Yet Another Cycling Forum

General Category => Freewheeling => Racing => Topic started by: Ray 6701 on 04 May, 2012, 12:48:53 pm

Title: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: Ray 6701 on 04 May, 2012, 12:48:53 pm
Starts tomorrow  :thumbsup:

Any predictions for GC, KOM, Sprints etc...

Team Sky line up: http://www.teamsky.com/article/0,27290,25248_7708111,00.html
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: Gus on 04 May, 2012, 01:30:48 pm
Prediction :  Sunday will be hell for GC riders. Forecast says 5-10oC plenty of side wind and a long ride along the
North Sea.  :thumbsup:
GC : Scarponi
KOM : Sella
Cav will take a couple of stages before folding in the high mountains.
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: JT on 04 May, 2012, 02:19:18 pm
I don't really do predictions although I think an Italian will win the GC.

I'm hoping Cav will win in Fano in Pink after the TTT) - the first of three stages we're going out to see!
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: Domestique on 05 May, 2012, 03:26:50 pm
Modeno to Fano stage 5 - lets hope there isnt a headwind, that looks like a very long straight run in  :o :o ;D
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: citoyen on 06 May, 2012, 03:47:07 pm
Just to be contrary, my money's on Goss for today's stage. Backing Cav is too obvious.

Didn't Geraint Thomas do well yesterday?

Kreuziger for overall.

d.
Title: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: citoyen on 06 May, 2012, 04:33:24 pm
Just as well it was an each-way bet...

Note to Theo Bos: That's what we in road cycling call a "corner".

d.
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: David Martin on 06 May, 2012, 04:36:49 pm
Just as well it was an each-way bet...

Note to Theo Bos: That's what we in road cycling call a "corner".

d.
Note to trackies.. Corners may turn right as well as left..
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: giropaul on 07 May, 2012, 09:02:53 am
Fantastically intelligent riding by Cavendish; and especially by Thomas. A difficult gallop to sort out, and everyone lost their trains. I'm in awe of Cavendish's ability to re-write the plan constantly as things unfold.
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: Rhys W on 07 May, 2012, 10:04:18 am
Cav's rainbow jersey is easy to spot, especially in overhead shots and it makes fascinating viewing to try and follow where he gets to. For a long time in the run-in yesterday he seemed boxed in, with 2-3 riders from other teams in between the Sky train and himself. Then as the sprint wound up he seemed to move left (right in the head-on shots), well away from any remaining Sky riders... and still made it. Masterful.
Title: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: ran doner on 07 May, 2012, 10:42:18 am
Guess Cav will be wearing Red today ?
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: bobb on 07 May, 2012, 11:10:17 am
Cav's rainbow jersey is easy to spot, especially in overhead shots and it makes fascinating viewing to try and follow where he gets to. For a long time in the run-in yesterday he seemed boxed in, with 2-3 riders from other teams in between the Sky train and himself. Then as the sprint wound up he seemed to move left (right in the head-on shots), well away from any remaining Sky riders... and still made it. Masterful.

That's the thing about Cav - Ok he's fast, but it's his reading of a sprint and reactions to events that unfold during it that sets him apart from the others. Whereas the also-rans always say "I got boxed in" , "I went too early" or "I left it too late" he very rarely makes a mistake. He can get out of trouble if he has to and knows exactly when to go full gas. It's a natural skill - a bit like a top footballer who can read and predict a passage of play...

I reckon there are others with a higher flat out speed than him, but if they don't get into the right position to unleash that speed, they ain't going to beat him. Pure class.
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: David Martin on 07 May, 2012, 11:33:58 am
Watching the sprint you can see when he turns on the gas. He pulls over to Goss, paces him and then, just as Goss starts to feel the pain, kicks and gets the clear bike length.

Has Matt Goss now got more second places than any other rider this year?
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: citoyen on 07 May, 2012, 01:04:09 pm
Goss is certainly a reliable bet for a place. I got 12-1 on him from Paddy Power yesterday, which meant my £5 e/w bet gave a better return than if I'd put £10 on Cav to win. PP aren't advertising odds on the stage win today - must have taken a hit yesterday.  ;D

Would have got an even better return on Soupe, of course.

d.
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: ferret on 07 May, 2012, 01:08:04 pm
without sky tv and only freesat how/where can I watch/listen to this or am I too late as usual :)
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: eck on 07 May, 2012, 01:21:44 pm
ferret, try here:
http://www.cyclingfans.com/live_race_coverage (http://www.cyclingfans.com/live_race_coverage)

BTW, has anyone else been watching the Eurosport feed on this site? Am I the only one who gets regular audio in the background, telling me how good Finish is for my dishwasher?  ???
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: David Martin on 07 May, 2012, 01:27:52 pm
It plays ads in the sidebar and there isn't a way to turn them off.
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: ferret on 07 May, 2012, 01:36:51 pm
Ok thanks for that, I've also just come across steep.hill TV loads of links on there, eurosport etc
Title: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: ran doner on 07 May, 2012, 03:10:20 pm
Great bunny hop by the Farnese guy
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: David Martin on 07 May, 2012, 03:14:41 pm
I imagine Cav might have a few words to say about sprinters staying on their lines and not switching..
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: David Martin on 07 May, 2012, 03:19:37 pm
(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: Rhys W on 07 May, 2012, 03:20:51 pm
Great bunny hop by the Farnese guy

That was indeed! Stunning.
Title: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: citoyen on 07 May, 2012, 04:01:33 pm
Yeah, the bunny hop was serious bike handling skillz - especially at that speed.

Also, let's not take anything away from GreenEdge - I reckon they had that one sewn up even if Cav hadn't gone down.

