The Giro, my favourite tour of the year is only 2 weeks....

['Dale]

NO change on GC, so here's how it stays - still for Kruijswijk to lose:

 

 

1 Steven Kruijswijk (Ned) Team LottoNl-Jumbo

2 Esteban Chaves (Col) Orica-GreenEdge 0:03:00

3 Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Movistar Team 0:03:23

4 Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Astana Pro Team 0:04:43

5 Ilnur Zakarin (Rus) Team Katusha 0:04:50

6 Rafal Majka (Pol) Tinkoff Team 0:05:34

7 Bob Jungels (Lux) Etixx - Quick-Step 0:07:57

8 Andrey Amador (CRc) Movistar Team 0:08:53

9 Domenico Pozzovivo (Ita) AG2R La Mondiale 0:10:05

10 Kanstantsin Siutsou (Blr) Dimension Data 0:11:03

[tombeej]

There is always Sunday [emoji6]

 

That's now 8 x 2nd places at the Giro for the poor sod with not a single win yet. 

 

2014:  2nd on stages 4, 7, 10 and 21.

 

2015:  2nd on stages 13 and 17.

 

2016:  2nd on stages 7 and 17 (and 3rd on stages 3 and 12).

 

To be honest, I feel a bit sorry for the guy right now. So I will be holding thumbs for the dude on Sunday.

 

P.S. since this is the Giro after all, watch him surprise us all and sneak into the break tomorrow and get the win .

[Gen]

That's now 8 x 2nd places at the Giro for the poor sod with not a single win yet.

 

2014: 2nd on stages 4, 7, 10 and 21.

 

2015: 2nd on stages 13 and 17.

 

2016: 2nd on stages 7 and 17 (and 3rd on stages 3 and 12).

 

To be honest, I feel a bit sorry for the guy right now. So I will be holding thumbs for the dude on Sunday.

 

P.S. since this is the Giro after all, watch him surprise us all and sneak into the break tomorrow and get the win .

Yeah.. shame he looked so disappointed during the interview

[Gen]

Another very good podcast after today's stage from the guys at the cycling podcast.. also yesterday's one was good..

 

Listen to Giro Stage 17 - Molveno To Cassano D’Adda by The Cycling Podcast #np on #SoundCloud

https://soundcloud.com/the-cycling-podcast/giro-stage-17-molveno-to-cassano-dadda

 

 

https://soundcloud.com/the-cycling-podcast/giro-stage-17-molveno-to-cassano-dadda

[Gen]

Aye.. where is the link?

Lemme try again.

 

https://soundcloud.com/the-cycling-podcast/giro-stage-17-molveno-to-cassano-dadda

[Gen]

Those magic tests again

 

https://twitter.com/Cyclingnewsfeed/status/735686495487430656

[Gen]

If you guys listen to Tuesday's podcast they speak about Nibbles and what possibly could be behind his lack of form..

 

Also they mention that Tuesday was 10yr since the Peurito scandal hit.. ironically Valverde won the stage.

['Dale]

['Dale]

Weather: a pleasant day with a top temperature of 23°C.

 

Look for Valverde to punch big and gain more time

['Dale]

Looks like one for the puncheurshttp://static2.giroditalia.it/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/PW_T18_Pinerolo_alt-2.jpg

[Gen]

Looks like one for the puncheurshttp://static2.giroditalia.it/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/PW_T18_Pinerolo_alt-2.jpg

 

 

Valverde for the win..

 

But mind you Nibbles has those tests done again.. so maybe maybe 

[tombeej]

A big break has managed to get away - about 23 riders.

 

The gap is already out past 6 minutes.

 

I see there's not one rider from Trek Segafredo in there.

 

So they must be confident enough in Nizzolo's climbing abilities for the whole team to be held back in the main bunch today.

[tombeej]

Here's the profile of that final climb up the Monte Ologno. Once over the top it's just a high-speed 30 km descent down the other side to the finish line below.

 

This is a proper climb: 10.4 km in length with a 9% average gradient.

 

Surely there's no chance we're going to see any sprinters contesting the win today.

 

Which means Trek completely missed the break. Or they're just saving themselves for one last effort on Sunday.

 

Edit: Eish so sorry. Completely the wrong info - they're nowhere near the Monte Ologno! 

[Gen]

A big break has managed to get away - about 23 riders.

 

The gap is already out past 6 minutes.

 

I see there's not one rider from Trek Segafredo in there.

 

So they must be confident enough in Nizzolo's climbing abilities for the whole team to be held back in the main bunch today.

AAH DAMN i forgot to set the PVR.. I'll just have to get home to go press record

[tombeej]

OK let's try that again...

 

Here is the correct profile of the final climb (Pramartino):

 

4.65 km long with a 10.5% average gradient and a steep bit of around 17%.

 

Still a tough test for the heavier guys.

[ScottCM]

Nizzolo for second place today!!

Seriously hope he breaks his duck