Wow! What a report. Great. Pozzo will have more chances now with some contenders already losing time. And Modolo has a chanceto get a very good result these next days.
Great report indeed, very enjoyable read. I'd prefer it though to have most part of the reults (let's say from place 20 or so) in a spoiler, it streches the whole thing a bit too much in my opinion
@ all: Thanks! Always nice to gain an advantage on flat stages.
@ Spilak23: It'll be hard to beat the likes of Farrar, Petacchi, and Greipel etc. However, I think I'm finally getting a hang of the new sprinting in PCM11.
@ cunego59: I completely agree. Normally I do that, but I wanted to give people a full picture since it was the first time most of the that was posted.
Giro d'Italia: Stage 3
Stage 3 of the Giro d'Italia should belong to the sprinters. However, as we saw yesterday, other riders have differing plans. Today, the peloton will be starting in Reggio Emilia, a city nestled in the heart of the Emilia-Romagna region. They will towards the coast and Rapallo.
The day features a long, steady, climb up to the high point of the day, the Passo del Bocco, a category 3 climb. After the descent, the Madona delle Grazie is located only 8km from the finish. The short climb could be a launching pad.
Race leader Marzio Bruseghin and his Movistar team should be good enough to protect his jersey.
Attacking again began early today. This time, Stefan Pirazzi was the first rider to jump from the peloton.
Colnago will be looking for a good result in their home province.
After a bit of fighting between the attacking riders, a sizeable group of 13 riders came away from the peloton. The main field didn't seem too fused with its composition, letting them go quite easily.
The riders in the group were Pirazzi, Ruggero Marzoli (Acqua & Sapone), Sébastien Minard and Mikaël Chérel (AG2R La Mondiale), Roberto Ferrari (Androni Giocattoli), Chris Barton (BMC Racing Team), Giacomo Nizzolo (Leopard Trek), Assan Bazayev (Pro Team Astana), Guillaume Van Keirsbulck and Gert Steegmans (Quick·Step Cycling Team), Dennis Van Winden (Rabobank Cycling Team), Baden Cooke (Saxo Bank SunGard), and Geoffroy Lequatre (Team RadioShack).
The break formed in the villages outside Parma.
The sprint point on the day was in the village of Ghiare, 74km into the day. No one in the breakaway was too concerned with the points or bonus seconds, and they rolled past the point with a lead of 5'18.
This advantage did not grow much past 6 minutes.
It was a long, hot day in the sun for the escapees.
Once again, it was Movistar Team on the front of the peloton, controlling the pace. Iván Gutiérrez continued his domestique work from yesterday, sitting on the front for kilometer after kilometer.
As he led the main bunch over the Passo del Bocco, the breakaway's lead had been cut to 2'35.
The peloton prepares to make the descent into Chiavari.
On the descent, Pablo Urtasun (Euskaltel - Euskadi) crashed, breaking his ribs. The veteran sprinter did not finish the day, becoming the first rider to abandon this year's Giro d'Italia.
The breakaway was able to stay clear of the peloton in the small valley before the final climb, the Madona delle Grazie. As they started the short climb, the peloton was only 1'03 behind. Marzoli attacked.
Marzoli goes with the peloton closing in.
In the breakaway, the riders were all trying to respond to move by Marzoli. Barton, Nizzolo, and Van Keirsbulck had no chance and were almost immediately dropped.
Pirazzi, who should've been one of the best climber in the group, was struggling with the pace. He went over the top of the climb just in sight of the leading group of 9. If he descended well, he could rejoin them.
Pirazzi trying to cling on. Various yachts dot the waters of the Tigullio Gulf.
It was important for Pirazzi to stick with the leading group, because, inexplicably, the peloton had completely given up chasing!
Movistar had moved off the front, and no other team was willing to chase the breakaway. The lead, which had been down to one minute, had ballooned to 4'13 in a matter of kilometers. The maglia rosa was being lifted from Bruseghin's shoulders.
Unfortunately, Pirazzi could not reconnect with the leading group. Up the road, Bazayez was leading a daredevil descent. The Kazakh's pace was too much for the young Colnago rider, who is not the best over such a technical route. He slowed down to reconnect with the previously dropped riders.
Bazayev's descending prevented Pirazzi from rejoining the leading group.
The sprint for the stage win was anti-climatic, with Marzoli easily outpacing his competitors. For the second day in a row, a veteran rider captured his first Giro stage win.
Pirazzi rolled across the line 1'30 later, in 13th. He shook his head as he crossed the line, knowing he should've been able to stay with the leading group.
The peloton finished 4'24 after Marzoli. André Greipel (Omega Pharma - Lotto) was the best of the rest. Sacha Modolo didn't bother sprinting for the minor places. All the main GC riders stayed out of trouble today.
Marzoli's win punctuates a solid career.
But who would move into the leader's jersey?
23 year old Dennis Van Winden, who finished on the day took over the race lead. It is not surprising to see a Rabobank rider wearing pink, however, few would've predicted this youngster to don the maglia rosa.
Giacomo Nizzolo moved into 2nd place, 2'20 down, while Marzoli occupied the third spot, 2'28 down.
Van Winden celebrates this great moment in his young career.
Starting just outside of Genova, the peloton will now begin its journey south, into the boot of Italy. Today's stage again features a climb close to the end of the day, the Montenero. With the sprinters' chances already dwindling, their teams will have to work hard to stop riders from launching attacks.
Additionally, the peloton will climb with the Passo del Bracco. However, its position should neutralize the ascent.
Six riders were adventurous enough to form a breakaway. With well over 100km of pan-flat terrain after the Bracco, this was not a move many wanted to make, Colnago included. The riders in the escape group were Stage 3 winner Ruggero Marzoli (Acqua & Sapone), Kristof Goddaert (AG2R La Mondiale), Martin Velits (HTC - Highroad), Maxime Vantomme (Katusha Team), Martin Pedersen (Leopard Trek), and Matteo Tosatto (Saxo Bank SunGard).
The break, back in Rapallo.
