Giro d'Italia Stage 2 – May 5th Ischia – Forio 17.4k TTT **Unmasked Spoilers**

Flandria

The first of the time trials on a course that is relatively short, undulating and quite technical. The main principals may not particularly relish taking the race lead so early but not going full throttle could spell disaster. There shouldn’t be any huge gaps provided all the teams go well but there is every chance that someone will lose time as TTT's can be volatile. Sky have a bit of an up and down record so far in TTTs and only managed 20th place at La Vuelta two years ago - beaten by the mighty AG2R, Cofidis and Euskaltel. Wiggins doesn't seem to relish driving the train as much as his peers Martin and Cancellara do, and Sky may miss Porte in this.

OPQS would normally be one of the favourites but look a bit of a dog's dinner at the moment so expect the race lead to change hands. It should be between Sky, Greenedge and Garmin, but Movistar have surprised in tests all season long and might surprise with a podium spot.

TTT's are tense affairs and seldom fail to surprise. The 2011 Vuelta TTT was of a similar length and produced these gaps...

Leopard-Trek: 16min 30sec
Liquigas @ 4sec
HTC-Highroad @ 9sec
Astana @ 10sec
Movistar @ 14sec
Quick Step @ 15sec
Skil-Shimano @ 18sec
Omega Pharma-Lotto s.t.
Garmin-Cervelo @ 25sec
Katusha s.t.
BMC @ 27sec
Euskaltel @ 28sec
Saxo s.t.
Radio Shack @ 29sec
Rabobank @ 30sec
Lampre @ 32sec
Cofidis @ 33sec
Vacansoleil @ 39sec
Ag2r @ 42sec
Sky s.t.
Geox @ 43sec
Andalucia @ 1min 3sec

dastardly00

^^^
Look at how far down Sky were in that TTT in the Vuelta! :eek:

Darkglasses

My money's on Garmin for this one.

Working the day shift tomorrow, not heartbroken. Never really enjoyed TTTs.

RamirezAuron

It's a slightly hilly terrain, but I think Orica GreenEdge will surprise like they did last year often.

RobFowl

dastardly00 wrote: »

^^^
Look at how far down Sky were in that TTT in the Vuelta! :eek:

They had multiple crashes and has t wait for the fifth man awhile he waited for mechanical repairs . No a true reflection of them but they do seem to underperformance I agree

dermabrasion

This has been well flagged as very technical. I'd go Garmin for this one. Hesjedal back in pink.

Unregistered.

What time is kick-off?

Flandria

First team (Colombia) off at 15.40 CET, last team (OPQS) off at 16.48 CET. Thunderstorms are expected in the Naples region this afternoon or this evening...:eek:

Mint Sauce

None of the ITVs showing any of this, or are they just covering the TDF?

Craig06

Garmin have some very strong individual time triallists and I'm sure Ryder Hejesdal and David Millar can drive on the pace.

ballygowan1

Craig06 wrote: »

Garmin have some very strong individual time triallists and I'm sure Ryder Hejesdal and David Millar can drive on the pace.

Millar not be struggling today after his crash?

Rovi

What's going on with the Sky squad???

Flandria

More gearing problems for Sky. Marginal gains is right...

Rovi

Sky are getting whittled down pretty quick!

Flandria

That Sky time is good but beatable - I expect Garmin, Greenedge, Katusha and Movistar to all get close to it, or beat it.

Craig06

Seems to be an imbalance of ability in the garmin team. Some riders really struggling

retalivity

what the hell is with all the soft rock??

manafana

really happy for puccio picked him out as one to watch for 2013

sky dominate, movistar and astana always well drilled as are katusha early teams tended to do bet.

TheBlaaMan

Great to see such a tough course put into a GT. Sky did really well and deservedly won, but........................I really hope that they don't monster the Giro for 3 weeks.
#switchoff

dastardly00

Euskaltel made some balls of their TTT. 4 of their riders crossed the line followed ..... Eventually..... By a fifth rider. D'oh!!!

manafana

dastardly00 wrote: »

Euskaltel made some balls of their TTT. 4 of their riders crossed the line followed ..... Eventually..... By a fifth rider. D'oh!!!

5th rider had flat but yeah they should have waited.