After all the recent excitement for the GC guys, this stage should give them a bit of a break. This is short at 134km, and primarily flat with just the one Cat 3 climb that comes very early on. This could well finish in a bunch sprint. We start today in Tirano, near the Swiss border. We head primarily West and almost immediately we hit the Cat 3 Teglio, which is a fairly straightforward ascent. This scenic parcours then takes the peloton through the Valtellina, through the Addo River valley towards the mouth of Lake Como. The roadway narrows all the way along the lakefront road to the short Croce di Menaggio climb. There's a few tunnels as we head towards Lake Como, and then as we run into the urban area of Lugano there's plenty of street furniture. The last few kilometres are primarily downhill. There are two hairpin turns with 3km to go. As we head round Lake Lugano the road flattens out. There's one last bend at 750m, but the home straight is 7m wide on the asphalt surface of Riva Vincenzo Vela. This should end in a bunch sprint. The sprint wins so far have been evenly shared enough to ensure all the sprinters' teams (Lotto, Trek & Lampre certainly) work together to bring back the break, and even though bad weather could again play a part there is nothing in the profile to suggest anything other than a sprint. I'll be keeping an eye on the price of Andre Grepiel.
No Greipel or Henderson after their withdrawal. The fast men left are Modolo who won Stage 13, Viviani who won Stage 2 and Nizzolo who hasn't won anything yet but has been on the premises a fair few times.
No Greipel or Henderson after their withdrawal. The fast men left are Modolo who won Stage 13, Viviani who won Stage 2 and Nizzolo who hasn't won anything yet but has been on the premises a fair few times.
Just looking at the final 3.5 kms -- looks like the perfect launching pad for a TT specialist having good sensations. Might be even easier if he was to find himself in the breakaway. There could also be a bit of a tailwind, which would assist the stage hunter.
Just looking at the final 3.5 kms -- looks like the perfect launching pad for a TT specialist having good sensations. Might be even easier if he was to find himself in the breakaway. There could also be a bit of a tailwind, which would assist the sta
G'day gents, got in a bit late for this. Haussler, Chavanel, and Gilbert were my picks. Only managed to get matched with Gilbert, though. I think heard Chavanel was mentioned walking into the room -- any excitement with those other two?
G'day gents, got in a bit late for this. Haussler, Chavanel, and Gilbert were my picks. Only managed to get matched with Gilbert, though. I think heard Chavanel was mentioned walking into the room -- any excitement with those other two?
yes tailwind for most of the time. That final could be good to launch an attack for guys like durbridge or to teams like movistar or CCC to make it harder for grega bole or Lobato
yes tailwind for most of the time. That final could be good to launch an attack for guys like durbridge or to teams like movistar or CCC to make it harder for grega bole or Lobato
Nice one, cheers EB. Pace really fast, but that final bump will retard the arrowhead a bit perhaps. Bunch sprint not assured, but positioning critical for the likes that can TT well.
Nice one, cheers EB. Pace really fast, but that final bump will retard the arrowhead a bit perhaps. Bunch sprint not assured, but positioning critical for the likes that can TT well.
Messy finale to that stage but the climbs weren't enough for the attacks to stick. All the sprinters there except Viviani . Thought he was well placed throughout most of the final climb but just didn't have the legs to get back on when Paolini attacked. Modolo is doing an excellent job of picking up some wins in the absence of the topline sprinters.
Messy finale to that stage but the climbs weren't enough for the attacks to stick. All the sprinters there except Viviani . Thought he was well placed throughout most of the final climb but just didn't have the legs to get back on when Paolini attack
Haussler 4th. Good understanding of the potential for the staging point, it did look like it held the potential for a nice classics-style finish, however the peloton were aware of it and Lampre made it count for their man Modolo. MC raised Modolo, hope you backed him also?
Haussler 4th. Good understanding of the potential for the staging point, it did look like it held the potential for a nice classics-style finish, however the peloton were aware of it and Lampre made it count for their man Modolo. MC raised Modolo, ho