Everyone took the climb of the Passo del Bracco easy. The break pushed its advantage up to 10'26 at the mountain sprint. A large lead, but something that should be manageable for the peloton. Then again, on the two road stages, we've had two breakaway wins.
The breakaway begins the descent of the Bracco.
On the flat roads, Marco Frapporti went to the front to work for the main group. Colnago were not represented in the move and wanted to try to set up Sacha Modolo for a sprint. Also, by working on the front, the team gained some exposure for the sponsors.
Frapporti sat on the front for much of the day, reducing the lead.
In a while, riders from many teams joined Frapporti to reel in the breakaway. Today, they left nothing to chance, catching the breakaway with 25km to go.
The high pace was kept up in order to dissuade attacks. During the first time through the streets of Livorno, a split occurred. José Rujano (Androni Giocattoli), Rémy Di Gregorio (Pro Team Astana), and Juan Mauricio Soler and Marzio Bruseghin (Movistar Team) all were ill-positioned. An extremely talented climber, this is the second time in three stages Rujano has unnecessarily lost time on the flat. At the end of the day, Rujano was 12'37 behind in GC, his chances may already be over.
The peloton splits.
The Montenero created a second break in the peloton. The high pace by the peloton stopped attacks, but several more GC favorites found themselves boxed in by weaker riders. Included in this group were Stefano Garzelli (Acqua & Sapone), John Gadret (AG2R La Mondiale), Marco Pinotti (HTC - Highroad), Danilo Di Luca (Katusha Team), Michele Scarponi (Lampre - ISD), Steven Kruijswijk and Bauke Mollema (Rabobank Cycling Team), Richie Porte (Saxo Bank SunGard), Janez Brajkovic (Team RadioShack), Ezequiel Mosquera (Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team). All lost 1'12 on the day.
Domenico Pozzovivo made it safely over the climb with the leading group, along with Igor Antón (Euskaltel - Euskadi) and Ivan Basso (Liquigas - Cannondale).
Modolo was also in good shape and began to prepare for the first mass sprint of the Giro. He joined a line of the big sprinters, sitting on the wheel of Greg Henderson (Sky ProCycling). Tyler Farrar (Team Garmin - Cervélo) was at the head of the line, followed by André Greipel (Omega Pharma - Lotto), Matthew Goss (HTC - Highroad), and Alessandro Petacchi (Lampre - ISD).
Modolo knew he could not beat the more established sprinters straight up. He'd have to surprise them. He opened up at the flamme rouge, before anyone was ready.
The situation approaching the line.
Only two riders reacted. Goss and Borut Božic (Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team) started too. Farrar and Greipel were completely surprised, while Petacchi was boxed in.
Modolo goes.
With the big favorites startled, young Aussie Goss took full advantage of the situation, holding off Božic and Modolo for the stage win, his second consecutive year with a stage win at the Giro.
Pozzovivo continues to move up the GC, now sitting in 35th.
3rd is good with Modolo. It's stupid to see those gaps, because of riders that get boxed in. Had in my story, sometimes in your advantage, sometimes not....
@ dienblad: Its somewhat realistic, just wish the AI did a better job at positioning riders.
@ all: Thanks! I'm not sure I can really do better than third with Modolo, but I'll keep trying.
Giro d'Italia: Stage 5
Piombino - Orvieto: 189.8km
Last year, Cadel Evans won an absolutely epic stage on the rain-soaked gravel roads to Montalcino. This year, the sterrato will again play a role in the fifth stage. The peloton will wind its way inwards, finishing in Orvieto after an uneven day of racing. The main features on the day are the Saraglio and the Croce di Fighine, both category 3 climbs.
Today, the GC men will begin their battle.
But before, any showdown, a breakaway. Stefano Pirazzi tried to get free from the peloton.
Pirazzi attacks.
Colnago would've preferred to use Gianluca Brambilla in the move, but he was still suffering from his crash on the second stage. Currently, Brambilla is in last place overall and there have been serious talks about him abandoning if his condition doesn't improve quickly.
Pirazzi wasn't allowed to get away.
With the break almost formed, Filippo Savini made a last ditch effort to get Colnago into the move. He was forced to chase down a group of 6 riders; Guillaume Bonnaford (AG2R La Mondiale), Karsten Kroon (BMC Racing Team), Francesco Reda (Quick·Step Cycling Team), Mads Christensen (Saxo Bank SunGard), Murilo Fischer (Team Garmin - Cervélo), and Ivan Rovny (Team RadioShack).
Savini trying to make the junction with the break.
The Colnago rider made the move and quickly began working with the group. They soon had a lead of 7'46 over the main field.
At the sprint point in Arcidosso, their lead had shrunk a bit, to 6'13. Vacansoleil were doing the chasing, likely to set up a later move by team leader Ezequiel Mosquera. The Spaniard lost time yesterday and will be eager to make some of it up.
Reda took full points over the Saraglio. The breakaway's advantage was now 5'15, another minute chopped off.
The break goes over the high point of the day.
Now, the white gravel roads came into play.
Savini pushed the pace up the Croce di Fighine, trying to keep the break from coming back to the peloton. Their lead had fallen even further to 3'26.
Savini working hard for the breakaway.
The relentless pace of the peloton caused serious troubles on the same climb. Much like yesterday, Michele Scarponi (Lampre - ISD) found himself being distanced.
Two days in a row, Scarponi watches the peloton climb away.
The Italian was not alone. A cadre of GC riders lost contact. Stefano Garzelli (Acqua & Sapone), José Rujano (Androni Giocattoli), John Gadret (AG2R La Mondiale), and Jurgen Van den Broeck (Omega Pharma - Lotto) all fell behind.
Scarponi wasn't content with this, and set off alone, chasing the main group.
Scarponi finds himself in a dangerous situation, and isolated.
The peloton did not truly push the advantage, which was perhaps a mistake, and Scarponi made up the 1'30 deficit fairly quickly. After the race, he stated he had suffered a hunger knock.
With the breakaway still up the road, Igor Antón (Euskaltel - Euskadi), attacked from the peloton, checking to see if everyone was awake.