Hope Taylor Phinney can carry on. Ferrari has to go - Renshaw was chucked out of the TdF for less.

d.
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: David Martin on 07 May, 2012, 04:22:21 pm
Apparently Ferrari was just relegated to last on the stage, not thrown off the race. There are comments that it is a long way to Milan and such behaviour (and arrogance when asked about it) are not easily forgotten in the peloton. Some forsee a ditch in Ferrari's future.
Title: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: citoyen on 07 May, 2012, 04:25:05 pm
Farrar, Feillu, Ferrari...

What is it with Cav and sprinters whose name begins with F?

d.
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: Biff on 07 May, 2012, 06:15:42 pm
Ferrari's sprint was the equivalent of a studs-up 2-footed tackle in kickball which would be an instant red card. Disgraceful. At least his manager has had the decency to apologize.
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: Dinamo on 07 May, 2012, 07:57:20 pm
Just seen crash on YouTube !

Mark Renshaw's comments that he has been thrown off the Tour for less are true.
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: Gus on 07 May, 2012, 08:03:28 pm
Several riders interviewed on Danish television suggested  that Ferrari took a car to Verona, they where very very pi**ed at him.

Phinney should be okay and keeps riding on Wednesday.
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: David Martin on 07 May, 2012, 09:15:02 pm
If Ferrari does not apologise publically in the peloton then he will find it a long and lonely road to Milan. His first grand tour and he may discover that the 'autobus' has few seats, and nobody can spare a gel.
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: Ivo on 07 May, 2012, 09:34:50 pm
If Ferrari does not apologise publically in the peloton then he will find it a long and lonely road to Milan. His first grand tour and he may discover that the 'autobus' has few seats, and nobody can spare a gel.

And anytime he escapes, half the peloton will be in full pursuit.
Title: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: citoyen on 07 May, 2012, 09:44:56 pm
Lionel Birnie has been sticking up for Ferrari on twitter, saying it was "an honest mistake" (unlike, say, a deliberate head butt). Which is fair enough if you're a cat 4 novice, but you can't afford to be making mistakes like that at this level, at those kinds of speeds, with so much at stake.

d.
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: David Martin on 07 May, 2012, 09:56:10 pm
Is he also sticking up for the 'I did nothing wrong' sentiment?
Title: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: citoyen on 07 May, 2012, 10:20:20 pm
On that he has remained silent.

However, he did come up with a line I enjoyed:
"Roberto Ferrari. No more dangerous than orange juice."

d.
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: Riggers on 08 May, 2012, 08:39:49 am
I couldn't see why he cut across the way he did, when there was a perfect opening for him straight infront nearer to the barriers. I'm also surprised there wasn't more carnage, given the speed and bunching.

Thank goodness it's a rest day today.
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: Rhys W on 08 May, 2012, 08:29:47 pm
Cyclingnews.com is reporting that Phinney has retained the maglia rosa despite crossing the finish line in an ambulance. I thought the rule was that you got given the same time as the bunch if you crash in the last 3km, but you have to cross the line with, if not actually on, your bike (or what remains of it!)

If the organisers have cut him some slack and waived that rule in this case, I think it was right to do so.
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: mcshroom on 08 May, 2012, 08:55:37 pm
I suppose they may have taken the bike in the ambulance as well if he was really insistent.
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: Riggers on 10 May, 2012, 10:56:05 am
Team Time Trial today, and I guess Mark Cavendish will start and, hopefully, be dragged along by his teammates.

Times are:

14:25 - Ag2r La Mondiale
14:28 - Euskaltel-Euskadi
14:31 - Androni Giocattoli
14:34 - Lampre-ISD
14:37 - Lotto-Belisol
14:40 - Colnago-CSF Inox
14:43 - FDJ-Big Mat
14:46 - Farnese Vini
14:49 - Katusha
14:52 - Movistar
14:55 - NetApp
14:58 - Rabobank
15:01 - Saxo Bank
15:04 - Liquigas-Cannondale
15:07 - Astana
15:10 - Omega Pharma-QuickStep
15:13 - Vacansoleil-DCM
15:16 - Team Sky
15:19 - Radioshack-Nissan
15:22 - Orica-GreenEdge
15:25 - Garmin-Barracuda
15:28 - BMC Racing Team
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: bobb on 10 May, 2012, 11:00:52 am
?
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: citoyen on 10 May, 2012, 11:01:13 am
Wake up, Riggers old chap.

d.
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: plug on 10 May, 2012, 11:03:08 am
Team Time Warp
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: Riggers on 10 May, 2012, 11:08:39 am
Oh you rotten buggers. Yes, I've made a huge mistake.

Right. What are they doing today?
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: citoyen on 10 May, 2012, 11:10:13 am
Following Cav over the finish line, with any luck.

d.
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: plug on 10 May, 2012, 11:11:26 am
Not much steering:

(http://cdn3.media.cyclingnews.futurecdn.net/2012/04/27/2/t05_fano_plan_sopr_600.jpg)
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: Riggers on 10 May, 2012, 11:15:49 am
Now, that's a real Roman Road!
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: spesh on 10 May, 2012, 09:41:25 pm
(click to show/hide)
Title: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: citoyen on 10 May, 2012, 10:17:08 pm
Goss and Cav are clearly a league apart from the rest of the field on current form. And Cav is a league apart from Goss.

d.
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: Nuncio on 11 May, 2012, 08:55:02 am
Not intending to be too parochial but isn’t it great that we’re living in a golden age of British pro road racing?  Had it existed 5 years ago, this board would have been flooded with posts following a Brit winning a Grand Tour stage.  32 Cavendish grand tour stages later and we’re all a bit matter-of-fact about it.  It would have been good enough with Wiggins, Froome, Thomas et al, but Cavendish puts a very think layer of icing on what would already have been a very rich cake.
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: citoyen on 11 May, 2012, 10:34:13 am
Yeah, it's great to see so many truly world class British riders at the sharp end of the peloton. And almost unbelievable to think that we're going into this year's Tour de France with a British rider considered not just a genuine contender but one of the favourites.

