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

[tombeej]

Here's a look at the riders in the break:

 

Axel Domont (AG2R-La Mondiale)

Davide Malacarne (Astana)

Stefan Kung, Daniel Oss (BMC)

Moreno Moser, Ramunas Navadauskas (Cannondale)

Gianluca Brambilla, Matteo Trentin (Etixx-QuickStep)

Olivier le Gac (FDJ)

Andrey Solomennikov (Gazprom-Rusvelo)

Roger Kluge (IAM Cycling)

Sacha Modolo, Matej Mohoric (Lampre-Merida)

Pim Ligthart (Lotto-Soudal)

Genki Yammamoto, Gianfranco Zilioli (Nippo-Vini Fantini)

Nikias Arndt, Alberto Timmer (Giant-Alpecin)

Christian Knees (Team Sky)

Pavel Brutt, Jay McCarthy, Ivan Rovny (Tinkoff)

Julen Amezqueta Moreno (Wilier Triestina-Southeast)

 

 

The highest placed on the mountain time trial was Christian Knees (Sky) in 19th. The only others who climbed OK that day were Moreno Moser (Cannondale) in 45th and Gianluca Brambilla (Etixx) in 49th.

 

But the other guy who would fancy his chances - if/when the break makes it to the final climb still ahead - is Ivan Rovny (Tinkoff). He came 2nd on stage 10 after being in the break all day. And there was some serious elevation gain that day.

 

I have no info on the other no-name brands in this break re. their climbing abilities, so I assume that these guys will be part of the attacks when that final climb begins.

 

Guys like Stefan Kung & Daniel Oss are super strong rouleurs, but we'll have to see if they'll be able to keep up on a climb like that.

[Gen]

This guy.. so so much skill.. a different view of today's stage

 

[emoji15]

 

https://twitter.com/GenOrnsby/status/735789343051120641

[tombeej]

With a break this big being allowed to go, and with such a big lead already (over 8 mins) it seems to me a bit of a truce has been declared today. Seems the GC and Points guys have decided it's going to be a rest day.

 

For Nizzolo, who leads the Points comp, the only competition he has in the break is Trentin and Modolo. And both these guys are way behind him - they're no threat. So there's no incentive for Trek to do any work either. 

 

This might just become a procession for the break to have some glory today.

 

The GC guys will obviously have a go at each other on that last climb, but it's not hard enough. So unless someone has some really bad legs today, I don't see much fireworks on the way. 

 

[Then again, this is the Giro. Some mad & unexpected plot twist is always just round the corner.]

[Gen]

With a break this big being allowed to go, and with such a big lead already (over 8 mins) it seems to me a bit of a truce has been declared today. Seems the GC and Points guys have decided it's going to be a rest day.

 

For Nizzolo, who leads the Points comp, the only competition he has in the break is Trentin and Modolo. And both these guys are way behind him - they're no threat. So there's no incentive for Trek to do any work either.

 

This might just become a procession for the break to have some glory today.

 

The GC guys will obviously have a go at each other on that last climb, but it's not hard enough. So unless someone has some really bad legs today, I don't see much fireworks on the way.

 

[Then again, this is the Giro. Some mad & unexpected plot twist is always just round the corner.]

Long stage. .I reckon after so many kms that climb will hurt

[ScottCM]

This guy.. so so much skill.. a different view of today's stage

 

[emoji15]

 

https://twitter.com/GenOrnsby/status/735789343051120641

 

That's what happens when Dexters lab mixes genetics of Peter Sagan and Danny MacAskill

['Dale]

Malacarne is an interesting addition to today's break. Is he thinking about his own glory today or is Vincenzo Nibali planning an attack?

['Dale]

While there is only one classified climb in today's route, there is a second very challenging climb. The very short San Maurizio which has sections of 20% and it comes inside the final three kilometres.

['Dale]

Speaking of Cipollini, the Italian former sprinter has been his usual self recently. In an interview with the Rouleur magazine he said that he would need just six weeks to get back to sufficient fitness to beat the top Italian sprinters at the moment. ????

['Dale]

112km remaining from 244km

 

Past the halfway point and the gap is still growing. 10:40 for the escapees now.

[GrumpyOldGuy]

Ja sure, it was lekker but for the sprinters it was a big anti climax. Due to their faffing around they were left to pick up the crumbs left over buy those who were actually hungry for the win.

Yah, indeed, only themselves to blame.

 

In the old days when we had proper trains the like of Fassa Bortolo for Petacchi or Milram for Zabel this would never have happened, they would have been on the front pulling like locomotives 5kms out already, today they all wait until its 1000 metres to the line then try and get organized. Frankly in my opinion the sprint trains I see today are pretty shoddy when looked at in comparison. 

[GrumpyOldGuy]

Jissie.. Cunego has some seriously looking legs.. genade.. he could kick-start a rocket

Yah, I have followed Cunego since he came out of nowhere and won the Giro in 2004 and always liked his attitude and general demenour, he has some real talent but unfortunately he lost his way a bit at Lampre I think, the team changed and there were just too many big ego's and not enough soldiers to execute the ground work,... but it seems he has got his Mojo back at Vinni-Fantini and he is doing well again, I would be happy for him to walk off with the Mountains jersey.

 

Although to be fair, I do understand he is attending University and has been for a while, which is good for him, at least he is looking past his cycling career to something productive than flipping burger at the local McDonald's in the future.

['Dale]

[Bonus]

Live coverage just started in Spain. That breakaway is a huge group!

['Dale]

The gap has now breached the 12-minute mark for the first time today with just over 50km to go. It's been clear from fairly far out that the peloton wasn't interested in this chase but if there were to change their minds, for whatever reason, there would be almost no chance at making the catch now.

['Dale]

Movistar are amassed at the back of the LottoNL-Jumbo train. Alejandro Valverde could try something on one of the climbs today. He's very close to Chaves in second place so could move up the overall classification with a late move.

['Dale]

Jay Mcarthy or Moser will be my top picks for top spot

Maybe Oss but he will most likely be cooked after yesterday's break efforts