GIRO TTT - Will the cat return?
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ggalvao posted 2 years ago.
I am actually watching it directly from the italian TV (RAI Internazionale)
My Blog: http://ggalvao.trifuel.net/
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Sling posted 2 years ago.
Exciting Giro so far. Hated to see AleJet go out -- that just about hands all of the Sprints to McEwen.
Salvodelli is in good position to defend, but the later stages have some steep, steep climbs. I look for a climbing specialist like Simoni (or Simoni USED to be) or one of the 120-pound Spanish guys no one's heard of to surprise.
Look for Disco or CSC to rule to the TTT.
Oh yeah, and on the cat thing. The same darn thing almost happened to our tri team on a group ride last Thursday -- except this was a skunk! Just barely missed him :eek:
Speed hurts; how fast do you want to go?
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1114 days
TBRAVO posted 2 years ago.
Sling wrote:
Oh yeah, and on the cat thing. The same darn thing almost happened to our tri team on a group ride last Thursday -- except this was a skunk! Just barely missed him :eek:
Wow...road-rash and some serious funky smell all at once. That could have been bad.
T-Mobile could have a go at the TTT as well, too bad Kloden isn't doing the Giro.
- T
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Sling posted 2 years ago.
[Spoiler!]
No cats today -- but CSC sure rocked! The disco boys seem a little anemic without the big guns.
Speed hurts; how fast do you want to go?
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TBRAVO posted 2 years ago.
Told ya they needed Kloden. CSC beat T-Mobile by 1 measly second.
This really helped out Basso who jumped into 5th place (Salvodelli right behind in 6th).
Voigt is now in 2nd and 3 T-Mobile riders in the top 5.
Ullrich moved up to 26th place, maybe this will light a fire under his butt.
Sorry, can you tell I am a T-Mobile fan?
- T
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Sling posted 2 years ago.
TBRAVO wrote:
Sorry, can you tell I am a T-Mobile fan?
- T
That's ok, we all have our faults ;)
Seriously, though, I kinda like T-Mob too, and I would have like to have seen Jan rise up to the occasion now that Lance is out of the picture. The German press is sure beating the heck out of Jan, but of all the years to finally show up fit and in shape, you'd think this would be the year.
The fact that he's doing the Giro at all tells you he's not where he needs to be for the tour. He's the only real serious tour contender there, except for Basso (but he's obligated, he's Italian) Jan is effectively using the Giro to build his fitness - not a good sign.
I think Kloden's going to be T-Mob's go-to guy during the tour - by default.
Speed hurts; how fast do you want to go?
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TBRAVO posted 2 years ago.
Yeah. It would be great to see Ullrich and Basso battle it out for the TdF…but IMO I think things are falling into place for Basso to take the prize. CSC is looking strong right now, Basso, Voigt, Julich, Sastre, all riding the Giro together (not sure where Zabriskie is). T-Mobile has had some bad luck lately with injuries, etc. (and no more Vino).
What do you think about Landis chances in TdF?
- T
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Sling posted 2 years ago.
TBRAVO wrote:
What do you think about Landis chances in TdF?
- T
Landis is in the absolute best shape of his life right now. He'll be top five in the Tour, if not on the podium.
Speed hurts; how fast do you want to go?
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Sling posted 2 years ago.
No surprise today. With Petacchi out, there's no one who can touch McEwen in a sprint.
But now they head for the hills - now it gets interesting.
Speed hurts; how fast do you want to go?
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TBRAVO posted 2 years ago.
McEwen is cleaning up in the sprint finishes.
Like you say tho, tomorrow will be different in the mountains.
236K race with a 2.5K 7% uphill finish at the end.
Bettini maybe? Basso?
- T
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Sling posted 2 years ago.
Tomorrow's stage favors a guy like Bettini. Personally, I don't think tomorrow will do too much to shake up the leader board since the teams have enough time to pull things back together before the finale'.
Sunday, on the other hand can really string things out and the one big hill (see below) will give the climbers a chance to jump. If Simoni is in the shape he used to be, look for him to make a move here - or Rujano.
Speed hurts; how fast do you want to go?
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TBRAVO posted 2 years ago.
Yikes. 11km at a 9% pitch or better :eek: My legs get tired just thinking about that. Ullrich better eat his Wheaties before that stage.
I read that Di Luca lives in this area so ya gotta think that would give him the backyard advantage (if Liquigas can assist early on).
