event on Etna.

Shame, it's f***** the race.

It's ****ed the race as a GC contest, but we might see some great racing if the losers from today start looking for stage wins

@TvG, can't see why anyone has any expectations of him other than failure. He'll make a good climbing domestique though - tall enough to provide good shelter and a big engine.

@G, bit gutted, he doesn't need any help falling off, seems to have that mastered already. Would have liked to see how he could have done with no mishaps, but tbh i never expected him on the podium.

@dumoulin, nice ride, will be interesting to see how much time he takes back on TT.

Sky may as well just withdraw G and Landa, get them rested up and prep for the TdF

Definitely beginning to get a bit p'd off with moto incidents over the last couple of years

Never been impressed with TVG. When the incident happened the race was on so no problems with Movistar et al pushing on. Nairo was fantastic, a well deserved win. Had my eye on Pinot for a while, thought he might break through this year and he did well. Dumoulin? was impressive, but I was surprised to see jungels and nibbles blow so early. Nairo to lose pink in the TT, maybe even off the podium, but he'll get it back in the Alps

Finally kicked off the last couple of days then.

Very unfortunate incident with the Moto but looks like it was just individual stupidity by the police officer?

The race was well under way, I don't agree it should have been neutralised. Plenty of GC interest remaining, even if the winner looks obvious now.

Well considering Team Sky and G both said the pack was racing and neither would have expected them to neutralise the stage, then there's really not a lot else to add on that side.

Of course it should never have happend... but it did....

It does however mean the Giro is essentially finished and won now barring another strange incident. I just can't see anyone pushing Quintana now. Whether Landa or G could have stayed with the Movistar push is open to debate, but the race would have been stronger for it that's for sure.

Very unfortunate incident with the Moto but looks like it was just individual stupidity by the police officer?

Was it not really collective stupidity by the peleton? The motorbike was in a stupid place but it wasnt moving. I thought the convention of bunch riding was to point out hazards, it was a fairly straight road and there was space to the right, surely if anyone is at fault it is the lead riders of the team in whites train?

It wasn't really on a straight bit. It was right after a left-hand hairpin followed by a right-hand curve. There probably was enough time to react, but it's not like they had 2k of clear vision.

I guess the thing is, in a bunch RR, it's common place to have the motos pull just [b][i]off[/i][/b] the road into junctions, gateways, driveways, etc. Even in lower cat races in the UK the NEG riders do this. So that's what the riders are all expecting: moto = off road.

Was it not really collective stupidity by the peleton?

The peloton is racing flat out at that point fighting for positioning into the climb. They'd be taking up every inch of tarmac and it'd be a fairly loud and chaotic environment.

Given the situation, the speeds involved, the expectation of moto behaviour, I wouldn't be surprised if riders on the nose hadn't actually realised the moto was stationary until it was way too late. And the guys in the wheels, they've got no chance of spotting it.

Some reading on the first week...
https://cyclingtips.com/2017/05/10-talking-points-wild-first-week-2017-giro-ditalia/
http://inrng.com/2017/05/giro-rest-day-2017/

The peloton is racing flat out at that point fighting for positioning into the climb. They'd be taking up every inch of tarmac and it'd be a fairly loud and chaotic environment.

It's becoming a self fulfilling prophecy "no quarter" = manic racing into pinch points = more crashes = more manic racing into pinch points = more teams not wanting to be on the wrong side of a crash = less room = more crashes = more manic racing etc. It's also worth noting on the tdf when the motorcyclist wiped out chasers on the climb (froome running in cleats) they changed the time of the riders to reflect the delay caused by the incident.

Stage 10 Foligno > Montefalco the Earthquake Time Trial

After the start in Foligno, which will host the Giro for the 7th time, the route quickly leaves the old town centre and takes relatively wide and mainly straight roads for over 12 kilometres, until past Bevagna (time recording). The route then starts to climb at an average 4-5% gradient, and reaches Madonna delle Grazie, where the road becomes a false flat up. A fast-running and technical descent twists and turns all the way to San Marco, where the road flattens and straightens out. The route takes a U-turn in Bastardo (second time recording), then a false-flat uphill drag leads to Montefalco. The slopes are never steep, yet the climb is unrelenting. The road, narrowed at points, leads all the way to the walled city of Montefalco (unprecedented stage town). The final kilometres are slightly uphill. In the last kilometre, the route descends and passes through a gateway, and then goes up again, on a short, steep ramp, leading into the 200-m long, uphill home straight, on 6-m wide asphalt road.

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Hoping to see Dumoulin in pink at the end of the day. Always been a fan - it's heartening to see a big rider keep up (just) on the climbs.

Going to be an interesting stage. Looking back to stage 13 of the Tour last year, similar-ish distance and profile. Dumoulin won the stage and got almost 2 minutes on Mollema, over three minutes on Quintana. I'd expect him to put a minute on Pinot too despite his much improved time trail. If it goes that way today it'd at least keep things interesting for the next week or so and make Quintana work a bit for the win.