This makes great reading:
http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/531711/british-professional-road-wins-2012.html

Having said all that, there was nothing matter of fact about Cav's win yesterday. I thought Goss was going to pip him on the line, but the front-on view made it look much closer than it actually was. Cav completely buried himself - you could see from the state of him afterwards how much he'd put into that sprint, how badly he wanted it - getting to stand on the podium with his newborn baby daughter in his arms obviously great motivation. The big softy.  ;D

d.
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: Nuncio on 11 May, 2012, 01:21:21 pm
In his interview he suggested that he hadn't been feeling OK after the crash and that Sky had pretty much announced that they wouldn't be working to chase down any breaks.  If it came down to a sprint and he was there then he wouldn't turn it down, but it was up to other teams, particularly Garmin, to put the hard work in.  That must have been a contributing factor in the train working so well, because I didn't see Sky jerseys right at the front until the train formes about 5 or 6 km to go.  It still relied on the man himself a) getting over the hill with his team - something which Farrar, Ferrari,  JJ Haedo, Hushovd and Guardini failed to do, and b) finishing it off, when not feeling 100%

Was that Geraint Thomas as the last Sky rider to peel away?  I haven't noticed Eisel being up there at the business end but it's not easy to make out who's who.

Taylor Phinney seems like a popular chap.  It's big of him not to blame his performance yesterday and in the TTT on his stitched up ankle.
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: citoyen on 11 May, 2012, 02:24:28 pm
In his interview he suggested that he hadn't been feeling OK after the crash and that Sky had pretty much announced that they wouldn't be working to chase down any breaks.  If it came down to a sprint and he was there then he wouldn't turn it down, but it was up to other teams, particularly Garmin, to put the hard work in.

Well, that just makes the win all the more impressive!

Quote
Was that Geraint Thomas as the last Sky rider to peel away?

Yeah, G can add "world-class leadout man" to his growing list of talents.  ;D

d.
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: citoyen on 11 May, 2012, 02:49:55 pm
  It still relied on the man himself a) getting over the hill with his team - something which Farrar, Ferrari,  JJ Haedo, Hushovd and Guardini failed to do, and b) finishing it off, when not feeling 100%

I guess Cav isn't the only one feeling less than his best - Hushovd and Roman Feillu have abandoned today.

d.
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: bobb on 11 May, 2012, 07:28:52 pm
Cav must at the very best been feeling "Uncomfortable" with an arse like this:

(https://p.twimg.com/AsYA5RECIAAoO-M.jpg)
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: Rhys W on 11 May, 2012, 11:01:23 pm
Yeah, G can add "world-class leadout man" to his growing list of talents.  ;D

He was doing that in the Giro and the Tour last season. What fills me with even more expectation is that he was alongside Wiggins in the mountains as well - although with his track work this year I doubt we'll see that in this year's Giro.
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: bobb on 14 May, 2012, 04:10:07 pm
FFS, not again!

(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: citoyen on 14 May, 2012, 04:19:24 pm
Pozzato. What a wally.

d.
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: hatler on 14 May, 2012, 04:27:31 pm
What's happened to Wiggo ?  I see no mention of him anywhere.
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: citoyen on 14 May, 2012, 04:35:55 pm
Yeah, and Cadel Evans is going a bit slow too!

(NB serious answer: they - and a few other big names - are saving themselves for France.)

d.
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: Exit Stage Left on 14 May, 2012, 04:37:22 pm
What's happened to Wiggo ?  I see no mention of him anuwhere.

He's annoyed about a break-in at his home though.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/cycling/9264872/Thieves-break-into-home-of-Bradley-Wiggins-and-steal-cyclists-Beijing-2008-Olympics-competitors-souvenir-medal.html
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: hatler on 14 May, 2012, 04:42:42 pm
Yeah, and Cadel Evans is going a bit slow too!

(NB serious answer: they - and a few other big names - are saving themselves for France.)

d.

Have they withdrawn from the Giro then ?
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: Exit Stage Left on 14 May, 2012, 04:48:16 pm
Yeah, and Cadel Evans is going a bit slow too!

(NB serious answer: they - and a few other big names - are saving themselves for France.)

d.

Have they withdrawn from the Giro then ?

The main contenders for the Tour will be riding the Dauphine Libere, they don't tend to ride the Giro these days.
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/criterium-du-dauphine-with-same-teams-as-tour-de-france
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: citoyen on 14 May, 2012, 05:34:42 pm
Have they withdrawn from the Giro then ?

They were never in it. Giving the other squad members a chance to shine.

Evans, Wiggins, Andy Schleck, Nibali, Martin, Gesink, Menchov, Sanchez, Brajkovic, Voeckler, Taarame, Valverde... all saving themselves for France.

d.
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: hatler on 14 May, 2012, 06:03:56 pm
Blimey. I'm losing it then. I could have sworn I read something about Wiggo in this.