Antón looking extremely dangerous.
The attack was half-hearted, but still caused damage. Race leader Dennis Van Winden (Rabobank Cycling Team) was dropped. In a silly move, his team sent Bauke Mollema, Luis León Sánchez, and Bram Tankink back to help him. Surely Mollema and Sanchez's chances shouldn't be sacrificed for Van Winden.
Van Winden was gapped, but Rabobank was fighting to hang onto the maglia rosa.
Over the flat run-in to Orvieto, the break continued to resist the peloton. They arrived at the final climb up to the finish line.
Behind them, Alessandro Bertolini (Androni Giocattoli) and Giovanni Visconti (Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli) attacked. This was the first time in the race that Visconti, the current Italian national champion had made himself really visible.
Veteran Bertolini and Visconti try to chase down the break.
Most of the breakaway riders were struggling up the final climb. However, Reda, who looked strong all day, started creating a gap. Just as he gained some bike lengths, Bertolini and Visconti caught up with the back of the group. Just behind those two was the peloton.
Reda riding away.
Then, attacks came from the peloton. Antón was the first to move, and shot out of the peloton like an orange bullet. He quickly passed the slower breakaway riders, making up ground on Reda, Bertolini, and Visconti.
Antón is probably the best "puncheur" of the GC riders.
The reaction from the peloton was slow. Vasil Kiryienka (Movistar Team) was the first to respond. With him came Ivan Basso (Liquigas - Cannondale) and Mikel Nieve (Euskaltel - Euskadi).
The "response."
Next came Scarponi and Mosquera.
Domenio Pozzovivo? He was struggling up the final climb, unable to accelerate like his rivals. He ground his way up the climb, leading what was left of the peloton up, trying to limit losses.
The road simply ran out for Antón. If the stage was several hundred meters in length, the Basque would've easily taken the day. However, Reda managed to hold everyone off, becoming the first Italian stage winner of this year's Giro.
Antón's runner-up finish moved him into 3rd overall, just behind Van Winden and Kiryienka. The Dutch rider finished 2'28 down, enough to keep his lead, but at the expense of some of his teammate's times.
Basso and Scarponi sit dangerously in 5th and 7th respectively.
Despite his rough day, Pozzovivo finished in 17th, 1'06 behind Reda. He enters the top 10 overall, along with his teammate Federico Canuti. Canuti has not left Pozzovivo's side all Giro, keeping the team leader out of trouble.
Antón forced Reda to ride all the way to the finish, but the reward is worth it.
RESULTS
Stage:
1
Francesco Reda
Quick·Step Cycling Team
4h53'49
2
Igor Antón
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 9
3
Alessandro Bertolini
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
4
Ivan Rovny
Team RadioShack
s.t.
5
Karsten Kroon
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
6
Filippo Savini
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
7
Giovanni Visconti
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
8
Murilo Fischer
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
9
Ivan Basso
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 33
10
Vasil Kiryienka
Movistar Team
s.t.
Spoiler
11
Mikel Nieve
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
12
Fabian Wegmann
Leopard Trek
+ 43
13
Mads Christensen
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
14
Ezequiel Mosquera
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
15
Michele Scarponi
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
16
Guillaume Bonnafond
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 1'06
17
Domenico Pozzovivo
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
18
Rui Costa
Movistar Team
s.t.
19
Kevin Seeldraeyers
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
20
Mauro Santambrogio
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
21
Matteo Carrara
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
22
Juan José Oroz
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
23
Marzio Bruseghin
Movistar Team
s.t.
24
Egoi Martínez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
25
David Arroyo
Movistar Team
s.t.
26
Marco Pinotti
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
27
Iván Velasco
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
28
Juan Mauricio Soler
Movistar Team
s.t.
29
Marco Marcato
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
30
Yury Trofimov
Katusha Team
s.t.
31
Sergey Lagutin
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
32
Simone Stortoni
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
33
Federico Canuti
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
34
Stefano Pirazzi
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
35
Johnny Hoogerland
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
36
Daniel Oss
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
37
Koldo Fernández
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
38
Dario Cataldo
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
39
Jesús Herrada
Movistar Team
s.t.
40
Paolo Longo Borghini
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 2'09
41
Francesco Masciarelli
Pro Team Astana
+ 2'28
42
Bauke Mollema
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
43
Luis León Sánchez
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
44
Steven Kruijswijk
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
45
Vladimir Miholjevic
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
46
Jurgen Van den Broeck
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
47
Peter Velits
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
48
Bert Grabsch
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
49
Stefano Garzelli
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
50
Thomas Löfkvist
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
51
Maciej Paterski
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
52
Marco Marzano
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
53
Massimo Codol
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
54
Leonardo Bertagnolli
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
55
Nicki Sørensen
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
56
Marcello Pavarin
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
57
Bram Tankink
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
58
Emanuele Sella
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
59
Iñaki Isasi
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
60
Christian Knees
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
61
Przemyslaw Niemiec
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
62
Oliver Zaugg
Leopard Trek
s.t.
63
Hubert Dupont
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
64
Rémy Di Gregorio
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
65
Tiago Machado
Team RadioShack
s.t.
66
Richie Porte
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
67
John Gadret
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
68
José Rujano
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
69
Pim Ligthart
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
70
Danilo Di Luca
Katusha Team
s.t.
71
David Le Lay
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
72
Dennis Van Winden
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
73
Mikel Landa
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
74
Thomas Rohregger
Leopard Trek
s.t.
75
Jackson Rodríguez
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
76
Jan Bakelants
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
77
Joost Posthuma
Leopard Trek
s.t.
78
Carlos Betancourt
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
79
Dario Cioni
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
80
Christian Vande Velde
Team Garmin - Cervélo
+ 4'46
81
Zdenek Stybar
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
82
Matthew Goss
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
83
Janez Brajkovic
Team RadioShack
s.t.
84
Steve Morabito
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
85
Michael Schär
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
86
Anders Lund
Leopard Trek
s.t.
