Giro d'Italia (with *SPOILERS*)

[Flying_Monkey]

If we weren't certain that Basso couldn't win the Giro yesterday, we've got to be sure now.

 

[smutchin]

Champion's ride by Hesjedal. Superb.

Rodriguez 3rd - not great news for Cav...

d.

 

[Flying_Monkey]

Field shot to bits today. Yeah, and true about the Rosso - that's 16 points for Purito.

 

[Paul_L]

Mammoth rides by everyone there.

 

[Flying_Monkey]

There's still tomorrow though, and some of the most ludicrous mountains yet. The other good thing is though - we aren't seeing any 'unbelievable' rides here, everyone looks as they should after a day like this - absolutely destroyed.

 

[raindog]

All those guys were destroyed when they crossed the line.
Impressive stuff.

 

[raindog]

Hesjedal confounded all the experts. If he can hang in tomorrow he's more or less bagged it.

 

[Flying_Monkey]

Hesjedal confounded all the experts. If he can hang in tomorrow he's more or less bagged it.

That is what Basso and Rodriguez are now saying... although of course it could all be a cunning psychological strategy to make Hesjedal relax so they can pounce.

 

[Buddfox]

So how do we stand on Cav and the maglia rossa? He's got a 13-point advantage - are there intermediate sprint points available tomorrow? If Rodriguez has the legs, he seems to be in with a good shout. May be that Uran and Henao have double motivation to perform tomorrow - pushing Rodriguez down the standings! Not an easy challenge...

 

[raindog]

I doubt Basso could "pounce" even with a rocket under his saddle

 

[rich p]

Epic stage and wan't it nice to see them all farked at the end. |Such a refreshing change from when they used to whistle and wave at the finish. Are you watching Bertie?

 

[Strathlubnaig]

Cavendish must be saving himself for the TT, he came in 40 something minutes behind, a nice easy day then...ha ha.
Chapeau to anyone who finished that stage today, mind blowing really.

 

[Flying_Monkey]

So how do we stand on Cav and the maglia rossa? He's got a 13-point advantage - are there intermediate sprint points available tomorrow? If Rodriguez has the legs, he seems to be in with a good shout. May be that Uran and Henao have double motivation to perform tomorrow - pushing Rodriguez down the standings! Not an easy challenge...

There is an intermediate sprint that he could take if the field are together - or if he's in an escape, himself. It's after a long descent following the first, not too horrendous, climb of the day. Given that all the main contenders will be saving themselves for the two big climbs he has a chance. And it depends whether Rodriguez has really given up on the Rosa - in which case, he might want the Rosso more...

 

[rich p]

There is an intermediate sprint that he could take if the field are together - or if he's in an escape, himself. It's after a long descent following the first, not too horrendous, climb of the day. Given that all the main contenders will be saving themselves for the two big climbs he has a chance. And it depends whether Rodriguez has really given up on the Rosa - in which case, he might want the Rosso more...

I think he'll feel that the Rossa is beneath him but he wouldn't be able to win the intermediate anyway. He'll still be trying for the Rosa at the top of the Stelvio which will bring him Rosso points by default.
Cav is 13 points ahead. Where do we need J-Rod to finish for Cav to retain it? 4th or lower?

 

[raindog]

Here we go - makes me legs go all wobbly just looking at it.....