Call a doctor !!
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: Ivo on 14 May, 2012, 09:35:41 pm
it was quite a gentle crash this time (at least for Cavendish). Looks like the Liquigas rider completely misjudged the corner and took out the guy from Katusha who was, I must say, taking the corner in an unorthodox fashion. But anyone taking the outside lane was in the wrong spot, including Cavendish (and a bunch of other sprinters).
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: fuzzy on 15 May, 2012, 12:45:45 pm
The thing is, with the camera angles I saw, I just couldn't tell what carnage was developing at the front of the peleton. I saw a lead rider overcooking it a bit but still in a position to get around the corner in combination with a rear ending for a rider coming in to camera shot. There was enough time I think to suggest that maybe Cav and others were taking the wide line to try and avoid the developing tangle of bikes and legs.
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: citoyen on 15 May, 2012, 01:04:13 pm
Interestingly, Pozzato has blamed Goss for braking going into the corner. Hard to tell with the cameras missing most of the run-up to the corner, but it looked to me like Goss had the racing line, and was ahead of Pozzato, and Pozzato overcooked it trying to come inside him. Pozzato's fault, surely? Perhaps 50:50, to be fair, if Goss really did brake, as Pozzato claims (though I find it hard to believe).

Either way, these are highly experienced bike handlers, who no doubt cut their racing teeth on courses with bends like that in criterions, and once again, it was a schoolboy error that shouldn't really be happening at this level.

d.
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: Nuncio on 15 May, 2012, 01:26:01 pm
Why bother to include a bend like that so close to the finish and then not remove the trees which prevent an overhead view of the ensuing carnage?
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: Ivo on 15 May, 2012, 03:59:26 pm
Superbly scenic finish today and a young lad nearly butchering the top riders ;).
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: citoyen on 15 May, 2012, 04:06:10 pm
Breathtaking racing, stunning setting, entirely predictable result...

d.
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: Karla on 16 May, 2012, 05:10:12 pm
So Ferrari's won a stage.

Stick your hand up if you think he shouldn't be in the race  ::-)
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: David Martin on 16 May, 2012, 05:20:10 pm
He screwed up. He was punished. He hasn't screwed up since. He has a long way to go to redeem himself but today he rode it perfectly (unlike Kennaugh who will be feeling rather less than brilliant having managed to screw that leadout up royally)

..d
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: Rhys W on 16 May, 2012, 05:39:51 pm
I don't think it was the leadout train's fault. The finish was terrible - the proximity of the last 90 deg bend to the line meant that only the first 2 or 3 riders out of the corner would have a chance of winning. I think Cav was a bit too far back going in to the corner, and might have had to touch the brakes.
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: bobb on 16 May, 2012, 05:56:12 pm
Ha! I knew picking him for my fantasy team was a good move  :P
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: David Martin on 16 May, 2012, 08:13:01 pm
It was a poor leadout. Kennaugh went too fast, then G clipped a pedal. Cav was stalled, Ferrari got a free run.
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: Ivo on 16 May, 2012, 08:33:39 pm
There's a difference between a Tour sprint and a Giro sprint. In the tour the finish is usually on a long wide straight road. In the giro it can be very winding with multiple sharp corners during the last kilometer. Nothing new. Today Ferrari proved to be a lot better at studying the finish and cornering. The Skytrain is superb on a typical Tour mass sprint. For the Giro they might consider rearranging their leadout schedule for such finishes and use the guys with the best cornering for the final kilometer. It's the second time that they're taking the wrong line in the final corner (two days ago Cavendish was also taking the wrong line, the inner line proved to be much better).
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: fuzzy on 17 May, 2012, 08:27:40 am
It looked to me like Cav had it spot on for his ride- he would have got through the corner and been off like the missile he is but the 2 riders directly ahead of him got it slightly wrong and he was stalled. Ferrari was in the right place on the right line and did him.
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: citoyen on 17 May, 2012, 11:12:08 am
I had to take a phone call just as they came inside 2km to go, so although I had half an eye on the screen, I couldn't really follow what was going on. Up to that point, it looked like Cav had it sewn up, so I was a bit confused when he seemed to ease off before the final bend. Still not sure exactly what happened but never mind - not even Cav can win them all. And at least he stayed upright (I wonder if the stage nine finish had made him a bit more cautious approaching the bend?).

Interesting to see him still make an effort though - in the past, he probably would have sat up and finished in the bunch, but he obviously realised that Goss was nowhere and the red jersey was up for grabs. Clever boy.  :thumbsup:

d.
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: Honest John on 17 May, 2012, 12:41:26 pm
Cav had it sewn up, so I was a bit confused when he seemed to ease off before the final bend.

....

Interesting to see him still make an effort though - in the past, he probably would have sat up and finished in the bunch, but he obviously realised that Goss was nowhere and the red jersey was up for grabs. Clever boy. 

The way I saw it, Cav's train went too fast into the bend and had to slow to avoid the barrier, thus slowing Cav, while Ferrari got the line right (for a change!) and went through.

At least Cav had the presence of mind to still go for a high placing, as you said, so he's got the red jersey for now
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: Ivo on 17 May, 2012, 03:08:15 pm
Interesting interview with Valerio Piva (Teamdirector of Katusha) on the Belgian TV today. They are not prepared to defend the jersey to the utmost. A non-favourite may take the pink jersey, they won't chase any group, especially if no contender for the final classification is in that group. Question of not blowing their entire team before the real battle starts. The commentator later added that in a later stage the team which wil receive the pink jersey, as a sort of 'gift' from Katusha, could be asked to assist in any chases to defend/attack the pink jersey in the final week.
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: Justin(e) on 19 May, 2012, 05:44:45 pm
From cyclingnews.com

Quote
Amador, 25, had previously finished third on the Giro's 12th stage. The Costa Rican, who is now in his fourth year with Movistar, has ridden the Giro once before, and was second-to-last overall in last year's Tour de France.

