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2015 Giro d'Italia - Week Two (16th - 23rd May)
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| Malkael |
Posted on 15-05-2015 17:02
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With week one done and dusted, 'Il Garibaldi' moves in to its second week of racing. A veritable mix of stages with something for almost everyone, week two of the 2015 Giro d'Italia plays host to the ever important 59.4 kilometre-long individual time trial.
While all eyes will be fixed on the second Medium Mountain summit finish of the race (Stage 8) and the individual time trial (Stage 14), once again a lot of damage could potentially be achieved during the supposedly less difficult medium mountain classified parcours of Stage 9 and Stage 11. Meanwhile, Stage 12's finale apes the Vuelta a Espana with a very challenging, punchy ramp up to the finish and the sprinters receive a couple more chances to come out and play on stages 10 and 13.
Ahead of in-depth previews of each stage as it happens, here is a brief look at what week two of Il Giro has in store for us.
Stage 8: Fiuggi - Campitello Matese (186km)
"This mountain stage is marked by the lengthy climbs of the two KOMs: Forca d'Acero (approx. 30km with a 4-6% slope) and Campitello Matese (approx. 16km, with ramps around 7%). After the start, the route hits Alatri, Veroll and Sora on largely flat roads. This is where the long Forca d'Acero climb begins, leading first to Abruzzo, and then fast to Molise (past Ponte Zittola). A long and easy-to-ride descent leads to Isernia along the new ss. 17 expressway, which features a series of tunnels. Past Isernia, a further stretch on wide and slightly hilly roads leads to the final Campitello Matese climb." - 2015 Giro d'Italia Road Book
- Preview
- Results
Stage 9: Benevento - San Giorgio Del Sannio (215km)
"This is a very wavy stage, with a total difference in altitude of just under 4,000 metres. The first, wavy and rough part of the route rolls across the Benevento area, hitting Pietrelcina, Benevento and Atripalda. Here the course enters the Irpinia region, with a long and easy-to-ride climb up Monte Termino, preceding the more challenging Colle Molella (Lago Laceno) ascent. The route then follows the constant undulations that lead through Lioni, Sant'Angelo dei Lombardi and Castelvetere sul Calore, up to 20km from the finish, where the harsh Passo Serra climb will lead to the final kilometres of the stage. The road surface is worn out (and narrow at points) over some sectors." - 2015 Giro d'Italia Road Book
- Preview
- Results
First Rest Day - ZZZzzzz....
Time for a bit of rest and recovery for the peloton as the 2015 Giro d'Italia enters its first rest day
Stage 10: Civitanova Marche - Forli (200km)
"The stage is entirely flat, and covers almost the whole of the Adriatica coastal road. The route unfolds along wide and largely straight roads for 100km, with just a brief detour to climb up Monte di Gabicce from the Pesaro slope. The following 60km run straight along the ss. 9 Via Emilia, through Santacangelo di Romagna, Cesena and Forlimpopoli, leading to the finish in Forli." - 2015 Giro d'Italia Road Book
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- Fantasy Betting (PCM$)
- Results
Stage 11: Forli to Imola (153km)
"This stage is short, yet quite challenging, marked by 5 short but hard-going climbs before entering the final circuit (the Tre Monti circuit), to be covered three times. The route takes in these climbs one after another, and never flattens out: Trebbio (KOM), Monte Casale, La Valletta, Monte Albano and Valico del Prugno (KOM). Then it reaches the Imola racetrack and enters the final circuit, at the exit point of the "Variante Alta" chicane." - 2015 Giro d'Italia Road Book
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- Fantasy Betting (PCM$)
- Results
Stage 12: Imola - Vicenza (190km)
"The stage is clearly divided into two parts: the first 130km across the Po Valley are totally flat, while the last 60km are very wavy and rough, with a few demanding climbs, and a mountain finish after a final spurt. The route runs across the Basso Ferrarese region and the Polesine area, along flat, largely straight and regular-width roads, worn out at points. Just past Torriglia, the route takes in the easy-to-ride Castelnuovo climb, in the Euganean Hills, and then crosses a short sector of flatland leading to the Berici Hills. The course clears the Crosara climb, going up from the Mossano slope, with almost 2km at gradients exceeding 10% and peaks reaching as high as 17%, on quite wide roads leading to the technical Lapio descent and, eventually, to the challenging final 15 kilometres." - 2015 Giro d'Italia Road Book
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- Results
Stage 13: Montecchio Maggiore - Jesolo (147km)
"This is one of the shortest stages of the Giro, and it is also entirely flat. The route runs across the Venetian Plain, from Montecchio Maggiore through Vicenza, Piazzola sul Brenta, Mirano, Mestre, and Musile di Piave to Eraclea, where the final 20km begin. Watch out for a number of obstacles, such as roundabouts, speed bumps and traffic dividers, while crossing urban areas." - 2015 Giro d'Italia Road Book
- Preview
- Fantasy Betting (PCM$)
- Results
Stage 14: Treviso - Valdobbiadene (59.4km ITT)
"This long and challenging time trial stage is raced against the background of the Prosecco vineyards. The stage has a length of 59.4km, and it can be clearly divided into two halves. The first 30km, from Treviso to Conegliano, run along level, wide and straight roads, with a few roundabouts in between. The following 29.4km are indeed challenging, with a climb of approx. 3km (KOM) at a 7% gradient just past Conegliano, and an ever-undulating route, winding its way across the hills on narrow yet excellently surfaced roads." - 2015 Giro d'Italia Road Book
- Preview
- Results
Edited by Malkael on 21-05-2015 21:08
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| Strydz |
Posted on 15-05-2015 17:27
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Team Leader
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Nice work once again!
