Giro d'Italia (with *SPOILERS*)

[smutchin]

Basso seems - so far - to be using the same tactic that Sky used for Wiggins in the Vuelta last year - keep the tempo as high as possible at the front and try to win by attrition. I think you're right - he won't win unless he goes on the attack in one of the remaining mountain stages.

d.

 

[raindog]

Cav came in at 38 minutes apparently.

Basso isn't an attacking climber though. In fact, non of those six are. Enjoyed today's stage - still plenty of good stuff to come.

 

[Crackle]

I wouldn't count Pozzovivo out just yet, though I appreciate he's going to have put some serious time into the aforementioned to hold on in a TT but, you never know.

 

[toby123]

Rodrigeuz has got awesome form but let's remember that he is not great in TTs. How much time will he need over the others going into the Milan ITT?

 

[Flying_Monkey]

Rodrigeuz has got awesome form but let's remember that he is not great in TTs. How much time will he need over the others going into the Milan ITT?

He's not as bad as he used to be. But I still reckon he'll need near 1.30 on Hesjedal to be safe. Much less on Basso.

 

[Flying_Monkey]

Intermediate sprint taken by Cav - which means he's now 9 points ahead in the competition for the Maglia Rosso.

 

[Paul_L]

Stannard's putting a shift in today isn't he!

 

[Flying_Monkey]

Cav got beaten straight up there. Unusual. 2nd gives him 20 more points, putting him 29 points ahead of Rodriguez. Makes it very difficult to say he'll win the Rosso now. Perhaps if he gets the 2 remaining intermediates, but the one tomorrow will be tricky as it's right after a climb.

 

[Paul_L]

Cav didn't look happy with that although there didn't look anything wrong with Guardini's line.

He may as well put out now. No point slogging over the high mountains, as the Rosa is probably going else where now.

 

[frayBentos59]

crikey

 

[smutchin]

Ooh! Perfect leadout by Eisel and Thomas too.

Can we presume the legs are still tired after the mountains? But let's not take anything away from Guardini - that was some sprint.

d.

 

[smutchin]

Cav didn't look happy with that although there didn't look anything wrong with Guardini's line.

Expect he was more unhappy with himself than with Guardini. He really wants that red jersey. [edit: just read that he picked up 5pts for the intermediate sprint today as well, so he's well aware how tight the margins are.]

d.

 

[raindog]

Absolutely tremendous sprint from Guardini there.

 

[Paul_L]

Expect he was more unhappy with himself than with Guardini. He really wants that red jersey.

d.

yeah looking at the replay after the line Cav looks at Guardini before punching the air with anger, and i suspect it was more a "I can't believe i've been beaten by you" than any frustration about any foul play.

Couldn't fault the lead out though.

 

[Paul_L]

indeed. take nothing away from Guardini. He really wanted that and did the business perfectly.