He was the victim of a brutal attack whilst training in Costa Rica in January of 2011. His bike was stolen and he was severely beaten and left for dead in a river bed. However, he recovered quickly enough to ride in the Mallorca Challenge the next month

Well done son on winning stage 14.
Title: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: citoyen on 19 May, 2012, 06:56:19 pm
Felt sorry for Barta, who deserved the win but looked totally baked by the end of the stage.

Chapeau to Amador, though, especially for his terrifyingly fearless descending. Don't think De Marchi was too impressed with the way he attacked on the final climb though - gave him proper evils. ;D

Chapeau to Hesjedal too for giving us some proper racing at last! Looked like it was going to be a pretty uneventful day until the final 4km... what a thrilling finish that was.

d.
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: Nuncio on 20 May, 2012, 07:36:31 pm
That's two cracking days of racing.

I assume today's win was gifted.
Title: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: citoyen on 20 May, 2012, 07:57:45 pm
I assume today's win was gifted.

Hard to say for sure but I didn't think so at the time - looked like J-Rod had genuinely burnt himself out.

Either way, justice was done.

d.
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: Rhys W on 20 May, 2012, 09:31:59 pm
It didn't look gifted, Rabotinni clearly wanted it more. I think he was quite lucky he got caught with only 400m to go, any further from the line and I don't think he could have stayed on the wheel for long enough. The best man won.

David Harmon mentioned yesterday that he'd heard Cavendish hadn't finished the stage - don't know where he got that from... Cav finished almost 35 minutes down today.
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: Nuncio on 20 May, 2012, 09:48:50 pm
Yes, I've watched it again and there was no indication of it.  I just thought it impossible that he could have had enough energy left to do it.  I noticed that he seemed to have pulled out his ear-piece so did he not know that Rodriguez was about to overtake him?  He also looked round as he went passed to see if there was anyone else there with him.
Title: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: citoyen on 20 May, 2012, 10:53:50 pm
Cav seems pretty determined to do the rainbow jersey justice and finish the Giro. And plenty of other people seem to want the world champion to finish too…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ubw47P5dRs0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyqYBcTUsP4

d.

Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: Ivo on 22 May, 2012, 09:36:47 pm
Rabotinni did loose a bike on the way to his victory:

http://www.sporza.be/cm/sporza/videozone/MG_opvallend/1.1305094
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: David Martin on 22 May, 2012, 11:05:46 pm
I think the manager may be having words with that mechanic.. That is a fan who appears to have inherited about 7k of bike.
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: Karla on 22 May, 2012, 11:29:13 pm
So what do people think about Cav hanging in for the rest of the race?  My feeling is that with Wiggins in such good form, Cav wants to win in Milan because he can see that the team starting in Liege in July will be focused on the GC rather than on the sprints.
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: Nuncio on 23 May, 2012, 07:57:48 am
I don’t think he’ll win in Milan as it’s an ITT stage but given that he’s been putting in the effort to pick up bonus points in intermediate sprints it looks like he intends to try and arrive there in the red jersey.  Having the full set of grand tour points jerseys would be no little achievement – he’d only be the fifth, joining Merckx, Jalabert, Abdoujaparov and Petacchi.  Whether he can survive the cut on some of the coming stages is one thing.  Whether Rodriguez will pick up enough big points to overhaul him is another.

I assume he’ll mainly be on his own, or with a much reduced number of helpers in the Tour de France and if, after the first week, it doesn’t look like he has any chance of the green journey he’ll step off on a mountain somewhere.  (But I know nothing)
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: citoyen on 23 May, 2012, 10:00:02 am
Tweeted last night:

"@MarkCavendish (https://twitter.com/#!/MarkCavendish/status/205037360914776064): The stage profile for tomorrow. Oh shit. http://pic.twitter.com/6Irzs4lN"

(https://p.twimg.com/AthwZLdCQAApS6A.jpg)

If he makes the cut over the next few days, then he truly deserves the jersey. If he makes it all the way to the end of the race, it would be a shame if Rodriguez nicked it off him.

d.
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: Nuncio on 25 May, 2012, 08:44:14 am
http://inrng.com/2012/05/giro-stage-19-preview/

Mouth-watering
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: Rainmaker on 25 May, 2012, 08:46:03 am
Has anyone seen any explanation of what happened to Schmidt (?) Basso's climbing domestic when he stopped at the bottom of the final climb on Wednesday's stage? 
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: Nuncio on 25 May, 2012, 11:51:46 am
Sylvester Szmyd .  No.  It was rather odd wasn’t it?  He’d just taken over duties at the start of the Giau and then almost came to a stop very suddenly but not quite, leaving Basso a bit exposed.  Then a few minutes later he was still struggling and being passed by the next groups.  What kind of mechanical would have caused that?  It didn’t look like a puncture. 
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: mcshroom on 25 May, 2012, 11:54:13 am
shifter/mech failure? Being stuck in a high gear could be very slow and painful
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: citoyen on 25 May, 2012, 12:08:51 pm
leaving Basso a bit exposed.

Not that it seemed to make any difference to him, more's the pity.

Fingers crossed Cav will a) still be in the race by the end of today's stage, and b) still wearing the red jersey...

Also, fingers crossed for some proper racing before the final 4km.

d.
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: David Martin on 25 May, 2012, 12:36:18 pm
It will be touch and go for Cav for red - if he loses it by less than 5 points he will be really annoyed.

The points go 25 20 16 14 for the stage finish, so if JR has two fourth places or worse then Cav is in red. Will that happen? we wait and see.
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: citoyen on 25 May, 2012, 01:14:48 pm
I wouldn't want to bet against J-Rod winning either today's stage or tomorrow's. Maybe even both. And the way the race has gone so far, you'd expect him to finish in the top few places on both stages. So you have to say it's not looking good for Cav's chances, but fingers crossed, you never know...

