Giro d'Italia Stage 15 – May 19th, Cesana Torinese - Galibier,**Unmasked Spoilers**

dastardly00

The original route (149km) is here. The new route (145km) is almost the same as the original route, but it will finish 4.25km before the summit of the Galibier. The finish will be at Les Granges du Galibier - Monumento Pantani. The start, initially scheduled for 12:30pm (CET), is rescheduled to 1pm. According to the organisers, the weather on the Cat. 1 climb Mont Cenis seems to be good. But if the weather changes, the race will be neutralised for the decent.

The Col du Mont Denis is 25.7km in length, average gradient of 6.2%, and maximum of 10%. The Cat. 2 Col du Télégraphe is 11.9km long, 7.2% average, and 11% max. The 18.1km Col du Galibier is 6.8% average and 11% max, but not sure of the average % for the shortened version.
With the new finish next to the Pantani monument, the last 4km will be the steepest of the climb with an average gradient around 8%. The climb kicks up with 17% on the final 500 metres.

I think today should really suit Santambrogio again. And Pozzovivo will relish this profile as well. I think Nibbly will put another 30 seconds into Cadel again today.






Live TV coverage on Eurosport2 from 1.30pm (I think!). Highlights on Eurosport2 at 10.30pm, and Sky Sports 2 at 7pm.
Live ticker will be here.

bazermc

I have Sky plus set to record the Giro each afternoon, set to record the series. But this stage is on Eurosport 2,which Sky plus wont recognise as only series link on eurosport 1. So word of warning to other also recording it. I only just caught the fact now that it wasnt going to record for me.

Mugser

bazermc wrote: »

I have Sky plus set to record the Giro each afternoon, set to record the series. But this stage is on Eurosport 2,which Sky plus wont recognise as only series link on eurosport 1. So word of warning to other also recording it. I only just caught the fact now that it wasnt going to record for me.

Hmmm, mine is recording it on Eurosport 2 HD without me changing anything. The HD is hardly the difference I wonder.

funnights74

Astonishing pictures on eurosport, middle of may and they're cycling through walls of snow. French authorities used explosives and snow ploughs to clear the road, commentators saying no helicopters allowed or any of the cars allowed to use their horns in case it causes an avalanche on the Galibier.:eek:

manafana

retalivity

oh look, there goes gesink.

IM0

retalivity wrote: »

oh look, there goes gesink.

for once in the right direction

dastardly00

Bit of an anti-climax at the moment. None of the big boys want to attack. It's almost Sky-esque!

retalivity

does betancur think theres noone up the road again??

IM0

no winning celebrating from betancor this time

dastardly00

Another very impressive performance from the Lampre rider Niemiec.

buffalo

Betancur at the finish today. So glad to see I'm not the only one who ends up dribbling saliva/mucus after a hard effort. :pac:

Darkglasses

buffalo wrote: »

Betancur at the finish today. So glad to see I'm not the only one who ends up dribbling saliva/mucus after a hard effort. :pac:

That's why there's a furry part on cycling gloves!

manafana

I wouldnt want be dying to droll like that, ten dam is the worst for it.

Niemiec is class no doubt about it, was on my shortlist, but worried he would be sacrificed for scarponi, which so far only lost him little time and now hes been allowed bit more of free rein.