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As he is losing more time is he ruling himself out winning already? If so will he ride to orders and play second fiddle in the tour?
spoiler?
Sorry ,edited didnt think !
he's already not leading for the tour.
Looks like he's dropped over a minute
I know that which is why im asking if he will still play second fiddle to Froome if the giro win fails to materialize
He looked well mardy poo plums today, I'm sure he will make some time up tomorrow.
He does seem to be having some bad luck at the Giro, be interesting to see how he does tomorrow in the TT.
Also I'm not watching on TV, just reading some live text feeds, but it sounds like the Giro has been carnage, loads of crashes! (this is also the first road race I've really followed so this may be normal?)
If the giro win does materialise now then I reckon he would deffo be a better bet than Froome-Dog.
He's had his work cut out anyway without the likes of losing such time as today.
those big steep mountain finishes in the last week, combined with the likes of 20sec time bonuses for stage winners will be against him.
I'll perhaps be eating my words if he puts 3mins into everyone 2moz but has he injured his elbow too? shame if so.
(this is also the first road race I've really followed so this may be normal?)
Nah, not normal, riders all over the road, messy. Even Nibali binned it but he got back up and gave it some to get back on, Wiggins looked like he'd had the stuffing knocked out of him after he went down, hope he's not injured.
TT tomorrow as you say, we'll know for sure what his chances really are then. I reckon he's screwed, oh well.
Also I'm not watching on TV, just reading some live text feeds, but it sounds like the Giro has been carnage, loads of crashes! (this is also the first road race I've really followed so this may be normal?)
not normal, but seeing how wet the finish was, more a case of what boat for, not what tyre.
And looking at how far riders were sliding have to wonder how much diesel has been dumped on some of those corners!
I suspect Wiggo will not be doing any interviews after today's stage!
mintimperial - Member
Nah, not normal, riders all over the road, messy
Wet roads, fast descent, not unusual to have a few offs. Normal amount of crashes otherwise too IMO.
Regardless of the crash Wiggins has already been dropped on several climbs this Giro.. he's not looking the same rider as he was last year, think he may have attended too many awards ceremonies/parties at the tail end of last year instead of training. He's not had two decent seasons running on the road yet, even if he pulls back time tomorrow, he needed that time to give him an advantage ahead of the mountains, Nibali and Hesjedal look like they can drop him at will so far.
I think the mountain time trial on stage 18 will be the decider. Will be a lot of gurning that day.
And where's Uran now? Understand that Wiggins has dropped out of the top 20 for GC, if Uran's got a significant lead he'll be chomping at the bit...
EDIT - just read that Uran dropped back to help Wiggo so ignore all that!
If this puts him out of contention for the Giro I think he will only be hungrier for another shot at a Tour win. Could lead to a very interesting inter-team battle with Froome
Looks like it was a hard hit to his hip. Hope he is ok and has a great TT tomorrow.
Talk of thunderstorms and rain for the TT too.
Looks pretty bendy too.
I'm sure if he's at his best he can take 1min out of most, but that means he's got to beat people in the mountains. Can't see that based on what we've seen this last week.
His head hasn't been in the right place - easily disheartened.
[i] think he may have attended too many awards ceremonies/parties at the tail end of last year instead of training[/i]
Nomsemse
think he may have attended too many awards ceremonies/parties at the tail end of last year instead of trainingNomsemse
[url= http://www.****/tvshowbiz/article-2249728/Bradley-Wiggins-stops-McDonalds-night-partying.html ]http://www.****/tvshowbiz/article-2249728/Bradley-Wiggins-stops-McDonalds-night-partying.html[/url]
Well there were a lot of story lines like this (excuse the Daily Fail), which seems to be just before Xmas.. haven't seen any other cyclists doing this (other than Schleck allegedly)
Edit: I'm not blaming him for what it's worth, I'm just guessing the rest of his competitors weren't partying, pretty sure he said in one interview he didn't touch the bike for around 2 months.
No sideboards this year. It bodes ill............
Echo whats been said , He needs to take a major chunk out of the time trial and get a decent lead before this time next week and the mountain stages.
It's hard to say where his head is at to be honest but It looks like he's been sheltered before the Giro with only two decent events prior to this event. He's still a magnificent sportsman and here's hoping he starts to pick up some time in the next week.
I want Nibali to win this year.
Come on Cadel 🙂
I think that it was always a big ask for him to win the giro, especially without the teams best climber for support. Last years TdF was always his best shot, with less mountain top finishes and TT's.
And it has to be said, that despite sky's dominance, they don't seem to have the knack of keeping their lead rider at the front and out of trouble.
Part of me hopes Froome doesn't win the TdF this year, it would some how lessen sir Brad's achievement if the team pulled it of 2 years running with different riders. And Froome just isn't as likeable is Wiggins.