87
David Zabriskie
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
88
Alessandro Petacchi
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
89
Davide Malacarne
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
90
Andrea Masciarelli
Acqua & Sapone
+ 5'17
91
Maarten Wynants
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
92
Bart De Clercq
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
93
Iván Gutiérrez
Movistar Team
s.t.
94
Tom Slagter
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
95
Maxim Iglinskiy
Pro Team Astana
+ 6'16
96
Cayetano Sarmiento
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
97
Luca Mazzanti
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
98
Mirco Lorenzetto
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
99
Francesco Failli
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
100
Manuele Mori
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
101
Mikaël Chérel
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
102
Alessandro Bisolti
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
103
Sven Vandousselaere
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
104
Sébastien Minard
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
105
Alexsandr Dyachenko
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
106
Emanuele Vona
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
107
José Serpa
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
108
Haimar Zubeldia
Team RadioShack
s.t.
109
Francesco Ginanni
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
110
Francisco Pérez
Movistar Team
s.t.
111
Enrico Gasparotto
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
112
Oscar Gatto
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
113
Tyler Farrar
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
114
Mauro Finetto
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
115
Martin Velits
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
116
Kurt-Asle Arvesen
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
117
Greg Henderson
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
118
Michael Albasini
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
119
Luca Solari
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
120
Giampaolo Caruso
Katusha Team
s.t.
121
Borut Božic
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
122
Chris Froome
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
123
Assan Bazayev
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
124
Addy Engels
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
125
Anthony Ravard
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
126
Yevgeniy Nepomnyachshiy
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
127
Vladimir Gusev
Katusha Team
s.t.
128
Roberto Ferrari
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
129
Riccardo Chiarini
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
130
Ruggero Marzoli
Acqua & Sapone
+ 7'18
131
Tom Leezer
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
132
Mario Aerts
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 8'16
133
André Greipel
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
134
John Degenkolb
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
135
Geoffroy Lequatre
Team RadioShack
s.t.
136
Gatis Smukulis
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
137
David Tanner
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
138
Matteo Montaguti
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
139
Ivan Santaromita
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
140
Sacha Modolo
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
141
Mauro Da Dalto
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
142
Chris Barton
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
143
Alberto Ongarato
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
144
Rafaâ Chtioui
Acqua & Sapone
+ 10'01
145
Thomas Peterson
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
146
Jack Bobridge
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
147
Davide Ricci Bitti
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
148
Michal Kwiatkowski
Team RadioShack
s.t.
149
Manuel Belletti
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
150
Theo Bos
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
151
Marco Frapporti
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
152
Davide Viganò
Leopard Trek
+ 10'24
153
Tanel Kangert
Pro Team Astana
+ 12'19
154
Javier Iriarte
Movistar Team
s.t.
155
Maxime Vantomme
Katusha Team
s.t.
156
Gert Steegmans
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
157
Matteo Tosatto
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
158
Alexander Mironov
Katusha Team
s.t.
159
Lucas Sebastián Haedo
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
160
Martin Pedersen
Leopard Trek
s.t.
161
Adriano Malori
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
162
Juraj Sagan
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
163
Jaroslaw Marycz
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
164
Christopher Butler
BMC Racing Team
+ 12'57
165
Alfredo Balloni
Lampre - ISD
+ 16'30
166
Jeremy Hunt
Sky ProCycling
+ 17'20
167
Baden Cooke
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
168
Andrea Guardini
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
169
Morris Possoni
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
170
Danilo Napolitano
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
171
Denis Galimzyanov
Katusha Team
s.t.
172
Pierpaolo De Negri
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
173
Kasper Klostergaard
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
174
Cameron Meyer
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
175
David Boucher
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
176
Vladimir Isaychev
Katusha Team
s.t.
177
Julian Dean
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
178
Francesco Chicchi
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
179
Kristof Goddaert
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
180
Guillaume Van Keirsbulck
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
181
Jens Debusschere
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 18'05
182
Alexander Porsev
Katusha Team
s.t.
183
Davide Appollonio
Sky ProCycling
+ 18'25
184
Kenny Dehaes
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
185
Jacopo Guarnieri
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
186
Elia Viviani
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
187
Giacomo Nizzolo
Leopard Trek
s.t.
188
Chad Beyer
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
189
Ben King
Team RadioShack
+ 21'31
190
William Clarke
Leopard Trek
s.t.
191
Jesse Sergent
Team RadioShack
s.t.
192
Brett Lancaster
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
193
Danny Pate
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
194
Gianluca Brambilla
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
195
Denys Kostyuk
Lampre - ISD
+ 26'37
196
Robbie McEwen
Team RadioShack
s.t.
197
John Murphy
BMC Racing Team
+ 27'00
GC:
1
Dennis Van Winden
Rabobank Cycling Team
21h06'30
2
Vasil Kiryienka
Movistar Team
+ 2'13
3
Igor Antón
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 2'21
4
Murilo Fischer
Team Garmin - Cervélo
+ 2'27
5
Ivan Basso
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 3'20
6
Yury Trofimov
Katusha Team
+ 3'27
7
Michele Scarponi
Lampre - ISD
+ 3'51
8
Domenico Pozzovivo
Colnago - CSF Inox
+ 4'08
9
Federico Canuti
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
10
Marco Pinotti
HTC - Highroad
+ 4'15
Spoiler
11
Ezequiel Mosquera
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 4'16
12
Peter Velits
HTC - Highroad
+ 4'25
13
Bert Grabsch
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
14
Thomas Löfkvist
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
15
Luis León Sánchez
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 4'30
16
Fabian Wegmann
Leopard Trek
+ 4'31
17
Marco Marzano
Lampre - ISD
+ 4'35
18
Johnny Hoogerland
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 4'39
19
Kevin Seeldraeyers
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 4'46
20
Paolo Longo Borghini
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 5'00
21
Emanuele Sella
Androni Giocattoli
+ 5'14
22
Przemyslaw Niemiec
Lampre - ISD
+ 5'36
23
Nicki Sørensen
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 5'39
24
Bauke Mollema
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 5'42
25
Steven Kruijswijk
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
26
John Gadret
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 5'55
27
Hubert Dupont
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
28
Stefano Garzelli
Acqua & Sapone
+ 6'04
29
Matthew Goss
HTC - Highroad
+ 6'24
30
Joost Posthuma
Leopard Trek
s.t.
