tombeej

Not to mention having to ride that parcours in sub-zero temperatures, rain, sleet and snow. Gives a whole new perspective on what rules 5 and 9 really mean.

4300m of climbing in just 139km. Hells bells.

Uran dropped badly on the descent. 2 min down on Quintana.

A team that has all its riders dictating terms on the front, normally means that their leader is feeling good and has good legs. Positive signs for Movistar.

Remember how he bailed last year because he got too cold...

False alarm about Quintana being sick. He's confirmed today that he's fully recovered from his bronchitis in the second week. That twitter reference must have been about that.

One of the reasons why there's resistance in the pro peloton for disc brakes on road bikes is that if some teams have them and others don't, then there will be big differences in braking distances, which means more crashes. Similar for CX bikes with wider tyres. If a guy with disc brakes suddenly stops, the guy behind him with rim brakes will go straight into the back of him. I'm guessing it would be even worse on a stage like today. So either everyone stays on road bikes, or everyone changes together to CX bikes.

This week is going to be an absolute festival of grand tour cycling. We've still got the 3 big mountain stages on Thursday, Friday and Saturday to look forward to. It culminates in the big daddy, the Zoncolan on Saturday. The world can come crashing down around me on Saturday, but I'll be on my couch and the remote control will be hidden from anyone with funny ideas. I hope Carlton Kirby has enough left in the tank to survive these next few days....

I've got the PVR on record, and will stay on this thread until the start of the final climb. Then I'll have to cut all ties with the online world for a while so that I can get home at watch it all properly. That's going to be tough.

Ja, it better, otherwise we miss them climbing the Gavia

It's coming the day after a rest day. Historically it has often meant that at least one GC hopeful will have a shocker. Strange things happen to the legs after a rest day. I wouldn't be surprised to see someone crack tomorrow.

The top of the Gavia. This photo was taken 4 days ago on Thurs 22nd May:

Woop woop!

Dan Lloyd, one of our commentators for this years Giro, made this video for the 2012 edition:

The 48 switchbacks of the Stelvio's famous north ramp:

If you suffer from vertigo, look away now...

Basso in his peak, riding on rocket fuel, driving the peloton with his Leaky Gas boys through a tunnel of snow somewhere on the Stelvio...

il Campionissimo, 'Champion of Champions'

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Now that I've dried my tears, blown my nose and taken a dose of HTFU, I think it's time for a bit of a celebration of the mountains... and the Gavia and Stelvio in particular. I'll start with this image. Brooding and powerful. The way the patch of sunlight spots the lone rider halfway up the last section of switchbacks on the Stelvio - very theatrical.

If true, what a big disappointment. Really, 2 years in a row now. Dammit. It's one of the few days in cycling that for me cause everything else to be put on hold. Others are Flanders, Paris-Roubaix, LBJ, an ITT up Alpe d'Huez, a mountaintop finish on the Galibier, Tourmalet or Ventoux, and world champs. Actually, a snowy Gavia & Stelvio in the Giro might just surpass them all for me TBH. Not much captures the imagination like those two. But it does soften the blow a little re. having to cancel my leave for tomorrow.

Ja, Ultimate Dream Teams is also where I want to go for the TDF. Played it the last couple of years, and a better setup coz you've got a budget of something like 15 transfers you can make during the 3 weeks.

“With Arredondo we still had another option for the win. I told him to wait, to stay with the GC leaders and try at the very end. Julian was too nervous, though, and wasted his chance. He is young and still learning: It was a lesson to be learned today.” - Adriano Baffi (director) “I wanted the stage win too much. Fabio was out front and I wanted to take advantage of his help and I think I went too early. I should have stayed calm, been more patient, and attacked at the end so I would have more chance.” - Julian Arredondo

Diego Ulissi had a bit of a 'mare yesterday, coming home in 100th position and 19 minutes after Aru. Not sure what happened there. Lampre-Merida will have to re-assess their goals and perhaps look at the Maglia Azzura as a target. Current standings for the Mountains Jersey: 1. Julian Arredondo (Trek): 75 points 2. Tim Wellens (Lotto): 57 3. Diego Ulissi (Lampre): 39 points All three will need to make it into the break that sticks on Tuesday. Big points on offer for the Gavia and the Stevio (this years Cima Coppi). Their finish line for Tuesday must be the Stelvio. Full taps to the top, then let the GC guys come past for the final climb. Will be an interesting race-within-a-race to watch out for.

Na, I'll keep track via live text. Can't wait for later. I'm only taping it so that I still get to watch all the spectacle and the scenery. The Gavia and Stelvio in the snow on a Giro stage has to be some of the most iconic imagery in world cycling. I can't miss it. Then I'll wait for 'Dale to post his usual post-stage pics so I can download them too.