It would keep Froomes gobby missus quiet if he had a mare of a tour
He did have quite an easy ride to the Tour last year, team always in control and never really troubled. He does look like he's on a downer because things aren't going his way.
Edit: FWIW my money's on Hesjedal, looks the most in control of the GC bunch.
Early days yet but I still reckon he will be in the top 5 by the end.
I don't think I would ever call winning the TdF an easy ride, but I do think that last years race suited his strengths more than most.
With these conditions a former MTB'er will win. Handling goons like Wiggo don't stand a chance.
Early days yet but I still reckon he will be in the top 5 by the end.
Early days indeed, the first week of a Grand Tour is always carnage. Although it has to be said, he's had more than his fair share of bad luck.
Loads more to come though, plenty of days that make today and the previous few look like easy pedals in the park.
I still hope that Ryder Hesjedal wins it again though. 😉
Froome dog must of been laughing,why was he at back anyway? Telling camera bikes to stop filming him,i think that knighthood has gone to his head,it was a hard stage,but should of been up front?
Wiggins will not win. Believe because I'm certain that my total lack of knowledge gives an incite others down have.
Meh, I just find him a bit boring as a rider. Plus lots of mountains to come.
Going down the road on yer arse does nothing for moral. Still far too early to call it, a good TT result will bring back a spark. Will be win the Giro?
Nah, Nibs/Cadel but I'm plugging Santanbrugio from ViniFan.
I only saw the last about 30k today
wiggo looked like shite, long before he fell off (or did he fall more than once ?)
Was it really surprising that he didn't fancy the roads in the rain? Unless he is injured he will take serious time out of everybody bar Evans in the TT. However still not sure he can hold on to the lead even if he gets it with all the uphill finishes which will suit the pure climbers.
Not convinced his heart is not in it. He looks pretty concentrated and dedicated to me.
wasn't on a descent; he was fannying about at the back of the bunch on a pretty straight road looking like he'd bonked or somethingWas it really surprising that he didn't fancy the roads in the rain?
He said in his autobiography he hates the cold and rain and his legs don't work well in the cold. Hope the forecast for tomorrow is dry and sunny or he's toast.
He was mucking about at the back after having his bike slide out from under him on a wet descent. They were dropping like nine pins
Great win today Alan Hansen.
only if he fell twice - I saw him fall after I started wondering what was wrong with him (not even sure that many/any others had been off before then)He was mucking about at the back after having his bike slide out from under him on a wet descent.
He was mucking about at the back after having his bike slide out from under him on a wet descent.
If he's had a mechanical or needed a bike change, he'd have to be at the back.
Then moving back up through 200+ riders in the pouring rain on roads like that just to be at the front - lethal.
Ever been down the road on yer arse on shiney Italian sun drenched then rain drenched Tarmac?
Try it, plenty of it over there.
He'll be fine, Wiggs has done this before. Good to see De Luca on a spirited effort (whatever you think of him) shame Gartzelli hasn't quite got the legs of days past.
Tour of California starts soon...
Wonder which I'll be watching 😆
Apparently the Italian journos where cheering in the press room when Wiggo fell off 😥
Nice....
De Luca has been great to watch. My monies on Evans at the moment. But still only the first week and time for Wiggo to catch up but today is definately a set back. Always loads of crashes the first week of every major tour. The field will thin out over the next couple of weeks.
Really disappointed that this isn't been shown on normal TV. 🙁
I do wish Sky would let Uran or Heano off the leash sometimes. Both were up in the top group ahead of Wiggins yet both were called back to shepherd Wiggs back in. Shame what with Uran (a damn fine rider in his own right) held back. I think Uran should have stayed with Movistar, except Valverdes there which means his choice would be tow one bloke in, or the other....
Lottos kit is horrible, even more so when it's wet 😆
will itv4 be showing any of the giro?
Really disappointed that this isn't been shown on normal TV
£5 to watch on eurosport on the internet
Live stages that can be re wound up to 3 hours I think
couple of high light programmes. I've watched every day but even if week days are out i'd pay just for the weekend
Far be it from me to say "I told you so" but is anybody watching this?
Go Wiggo!
He's storming it, I am, I'm at work, I really shouldn't be, but since I work in tourism and we got the Tour next year, I'm calling it research!
Go on LAD!
Did he have to swap a wheel? heard them saying stuff but had to mute it, had customers in.
He's storming it
he's really not. Looks good on the flat and even on the ups but he looked so slow descending. I really hope he's riding within himself for the first half and is going to cane it from the intermediate to the finish. Lot of work to do though.
Did he have to swap a wheel?
Swapped bikes.
Not looking brilliant at the first time check.
Did he have to swap a wheel? heard them saying stuff but had to mute it, had customers in.
He changed bikes - it looked reasonably planned in that it was a pretty slick changeover, car and mechanics were ready.
He just dropped the Bolide in the bushes. Nice...