31
Koldo Fernández
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 6'28
32
Iván Velasco
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 6'29
33
Karsten Kroon
BMC Racing Team
+ 6'33
34
Alessandro Petacchi
Lampre - ISD
+ 6'45
35
Giovanni Visconti
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
+ 6'56
36
David Zabriskie
Team Garmin - Cervélo
+ 6'58
37
Christian Vande Velde
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
38
Alessandro Bertolini
Androni Giocattoli
+ 7'00
39
Marzio Bruseghin
Movistar Team
+ 7'11
40
Zdenek Stybar
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 7'14
41
Juan Mauricio Soler
Movistar Team
+ 7'18
42
Maarten Wynants
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 7'19
43
Stefano Pirazzi
Colnago - CSF Inox
s.t.
44
Filippo Savini
Colnago - CSF Inox
+ 7'21
45
Leonardo Bertagnolli
Lampre - ISD
+ 7'22
46
Bram Tankink
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 7'31
47
Roberto Ferrari
Androni Giocattoli
+ 7'36
48
Jan Bakelants
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 7'38
49
Jurgen Van den Broeck
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
50
Egoi Martínez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 7'40
51
Dario Cataldo
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 7'47
52
Francesco Masciarelli
Pro Team Astana
+ 7'51
53
Francesco Reda
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
54
Marco Marcato
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 7'52
55
Carlos Betancourt
Acqua & Sapone
+ 7'57
56
Greg Henderson
Sky ProCycling
+ 8'13
57
Kurt-Asle Arvesen
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
58
Tyler Farrar
Team Garmin - Cervélo
+ 8'16
59
Mauro Santambrogio
BMC Racing Team
+ 8'17
60
Daniel Oss
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 8'18
61
Ruggero Marzoli
Acqua & Sapone
+ 8'20
62
Borut Božic
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 8'25
63
Christian Knees
Sky ProCycling
+ 8'35
64
Richie Porte
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 8'37
65
Tiago Machado
Team RadioShack
+ 8'44
66
Dario Cioni
Sky ProCycling
+ 8'50
67
David Le Lay
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 8'53
68
Pim Ligthart
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 8'59
69
Danilo Di Luca
Katusha Team
s.t.
70
Marcello Pavarin
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 9'01
71
Iñaki Isasi
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 9'02
72
Thomas Rohregger
Leopard Trek
+ 9'22
73
Oliver Zaugg
Leopard Trek
s.t.
74
Ivan Rovny
Team RadioShack
+ 9'28
75
Jesús Herrada
Movistar Team
+ 9'37
76
Simone Stortoni
Colnago - CSF Inox
+ 9'38
77
Mirco Lorenzetto
Pro Team Astana
+ 9'50
78
Anthony Ravard
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 9'53
79
Mikel Nieve
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 9'58
80
Mads Christensen
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 10'01
81
Rui Costa
Movistar Team
+ 10'02
82
David Arroyo
Movistar Team
+ 10'09
83
José Serpa
Androni Giocattoli
+ 10'14
84
Sergey Lagutin
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 10'16
85
Bart De Clercq
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 10'27
86
Michael Schär
BMC Racing Team
+ 10'29
87
André Greipel
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 10'31
88
Matteo Carrara
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 10'51
89
Juan José Oroz
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 10'53
90
Janez Brajkovic
Team RadioShack
+ 11'02
91
Sacha Modolo
Colnago - CSF Inox
+ 11'10
92
Chris Froome
Sky ProCycling
+ 11'11
93
Manuele Mori
Lampre - ISD
+ 11'16
94
Haimar Zubeldia
Team RadioShack
+ 11'22
95
Sébastien Minard
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
96
Davide Malacarne
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 11'24
97
Assan Bazayev
Pro Team Astana
+ 11'30
98
Mikaël Chérel
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 11'32
99
Tom Slagter
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 11'35
100
Maxim Iglinskiy
Pro Team Astana
+ 11'36
101
Anders Lund
Leopard Trek
+ 11'40
102
Alessandro Bisolti
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
+ 11'51
103
Oscar Gatto
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
104
Emanuele Vona
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
105
Luca Mazzanti
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
106
Francesco Failli
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
+ 11'52
107
Francesco Ginanni
Androni Giocattoli
+ 12'02
108
Massimo Codol
Acqua & Sapone
+ 12'15
109
Theo Bos
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 12'16
110
Francisco Pérez
Movistar Team
+ 12'21
111
Tom Leezer
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 12'28
112
José Rujano
Androni Giocattoli
+ 12'37
113
Sven Vandousselaere
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 12'38
114
Michael Albasini
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
115
Maciej Paterski
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
116
Enrico Gasparotto
Pro Team Astana
+ 12'48
117
Giampaolo Caruso
Katusha Team
+ 12'51
118
Cayetano Sarmiento
Acqua & Sapone
+ 12'53
119
Addy Engels
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 13'00
120
Vladimir Gusev
Katusha Team
+ 13'02
121
Manuel Belletti
Colnago - CSF Inox
+ 13'20
122
Gert Steegmans
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 13'21
123
Geoffroy Lequatre
Team RadioShack
+ 13'23
124
Mario Aerts
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 13'26
125
Mauro Finetto
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 13'28
126
Jackson Rodríguez
Androni Giocattoli
+ 13'42
127
Mikel Landa
