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Stage 8 » Fiuggi › Campitello Matese (186k)
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Campitello Matese summit finish
Today is the second summit finish of the 2015 Giro, and in terms of climbing yards provides the most challenging stage of the race so far, with two long climbs which are Cat 2 and Cat 1 even if they aren't too steep. We should see a shake-up in the GC though, and a new maglia rosa wearer by the end of this stage, although the gaps between the true GC contenders might not be very big. Today's stage starts in yesterday's finish town of Fiuggi in Lazio and heads East towards the Cat 2 Forca d'Acero climb which is 30km long and averages 4.5%. The descent is long and easy, not too technical. At Iserna, the riders join the new ss 17 expressway which has several tunnels through the hills and goes up and down before the final climb of Campitello Matese, a Cat 1. Campitello Matese in Molise is being used as a finish in the Giro for the first time this year.
The final climb is 13km long and follows a couple of kiometres of false flat. The road starts to head skywards at the town of San Massimo, which is the last urban centre before the summit. The next 11km of this climb is fairly even, rarely getting far away from its average gradient of 7%. The steepest section is about 4km from the top where there is a short section of 12%. The climb is on well surfaced ashphalt roads and should not provide too many problems for the climbers. The actual summit of the climb is reached about 1km from the end, and the road then dips down before levelling off.
This even climb at Campitello Matese is not too steep and flattens off at the finish and could suit a climber with quite a fast finish like Rigoberto Uran.
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Profile
Campitello Matese summit finish
Today is the second summit finish of the 2015 Giro, and in terms of climbing yards provides the most challenging stage of the race so far, with two long climbs which are Cat 2 and Cat 1 even if they aren't too steep. We should see a shake-up in the GC though, and a new maglia rosa wearer by the end of this stage, although the gaps between the true GC contenders might not be very big. Today's stage starts in yesterday's finish town of Fiuggi in Lazio and heads East towards the Cat 2 Forca d'Acero climb which is 30km long and averages 4.5%. The descent is long and easy, not too technical. At Iserna, the riders join the new ss 17 expressway which has several tunnels through the hills and goes up and down before the final climb of Campitello Matese, a Cat 1. Campitello Matese in Molise is being used as a finish in the Giro for the first time this year.
The final climb is 13km long and follows a couple of kiometres of false flat. The road starts to head skywards at the town of San Massimo, which is the last urban centre before the summit. The next 11km of this climb is fairly even, rarely getting far away from its average gradient of 7%. The steepest section is about 4km from the top where there is a short section of 12%. The climb is on well surfaced ashphalt roads and should not provide too many problems for the climbers. The actual summit of the climb is reached about 1km from the end, and the road then dips down before levelling off.
This even climb at Campitello Matese is not too steep and flattens off at the finish and could suit a climber with quite a fast finish like Rigoberto Uran.
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Contador's injuries or otherwise make tomorrow interesting. I don't think this climb suits Bertie even at full fitness, so I rule him out of calculations completely even if his "injury" is overstated. Aru or Porte are definite contenders, as would Uran be if he was in form but he has looked off the pace so far during this Giro. I've taken Porte at 6/1. I don't think this will go to the break, primarily because I think Tinkoff will try and boss the peloton and drive the pace early but also because towards the end Astana should try and drive a fierce pace on to test Bertie. Talking of Astana, Landa was the only rider capable of staying with the big big favourites on the Giro's first summit finish on Stage 5. I don't really see Landa as a possible winner of this stage but I've taken a price at 28/1 because I do think it is too big and there are circumstances where he could be allowed to slip away. I still kind of want to bring Jagger on board as well but as I said he hasn't been on form and best price 25/1 isn't tempting enough based on what we've seen.
Thanks for starting us off MC, but IR I won't even be opening the stage betting market. Going for low-grade but fast pictures with the GC market only.
Having said that, I'm expecting AST, TCS, and SKY to sound their intentions by assembling on or near the front, and the three principals to again face-off.
Porte really doesn't need to do anything on this stage beyond following wheels, 20 secs down on Contador is perfectly manageable for him in the monster, near 60km ITT with climbing, and that should be his only focus. He looks very good indeed, very fit and very strong, but today he just needs to stay with Contador and Aru, riding patiently. Aru, on the other hand, has to test himself by attacking and seeing where he is in comparison to the other two. AST have looked very expansive, however that means nothing if Aru doesn't bring an improvement game to last year's impressive ride in this race, by throwing down a signal which will generate the kind of optimism for victory which his current position -- at only 2 secs behind -- promises. The time for AST to take Pink is on this stage, they will be capable of holding it till next weekend, and that means Aru needs to gap Contador by attacking in the finale.
