Giro Stage 21 - Verona to Verona (17.4km)

mewso

Well just for completeness here is the final stage. All over bar the shouting (or accident). The only interest here, with all jerseys decided, is who wins. Affinini, Sobrero, Kelderman and MvdP are among the favourites but tiredness after 3 weeks will probably be a factor today. If MvdP wins after the Giro he has had then well done. Looks like Dodge has the velogames wrapped up so gets bragging rights. My worst performer was De La Cruz on 40 points. Don't know what he was at this Giro. Thought he might feature in the mountains but there you go. My best performer was Demare on 1305 points.

mewso

Wiggins - Sobrero not taking the corners well. Sobrero - beats the intermediate time by over 40 seconds.

retalivity

Had a sneaky punt on Kelderman to top 3 this stage, so of course he takes it handy, 1+min down at the first time check.

Arensman looking like he's in the mood.

Mefistofelino

Hatch really laying the " Romeo and Juliet " analogies on thickly.

seaviewphotos

Really delighted for Hindley, well deserved winner.

neris

Hate the way Rob hatch goes on about Landa as some sort of powerhouse of cycling

mr spuckler

Fair play @mewso for all the stage threads!

I didn't get to follow this year as closely as I would have liked but enjoyed what I saw all the same. Really interesting to see this new GC focus from Bora, they seem to be having a great season all round but this was particularly impressive.

retalivity

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119133689#Comment_119133689

They've quietly built a super team, all they needed to do was get rid of Sagan and his entourage.

Out: Sagan, Other Sagan, Oss, Bodnar, Ackermann

In: Bennett, Mullen, Van Poppel, Hindley, Kelderman, Higuita, Vlasov, Pollitt, Haller

Not bad!

Macy0161

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119130962#Comment_119130962

Only watched the highlights from yesterday this morning - I'd say he could've been a lot closer to Carapaz even in the TT. He was obviously being cautious on the last few cobbled sections (staying out of the ski's) rather than going all out.

Mefistofelino

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119133786#Comment_119133786

True, but they will have a team selection issue for GTs in the future. Are they bringing a yellow jersey or green jersey squad? I don't think they can support both goals fully - few teams ever have, to be fair.

mr spuckler

With WVA going for green this year and Sam's form being so sketchy I'd be surprised if Bora go heavily in for green tbh. I'd be delighted with 1 stage win for him but don't really see that happening unless there's a major improvement.

Macy0161

Green wasn't even the QS plan for Sam, until it was - it was largely the relegation that made it realistic.

At the same time, notwithstanding they had 5th last year, I'm not sure winning the Tour is realistic for anyone from Bora this year. Even this Giro, they were happy enough to send people up the road, and not just as satellites, so I wouldn't be convinced they'll ever go all in for GC. And the Tour is a bit as well different in tending to require a few rouleurs, more so than the other GT's, who can double up for Sam too.