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 13'56
128
Martin Velits
HTC - Highroad
+ 14'03
129
Guillaume Bonnafond
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 14'05
130
Marco Frapporti
Colnago - CSF Inox
+ 14'15
131
Iván Gutiérrez
Movistar Team
+ 14'23
132
John Degenkolb
HTC - Highroad
+ 14'27
133
Gatis Smukulis
HTC - Highroad
+ 14'28
134
Thomas Peterson
Team Garmin - Cervélo
+ 14'39
135
Alberto Ongarato
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 14'51
136
Steve Morabito
BMC Racing Team
+ 14'54
137
Chris Barton
BMC Racing Team
+ 14'56
138
Andrea Masciarelli
Acqua & Sapone
+ 15'19
139
Matteo Tosatto
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 15'24
140
Luca Solari
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
141
Vladimir Miholjevic
Acqua & Sapone
+ 15'33
142
Rémy Di Gregorio
Pro Team Astana
+ 15'35
143
Riccardo Chiarini
Androni Giocattoli
+ 16'25
144
Davide Ricci Bitti
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
+ 16'48
145
Davide Viganò
Leopard Trek
+ 17'24
146
Jack Bobridge
Team Garmin - Cervélo
+ 17'38
147
Matteo Montaguti
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 17'54
148
Adriano Malori
Lampre - ISD
+ 18'25
149
Mauro Da Dalto
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 18'26
150
Maxime Vantomme
Katusha Team
+ 18'50
151
Baden Cooke
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 19'05
152
Alexsandr Dyachenko
Pro Team Astana
+ 19'19
153
Giacomo Nizzolo
Leopard Trek
+ 19'29
154
Julian Dean
Team Garmin - Cervélo
+ 19'45
155
Rafaâ Chtioui
Acqua & Sapone
+ 19'48
156
Andrea Guardini
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
+ 20'01
157
Francesco Chicchi
Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
158
Javier Iriarte
Movistar Team
+ 20'22
159
Yevgeniy Nepomnyachshiy
Pro Team Astana
+ 20'23
160
Denis Galimzyanov
Katusha Team
+ 20'53
161
Martin Pedersen
Leopard Trek
+ 20'55
162
David Tanner
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 21'03
163
Jaroslaw Marycz
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 21'41
164
Tanel Kangert
Pro Team Astana
+ 22'04
165
Lucas Sebastián Haedo
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 22'06
166
Alexander Mironov
Katusha Team
+ 22'08
167
Alfredo Balloni
Lampre - ISD
+ 22'36
168
Michal Kwiatkowski
Team RadioShack
+ 22'48
169
Danilo Napolitano
Acqua & Sapone
+ 22'53
170
Christopher Butler
BMC Racing Team
+ 23'06
171
Jeremy Hunt
Sky ProCycling
+ 23'28
172
David Boucher
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 23'43
173
Cameron Meyer
Team Garmin - Cervélo
+ 23'44
174
Ivan Santaromita
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
175
Pierpaolo De Negri
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
+ 24'13
176
Guillaume Van Keirsbulck
Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 24'27
177
Jens Debusschere
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 24'35
178
Kenny Dehaes
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 25'04
179
Kristof Goddaert
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 25'13
180
Kasper Klostergaard
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 26'52
181
Morris Possoni
Sky ProCycling
+ 26'57
182
Juraj Sagan
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 26'59
183
Brett Lancaster
Team Garmin - Cervélo
+ 27'53
184
Alexander Porsev
Katusha Team
+ 28'06
185
Jacopo Guarnieri
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 29'03
186
Vladimir Isaychev
Katusha Team
+ 29'35
187
Danny Pate
HTC - Highroad
+ 30'23
188
Davide Appollonio
Sky ProCycling
+ 32'59
189
Robbie McEwen
Team RadioShack
+ 33'08
190
Elia Viviani
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 33'42
191
Chad Beyer
BMC Racing Team
+ 35'18
192
Denys Kostyuk
Lampre - ISD
+ 38'25
193
Jesse Sergent
Team RadioShack
+ 38'42
194
Ben King
Team RadioShack
+ 40'06
195
William Clarke
Leopard Trek
+ 41'09
196
John Murphy
BMC Racing Team
+ 47'51
197
Gianluca Brambilla
Colnago - CSF Inox
+ 48'31
KOM:
1
Ruggero Marzoli
Acqua & Sapone
0
9
2
Francesco Reda
Quick·Step Cycling Team
8
8
3
Filippo Savini
Colnago - CSF Inox
4
4
4
Fabian Wegmann
Leopard Trek
0
3
5
Leonardo Bertagnolli
Lampre - ISD
0
3
Spoiler
6 Assan Bazayev Pro Team Astana 0 3
7 Dennis Van Winden Rabobank Cycling Team 0 2
8 Murilo Fischer Team Garmin - Cervélo 2 2
9 Igor Antón Euskaltel - Euskadi 2 2
10 Mario Aerts Omega Pharma - Lotto 0 2
11 Karsten Kroon BMC Racing Team 0 2
12 Maxime Vantomme Katusha Team 0 2
13 Zdenek Stybar Quick·Step Cycling Team 0 1
14 Sébastien Minard AG2R La Mondiale 0 1
15 Jurgen Van den Broeck Omega Pharma - Lotto 0 1
16 Alessandro Bertolini Androni Giocattoli 1 1
17 Martin Velits HTC - Highroad 0 1
18 Ivan Rovny Team RadioShack 1 1
@ cunego59 and baia: Thanks. Things are going really well for now, hopefully that can continue.
@ YvesStevens: Here is a screenshot of Van Winden after Stage 6. I'm using the PCM Daily DB, with only changes to Stefano Pirazzi, so this is how he's developed in 5 months.
He came in 8th in Paris - Camembert, 9th in GP de Denain, and 15th in Etoile de Bessèges.
I should have a couple new stages up in the coming days.
A second consecutive hilly stage awaits the peloton. The riders have stayed in Orvieto over night, and will again head south, passing Rome, before finishing in Fiuggi. Yesterday's stage saw a little separation on the final climb into Orvieto, but today's finish is downhill.
Filippo Savini tried to get into the break again today. Yesterday he finished in 6th, hanging on after the break was caught by some of the contenders. Today, it was his goal to pick up KOM points at Soriano al Cimino, 49km into the day. However, today, he could not escape the peloton.
