Giro 2017, Stage 13:Reggio Emilia-Tortona 167km

cunavalos

Apologies but i am a little stuck for time but the stage does not need much of a description. In fact it can be summarized in one word.

Flat

The route is completely flat, and passes through the entire Po Valley. The stage finale, past Casteggio, follows the traditional Milan-Sanremo route. After leaving Reggio Emilia, the route first heads for Cavriago, and then (past Montecchio Emilia) goes back onto the ss. 9 “Via Emilia” leading to Piacenza following a straight course. Past Piacenza, the route takes the former Statale Padana Inferiore all the way to the finish, passing through several cities that have been featured in many Giro stages, and in the Milan-Sanremo finale. Arrival in Tortona, as the Giro did in 1989. The final kilometres are essentially straight, with just a few roundabouts along the route. There is one last bend (on a roundabout) approx. 500 m before the finish. The home straight is 450 m long, on 7.5-m wide asphalt road.

This will surely come down to another sprint finish and the big question is who will be Gaviria's biggest threat. Sam has shown to be probably the most consistent of the other sprinters but it is hard to see where he can find that little bit extra to secure him a coveted stage win.

In an attempt to find something that might liven up the proceedings there is a slim possibility of light rain at the finish in Tortona but it may clear up before they finish.



The bookies can't see anything other than a Gaviria win and they may well be right with Sam to take a step closer to the top step and finish second.

pelevin

Looks a tough climb after 120km's or so.

irishrover99

I think Sam needs a win today. He's had a couple of good lead outs so far but it just hasn't happened for him yet. Any word on if he's still not feeling 100% yet?

It will be interesting to see how Sagan goes in the TDF with the Bora team as i've never seen him with a team that gave a good lead out.

retalivity

Thomas has pulled out.

Makes deignans drop back the last day even .more sickening

mr spuckler

irishrover99 wrote: »

Any word on if he's still not feeling 100% yet?

seems to be saying that he is here
blames indecision for the loss yesterday, when you watch the video back you actually see him temporarily pause his pedal stroke just as Gaviria comes past him.

dastardly00

I feel sorry for any rider who is under team orders to go in the breakaway today! Guaranteed big bunch sprint finish.

Hatch was pretty close to getting An Post pronounced correctly there :pac:

greenspurs

deffo just watch the last 10mins of the highlights programme tonight...

greenspurs

greenspurs wrote: »

deffo just watch the last 10mins of the highlights programme tonight...

Yeah for sure, I plonked my little girl down to watch it for a bit while I got some painting done here. Have her trained to call me if theres a crash or the commentators get excited , she's currently snoozing like a bear on the sofa

De Bhál

9k to go

all together

dastardly00

3km to go... I nearly forgot to tune in!

Subpopulus

Sam's train looking strong as usual...

Subpopulus

Damn. Gavira's so strong.

dastardly00

Oh I do not fcuking believe it

manwithaplan

Second. Gaviria unbeatable

Subpopulus

The speed of Gavira coming up from the back on that helicopter shot is incredible.

De Bhál

he sprinted past about 8 lads at full pelt and won

mr spuckler

ffs, i was convinced Bennett had it

cunavalos

You can really sense the disappointment in Seans commentary

You can't argue with that, unreal.

triggermortis

Some finish

dastardly00

I don't think Sam could have done anything better there

Weepsie

Weepsie wrote: »

did one of his team mates effectively take out Caleb Ewen?

Looked like he had a go at Ewen and Bennet from the overhead. Need to rewind it and go again here.

neris

Has Bennett got the sagan curse from a few years back?

MPFGLB

Kinda knew Gaviaria was a major talent since he came to the WT but that was an amasing finish from him


Can't help hoping he had a flat or something as Sam would have won but the best sprinter won that

REBELSAFC

Gut wrenching but some performance from Gaviara

Somedude9

mr spuckler wrote: »

ffs, i was convinced Bennett had it

So did he

Phenomenal sprint from Gaviria

Kaisr Sose

Just seen this on German Eurosport highlights. World class finishing from Gaviria. Pity for Sam but he was not banging his bars in frustration. Fastest guy won. Great to Sam up there and fingers crossed he gets the 'ribbon' on a stage!!

robyntmorton

I was just watching the highlights too. Sam was really unlucky there. Garviria got a little help from the lead out nudging a hole, but that was a phenomenal sprint effort to get in and through! Makes you wonder what Sam has to do though.

borris4

Gaviria wins four stages in his debut Giro, would have to question the quality of sprinters in this years event?

TheBlaaMan

borris4 wrote: »

Gaviria wins four stages in his debut Giro, would have to question the quality of sprinters in this years event?

What? Gaviria is exceptional - he has been from the time he first appeared two years ago. Griepel was there, Ewan is th coming guy. Cavendish isnt there and is great on his day, but is on the wane in any case, I suspect.

Maybe Cipo should put back on the skinsuit....

Kaisr Sose

borris4 wrote: »

Gaviria wins four stages in his debut Giro, would have to question the quality of sprinters in this years event?

That's called "star quality". The fastest man there - hands down!

And success breeds success, a cliché but it's true. Even then that effort today was unreal, as he came from so far back and around on the inside. he was clocking 72kmph according to Eurosport.

dastardly00

borris4 wrote: »

Gaviria wins four stages in his debut Giro, would have to question the quality of sprinters in this years event?

Well he had to beat Andre Greipel to get those four stage wins, and this is the same Greipel that has 22 Grand Tour victories to his name by my reckoning...

Lusk_Doyle

TheBlaaMan wrote: »

What? Gaviria is exceptional - he has been from the time he first appeared two years ago. Griepel was there, Ewan is th coming guy. Cavendish isnt there and is great on his day, but is on the wane in any case, I suspect.

Maybe Cipo should put back on the skinsuit....

Not to forget the fact that he was world omnium champion on the track also.