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2014 Giro d'Italia - Week 2 (17th May - 24th May)
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| alexkr00 |
Posted on 19-05-2014 15:57
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depeche92 wrote:
Normally gaps between GC favourites in hilly TTs are not big at all.
https://www.cqrank...ceid=11451 
I agree though. I don't there will be big differences between the favorites in this one.
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| Smowz |
Posted on 19-05-2014 16:22
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alexkr00 wrote:
depeche92 wrote:
Normally gaps between GC favourites in hilly TTs are not big at all.
https://www.cqrank...ceid=11451
I agree though. I don't there will be big differences between the favorites in this one.
Yes that one was basically the game set and match to Menchov. He knew that was the key stage of that crappy route and correctly aced the ITT - a bit like Wiggins at the TdF 2012.
But I was thinking same about TT really - in past Evans would take a lot of time but this one I am not so sure. Think that Uran, Quintana, Pozzovivo will be not so far away from Evans. Kelderman will be an interesting one, I think he could go kaboom in final week but in the ITT he should be up there.
Biggest question mark maybe Majka - he was pretty average in last years long chrono. No idea what Ulissi is like against clock - but it will reveal if he really is trying for GC (which he should be at this stage imo).
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| Kalach |
Posted on 19-05-2014 22:39
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Evans can do this, he is able to win this giro...If he will not fade in 3rd week dramatically, he can hold off Quintana...His Giro 2013 was completely different than this, so do not compare his TT from this year..He is in form thats for sure and thats why he should do a good TT as he used to when he was on a peak. In addition he is mentaly really strong..
I am just suprised by Steve Morabito, he looks good, better than Sanchez |
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| Malkael |
Posted on 19-05-2014 22:45
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Stage 10 - Modena to Salsomaggiore Terma (173KM)
(Click image to Enlarge)
With the second rest day now behind us, the 2014 Giro d'Italia continues with a flat 173 kilometre stage from Modena to Salsomaggiore Terme. The current forecast is for good conditions, so we should hopefully avoid a replay of Stage 4's chaos and confusion.
The battle for the Maglia Rossa (Red Jersey) of the Points Classification should be fierce today with a maximum of 70 points available out on course via the intermediate sprint and stage finish. The contenders for the Maglia Rossa may even be interested in keeping the breakaway on a tighter leash than usual with the intermediate sprint located just 60 kilometres in to the stage.
For any sprinters planning on withdrawing before the high mountains of the third week today is the penultimate chance they have to claim victory. Given the almost pizza-pan flat parcours the teams of the sprinters should have little issue controlling the breakaway, should they so desire.
Concerning for the sprinters will be the presence of a small climb and descent under ten kilometres from the finishing line. Thanks to the fast, technical nature of the approach to the finishing line there could be a launch pad for a late attack with just five kilometres remaining.
(Click image to Enlarge)
Should such an event occur the teams of the sprinter's cannot afford to try passing the buck between each other to avoid the responsibility of leading the chase. Any signs of disorganisation within the peloton and the odds will begin to favour a small, nimble breakaway composed of Rouleurs.
Avoid the mistake of underestimating the climb by basing your assumptions solely on the altitude measurements available on the official stage profile, the climb will be harder than you might expect. Regardless, I would still expect one of the sprinters to take the stage victory nintynine times out of one hundred, but that still leaves a one in one hundred chance of the breakaway spoiling the party.
Stage Contenders
With two stage victories and unafraid to barge his way around the peloton to get reach where he wants to be Nacer Bouhanni of FDJ is the favourite for today's stage. However, the Frenchman will face stiff competition from Giacomo Nizzolo and Elia Viviani should the lead outs of either Italian sprinter manage to remain cohesive and complete the tasks required of them.
The cat among the pigeons will be Luka Mezgec, with the Giant Shimano sprint train a great leveller of the playing field. What the Slovenian sprinter potentially lacks in raw top end speed up against the likes of Bouhanni he can compensate for with better positioning going in to the 300-200 metre sprint for the line.
Ben Swift of Team Sky should not be discounted either should his team mates, Edvald Boasson Hagen in particular as his last man, give him a lead out similar to Stage Three. While if the unexpected does happen and a breakaway does somehow escape to the finishing line off the back of an attack over the climb I would expect strongmen similar to Luca Paolini or Adam Hansen to be the ones that made it succeed.
Epilogue
My rough research, which delayed the preview, suggests the summit of the climb actually tops out closer to ~200 metres than originally suggested by the profile, meaning it features an average gradient closer to 3-4%.
Edited by Malkael on 19-05-2014 23:02
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| b3n3v3nt3 |
Posted on 19-05-2014 23:20
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That climb is very short though, I doubt any of the favorite sprinters will get behind. It can give them some trouble in positioning on the front though, as I think the last 2km have some turns, and are very very fast.