Looks like hostilities are yet to commence on today's stage, but they're just about to hit the start of the first big climb...

d.
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: Nuncio on 25 May, 2012, 01:22:51 pm
shifter/mech failure? Being stuck in a high gear could be very slow and painful
I don't think so because it was quite abrupt, and it didn't look as if he was 'grinding'.

The points go 25 20 16 14 for the stage finish, so if JR has two fourth places or worse then Cav is in red.
Assuming neither gets points in the intermediates nor the ITT.  A fairly safe assumption, I guess.  No bonus seconds today nor tommorrow, so less incentive for Katusha/JR to chase down any escapees, should any survive for the finales.

Not that it seemed to make any difference to him, more's the pity.

You really don't like him, do you.  Is it 'cos of his, er, history?(Avoiding the D word)

It will be touch and go for Cav for red - if he loses it by less than 5 points he will be really annoyed.
 
I think we saw a foretaste of that yesterday as he crossed the line.  He really did seem unjustly annoyed with Guardini, but a later tweet confirmed he was angry with himself for kicking too late and letting down the team.
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: citoyen on 25 May, 2012, 02:52:39 pm
No bonus seconds today nor tommorrow

Do you know this for a fact? I heard there were bonus sprints on both stages but haven't seen any official information to corroborate it.

Quote
You really don't like him, do you.  Is it 'cos of his, er, history?(Avoiding the D word)

I'm not sure, really. I think it's more that he's not an exciting rider to watch. Fair play to Liquigas, they've bossed this race, but it's not been pretty. Admittedly much the same tactics as Wiggins and Sky employed in the Vuelta last year but I have a pre-established allegiance to Wiggins that boring tactics can't shake.

Plus I'd rather have seen Nibali leading the team in this race.

d.
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: citoyen on 25 May, 2012, 03:06:48 pm
Szmyd's blown!
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: Karla on 25 May, 2012, 03:43:03 pm
Come on Casar!

For a little bit of Casar hagiography, let's recall the time when Sandy Casar ran over a dog in the Tour de France and still won the stage  O:-)
ran over a dog (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aBD1oLKpQ4)
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: clarion on 25 May, 2012, 03:45:27 pm
Impressive bit of street surfing.  I hadn't noticed before that the guy in green goes into a somersault of sorts, seeming to bend his neck rather uncomfortably.  Anyone know who he was?
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: Nuncio on 25 May, 2012, 03:56:41 pm
No bonus seconds today nor tomorrow

Do you know this for a fact? I heard there were bonus sprints on both stages but haven't seen any official information to corroborate it.


Intermediate sprints for points, yes.  But no time bonuses for mountain top finishes.
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: Karla on 25 May, 2012, 04:06:01 pm
Impressive bit of street surfing.  I hadn't noticed before that the guy in green goes into a somersault of sorts, seeming to bend his neck rather uncomfortably.  Anyone know who he was?

It was the same escape of four all day, wasn't it?  That would make his breakaway companions Axel Merckx (T-Mobile), Laurent Lefèvere (Bouygues Telecom) and Michael Boogerd (Rabobank).  The somersaulter looks like he's wearing Rabobank kit (to my colourblind eyes at least) so that would make him Boogerd, for whom 2007 was his last year of racing.
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: citoyen on 25 May, 2012, 04:06:46 pm
Come on Casar!

+1

He's doing really well and looking strong. Great stuff.

d.
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: jogler on 25 May, 2012, 04:56:28 pm
What a good advert for cycle racing:& it was racing.Exciting to watch.Very entertaining.
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: citoyen on 25 May, 2012, 05:07:56 pm
Hesjedal was magnificent.

d.
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: andrew_s on 25 May, 2012, 08:19:32 pm
No bonus seconds today nor tommorrow

Do you know this for a fact? I heard there were bonus sprints on both stages but haven't seen any official information to corroborate it.


Article 17 in the regulations (http://images2.gazzettaobjects.it/Speciali/Giroditalia/2012/en/Regulation.pdf)
Quote
... exception made for the
following stages, i.e.:
14th stage – Cherasco – Cervinia
15th stage – Busto Arsizio – Lecco/Piani dei Resinelli
17h stage – Falzes/Pfalzen/Cortina d’Ampezzo
19th stage – Treviso – Alpe di Pampeago/Val di Fiemme
20th stage – Caldes/Val di Sole – Passo dello Stelvio
for which there will be no time allowances and, according to Article 2.6.020, there will consequently be no allowance attribution for the corresponding intermediate sprints
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: Ivo on 25 May, 2012, 09:34:14 pm
Impressive bit of street surfing.  I hadn't noticed before that the guy in green goes into a somersault of sorts, seeming to bend his neck rather uncomfortably.  Anyone know who he was?

It was the same escape of four all day, wasn't it?  That would make his breakaway companions Axel Merckx (T-Mobile), Laurent Lefèvere (Bouygues Telecom) and Michael Boogerd (Rabobank).  The somersaulter looks like he's wearing Rabobank kit (to my colourblind eyes at least) so that would make him Boogerd, for whom 2007 was his last year of racing.

The commentator says that it is Frederik Willems. He's wearing a Liquigas kit.
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: Karla on 25 May, 2012, 11:47:51 pm
Ah okay - I didn't have sound on my computer this afternoon.

