Stage 7 is the longest stage of the 2015 Giro at 264km. There are no obvious difficult climbs with just the one categorised climb, but towards the end of the stage there are a couple of slopes that, along with the length of the stage, define the identity of today's winner. We start in the ancient Tuscan city of Grosetto and move primarily South East into the Lazio region and past the capital itself, finishing in the town of Fiuggi, which is famous for its water that flows from natural springs and is thought to have healing qualities.
We follow the autostrada South towards Rome for 70km before turning away from the coast past Tuscania and Vetrella and round the Northern suburbs of Rome. The short, sharp climb of Monterotondo (Cat 4) provides the only categorised climb then we continue South East towards Fiuggi. The last 60km are more complicated. We have a short climb then descent at Piglio, roughly 15km from the finish, and then another drag up on the Via Anticolana. We go through a tunnel, and although the road continues to rise it is on wide, well-paved roads. The home straight in Fiuggi is on the Via Giugno, a 350m long 7m wide asphalt road with a gradient of 3-4%. Although this finish contains nothing by itself that should cause problems for the sprinters, the length, slopes and complicate nature may lead to crashes or other issues and everyone will have to have their wits about them today.
Fiuggi has been a stage finishing town on 7 previous occasions, most recently in 2011 when Fran Ventoso won Stage 6 with a sprint from a reduced peloton.
Very open looking market tomorrow. I'm not sure the out and out sprinters will be there at the end as its lumpy enough in the run in even though there's no categorised climbs. The last few km are actually pretty flat but the last 700-800m average about 5% and there is a small section just before the end that is a bit steeper.
Very open looking market tomorrow. I'm not sure the out and out sprinters will be there at the end as its lumpy enough in the run in even though there's no categorised climbs. The last few km are actually pretty flat but the last 700-800m average abo
Matthews 6/1 worth a shout here with the gradient of this finish, Lobato at 16/1 might get involved also for the first time and comes into consideration with the extra distance.
Matthews 6/1 worth a shout here with the gradient of this finish, Lobato at 16/1 might get involved also for the first time and comes into consideration with the extra distance.
MC have you seen the news, Contador dislocated his shoulder and injured his knee in that crash at the finish!!! Say he will try to ride tomorrow but doesnt sound good, he couldnt put on the pink jersey at the post race presntation just carried it off stage! What a shame for the race, unbelievably sad news!
MC have you seen the news, Contador dislocated his shoulder and injured his knee in that crash at the finish!!! Say he will try to ride tomorrow but doesnt sound good, he couldnt put on the pink jersey at the post race presntation just carried it off
Bunch sprint more likely again, on account of the potential for cross winds and the finish as described by MC. It actually has a one-day classic look to it, and I think that the bunch sprint may be a splintering arrow affair, although perhaps too fast for a bar-room brawl.
No bets at ante-post, so will be monitoring the situation IR, with a close eye on:
Bling -- Looks ideally suited over this terrain, and will want to return to winning ways. Commands respect. The one to beat. Short priced favourite. Banker.
Paolini -- The wily Italian would love a win on home soil, rode well yesterday when in a forward position toward the line. Has a win under his belt earlier in the season when winning GW in strong fashion. Last win in the Giro was in 2013, in stage 3. Will be advantaged by the long stage given his proven enforcer credentials. Opened at about 33/1. No surprise to see him fighting this one out. Keep safe.
Boonen -- Showed impressive, effortless speed when coming forward to do the work on the front for EQS during yesterday's stage in the cross winds, and finished the race off well. Will want to give the team some glory and rescue something for them from this race. Was about 50/1 at SP. Difficult to discount. Consider.
Good luck to all, SP
220/264kms -- wind a factor toward the finish has now been confirmed, and a breakaway of four riders at a massive 10mins up the road, neither of particular interest at this point.
Bunch sprint more likely again, on account of the potential for cross winds and the finish as described by MC. It actually has a one-day classic look to it, and I think that the bunch sprint may be a splintering arrow affair, although perhaps too fas
Race radio saying Bling is suffering from allergies. Interesting that Garmin are taking an interest here, I've added Slagter 80/1 and Ulissi 66/1 based on the assumption the climbs at the end might be a bit sharper than they seem.
Race radio saying Bling is suffering from allergies. Interesting that Garmin are taking an interest here, I've added Slagter 80/1 and Ulissi 66/1 based on the assumption the climbs at the end might be a bit sharper than they seem.
Well done ExpertBoy, you've lived up to your name there
You did a much better job than the pundits there who called it Modolo all the way until after the line.
Well done ExpertBoy, you've lived up to your name there You did a much better job than the pundits there who called it Modolo all the way until after the line.
Very well done then mate -- just shows the absurdity of ante-post bets, I guess, when such a cracking price is still available so close to the finish on a stage which as you said was looking increasingly like a puncheurs finish.
Very well done then mate -- just shows the absurdity of ante-post bets, I guess, when such a cracking price is still available so close to the finish on a stage which as you said was looking increasingly like a puncheurs finish.
It was about 30-40k to go I think and at that stage Bling was as short as 2/1 with Lads and best 3/1 elsewhere. Felline, Gilbert and Lobato had all come right in too so people were still looking at the sprinters who like a bit of gradient primarily but the way Cannondale Garmin were coming to the front made me think it may actually be a little bit tougher than the profile suggested. Also, someone on twitter had profiled the final climb and said it was the same as doing the Poggio twice. That also made me think it might be better for the men who can climb with a fast finish rather than the fast men who can climb a bit. Funny though - I do think Lampre were setting it up for Modolo, not Ulissi.
It was about 30-40k to go I think and at that stage Bling was as short as 2/1 with Lads and best 3/1 elsewhere. Felline, Gilbert and Lobato had all come right in too so people were still looking at the sprinters who like a bit of gradient primarily b