And just as a reminder of the unpredictability of even a time trial stage...

Always been a fan - it's heartening to see a big rider keep up (just) on the climbs.

Do like Dumoulin. For those with a bit of a man crush on the big guy...

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And for the Tejay doubters earlier in this thread, this bit from the inrng stage preview should amuse...

Finally Tejay van Garderen needs a result more than ever otherwise he’s going to be presented on a wet February morning as Wanty-Groupe Gobert’s new signing. BMC may well already be shopping for a new leader but the American can still deliver, a stage win seems unlikely but he could feature.

I think (hope) Pinot might take this one from DuMoulin. I certainly expect the pair of them to be ahead of Quintana, and if Mollema can put in a good performance we might well see Nairo off the podium entirely today - though I can't see that lasting

we might well see Nairo off the podium entirely today

Almost certainly. Prediction for GC at the end of today's stage...

1. Dumoulin
2. Pinot @ 1:00
3. Mollema @ 2:00
4. Quintana @ 2:30
5. Nibali @ 2:45

Hmm. Current GC

1. Nairo Quintana (Col/Movistar) 42hrs 06mins 09secs

2. Thibaut Pinot (Fra/FDJ) +28secs

3. Tom Dumoulin (Ned/Sunweb) +30secs

4. Bauke Mollema (Ned/Trek) +51secs

5. Vincenzo Nibali (Ita/Bahrain) +1min 10secs

6. Domenico Pozzovivo (Ita/AG2R) +1min 28secs

7. Ilnur Zakarin (Rus/Katusha) +2mins 28secs

8. Davide Formolo (Ita/Cannondale) +2mins 45secs

9. Andrey Amador (Crc/Movistar) +2mins 53secs

10. Steven Kruijswijk (Ned/LottoNL) +3min 06secs

Might even see Nibali just nudge above Quintana given those times, don't think Pozzovivo and the rest of the top ten will have what it takes.

Nibali is tough to predict in a TT. He does occasionally pull a good one out the bag. Likely somewhere between a minute and two minutes on Quintana.

Finally Tejay van Garderen needs a result more than ever otherwise he’s going to be presented on a wet February morning as Wanty-Groupe Gobert’s new signing. BMC may well already be shopping for a new leader but the American can still deliver, a stage win seems unlikely but he could feature.

Slowride podcast tweeted in a similar vein along the lines of "is it too late to enter Tour of California? asking for America's greatest one week racer".

Not a Sky fanboi but hope that crash doesn't kill the Giro, and Dumoulin, Nibali, Pinot etc make it a race.

Kiryienka looked to be going well but now sat up and soft pedalling, what happened there?

Brutt's crash looked nasty.

Could he have been sent out to get some time/power data for G?

Maybe he went off thinking of the win but went too far into the red and decided to knock it off.

Kiryienka now just crashed on a corner. Reckon he must have been riding with a puncture or some sort of mechanical. Very odd.

Ah, just seen he's been off

Very odd. He was soft pedalling a small gear even before he went off and was passed by the minute man he'd passed a few minutes earlier. Then he crashed. Wouldn't be surprised if it was some sort of bike problem. Still made the best time so far 😯

Top ten set off from about three o clock.

Very odd. Cycling news saying...

ooking at the time splits after 9.8km and 28.2km, Kiry started steady and then gained much of his lead in the final part of the rolling 39.8km course.

When he looked to be going quite slowly in the last few k's.

slipping clutch and the motor not engaging properly?

🙂

Greipel just pushed out of the top 10. Tells you something about the course to see him up there. Quintana may not enjoy this one.

gutsy ride from G, that road rash should be stinging !

quintana 48 secs down on the first check, nice bunny hop though 🙂

Whilst i was rooting for G, Dumoulin would make me happy too. I have a rather irrational dislike of Nairo, no reason why, I just don't like him.

he does look quick Dumoulin, really flying. Quintana looks sluggish by comparison.

quintana could lose 3+ mins here

Dumoulin is not looking so smooth on the bike now.

Toms wearing my legs 😆

averaging 30 mph 😯

Shocker for Pinot.

Can't understand the commentators saying bad day for Quintana. Reckon he'd have been happy to keep it under 3 min to Dumoulin and closer than he'd expect to Pinot and Mollema. Still second on GC with a strong team to duff up Dumoulin over the big mountains.

Pretty good that and I hate TT's.

Glad it's all changed at the top, I'd like to see Thomas back into the top ten at the end and Nibbs have a shocker and drop 15 places..

Nibalis Warp

more from the wolverines

Wondering if Klunk is a fan of Ulrika Greenhedge? 🙂

Could be an interesting stage today as many a race has been lost on stages like this one. Likely a day for the breakaway but it'll be interesting to see if Movistar decide to make it a hard one for GC riders. Maybe a late move by Nibali to grab a bit of time.