A break did form without a Colnago rider; it was made-up of Mikaël Chérel (AG2R La Mondiale), Francesco Ginanni (Androni Giocattoli), Ivan Santaromita (BMC Racing Team), Maxime Vantomme (Katusha Team), Sven Vandousselaere (Omega Pharma - Lotto), Maarten Wynants (Rabobank Cycling Team), Matteo Tosatto (Saxo Bank SunGard), Kurt-Asle Arvesen (Sky ProCycling), Murilo Fischer (Team Garmin - Cervélo), and Geoffroy Lequatre (Team RadioShack).
Arvesen at the head of the breakaway group.
By the KOM point, their lead was sitting at 3'02. With 100km to go, it had grown to 7'31. It did not get much larger as Vacansoleil moved to the front, just as they did yesterday.
Vacansoleil control the proceedings.
Their pace, coupled with the narrow roads around Guidonia Montecelio, caused a split in the peloton. Some of the outsiders such as Danilo Di Luca (Katusha Team), David Arroyo (Movistar Team), Dario Cataldo (Quick·Step Cycling Team), and Bauke Mollema and Steven Kruijswijk (Rabobank Cycling Team) found themselves in trouble. Only on the fifth road stage, poor positioning has already cost several riders. This group was able to claw back, reconnecting with the peloton 15km down the road.
Before the main field came together, Giovanni Visconti (Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli) attacked. The Italian champion was very aggressive yesterday, but fell short in his bid for a stage win. Today, he was going from nearly 60km out.
Visconti digs deep.
He did not create much separation, as the peloton let the dangerous rider sit just ahead of them. With 45km to go, he was only 30" ahead. Then, Fabian Wegmann (Leopard Trek) and Enrico Gasparotto (Pro Team Astana) attacked. Visconti went with them.
Visconti jumps aboard this new attack.
Right after the sprint point in Cave, the three attackers connected with the breakaway group. They were 59" ahead of the chasing peloton.
Visconti, Wegmann, and Gasparotto moved to the front of the breakaway, setting the pace as they began the penultimate climb to Anagni. Behind them, Euskaltel - Euskadi was really working hard to reel in the breakaway.
As the peloton arrested the move, yesterday's runner-up, Igor Antón attacked with Vasil Kiryienka (Movistar Team). Both riders have an excellent chance to grab the maglia rosa should Dennis Van Winden (Rabobank Cycling Team) falter.
Kiryienka and Antón go as the break is swept up.
Their move did not stick, and after a some tense kilometers, the group came back together. Van Winden was still present in the leading group, as was Domenico Pozzovivo, who was looking much more attentive than yesterday.
Visconti and Gasparotto were not satisfied with being caught, and on the respite before the final climb, attacked again.
Gasparotto and Visconti, both pushing hard for a win.
However, once again, this move did not hold. Ivan Basso (Liquigas - Cannondale) marshaled the leading group.
What the move did accomplish was breaking Van Winden. It was one acceleration too much for the young Dutch rider. He entered the day leading Kiryienka by 2'13 and Antón by 2'21. Could either rider take out enough time?
Van Winden's time in pink may be dwindling.
On the final climb into Fiuggi, it was Antón who was once again the protagonist. The Basque rider has been very active this past two days, launching many attacks. His efforts haven't been fully rewarded, but if he could get away from the field, he may change his orange jersey for a pink one.
Antón accelerates again. The Basque has looked very dangerous.
In the theme of the day, Antón's last attack was also covered by the main field. Quite a large group of 70 riders made it over the top together. Everyone descended safely. Luis León Sánchez (Rabobank Cycling Team) looked certain for victory, but slowed, having launched his sprint from too far out. The sprint from the group was won by Russian Yuri Trofimov (Katusha Team).
Pozzovivo finished well, coming in 6th, sandwiched between Michele Scarponi (Lampre - ISD) and Basso.
Trofimov wins, just ahead of Gasparotto.
Van Winden finished in 92nd, 2'33 down. Kiryienka assumed the race lead, 8 seconds ahead of Antón. Van Winden moved into third place, 20 seconds behind.
Pozzovivo stays in 8th, but is now only 1'55 behind.
Kiryienka becomes the second Movistar rider to don the maglia rosa.
Nice top 10 with Pozzo. I think Scarponi, Basso, Mosquera and Anton are too strong for him but it will be an intresting fight agains Kyrienka, Velits, Pinotti and Sanchez. Good luck!
Spilak23 wrote:
Nice top 10 with Pozzo. I think Scarponi, Basso, Mosquera and Anton are too strong for him but it will be an intresting fight agains Kyrienka, Velits, Pinotti and Sanchez. Good luck!
Agreed. With a bit luck, a Top 5 might be possible and that would be a huge success.
I have to say that this story more and more becomes one of my favorites. I really like your reporting style a lot and you chose a very interesting team. Keep it up!
@ valverde321: If Pozzovivo can't overtake Fischer and Van Winden, I'm in trouble.
@ Spilak23: I think those 4 are the real contenders. Kiryienka, Velits, Pinotti, and Sanchez are all 76s in the mountains while Pozzovivo is a 79. Given the parcours, he should be safe from them. I'm more worried about riders like Gadret, Rujano, and Van den Broeck. Despite being a bit off the pace, could cause damage in the mountains.
@ cunego59: Thanks a lot. I really enjoy your Nerz story. Although I don't comment much, I've been following it for a while. Fingers crossed for Top 5!
Giro d'Italia: Stage 7
Maddaloni - Montevergine di Mercogliano: 100.4km
The end of the first week sees the first summit finish of the Giro d'Italia. A short stage, finishing with the Montevergine, today will be the first major test for the GC contenders. Before the riders tackle the final ascent, they will climb the Serra della Strada, certainly a leg loosener.
Both climbs on the day are category 2. Neither are incredibly steep, but they are long.