What I found I liked about Aru IR, is his clean look on the bike, he doesn't at all appear encumbered by anything whatsoever, and the ease with which he is climbing makes him the likely race leader by the end of this stage. However, as I said before there will come pressure for him to handle and we haven't witnessed how he might handle such stress. Today, though, we might gain a glimpse, patience for him will be the key, also.
Cheers,
SP
Having said that, I'm expecting AST, TCS, and SKY to sound their intentions by assembling on or near the front, and the three principals to again face-off.
Porte really doesn't need to do anything on this stage beyond following wheels, 20 secs down on Contador is perfectly manageable for him in the monster, near 60km ITT with climbing, and that should be his only focus. He looks very good indeed, very fit and very strong, but today he just needs to stay with Contador and Aru, riding patiently. Aru, on the other hand, has to test himself by attacking and seeing where he is in comparison to the other two. AST have looked very expansive, however that means nothing if Aru doesn't bring an improvement game to last year's impressive ride in this race, by throwing down a signal which will generate the kind of optimism for victory which his current position -- at only 2 secs behind -- promises. The time for AST to take Pink is on this stage, they will be capable of holding it till next weekend, and that means Aru needs to gap Contador by attacking in the finale.
What I found I liked about Aru IR, is his clean look on the bike, he doesn't at all appear encumbered by anything whatsoever, and the ease with which he is climbing makes him the likely race leader by the end of this stage. However, as I said before there will come pressure for him to handle and we haven't witnessed how he might handle such stress. Today, though, we might gain a glimpse, patience for him will be the key, also.
Cheers,
SP
I agree with MC i think Porte is the bet again today if it comes down to the main contenders. Bertie can't be in top shape, has said this climb doesn't really play to his strengths and said post race yesterday he and his team would be riding defensively today whatever that means? I also dont think this climb is ideal for Aru as not enough really steep sections?? And would make Porte favourite of the three today, think this is good climb for him, he has already won a couple of mountain top finishes this season so we know he is in the form to win a stage like this and have bet him at 5/1.
My biggest concern against Porte winning is a break staying away. If TCS ride defensively and dont put a lot of pace on then how much work do sky and astana want to do?? If the break looks strong they could have good opportunity for the stage win, so i will probably play a couple of riders once the break has been established.
My biggest concern against Porte winning is a break staying away. If TCS ride defensively and dont put a lot of pace on then how much work do sky and astana want to do?? If the break looks strong they could have good opportunity for the stage win, so i will probably play a couple of riders once the break has been established.
Again no bets for me. But I'm looking out for Reichenbach today.
Looks like Contador had lost contact with the peleton after a very fast opening hour, he was a minute down, Sky and Astana really been putting it down and conditions have been terrible with torrential rain. Will be gutted for the race if its over for Bertie was set up to be a good battle. He has got back on now but not looking good if he has been in trouble already. Still no breakaway has gone clear which tells you how fast it has been.
Interesting - Kruijswik, Pelizotti and Betty up front with a big group in behind.
If that big group of strong climbers started working together this would be an easy stage for the break to hold. Currently I'm not sure if they are going to throw it away.
Could still go either way. It's a big old gap but you have to think the peloton will fly up the final climb.
Astana come to the front. Now's the time to back the climbers in the peloton if you think it's going to come back together. Taken Uran 40/1 and Atapuma 66/1 as small each way plays.
This start to the Giro could not have been better for Sky. A stage win from their and virtually no work done at all while Astana and Tinkoff have burnt matches all over the place. No riders lost or injuries either. The only question they have to answer is how strong the support for Porte is. Konig and Nieve seemed to melt away on Stage 5. With Contador's fitness and Porte's form & team strength getting a proper analysis over the rest of this stage, the next hour or so will be crucial to what the rest of this Giro looks like.
Breaks done for if GPS is correct. Down to 3 mins.
Porte should make time on the TT next week on both Contador and Aru, so all he needs to do is follow again today. Konig has looked handy so far I'd say.
Porte should make time on the TT next week on both Contador and Aru, so all he needs to do is follow again today. Konig has looked handy so far I'd say.
GPS hasn't moved for about 5k. Kudos to Kruiswijk if he's holding them, but I'm not believing it.
Betancur needs to move teams. He's gone.
Betancur needs to move teams. He's gone.
Landa 2nd, shame that would have made a lovely priced winner but happy with place money.
Nice rope a dope there for Inxausti. I thought he was shot with 6k to go.
Backstage Contador sweeps back his hair from underneath his hat with his left arm, then beaks the hat with both hands -- on the stage his arm hangs as limply as if it is ready to be amputated! 
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