ember wrote:
I'm playing the last stages now, I have the final stage to Milano to go, and all I can say is that it's going to be a dramatic final stage...
The 20th stage is a time trial, listed as 33 kilometres, but when I started the race it was 55......the last stage is the classic sprint stage to Milano.
We have reached stage 15 in the Giro, it's a very though stage. It was one of 4 stages left where it is possibly to make a difference; this one, MTT, Isola 2000 and the TT. Pliuschin hhas to be at his very best if we are going to get the stage win Pliuscin wants so much.
Ivan Santamorita from Quick Step went on the solo break today, maybe if was going to fight for Maglia Verde? There were 45 points on offer on today's stage.
With 40 kilometres left, and 8.8 kilometres to the summit of the penultimate climb, the king himself, Simoni attacked.
He was sailing away again, he is simply too strong for all the others, he will be a very deserved winner of the Giro.
Behind him we got a great chase group, the four others jerseys were there; Pliuschin (Maglia Bianca), Di Luca (PT leader), Popovych (Maglia Ciclamino) and Cunego (Maglia Verde). They were strong, but they couldn't bring Simoni back. I really like the picture
Pliuschin felt great, and when there was 4.5 kilometres left of the final climb, Magla Mare, he first ate, and then attacked!
He got a little gap, and it was stable around 20 seconds, but right before the sprint started Cunego chased him down. Pliuschin really struggled in the sprint, he was totally exausted, and couldn't follow the wheel their wheels, he was just out of power. But we can't forget about Gilberto "Gibo" Simoni, he took his third stage win in a row. Great riding!
His overall victory seemed safe now. Pliuschin didn't loose much in the sprint though, only 20 seconds to Cunego.
The mountain time trial was going to be at the brutal Mortirolo. Pliuschin was afraid he wouldn't get his stage win today neither as MTT isn't his shot.
Linus Gerdemann from Saunier Duval was the first rider that made a really good time. (9th +2,00)
Rasmussen the little chicken was, as expected, flying up th climb. (4th +1,21)
Pliuschin made a great ride, ending 7th, 1,44 behind the sovereign winner.
Does I need to say anything, but Simoni? He took his 4th stage win in a row, crushing the others. Popovych was closest, but still, he was 56 seconds off Simoni's pace. And just to make it even sweeter, Simoni crossed the line together with Cunego. It's truly amazing what this old man does!
Once again, a very though mountain stage. The riders had to look forward to Colle dell' Agnello, Cime de la Bonette (Cima Coppi of the year) and the stage ended with the climb up Isola 2000. It was probably the queen stage of this year Giro. But it's hard to say that it is, in the Giro there are many queen stages.
A brave break tried their luck, maybe going for the money on Cima Coppi? It was Pineau (EUS), Mazzanti, Italian champion (AGR), Tonti (QSI) and Pagoto from Team Mobile-Team.
Di Luca attacked 1 kilometer away from the top of this year's Cima Coppi, was it a real attack, was he just testing his legs, or was it for the mountain points left?
Pliuschin didn't move as he thought he was just testing his legs, and that seemed to be right as he was back in the peloton soon. Up front the break was chased down, but Nibali and Rodriguez was still there, they had attacked at the second climb of the day, and still hold a lead.
But they were reeled in before we started the last climb of this year Giro dItalia, Isola 2000. Di Luca attacked immediately, he seemed very strong, but he couldn't gain 8 minutes on Popovych, could he?
They all tried to follow, Pliuschin included, but they couldn't catch him. Simoni actually showed some weakness at this stage, behind Di Luca, he struggled with keeping up with Pliuschin!
Cunego was chasing behind Simoni, his second place seemed safe, as Popovych was behind him again.
Simoni couldn't let Pliuschin go, and powered himself up to Pliuschin, but still, they couldn't catch Di Luca.
Di Luca took a great victory. He has had a good Giro, but nothing more, he seems to end 4th in the overall, and I think Di Luca won't be happy with that.
Pliuschin took his energy bar before the sprint started, and flew past Simoni in the sprint to take a great second!
Unfortunately, Di Luca had gained time on him today, and he's now 4,03 behind Di Luca at 4th spot in the overall, on the other hand, 5th seems to be safe, and that's great news for Pliuschin.
Thanks but I simply can't understand Simoni's amazing performances, he is 78 in mountains and 75 in hills, and he is crushing Di Luca (80, 83) and Cunego (82, 63) and all the others. It's unbelieveable