Alex Dowsett put in a storming ride, would love to see him get the stage win.
something looks wrong tbh, twitter talk saying he's had a bug for a few days. almost looks like he's about to climb off, looks like his giro challenge is over
I'm being optimistic and hoping he's lulling them into a false sense of security with that first split time 😐 I'm also being even more optimistic in saying that he may have 'retuned' himself for the Giro and sacrificed a little bit of TT power for the typical Giro hills, he's done it before with the Tour.
Perhaps I spoke too soon. Looked fantastic when not descending. Looks awful when descending.
I am bricking it on his behalf!
something looks wrong tbh, twitter talk saying he's had a bug for a few days.
if that's true then top ten and still in touching distance by the rest day would be a pretty good result.
Wiggins didn't take the first split in the Olympics, but I may have been lulled by him starting diown the running order and so passing people who wouldn't usually be near him. Still confident he'll pull it out. Dowsett looking more and more comfortable though
edit: meh...
edit edit: oh!
Henao has done a decent ride which is surprising given that he looks awful on a TT bike. Knees all over the place!
Reckon Brad would have beaten Alex Dowsett's time if it hadn't been for that bike change.
That was obscenely fast uphill after the last split. He was 59 seconds down at the start of the climb and finished 10 seconds behind!
I would say brads Giro is over and he wants leadership in France now. Management at sky have got this tour so wrong and i feel for the columbians.
That was obscenely fast uphill after the last split. He was 59 seconds down at the start of the climb and finished 10 seconds behind!
More likely it was a timing error.
Hesjedal is flying!
Reckon with Nibali, Hesjedal and Evans still out on course, Brad will be lucky to stay inside the top 5.
Management at sky have got this tour so wrong
They don't have a crystal ball you know.
Decent performance given yesterday and the bike change
It certainly looks harder for him now to win it though
I would say brads Giro is over and he wants leadership in France now. Management at sky have got this tour so wrong and i feel for the columbians.
Totally agree. A real shame as they could have placed great in GC themselves. Wiggins is too fragile mentally and too crap a descender. Imagine a wet day in the mountains, Nibali will take more on the descents than the climbs.
Management at sky have got this tour so wrong
Disagree - they went into it with a game plan but a combination of bad luck and a couple of days where either others were better or they weren't good enough has conspired against them.
It could happen to anyone, it could have been the other way round and Brad could be in pink with a minute gap...
Just one of those things. There are factors you can control but plenty that you can't. Still 2 weeks to go, lots can happen in that time.
Disagree - they went into it with a game plan but a combination of bad luck and a couple of days where either others were better or they weren't good enough has conspired against them.
LOL isn't that how all bike races are lost?
All the eggs in the fragile Wiggins basket is mistake.
All the eggs in the fragile Wiggins basket is mistake
[Sascasm] You're right, it's crazy that they would go into the Giro with a TdF, Paris Nice, Dauphine and Romandie winner as the leader.
If they had any sense they'd have had those Columbians that haven't won a stage race between them as leaders and Wiggo as domestique. [/Sarcasm]
TBH, it doesn't look like that bad a day for Wiggins. If he is ill, then he has a rest day to recover, not too far behind. one good day in the mountains and it's all change...
Still 2 weeks to go, lots can happen in that time.
I agree with crazy-legs, this race is nowhere near over! This was never going to be easy for Sky certainly no Tour parade. Though looking at Nibali he is not putting a foot wrong, finally showing the promise he's always been credited with.
C'mon the Essex Boy
Leader in the club house after the fav finishes a couple of seconds after him.
Go Dowsett.... great move for him to get away from Team Sky last year
Will give me inspiration when I'm TTing around a little Triathlon sprint, on his local roads of north essex, tomorrow morn
Can't believe I swapped Nibbles for Hesdejal! Loads of points lost 🙁
Brilliant result for Dowsett, top ride!
Also, I hold up my hands for doubting Wiggins in that TT, good to see him hold onto 2nd on the stage.
[Sascasm] You're right, it's crazy that they would go into the Giro with a TdF, Paris Nice, Dauphine and Romandie winner as the leader.If they had any sense they'd have had those Columbians that haven't won a stage race between them as leaders and Wiggo as domestique. [/Sarcasm]
All those races are relatively straightforward compared to the gong show route Giro. Wait till they start hitting the nuts steep climbs in the Dolomites. I would argue that only on mega money Sky would those guys be domestiques. .
Oh .... and I transferred Dowsett into my dream team this morn... 😀
How nervous do you think he is waiting for the others to finish ?
Three things struck me about that:
Descending: Wiggins often coasting around corners, outside pedal down taking it very safe, Evans in particular pedalling full tilt around corners.
Wiggins vs Nibali: Just 11 seconds gap. That is one hell of a turn around in one year. Did the course really favour the non specialist that much or is Wiggins just not on it today?
Hesjedal long way down: Really thought he would do better than that.
How much time did wiggo lose with his puncture today? Half a minute?