GIRO D'ITALIA - STAGE 16 SACILE-CORTINA D’AMPEZZO

TheBlaaMan · 23-05-2021 10:27pm #1

This is the big one, 5700m of climbing with three climbs going above 2000m and the weather is not going to be good - so much so that there must be a chance that the alternatives routes (there are apparently 2) might be invoked to keep the riders safe. This is especially the case as above 1800m rain falls as snow and there are strong winds forecast. Blizzards, anyone? This is going to really tough on some of the guys who are already well fatigued, but that is GT racing. I'd be surprised if there are not a good number of DNS/DNFs.

48d51b9a-c9cd-438d-a435-2797ca80a77d?w=580

48d51b9a-c9cd-438d-a435-2797ca80a77d?w=580

https://twitter.com/igortavella/status/1396555465635635201?s=20

https://twitter.com/igortavella/status/1396555465635635201?s=20

It is a stage that might favour Dan Martin, but he is clearly still expected to ride for a top 10 in GC - rather than go for stages - so I don't think we'll see him up the road in a breakaway and the finale comes after a descent of the Giau, so I don't see him taking chances? He is now in 12th after Buchmann's retirement today, and only 1 second off Valter in 11th, but 2:20 from Foss on 10th..........so I think it will take more retirements for him to move into 10th.?

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7e77166f-17c4-4dbe-967e-389ccb35fb89?w=580

Of added interest is that Sean Kelly turns 65 tomorrow, so perhaps the ES/GCN have something planned to celebrate this - though they might also want to be cautious about mentioning that he qualifies for the pension!!!

[Deleted User] · 23-05-2021 10:35pm

I've heard Kelly mention before that his birthday is wrong on some of the sites? Have it in mind that it's the 26th not the 24th or I might be misremembering.

Eamonnator · 23-05-2021 11:12pm

I seem to remember qualifying for the O.A.P. at age 66, however it's so long ago, I could easily be wrong.

retalivity · 23-05-2021 11:20pm

Would love to see attacks and isolated leaders, but fear it may be an Ineos procession. Everyone dropping like flies...maybe Yates and BikeEcxhange can do something. Dont think Astana will pull much for Vlasov after the last day...

Tim76 · 24-05-2021 9:06am

It's Bernal's to lose - definitely the strongest rider out there. If the back holds up then this Giro is a foregone conclusion. Yates and Hugh Carthy for podiums.

dastardly00 · 24-05-2021 9:12am

https://twitter.com/laflammerouge16/status/1396738187314278405

Richard Hillman · 24-05-2021 9:31am

https://twitter.com/laflammerouge16/status/1396744393848246272?s=19

[Deleted User] · 24-05-2021 9:40am

Talking about it now on ES/GCN

griffin100 · 24-05-2021 9:47am

Pity it’s shortened. The cold and the climbing would have been a real test for Bernal’s back.

De Bhál · 24-05-2021 9:55am

Bernal may win second cropped tour

retalivity · 24-05-2021 9:56am

Lightweights, get up them mountains!

dastardly00 · 24-05-2021 10:00am

New stage profile -

CantGetNoSleep · 24-05-2021 10:04am

It seems these days a lot of bike riders have gone soft. Bettiol saying a lot of them want to race the full thing. A joke really, same last year when they got into buses for two hours because it was raining and they were cold.

strmin · 24-05-2021 10:19am

There is plenty of fresh snow looking at Passo Giau webcams. It's going to be interesting stage.

dastardly00 · 24-05-2021 10:34am

I feel sorry for any fans who are already on the Passo Fedaia and the Passo Pordoi

dastardly00 · 24-05-2021 10:39am

Kelly must be mortified! :pac:

Itziger · 24-05-2021 10:58am

What would Charly Gaul say? Must be turning in his grave (which is up around the corner from where I live, about 250 metres from where I sit typing.) I think Charly put 15 minutes or so into his rivals in one Giro stage that had particularly nasty weather.

neris · 24-05-2021 11:02am

Wonder what Mercxx thinks

dastardly00 · 24-05-2021 11:03am

Thomas De Gendt is a non-starter today due to consistent knee pain for the last two weeks. It's very rare from De Gendt to be a DNF in a GT so he must be in a bad condition.

Lotto-Soudal now only have two riders left! :eek:

Brian? · 24-05-2021 11:07am

dastardly00 wrote: »

New stage profile -

Balls. I’d set aside all plans for today.

retalivity · 24-05-2021 11:11am

Almeida and Formolo in a group of 25 off the front

EDIT: Dan Martin in there too! And Nico!

[Deleted User] · 24-05-2021 11:13am

Might not matter about the route if we can't see pictures.

[Deleted User] · 24-05-2021 11:15am

Roche and Martin in that group out front.

neris · 24-05-2021 11:29am

I know its hard for the commentators to waffle on during the long stages when we have pics and nothing happen but trying to spout crap when they havent got a clue whats going on and constantly apologizing must be hard

dastardly00 · 24-05-2021 11:33am

Glad I didn't take annual leave today

dastardly00 · 24-05-2021 11:34am

neris wrote: »

I know its hard for the commentators to waffle on during the long stages when we have pics and nothing happen but trying to spout crap when they havent got a clue whats going on and constantly apologizing must be hard

Especially when there are no ad breaks either!

Mefistofelino · 24-05-2021 11:34am

neris wrote: »

Wonder what Mercxx thinks

He's probably having a lie-down after giving out about Caleb Ewen's departure. (Funnily enough, not a peep from Big Ted about Nizzolo buggering off "to recover for future goals")

deise08 · 24-05-2021 11:36am

neris wrote: »

I know its hard for the commentators to waffle on during the long stages when we have pics and nothing happen but trying to spout crap when they havent got a clue whats going on and constantly apologizing must be hard

Could be worse,.... Could be Carlton.

Mefistofelino · 24-05-2021 11:54am

In case anyone is getting their info from the cyclingnews live feed, CN have made a bit of a balls of their list of riders in the break. They've omitted Dan Martin and have Dina listed instead of Fortunato.

(Fortunato should win todays stage so that Contador has to ride back from Milan too - saves the train fare)

gavinoontheweb · 24-05-2021 11:56am

Give the lens a wipe lads.

Mefistofelino · 24-05-2021 12:01pm

There's a small group of 6 off the front of the break on the descent but no-one is reporting it.

GIRO D'ITALIA - STAGE 16 SACILE-CORTINA D’AMPEZZO

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