Well we get and MTF to start the 2nd week but it's the ITT I'm looking forward too, being 59 k's is one brutal TT and we will see some massive time gaps
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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| Malkael |
Posted on 15-05-2015 19:19
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Sprinter
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Stage 8: Fiuggi - Campitello Matese (186km)
(click image to enlarge)
The 2015 Giro d'Italia continues with Tinkoff – Saxo's Alberto Contador still in the Maglia Rosa, but for how much longer? Stage 8 from Fiuggi to Campitello Matese, 186 kilometres long, is expected to stretch the Tinkoff – Saxo team and the Spaniard to their limit.
Featuring two major categorised climbs, one today's summit finish, and several other unclassified undulations, today's parcours will go some way to sorting the weak from the strong. If ridden at a fierce tempo by a team like Astana the other general classification riders could soon find themselves isolated and under pressure.
(click image to enlarge)
Just 54 kilometres in to Stage 8 the peloton will begin the ascent to the summit of the Category 2 rated Forca D'Acero. Officially clocking in at a mighty 26 kilometres in length the climb of the Forca D'Acero will test the endurance of the peloton. Featuring an average gradient of around 5%, brought down slightly by a short descent breaking the ascent in to two halves, the gradient will max out at 9% in certain sectors.
A gradual descent to the the second intermediate sprint point in Isernia will be punctuated by the presence of several uncategorised climbs. After passing through Isernia the peloton will climb yet another uncategorised climb, descending down the other side afterwards, to reach the foot of the Category 1 rated Capitello Matese.
(click images to enlarge)
The Capitello Matese, the second summit finish of the race this year, while shorter than the much longer Forca D'Acero has a much higher average and max gradient. Measuring roughly 13 kilometres in length at an average gradient of 6.9%, with the first 2-2.5 kilometres of the climb's profile not counted due to it being false flat around 1-2% in gradient, the gradient reaches a maximum of 12% during the hardest section of the climb.
A sweeping right-hand bend precedes the 6.5 metre-wide, asphalted finishing straight, so position going in to the final corner will be crucial if a two or three-way sprint to line occurs. Since the short length of the finishing straight should see riders begin their sprint as soon as they've rounded the corner and lined up for the finish.
Fabio Aru will need to compensate for a predicted heavy time lose to Richie Porte, and to a lesser extent Alberto Contador if the Spaniard is fit to fight for the Maglia Rosa, during the individual time trial stage so today's stage honours could go to one of the General Classification favourites. The uncertainty surrounding Contador's shoulder post-dislocation may also tempt Astana to test the integrity of the Spaniard's shoulder over the longer harder, climbs and see Aru emerge as the 2015 Giro d'Italia's strongest climber.
Depending on the fitness of Alberto Contador, the Spaniard will be a major favourite for the stage honours if the entire breakaway of the day is successfully reeled in on the second summit finish of the race. While Contador looked to be relatively unaffected during yesterday's longest stage of the race weakness can soon be brutally exposed over the longer, steeper, endurance testing climbs yet to be raced in the 2015 Giro d'Italia.
So far Richie Porte has just been marking his rivals during the climbs in the 2015 Giro d'Italia, likely knowing as long as he keeps his rivals close he should overtake them in the individual time trial. I expect more of the same from Team Sky and their Tasmanian team leader ahead of the individual time trial later this coming week, but should the opportunity present itself Porte will not turn down an invitation to put his rivals under pressure on the climbs.