So from the looks of it, Rodriguez needs 14 points to take the jersey from Cav.  In order for Cav to win the points contest, that means that Rodriguez can't come better than 5th tomorrow.  I'm not too hopeful  :(
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: citoyen on 26 May, 2012, 07:45:50 am
Article 17 in the regulations (http://images2.gazzettaobjects.it/Speciali/Giroditalia/2012/en/Regulation.pdf)
Quote
... exception made for the
following stages, i.e.:
14th stage – Cherasco – Cervinia
15th stage – Busto Arsizio – Lecco/Piani dei Resinelli
17h stage – Falzes/Pfalzen/Cortina d’Ampezzo
19th stage – Treviso – Alpe di Pampeago/Val di Fiemme
20th stage – Caldes/Val di Sole – Passo dello Stelvio
for which there will be no time allowances and, according to Article 2.6.020, there will consequently be no allowance attribution for the corresponding intermediate sprints

I'm getting confused... are we talking about end of stage bonuses or intermediate sprints here?

Is there an intermediate sprint (with points) on today's stage?

d.
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: Salvatore on 26 May, 2012, 08:13:02 am
Article 17 in the regulations (http://images2.gazzettaobjects.it/Speciali/Giroditalia/2012/en/Regulation.pdf)
Quote
... exception made for the
following stages, i.e.:
14th stage – Cherasco – Cervinia
15th stage – Busto Arsizio – Lecco/Piani dei Resinelli
17h stage – Falzes/Pfalzen/Cortina d’Ampezzo
19th stage – Treviso – Alpe di Pampeago/Val di Fiemme
20th stage – Caldes/Val di Sole – Passo dello Stelvio
for which there will be no time allowances and, according to Article 2.6.020, there will consequently be no allowance attribution for the corresponding intermediate sprints

I'm getting confused... are we talking about end of stage bonuses or intermediate sprints here?

Is there an intermediate sprint (with points) on today's stage?

d.
Yes. Today there's an intermediate sprint today with points but no time bonuses. There are normally 6, 4 and 2 seconds up for grabs on sprints, but not on the stages quoted by andrew_s.
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 26 May, 2012, 09:08:47 am
Ah okay - I didn't have sound on my computer this afternoon.

So from the looks of it, Rodriguez needs 14 points to take the jersey from Cav.  In order for Cav to win the points contest, that means that Rodriguez can't come better than 5th tomorrow.  I'm not too hopeful  :(

There are also points for the time trial - i'm not sure what Cav's longer time trialling ability is as I don't think he's ever had to go for one, but he has done well in prologues before.

Only other possibility is for Cav to get in a breakaway but there's a big mountain and a couple of spikes before the intermediate sprint which is well into today's stage  >:(
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: Karla on 26 May, 2012, 10:49:54 am
Cav in a breakaway?  Now that would be a sight to see! 

I'm sure the Team Sky makeup artists are currently disguising Wiggo to look like Cav as he flies out to replace him in the TT  :demon:
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: David Martin on 26 May, 2012, 01:22:24 pm
Cav is a not too bad TT rider. It is just that he usually doesn't have to do more than get round inside the time cut and save his legs for the sprint. There is no sprint so you might see a better than usual TT. He may just need a couple of points. I'm pretty sure he can turn in a better TT than Rodriguez
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: Salvatore on 26 May, 2012, 05:25:43 pm
Points available down to 15th place. If totals are tied (i.e. if Cav finishes 15th tomorrow & Rodriguez 16th or worse), it goes to the one with most stage victories (then if that's a tie, the most intermiedate sprint wins, then the highest in the gen. classification)
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: citoyen on 26 May, 2012, 05:37:26 pm
Gutted for Cav. If anyone was wondering why he was so annoyed at finishing second the other day, there's the answer right there. I was screaming at the telly at the end, willing Scarponi to hold Rodriguez off...

I also think Henao made a mistake by waiting for Uran - he should have carried on marking Rodriguez so he had a chance of pipping him on the line.

Anyway, truly magnificent ride by De Gendt today. I think he's given himself a real chance of winning this race - if he's got anything left after today. Hesjedal looked pretty wasted at the end too though...

Hey, maybe Cav has a chance to pick up some points tomorrow after all!

d.
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: citoyen on 26 May, 2012, 06:00:38 pm
You really don't like him, do you.  Is it 'cos of his, er, history?(Avoiding the D word)

The more I think about it, the less I think it's that. I mean, I was just pondering on the idea that this year's Giro would have been much improved as a spectacle if Contador had been racing...

On the other hand, it's good to see the riders arriving at a mountaintop finish actually looking like they've had to make an effort to get there.

d.
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: Ivo on 26 May, 2012, 07:16:45 pm
Most of the time won by Gendt was by team effort. His teammate Carrara was ahead when he took off. Carrara did lead him on the downhill of the Mortirolo and, much more important, in the valley. So Carrara wasted himself to give de Gendt a 3min+ lead. The rest he did himself (and exceptionally well). On Belgian TV he stated that he is too wasted to give a good performance tomorrow. He'll be pleased with catching Scarponi. Anything else would be exceptional. (De Gendt has a good record on end-of stagerace timetrials though.)
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: welshwheels on 26 May, 2012, 07:24:19 pm
well done to cav today on getting inside the cut  :thumbsup: some pics http://www.steephill.tv/2012/giro-d-italia/photos/stage-19/ of stage 19
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: Gus on 26 May, 2012, 07:24:50 pm
There were also action in the back of the pack :

The Passo del Tonale was also the end of the race for four riders. Robert Hunter (Garmin-Barracuda), Andrea Guardini (Farnese Vini-Selle Italia), Dominique Rollin (FDJ-Big Mat) and Ivan Velasco (Euskaltel-Euskadi) were all disqualified by the race jury for hanging on to team cars, and removed from the race.
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: Rhys W on 26 May, 2012, 09:22:24 pm
That flashed up on Eurosport, but didn't say why...

