Giro d'Italia Stage 13 – May 17th, Busseto - Cherasco 254km, **Unmasked Spoilers**

dastardly00

In case you haven't heard, Wiggins and Hesjedal have both pulled out of the race.

The stage today is the longest of this year's race at 254km. It is totally flat for 190km, then fairly bumpy for the last 60km. There is only one categorised climb though, the Cat. 3 climb Tre Cuni (10km long at an average gradient of 4%). After a 15 km descent, the road kicks up again with a short uncategorised climb with gradients of 4-5%. From here, there is another descent until the final climb to Narzole. It is uncategorised again, totalling 3km in length, but does contain some hairpin turns near the top. At the summit there is 6km remaining, with the last 4km containing no severe corners, and it's slightly downhill.

It's hard to call the winner of this. It is definitely bumpy enough to cause Cav severe trouble. He got his 100th career victory yesterday so he might be content not to contest for the win today. This kind of stage could suit Matt Goss, but seemingly he is sick and taking antibiotics so he might not be up for it. It could be a good chance for the breakaway to win today. It'll all depend on what other teams are willing to put in the effort for their sprinters. With the riders back in the mountains tomorrow, and the weather not nice at all, everyone might take it handy today.





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Hermy

dastardly00 wrote: »

In case you haven't heard, Wiggins and Hesjedal have both pulled out of the race.

Y'know, after day two of the Giro the BBC were reporting that Wiggins was in a commanding position...

catweazle

Hermy wrote: »

Y'know, after day two of the Giro the BBC were reporting that Wiggins was in a commanding position...

I always laugh at people giving out about the jingoism of our BBC neighbours, we are worse than any of them - have a listen the next time Jimmy "the memory man" McGee, Peter "didnt she do great anyways" Collins or that babbling fool Des Cahill comes on air

ednwireland

dastardly00 wrote: »

It's hard to call the winner of this. It is definitely bumpy enough to cause Cav severe trouble.

ha ha :P

Craig06

Cav was an animal. Really gave it everything today.

Hermy

catweazle wrote: »

I always laugh at people giving out about the jingoism of our BBC neighbours, we are worse than any of them - have a listen the next time Jimmy "the memory man" McGee, Peter "didnt she do great anyways" Collins or that babbling fool Des Cahill comes on air

Just because our own are no great shakes doesn't exclude the BBC from criticism. I just thought someone using the phrase 'commanding position' after only two days of a Grand Tour was daft.

TheBlaaMan

catweazle wrote: »

I always laugh at people giving out about the jingoism of our BBC neighbours, we are worse than any of them - have a listen the next time Jimmy "the memory man" McGee, Peter "didnt she do great anyways" Collins or that babbling fool Des Cahill comes on air

I had to giggle at this, because I read it about same time as this email arrived from Rapha:

"SIR BRADLEY BOWS OUT, LONG LIVE WIGGO.

Although Sir Bradley may have bowed out of this year’s Giro (he’ll be back soon), Rapha is pleased to introduce the latest products in the Team Sky Supporter range, including dedicated products commemorating the achievements of Britain’s greatest ever road rider. So whether you’re saving your voice for the Tour, or screaming “Vamos, Urán,” at the television this coming weekend, the Team Sky Supporter range has everything you need to cheer on the boys in black and blue."

pass the sick bag, please.;)

dastardly00

ednwireland wrote: »

ha ha :P

whatever I predict, the opposite normally happens!

drogdub

catweazle wrote: »

I always laugh at people giving out about the jingoism of our BBC neighbours, we are worse than any of them - have a listen the next time Jimmy "the memory man" McGee, Peter "didnt she do great anyways" Collins or that babbling fool Des Cahill comes on air

I always laugh at the people who, no matter what the criticism of other countries, come out with "well we're worse in Ireland".

BTW Cav is awesome.

buffalo

drogdub wrote: »

I always laugh at the people who, no matter what the criticism of other countries, come out with "well we're worse in Ireland".

Sure you can tell you're Irish saying that! Begrudgery against your fellow countrymen!

drogdub

buffalo wrote: »

Sure you can tell you're Irish saying that! Begrudgery against your fellow countrymen!

Typical

IM0

Hermy wrote: »

Y'know, after day two of the Giro the BBC were reporting that Wiggins was in a commanding position...

he was, sky won the team time trial so set up his tour foundation. He was the No 1 GC contender after the team time trial.

To Alcohol

What happened Hesjedal?

IM0

To Alcohol wrote: »

What happened Hesjedal?

he was about a half hour down before today I heard, so like brad he prob saw the weather for the mountains and bailed so he could do the tour

Rastadoyle

Cav was 10/1 on paddy power last nite for this stage!

Brian?

TheBlaaMan wrote: »

I had to giggle at this, because I read it about same time as this email arrived from Rapha:

"SIR BRADLEY BOWS OUT, LONG LIVE WIGGO.

Although Sir Bradley may have bowed out of this year’s Giro (he’ll be back soon), Rapha is pleased to introduce the latest products in the Team Sky Supporter range, including dedicated products commemorating the achievements of Britain’s greatest ever road rider. So whether you’re saving your voice for the Tour, or screaming “Vamos, Urán,” at the television this coming weekend, the Team Sky Supporter range has everything you need to cheer on the boys in black and blue."

pass the sick bag, please.;)

Interesting point of debate, is Wiggins Britain's greatest road cyclist ever? I'd say no. Is the isle of man Britain? I know it's in th UK.

I honestly think Cavendish has a better claim to the title.

Hermy

IM0 wrote: »

he was, sky won the team time trial so set up his tour foundation. He was the No 1 GC contender after the team time trial.

He may have been the No. 1 GC contender but no-one is in a commanding position after only two days of a Grand Tour and his withdrawal proves that.

Beasty

Brian? wrote: »

. Is the isle of man Britain?

No;)

It's strictly not part of the UK either. It is a Crown Dependency with it's own Parliament and part of the British Isles

He's entitled to a British passport though, which I presume qualifies him to ride for Team GB

IM0

Hermy wrote: »

He may have been the No. 1 GC contender but no-one is in a commanding position after only two days of a Grand Tour and his withdrawal proves that.

at that time he was, no one knows the future and no matter how much time you are ahead on GC it doesnt mean anything untill you cross the line on the last day either so touche

Hermy

IM0 wrote: »

at that time he was, no one knows the future and no matter how much time you are ahead on GC it doesnt mean anything untill you cross the line on the last day either so touche

But that's my point...