Often the fight for the overall race victory and the stage victory can play out as two separate battles, so it would not surprise me to see someone from the breakaway of the day survive to the finish yet again. There are a number of candidates either far enough down in the General Classification, or not deemed a threat, who could try their luck in the breakaway, so choosing just a few is difficult.
I suspect the usual candidates for such a stage from the Pro-Continental and World Tour teams will attempt to get involved. Especially Team Movistar given their lack of a stage victory so far and a stand-out general classification rider, despite going close yesterday with Juan Jose Lobato finishing the stage second.
Edited by Malkael on 15-05-2015 19:22
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| DiCyc |
Posted on 15-05-2015 19:22
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What a stage!  |
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| Shonak |
Posted on 15-05-2015 21:01
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Tour de France Champion
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Those previews are such a joy to read. 
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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| deek12345 |
Posted on 15-05-2015 21:33
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Classics Specialist
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agree great work once again |
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| Stromeon |
Posted on 15-05-2015 21:46
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Classics Specialist
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Here it is, the hardest MTF of the race! 
Really doing a stellar job with these previews, Malkael, much appreciated 
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| Shonak |
Posted on 16-05-2015 12:10
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Tour de France Champion
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Some drama already before the first climb! Rain and "brutal" fast pace caused a biiig split, there's a main field (Favourites) of up to 40-50 riders ahead of the peloton (Contador!!) by a minute.
https://live.cycli...
Edited by Shonak on 16-05-2015 12:11
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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| Shonak |
Posted on 16-05-2015 12:15
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 15615
Joined: 16-07-2013
PCM$: 350.00
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Shonak wrote:
Some drama already before the first climb! Rain and "brutal" fast pace caused a biiig split, there's a main field (Favourites) of up to 40-50 riders ahead of the peloton (Contador!!) by a minute.
https://live.cycli...
Apparently live ticker had it wrong: Contador's back/in the main group.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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| Strydz |
Posted on 16-05-2015 12:15
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Team Leader
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Shonak wrote:
Some drama already before the first climb! Rain and "brutal" fast pace caused a biiig split, there's a main field (Favourites) of up to 40-50 riders ahead of the peloton (Contador!!) by a minute.
https://live.cycli...
Well they rightly gave Contador an easy ride yesterday but I think Astana and to a lesser extent Sky will hit him hard from the get go today.
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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| Malkael |
Posted on 16-05-2015 12:17
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Sprinter
Posts: 1697
Joined: 02-08-2010
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Testing the strength of Tinkoff Saxo and Contador's shoulder? Check! Sounds like they've managed to bridge the gap now, but the first climb is going to be interesting.
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| Malkael |
Posted on 16-05-2015 12:27
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Sprinter
Posts: 1697
Joined: 02-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Sneaky second place for Alberto Contador at the first intermediate sprint, a couple of bonus seconds snapped up.
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| Nin1388 |
Posted on 16-05-2015 12:35
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Does not look good for Contador. Slight increase in pace and he was dropped. |
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| LLDS |
Posted on 16-05-2015 12:58
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Domestique
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Super previews.
Good job !
Cycling
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| DiCyc |
Posted on 16-05-2015 13:05
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Sprinter
Posts: 1636
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Well, who is in front? I am getting a bit confused. .. |
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| Stromeon |
Posted on 16-05-2015 13:09
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Classics Specialist
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Kruijswijk
<>
2 min
<>
Break including Betancur and Zakarin
<>
4 min
<>
Reduced peloton with all favourites
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| DiCyc |
Posted on 16-05-2015 13:12
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Sprinter
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Thanks  My TV is a kind of a mess right now |
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| Cossack |
Posted on 16-05-2015 13:14
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Domestique
Posts: 582
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PCM$: 200.00
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Betancur attacking from the break 
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| Malkael |
Posted on 16-05-2015 13:15
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Sprinter
Posts: 1697
Joined: 02-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Well Steven Kruijswijk (LottoNL - Jumbo) currently leads the race ahead of what was one chase group but has now become two when Pelizotti and later Betancur attacked. The second chase group contains P.Niemiec (Lampre), so Tinkoff Saxo aren't keen on letting the Pole have too much of a time gap.
Within the second chase group should also be Benat Intxausti (Movistar), S.Reichenbach (IAM), F.Bongiorno (Bardiani), I.Zakarin (Katusha), M.Finetto (Southeast), B.Samoilav (CCC), T.Danielson (Cannondale - Garmin) and Kristof Vandewalle (Trek).
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| DiCyc |
Posted on 16-05-2015 13:15
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Sprinter
Posts: 1636
Joined: 09-03-2015
PCM$: 200.00
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Thanks Stromeon and Malkael!
Now my TV works - finally!
Edited by DiCyc on 16-05-2015 13:28
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