It`s the last time trial and except for tomorrows mountain stage the last real chance to change something. And to all who still don`t know Zmorka yet! The Ukrainian won the Chrono Herbiers earlier this season and is one of the best time trialists today. Same goes for his team mate Ignatiev.
Zmorka was obviously setting the first serious time. Neither Malori nor Ignatiev were able to beat it.
But let`s not be kidding...pure time trialist on a 19th stage of a hard GT won`t stand a chance today...
The new best time of Fraile, who is at least a bit better stage racer shows this.
A bit later a couple of guys always improved the previous time in this order and slowly we might be in the top10 stage area: Goncalves Ivars Ratiy
Úran definitely was mentioned a lot before the TT as one of the riders to watch out for. He indeed was best at both splits and then also was 38s faster than Ratiy in the finish.
Brajkovic is a very similar rider. He performed a bit better and as 6th in the GC he surely is looking a bit further up after he lost his top5 yesterday to Faiers. This though might change again today as he is definitely the faster today. But will it be a new best time as well?
Yes. 8s faster than Uran! Not many time trialists left and riders like Velits or Guldhammer finished in similar areas as Ratiy/Ivars.
Cunego next and the little prince and Giro legend is having a nice Giro so far. He is sitting in 4th at the moment and he proves once more to be a GT master. 3rd in the finish only a couple of seconds slower than some stronger time trialists.
GC wise he keeps a gap of 90s to Brajkovic.
Madrazo one of the top favourites today. And he justifies this by taking the new best time! By 34s as well! This is a huge attack on the Maglia Rosa and also huge pressure on...
... Schleck, who comes next. In the mountains he always was a bit above Madrazo. Today though in those long time trials the Spaniard is stronger. Schleck comes in as 5th behind Cunego even which is a bit surprising. +1'07 to Madrazo, which means they switch GC positions. 18s the difference towards Madrazo now. This is going to be an exciting fight in tomorrows mountain stage.
But first it`s Ricco who still has the Maglia Rosa. But can he keep it even after this stage? He is a very similar rider to Cunego, who was in a great area. But having the Maglia Rosa is always some kind of extra pressure. This is shown today as he can`t finish close to him. But still close enough as 11th of the stage and +1'31 behind Madrazo.
Quickly counting together and we see that the Italian is still in the lead! By 9s only ahead of Madrazo and 27s to Schleck.
Cunego following with more than 4min as 4th.
Also we see a change in the points classifications after Tzortzakis had the jersey for a long time. MAdrazo passes him and also Cunego and Ricco step onto the points podium. So the GC riders taking over. The fight though is still close and 1 stage for each rider left.