For the third day in a row, Filippo Savini tried to get into the breakaway. Today, he was successful. The Italian was part of a 12 man group; Savini, Guillaume Bonnaford and Mikaël Chérel (AG2R La Mondiale), Ivan Santaromita (BMC Racing Team), Emanuele Vona (Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli), Vladimir Gusev (Katusha Team), Anders Lund (Leopard Trek), Sven Vandousselaere (Omega Pharma - Lotto), Matteo Tosatto (Saxo Bank SunGard), Morris Possoni (Sky ProCycling), Thomas Peterson (Team Garmin - Cervélo), and Geoffroy Lequatre (Team RadioShack).
Another day, another break.
This was quite an experienced breakaway group. Tosatto, Chérel, Lequatre, Santaromita, and Vandousselaere all took part in yesterday's attempt. For Tosatto, this is his 4th breakaway out of 6 opportunities; the third for Lequatre and Chérel. Savini and Bonnaford participated in a break during Stage 5.
Given the length of the stage, Savini wanted to push the pace from the beginning. As soon as the first climb came, he moved to the front.
Fans line the course as Savini leads the break up the Serra della Strada.
Savini set the pace all the way up the climb, fracturing the group. He led a smaller group of 4 riders over the top, 6'01 ahead of the peloton. The riders still with him were Possoni, Peterson, and Santaromita.
Having collected full points, Savini was tentatively in the KOM lead.
The small rise in between the two major climbs saw a very elite group of riders attack. In a move spurred by Giampaolo Caruso (Katusha Team), 5 other strong climbers left the safety of the peloton. With Caruso was Cayetano Sarmiento (Acqua & Sapone), José Rujano (Androni Giocattoli), Mikel Nieve (Euskaltel - Euskadi), Rui Costa (Movistar Team), and Janez Brajkovic (Team RadioShack). Rujano and Brajkovic entered the Giro with hopes of a podium finish but have only found poor luck and crashes.
The aggressive move was a worrying development, but given the GC picture, no one else chased them.
An elite group of 6 move away from the peloton.
The group very quickly started to make up ground on the leading break group.
The leading group got the base of the Montevergine with only a lead of 1'25 over the chasing group. However, they were 4'30 ahead of the peloton. Today there would be two separate battles; one for the stage win, another for GC position.
Savini's leading group at the base of the climb.
After taking some rest during the valley, Savini immediately went to the front of the group once the climb began in earnest.
Down the road, Caruso and Rujano took the responsibility of trying to chase down the group. It was essentially 2 vs. 1. As Savini towed his companions, their lead was falling. With 10km left, the advantage was only 49".
Savini's group is in sight.
Savini upped the pace. Peterson and Santaromita were dropped. A kilometer later, Possoni lost contact. With this increase in speed, Savini, now alone, was 1'04 ahead of Rujano's group.
For several kilometers, Savini was steady, but the length of the climb started to drain on the Colnago rider.
Savini can see the riders coming around the bend.
Savini fought on. Before long, he saw the flamme rouge just ahead. With only 1 more kilometer he tried to summon his strength for the final push. As he did, Caruso and Rujano appeared just behind him.
Savini, about the be caught.
Had the stage been 99km, Savini would've taken the stage win. But it was 100km. In the last kilometer, Rujano had the fastest kick, beating Caruso for the stage win. An exhausted Savini crossed the line 15 seconds later in third.
Rujano has had a rough Giro, but takes the stage and greatly improves his GC chances.
While this battle went on up the road, on the lower slopes, the riders in the main field battled for position.
The first move was launched 6km from the line by Steven Kruijswijk (Rabobank Cycling Team). Going with him was race leader Vasil Kiryienka (Movistar Team), Danilo Di Luca (Katusha Team), and Jurgen Van de Broeck (Omega Pharma - Lotto).
The first attacks from the peloton came as Rujano was winning up ahead.
Vacansoleil, namely Matteo Carrara, closed down this move.
Appropriately, the next attack came from Ezequiel Mosquera.
Mosquera makes his ambitions known.
However, Mosquera didn't fully commit, and seemed to sit up after only a bit. While nothing decisive had been launched, the constant accelerations shredded the weaker riders. Domenico Pozzovivo and the rest of the main contenders were thus far looking comfortable.
A trio of riders, led by Ivan Basso (Liquigas - Cannondale) went with 3km to go. Following the defending champion was Richie Porte (Saxo Bank SunGard) and Francesco Masciarelli (Pro Team Astana).
Basso goes. Dangerous.
Only Mosquera was attentive enough to fully respond to this move. He got across to the group just as Basso accelerated again.
Basso goes again; Mosquera is at the back of this small group.
Basso and Mosquera picked up a struggling Nieve, who had been left by the elite chasing group on the climb. The three riders were in the clear, having dropped Porte and Masciarelli.
Back in the stunned peloton, riders tried to collect themselves. Kruijswijk did the best in the jumbled response, reaching Porte and Masciarelli.
A group of 4 riders, containing Pozzovivo, Kiryienka, Antón, and Van den Broeck was next on the road.
Scarponi didn't have a good day, unable to go with any of the myriad of attacks.
The chaotic finish.
In conclusion, Rujano took the stage win with a time of 2h58'39. This victory saw him jump from 101st to 48th overall.
Savini's 3rd place finish, sees him grab the KOM lead. Tomorrow he will wear the maglia verde.
Impressively, Kiryienka remains in the maglia rosa, matching his closest rival, Antón.
Basso is the big winner on the day, moving into third place. 25 ominous seconds behind.
Trofimov performed very well, and now occupies 4th overall. A spot behind, is Mosquera. The Spaniard, the only rider capable of going with Basso, leapfrogs Pozzovivo and is now 1'23 down.
Pozzovivo is now 6th overall, still 1'55 down.
Scarponi stays in 7th, but lost time today, and is now 1'59 off the pace.
Lastly, there were 7 riders forced to abandon because of missing the time limit. They are William Clarke and Giacomo Nizzolo (Leopard Trek), Jacopo Guarnieri (Liquigas - Cannondale). Jens Debusschere (Omega Pharma - Lotto), Guillaume Van Keirsbulck (Quick·Step Cycling Team), Davide Appolonio (Sky ProCycling), and Jesse Sergent (Team RadioShack).
