Giro d' Italia 2015

[dracs]

I think posting the picture live on the internet (twitter) pretty much proves he was ignorant of the rule. I've been following cycling and cycling in semi anger for about 26 years and never knew that the opposing pro's could not lend each other a wheel.

 

Yeah its a rule and he broke it, imo its a silly rule in a sport full of much worse situations which in some cases endanger riders lives but these are ignored (just look at some of the roads they have to race on). Instead of discouraging friendly sportsmanship they should encourage it (helping another rider)

 

Anyway...rules are rules, living in switz I can understand

Now I'm really going to be rooting for Porte, altho his chances of winning now are highly unlikely.   

 

Yup pretty clear he didn't think he was cheating (not did Clarke) but he's a Sky rider who for some are the devil's incarnate - so the worst will always be assumed.

[tombeej]

OK so today's race plan is not going anything like the little fly heard earlier today. Not a single Sky rider in the break.

 

A reminder of those in the break:

• Carlos Betancur, Matteo Montaguti (Ag2r La Mondiale)
• Franco Pellizotti (Androni - Sidermec)
• Diego Rosa (Astana)
• Marek Rutkiewicz (CCC Sprandi)
• Beñat Intxausti, Ruben Fernandez (Movistar)
• Ryder Hesjedal (Cannondale - Garmin)
• Ilnur Zakarin (Katusha)
• Steven Kruijswijk (LottoNL - Jumbo)

 

What is certain now is that BMC are taking this stage very seriously. Their whole team is driving the front of the peloton in pursuit of the break, which they're catching up to pretty quickly. Must have big plans for Gilbert today.

[tombeej]

16:14:25 CEST

 

There are a few splits in the field at the moment from that descent. BMC are not, NOT waiting, and there are plenty of Tinkoff riders and Contador in the group that's around 25 strong. Could we see some interesting splits?

[T-Bob]

Yup pretty clear he didn't think he was cheating (not did Clarke) but he's a Sky rider who for some are the devil's incarnate - so the worst will always be assumed.

 

I see Clarke got pinned 2 minutes as well for giving the wheel. 

 

Nice to see normal breakaway service has resumed with Ryder, tubby Carlos and   Kruijswijk all have a crack at beating the odds. 

[Zatopek]

Indeed, my point as well, they have broken the rules before to their advantage,incidents like this happen all the time, poor Gatto suffered the same issue just yesterday, Andy lost his chain and a possible TDF win, Millar broke a chain in the final run and hurled his bike in the bushes, they all lost time and possible podiums but they didn't accept wheels or bikes from opposing teams, thats called cheating, and it has consequences.

Sky management know the rules, they have some of the most experienced management around, and even if Porte didn't know, the Sky race manager should have been yelling in his ear not to accept the wheel.

Its my opinion they took a gamble on their choices, take the wheel and get Porte to the finish with as little time loss as possible and argue the possible penalty later, or, wait for the team car and risk losing more time, they opted for the former and the Giro Commissaires slapped them with a penalty. I say good for them for not rolling over and sticking to the rules.

 

Can you imagine the outcry if say 'Berto had broken a chain and taken a bike from Hernandez from Movistar just cause he is Spanish, SKY would have been howling "Foul" from the tallest buildings.

No, they dont have a leg to stand on, they gambled and lost, Porte and Uran can tussle it out for fourth and fifth,... It is what it is!.

 

That said, it has boosted an ominously strong Landa from Astana into third, and I recon if Aru and Landa can maintain this position after the TT 'Berto will have his hands full in the mountains, these, and in my opinion especially Landa, are two in form individuals and they will attack 'Berto ceaselessly. 

Look for 'Berto and Tinkoff to try and get some time over Aru this week, and look for Astana to pull like a train to keep Porte out of contention.

 

As always, the Giro is turning into another immensely entertaining race.       

 

I'm pretty sure Sky are prepared for any scenario - take the fake crash of Philip Hindes (British Cycling) as another example.

 

The disqualification of the Italian Reda the previous day while leading the Ras did not help to calm Italian commissars either... (holding onto car after a puncture)

[tombeej]

16:28:46 CEST

 

Behind BMC, we see Tinkoff, Sky and Astana lined out and protecting their leaders. Uran is a little further back in the bunch.

[tombeej]

16:31:07 CEST

 

Team Sky have positioned a man on the front too, with Eisel taking a turn. Uran briefly was distanced on the descent of the last climb but he's now safely back in the bunch.

[tombeej]

16:33:45 CEST

 

The bunch has indeed split into two sectiona. Contador, Porte, Aru and Uran all in the maglia rosa group.

[tombeej]

16:36:42 CEST

 

A few more riders are losing contact with the peloton and there's a frantic chase to the bunch which has been reduced to around 50 riders. They're about to start the finishing circuit for the first time.

[tombeej]

15:41:24 CEST

 

Soaking roads, a strong break and cracks already in the peloton - it's shaping up to be another exciting day as we see Astana hit the front for the first time today.

[Gen]

16:36:42 CEST

 

A few more riders are losing contact with the peloton and there's a frantic chase to the bunch which has been reduced to around 50 riders. They're about to start the finishing circuit for the first time.

Many thanks.. for the updates.

[tombeej]

15:42:09 CEST

 

That move looked like a planned from Aru's team who came to the front almost as soon as the peloton reached the first of three finishing circuits.

[tombeej]

16:42:27 CEST

 

It's BMC though and Tinkoff who have taken over again.

[tombeej]

15:43:48 CEST

 

The gap to the break continues to drop as we pass through a feedzone with bottles being offered. The pace is so high though hardly any assistance i taken.

[tombeej]

(Jeez, the pace is so high that I can barely keep up with the updates)

[rock]

was mentioned on twitter and seems like a good idea, all the GC guys should stop and swap wheels, all get 2 minute penalty.