Giro d' Italia 2014

['Dale]

The teams who have missed out at this point are Movistar, Astana, Cannondale, FDJ, Colombia, Garmin-Sharp and Orica-GreenEdge

['Dale]

 

The best placed rider in this break is Franco Pellizotti. He was in the break on stage 18 and put in a good performance in yesterday's time trial. He sits in 14th place, 30:26 behind Quintana.

Edited May 31, 2014 by ' Dale

[TALUS]

So Quintana to dominate once more or will he go into a holding pattern with job done. He just appears so serene and composed I find it hard to think that he wants to win just to show dominance (a la Armstrong). Or is a racer a racer -always?

['Dale]

It's not just the general classification up for grabs today. The mountains classification will be decided over the three climbs today.

['Dale]

Originally Arredondo was a potetial contender for the young rider's jersey. However, he hit the deck on stage 6 in the huge crash at Montecassino and lost more than 18 minutes. It has allowed him the freedom to go on the attack and winning the jersey will go some way to make up for losing out in the general classification.

['Dale]

The peloton have kept the gap to this large group of leaders relatively small. It stands at 3:40 at the moment.

[TALUS]

Cataldo and Roche try once more...

['Dale]

 

Today will be the fifth time the peloton has ridden up the Monte Zoncolan at the Giro d'Italia. The first time was in 2003 where they took on the Sutrio side of the mountain. He won again when the went up the Ovaro side in 2007. Since then they Giro has alway gone up the Ovaro side, with Ivan Basso winning in 2010 and Igor Anton winning in 2011.

['Dale]

 

The Ovaro side is seen as the most difficult of the three different ways up this monster climb. It is a 10km slog that maxes out at 22 %. Here is a look at the formidable climb.

['Dale]

It has been a fast start to the stage. The riders completed the first hour at an average speed of 50.2 kph.

['Dale]

 

Rigoberto Urán is currently sitting in second place in the general classification. He's going to have to fight hard to keep Fabio Aru at bay today.

['Dale]

After 56 kilometres of racing the gap to the peloton has eeked out a touch. The escapees have and advantage of 3:58. They're only 25km away from the bottom of the first climb, the Passo del Pura.

[TALUS]

It has been a fast start to the stage. The riders completed the first hour at an average speed of 50.2 kph.

!!!!

['Dale]

 

Cannondale now leading the chase back in the peloton. Daniele Ratto was chasing the group of 20 leaders for some time, but he was eventually reeled back in. Cannondale have no-one out front for them at the moment.

['Dale]

The intermediate sprint is next up today, before the first category Passo del Pura. How many of the escapees will pass this first big test?

['Dale]

The riders have reached the foot of the Pura!