Wondering if Klunk is a fan of Ulrika Greenhedge?

yeah go wolverines. 😐

Can I just say how much I enjoyed the Giro visiting Bastardo?

Stage 11 Firenze > Bagno Di Romagna A Tuscan [s]Odyssey[/s] Oddity

This queen stage across the Apennines takes in 4 consecutive categorised climbs, with not even a single flat stretch in between: Passo della Consuma, Passo della Calla, Passo del Carnaio and Monte Fumaiolo. After clearing Passo del Carnaio, the route takes a first pass on the finish line in Bagno di Romagna (for the first time stage town at the Giro). Then comes a long ring (approx. 52 km) that takes the riders to clear the Monte Fumaiolo categorised summit. A long drop then leads all the way to the finish. The roadway is narrow on average, and the road surface is worn out at points. Starting from 3,500 m from the finish, the last kilometres either descend, or are a false flat up. The route drops down quickly on wide roads, with several curves and hairpins, and briefly touches the centre of San Piero in Bagno. The final kilometres are dotted with roundabouts. The last bend is 5,900 m from the finish line, followed by a long home straight, just bending slightly, on 6-m wide and perfectly level asphalt road.

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Can I just say how much I enjoyed the Giro visiting Bastardo?

Nibali too...

"I knew that once I arrived at the town of Bastardo – sorry but it makes me laugh – I knew that the wind was going to be my face, and that was the place where you had to push on the pedals the hardest," Nibali said.

If it was anyone else but G we'd be deeply suspicious wouldnt we?

If it was anyone else but G we'd be deeply suspicious wouldnt we?

Of what?
Olympic Team pursuit gold medalist performs well on flat TT - hardly a shocker

Crashes, has rest day, pulls out the time trial of his life the day after and you think given the history of cycling that doesnt look a little sus?

Never underestimate the power of rage, especially when fuelled by a sense of injustice. I would have been surprised if he didnt have a blinder.

Well lets just say if it was beefcake bertie?

Well lets just say if it was beefcake bertie?

Apples with oranges.
One is a 60kg climber that worked hard on his TT position (and had special steaks), the other is a pursuiter thats previously targetted events like Paris-Roubaix and has slimmed down to hang in on the climbs.

A_A - Are you actually trying to insinuate something about Thomas?

He's one of the strongest all-rounders in the world and was only beaten by Alex Dowsett and Rohan Dennis at the Commonwealth Games TT.

It's not as if the field is stacked with TT specialists. This Giro is so mental in the mountains that nobody has bothered to come.

A_A - Are you actually trying to insinuate something about Thomas?

No cycling in general, anyone who trusts it to be clean is more trusting than me.

No cycling in general, anyone who trusts it to be clean is more trusting than me.

Then why watch it ? There's no evidence whatever that G is a doper, other than he's a great cyclist. That doesn't mean it's impossible that he is, but if you can't watch and enjoy pro cycling for what it is there's plenty of other things out there to amuse you.

Agreed, why continue to engage with something you feel so negatively about?

Many of us are capable of understanding that [i]some[/i] riders may be cheating, but still enjoy the sport using a more nuanced sense of judgement.

V V - is a good point.

Do we have to do this here? If you actually want to discuss it and are not just trolling then please go start a doping thread elsewhere and leave this one for chat about the racing.

I've started one for you here...
http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/a-giro-doping-thread-for-anagallis_arvensis

Why so precious? If it was anyone else it would raise eyebrows. Millars up and down form was never questioned as he was British. Floyd Landis recovery in the tour is one of best things I've seen. Anyone who is sure G is clean has really not been concentrating.

He's one of the strongest all-rounders in the world and was only beaten by Alex Dowsett and Rohan Dennis at the Commonwealth Games TT.

Last time I looked most if the strongest cycling countries werent in the commonwealth.

I'm not being precious.

Doping threads...
"That looks suspicious"
"No it doesn't"
"yes it does"
"he isn't"
"he is"
Repeat x1000
Pointless

Can we just keep this to the racing please and not descend into that madness?

Let's use this thread for doping speculation...
http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/a-giro-doping-thread-for-anagallis_arvensis

Last time I looked most if the strongest [s]cycling[/s] time trialling countries were[s]nt[/s] in the commonwealth.

@blobby apologies, no more derailment from here on from me

Anyway looks like it'll be a crazy start to today's stage. Everyone will want to be in the break. Wonder if Cannondale will miss it again? 🙂

Edit... looks like Movistar are setting a hard pace up the first climb and shutting things down.

@blobby apologies, no more derailment from here on from me

Domoulan would have won at least a medal had he been in it AND he would of been mighty handsome at the same time!!
I reckon 2nd in a grand tour tt is bigger than commonwealth bronze.

As for the Giro, when will Adam Yates attack? Looking forward to seeing him try something.