I don't believe much in a breakaway tomorrow. |
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| SSJ2Luigi |
Posted on 20-05-2014 13:35
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all this talking about the TT made me think that today was the TT 
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 25-11-2024 11:36
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| TimoCycling |
Posted on 20-05-2014 13:52
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SSJ2Luigi wrote:
all this talking about the TT made me think that today was the TT
We all wish it was . Yet another boring flat stage. |
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| Kirchen_75 |
Posted on 20-05-2014 13:53
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TimoCycling wrote:
SSJ2Luigi wrote:
all this talking about the TT made me think that today was the TT
We all wish it was . Yet another boring flat stage.
Is the Kelderman rampage on tomorrow? |
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| Jesleyh |
Posted on 20-05-2014 13:59
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Kirchen_75 wrote:
TimoCycling wrote:
SSJ2Luigi wrote:
all this talking about the TT made me think that today was the TT
We all wish it was . Yet another boring flat stage.
Is the Kelderman rampage on tomorrow?
Thursday 
Feyenoord(football) and Kelderman fanboy
PCMdaily Awards: 12x nomination, 9x runner-up, 0x win.
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| TimoCycling |
Posted on 20-05-2014 14:01
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Jesleyh wrote:
Kirchen_75 wrote:
TimoCycling wrote:
SSJ2Luigi wrote:
all this talking about the TT made me think that today was the TT
We all wish it was . Yet another boring flat stage.
Is the Kelderman rampage on tomorrow?
Thursday
And the 3rd week^^ |
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| SSJ2Luigi |
Posted on 20-05-2014 14:30
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unrelated: with who did Kelderman do that duo-TT last year
because if I recal correclty that TT was the only one that he actually did good at
<insert Jesleyh countering my point below>
Note: I don't recall things correctly often
Edited by SSJ2Luigi on 20-05-2014 14:32
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| Jesleyh |
Posted on 20-05-2014 14:36
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SSJ2Luigi wrote:
unrelated: with who did Kelderman do that duo-TT last year
because if I recal correclty that TT was the only one that he actually did good at
<insert Jesleyh countering my point below>
Note: I don't recall things correctly often
Henao.
He actually had to switch bikes in that TT, and I recall he even crashed as well(but I'm not 100% sure about that). Could've finished a lot higher.
Dauphiné 2012 stands out of course.
He has lots of ~10th TT spots in 2013(and also in the 1 TT he rode in 2014) and a Denmark win, though, and the TT line-up here is rather weak.
Plus, he seems quite a bit stronger than last year. If that is because he focussed on climbing or because he's just stronger than he was overall, is the question.
Edited by Jesleyh on 20-05-2014 14:36
Feyenoord(football) and Kelderman fanboy
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| Strydz |
Posted on 20-05-2014 15:13
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Kalach wrote:
I am just suprised by Steve Morabito, he looks good, better than Sanchez
The only reason is that they haven't climbed any real climbs yet, Sanchez will come good
Hells 500 Crew and 6 x Everester
Don Rd Launching Place
Melbourne Hill Rd Warrandyte
Colby Drive Belgrave South
William Rd The Patch
David Hill Rd Monbulk
Lakeside Drive Emerald
https://www.everesting.cc/hall-of-fame/ |
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| ianrussell |
Posted on 20-05-2014 15:50
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Only 2 out front but the pack have still left this on the later side. Expect it'll come back no problem but potential for things to get messy in the process... |
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| cactus-jack |
Posted on 20-05-2014 16:08
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Some of these flat stages needs more Mario Kart. You know, banana peels and tortoises in the road.
There's a fine line between "psychotherapist" and "psycho the rapist"
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| Strydz |
Posted on 20-05-2014 16:10
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They certainly are trying to make it hard
Hells 500 Crew and 6 x Everester
Don Rd Launching Place
Melbourne Hill Rd Warrandyte
Colby Drive Belgrave South
William Rd The Patch
David Hill Rd Monbulk
Lakeside Drive Emerald
https://www.everesting.cc/hall-of-fame/ |
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| cactus-jack |
Posted on 20-05-2014 16:13
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Come on Eddy.
Not too sure about the tactic, but go go go.
Edited by cactus-jack on 20-05-2014 16:13
There's a fine line between "psychotherapist" and "psycho the rapist"
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| nacho63 |
Posted on 20-05-2014 16:14
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Thought EBH might go on the attack but looks all in for Swift |
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| Guido Mukk |
Posted on 20-05-2014 16:14
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If Bouhani collect also that one..he is really something |
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| nacho63 |
Posted on 20-05-2014 16:15
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Did Sky just make the race interesting? |
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