Giro d'Italia 2013, 4th-26th May - [Spoilers]

[smutchin]

I am not sure. That time is the equivalent of doing three Box Hills in a row in a 6 minute time roughly. That's not bad TBH, and throw in the fact that not many of the pro peloton upload to Strava - he might just hang in there...

I'm not saying it's a bad time - it's certainly a damn sight faster than I could get up there. If you look at the leaderboard, a number of riders, including the KOM, posted decent times on the same day last August, so I'm guessing it must have been used in a race. But I still think it's way off the mark compared to what you'd expect even the tailenders in the Giro peloton to be capable of.

You're right though that it largely depends on whether or not any of the peloton upload their ride... Alex Dowsett uploaded his TT the other day but he hasn't uploaded any other stages. Laurens Ten Dam usually uploads his races but he's elsewhere.

 

[smutchin]

The gradient and the graph doesn't make it look like the final climb?

It's 7km at about 5%, which matches what it says in CN's race preview. Look at the route profile - you can see "Diga del Vajont" marked near the finish...

 

[smutchin]

If Brad had spent more time at FdJ learning how to handle the cold & wet, he wouldn't be in this position :

The commentary is priceless. "Voila c'est un pistaire..."

 

[raindog]

The commentary is priceless. "Voila c'est un pistaire..."

that's the bloke's accent making it sound like that - it's actually "pistard"

 

[smutchin]

that's the bloke's accent making it sound like that - it's actually "pistard"

Sheesh. And I thought I knew a bit of French... That was a complete guess at the word based on what it sounded like. Thanks for the correction.

 

[montage]

Just to give a bit of hope for Brad - Wasn't Nibali shelled hard on the first summit finish of the tour? stage 7 where Froome won? He was outperforming Evans by a country mile after that day

 

[Zofo]

Just wishful thinking I know, but wouldn't it be great if Wiggo just grew a pair and went for it in TT mode with 30 k to go --a la Cancellara?

 

[Radchenister]

View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nN-MEj_2Moo

 

[Radchenister]

And a contemplative Sir Brad as well:


View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6bV0e29CNk

 

[thom]

Just to give a bit of hope for Brad - Wasn't Nibali shelled hard on the first summit finish of the tour? stage 7 where Froome won? He was outperforming Evans by a country mile after that day

Oh yes - Nibali lost 5 secs to Wiggins that day.

I think the one where I think Brad could conceivably make a lone break is Sunday's stage up the Galibier, since it's in France and the roads aren't quite so steep. But we all remember Cadel's epic pull (up the other side) to the top in 2011, so it's unlikely he'd make much headway.

 

[rich p]

Oh yes - Nibali lost 5 secs to Wiggins that day.

I think the one where I think Brad could conceivably make a lone break is Sunday's stage up the Galibier, since it's in France and the roads aren't quite so steep. But we all remember Cadel's epic pull (up the other side) to the top in 2011, so it's unlikely he'd make much headway.

He needs to belt up the Telegraph, descend like a madman and race to the top of the Galibier while Brailsford takes out Nibali with a sniper's rifle. One shot - as Bobby de Niro would say.

 

[smutchin]

Galibier sounds doubtful at the moment due to SNO. Not sure if this is a good or bad thing for Brad.

 

[VamP]

Galibier sounds doubtful at the moment due to SNO. Not sure if this is a good or bad thing for Brad.

He thinks it's a bad thing.

 

[thom]

Galibier sounds doubtful at the moment due to SNO. Not sure if this is a good or bad thing for Brad.

really ? I heard they'd been employing explosives to clear the way in the past few weeks, dislodging potential avalanches.

 

[thom]

He needs to belt up the Telegraph, descend like a madman and race to the top of the Galibier while Brailsford takes out Nibali with a sniper's rifle. One shot - as Bobby de Niro would say.

There's hardly anything to descend between the Telegraphe and Valloire - my Mum could do it.
Let's hope Brailsford has a good shot.