- T
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ggalvao posted 2 years ago.
The amazing thing is
WHY ARE THE MILRAM RIDERS accelerating McEwen? Davitamon-Lotto team doesn't even have to speed him. He just goes on some Milram guy's wheels and sprints out...
Why do they keep pulling strong in front of the peloton with 2km to go?
Hard questions.. It makes no sense!
My Blog: http://ggalvao.trifuel.net/
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Sling posted 2 years ago.
ggalvao wrote:
The amazing thing isWHY ARE THE MILRAM RIDERS accelerating McEwen? Davitamon-Lotto team doesn't even have to speed him. He just goes on some Milram guy's wheels and sprints out...
Why do they keep pulling strong in front of the peloton with 2km to go?
Hard questions.. It makes no sense!
That's a question a lot of riders in the peloton are asking as well. :confused:
Speed hurts; how fast do you want to go?
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ggalvao posted 2 years ago.
hehe, McEwen will have to share his sprinter prize with the Milram guys!
My Blog: http://ggalvao.trifuel.net/
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Sling posted 2 years ago.
Today's Stage:
Can there be any doubt now?
Speed hurts; how fast do you want to go?
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TBRAVO posted 2 years ago.
Wow. Basso made that look easy. He just pulled away from Cunego. Looks like CSC / Basso is the team to beat this year. Poor Jan lost 16+ minutes on that stage.
- T
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ggalvao posted 2 years ago.
I think Jan won't be strong enough on the Tour de France :(
My Blog: http://ggalvao.trifuel.net/
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Sling posted 2 years ago.
TBRAVO wrote:
Wow. Basso made that look easy. He just pulled away from Cunego. Looks like CSC / Basso is the team to beat this year. Poor Jan lost 16+ minutes on that stage.
- T
That was a move straight out of the Lance Armstrong playbook. Basso made it clear yesterday that he intends to be the heir to the throne. By the look on his face, he seemed like he was out for an easy recovery ride - as he dropped some of the best climbers in the business, including Simoni, Cunego, and Rujano.
Very impressive.
As for Jan, I really think this is just a training ride for him. He's just trying to ride off the baby fat he accumulates every winter.
My prediction: second place in Paris.
Speed hurts; how fast do you want to go?
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1114 days
TBRAVO posted 2 years ago.
They interviewed Jan and he says he is pleased with his progress so far at the Giro and says his TdF plan is on track. I was suprised to see that LA said that he predicts Jan to win the TdF. I wonder if he did that to take the pressure off his buddy Basso. I thought that Basso and LA were closer friends than him and Ullrich?..interesting.
McEwen almost pulled off another win today...came down to a photo finish...Vaitkus by a fraction (McEwen was 4th @ same time).
- T
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Sling posted 2 years ago.
No question that LA is in the tank for Basso. They're very good buds. You're probably right; that's just Lance's way of playing head games with Jan (like he always has) - putting the pressure on him.
Very surprising finish today -- the rolling hills must have pooped Robbie out. I wouldn't be surprised if today was McEwen's last stage. I think he'll pull out and start resting up for the Tour. He has no intentions of finishing the Giro.
Speed hurts; how fast do you want to go?
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TBRAVO posted 2 years ago.
Go Jan!
Ullrich won the 50km ITT today in the Giro, Basso took second.
It appears that Jan’s TdF tune-up strategy may be working.
Looks like Basso has the Giro wrapped up, 2:48 ahead of Gutierrez and 3:26 ahead of Salvodelli. The mountains are coming, can’t wait to see stage 17.
- T
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Sling posted 2 years ago.
That's why you can't rule Jan out at the Tour. He can TT better than anybody still riding, and if he can hang in the mountains, he can beat anyone.
But, boy, the way Basso was climbing the other day -- Katie, bar the door.
This will be the most exciting Tour in years.
Speed hurts; how fast do you want to go?
For you Giro fans…Stage 5 is tomorrow and on tap… a 38km team time trial.
This is the first TTT in the Giro since 1989 when a cat ran on the course and wiped out almost the entire 7-11 Team.
GC so far is 1) Schumacher, 2) Savoldelli, 3) Rebellin.
Basso is 17th (but the mountains are coming up). Ullrich is 98th, but claims the Giro is just race training for TdF.
The Giro is on OLN every Sunday in May (set your TiVo).
You can also get live streaming video online from OLN, but it cost $20.
- T