They show the winner and the next 10-15 across the line, but there's some real battles way down in the autobus and it's a shame they can't show the heroic efforts going on there.
Title: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: Aidan on 26 May, 2012, 09:27:56 pm
According to Robbie Hunter on twitter he wasn't disqualified he abandoned at the feed after being dropped because of his injuries from a fall.


Great days racing though!
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: Rig of Jarkness on 26 May, 2012, 10:33:34 pm
Just caught up with today's recorded coverage - what an epic !
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: Rhys W on 26 May, 2012, 11:17:25 pm
Not only an epic stage, but an epic shake-up. I don't think the organisers ever dreamed the final 30km TT would be so crucial - not only for the overall but the points jersey as well.
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: David Martin on 26 May, 2012, 11:25:26 pm
What price second place, or a couple of crashes..?
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: Rainmaker on 27 May, 2012, 08:46:03 am
I thought last year's Tour de France was possibly the best stage race I'd ever seen, but this Giro is running it very, very close.   Who can pull out a superhuman effort in the timetrial, the only jersey that has definately been decided is the climbers jersey.
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: Andrew on 27 May, 2012, 09:34:33 am
Does anyone really expect Cavendish to take points in the TT? I'll be rooting for him obviously but it'd be one helluvan achievement. I can't see it personally.

There's been lost opportunities along the way, for one reason or another, but them's the breaks. For me, it's hugely creditable that Cavendish finished, tried to defend the jersey. You can't always get want you want though, not when there are other talented and motivated athletes around you. I'm sure he feels pretty crappy at the moment but it is character building.... eventually!

Title: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: citoyen on 27 May, 2012, 01:00:55 pm
Does anyone really expect Cavendish to take points in the TT?

No.

Quote
I'll be rooting for him obviously but it'd be one helluvan achievement. I can't see it personally.

+1

Quote
There's been lost opportunities along the way, for one reason or another, but them's the breaks. For me, it's hugely creditable that Cavendish finished, tried to defend the jersey.

Totally agree. To have come so close to winning the red jersey this year is mightily impressive, especially after incidents like the Ferrari takedown - even if he hadn't gone on to win that stage, he was well placed to pick up the few points that would have made all the difference in the final reckoning. But them is indeed the breaks.

But it is hugely to his credit that he has made it to the end at all - hardly any of the other top sprinters are left. Like Thor Hushovd last year, he's proving himself to be a real credit to the rainbow stripes.

And let's not forget what a monumental achievement it would have been to win the red jersey - only a handful of other riders have won the points competition in all three grand tours, and without checking the stats, I suspect Cav is still younger than any of them when they achieved it. Plus, unlike the Tour or the Vuelta, it's very unusual and difficult for a pure sprinter to win the Giro points competition because of the way points are distributed.

But he has time on his side to come back and have another go. He's what, about halfway through his professional career? The man is a legend in the making.

d.
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: David Martin on 27 May, 2012, 01:51:14 pm
Cav is 26. Assuming he has another 8 years (tlll 34) then he has twice his current pro career to go.

There are two crashes that would both have given him at least a point.. But those are the breaks. Pretty sure Cav will give everything for the TT, it is flat and not too long so ideal for him. He *might* get a point but unlikely.
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: citoyen on 27 May, 2012, 02:03:46 pm
Just been looking up the stats...

Of the four riders who have previously won the points competition in all three grand tours:
Abdoujaparov did it by winning the Giro points jersey in 1994, aged 30.
Jalabert did the same in 1991, aged 31.
Merckx completed the set by winning the Vuelta jersey in 1973, aged 28.
Petacchi was 36 when he finally won the Tour green jersey in 2010.

So if Cav were to win the red jersey next year, he'd be the same age as Eddy Merckx was when he won it (admittedly, Merckx had won more overall by the same age, but still... not bad).

No one has won all three in the same year. Abdoujaparov won the Tour/Giro double in 1994, Merckx won the Giro/Vuelta double in 1973. Four riders have won the Tour/Vuelta double - Altig, Janssen, Kelly, Jalabert. I can see Cav joining this elite group one day, though probably not this year. Who knows - maybe he could become the first to win all three in the same year? Unlikely, but you never know.

Only three riders have won stages in all three Grand Tours in the same year: Miguel Poblet (1956, aged 28), Pierino Baffi (1958, aged 28), Alessandro Petacchi (2003, aged 29).

Anyone care to bet against Cav becoming the fourth rider to achieve this feat this year, thus becoming the youngest person to do so? I suppose it depends whether or not the team enter him in the Vuelta, but you'd think he would want to do it this year of all years, while he's World Champion.

Cav is still some way off the best when it comes to overall number of points jersey wins, but I reckon he'll one day catch Jan Janssen and Djamolidine Abdoujaparov at least - they won five GT points jerseys each. Merckx won 6, Jalabert 7, Kelly 8, Zabel 9. He may or may not catch any of them depending on whether he develops more into an all-round points chaser à la Kelly and Zabel, rather than the specialist stage winner he is at the moment. Though I can't really see Cav ever winning a Grand Tour outright like Kelly.

If he can extend his career as long as the likes of Ale-jet and Zabel, who knows what he could acheive...

d.
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: citoyen on 27 May, 2012, 02:07:45 pm
Cav is 26.

It was his 27th birthday last week.

d.
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: David Martin on 27 May, 2012, 02:51:14 pm
Of course.. slightly distracted by him having the same birthday as my son..
Title: Re: giro d'italia 2012
Post by: Ray 6701 on 27 May, 2012, 04:23:23 pm
Arse  >:(