2012 Giro d'Italia

[MichaelB]

Interesting video Norbs. Just goes to show what can be done.

Yep, Rabotini deserved that win. He even fell on the last descent.

Pity I couldn't stay up for it last night, was too tired.

It will be interesting to see what happens for RSNT at the next two main races for Fronky (Tour of Lux and Suisse). Wonder of Johann will leave him off the TdF ...

What races is Andy doing before the Tour ?

[Daccordi Rider]

Certainly getting interesting. J Rod previously not good on longer climbs but he seems to have improved. Pozovivo, bit fragile. Basso, may just bore the rest of them out of it. Scarponi, hard to tell yet but my money is on him. Astana, probably not, Sky, Ditto. Bring it on.

[RICHARDH]

I think J-Rod benefited from an easier pace on the slopes of the previous climbs, the final climb was what 9km? He will need to prove himself on stage 19 and 20 up to 20+ km climbs, that's were the likes of Basso and Scarponi will make their moves. Good stage though hats of to Rabotini, wonder what his DS was doing looked like he was totally taken by surprise will Rodriguez good thing he had something left to grab the wheel then come around.

[jules21]

i think basso and scarponi will blow purito away in the TT.

[Daccordi Rider]

Spot on Richard, but no one seems to be strong enough to put him in trouble yet. Certainly Stelvio day will sort it out. You could lose or gain a packet on that day.

[norbs]

you can hear JB pushing the boundaries with lance there a bit. i imagine he is disgusted with frank.

The word medicine keeps getting shouted out.

[cyclotaur]

Yep, Rabotini deserved that win. He even fell on the last descent.

Intentionally or not, he gave himself two chances to win.

He rode a paced final climb rather than try to bite it all off in one go in an attempt to 'outrun' the poursuivants and the peleton (especially after the crash) . If he'd stayed away all well and good, he wins. If someone catches him close to the finish he had a little something in reserve (mentally and/or physically) to at least latch on and give it a second crack, on the basis that the chaser(s) might relax just alittle once he was caught. The second scenario occurred and he was able to fight back and win the stage.

Of course Rodriguez may have decided that the maglia rosa was reward enough ... but I think he was still trying at the end and didn't have a kick left after catching Rabotini.

Great finish.

[Mulger bill]

First chance I've had to see much and what great stages to watch. Fabulous coolness under fire from Rabottini, he picked that inside line through the final bend perfectly.

Has nobody ever mentioned Rule 5 to Fronk?

[MichaelB]

First chance I've had to see much and what great stages to watch. Fabulous coolness under fire from Rabottini, he picked that inside line through the final bend perfectly.

Has nobody ever mentioned Rule 5 to Fronk?

Rule 5 ?

Don't you know that the Schmucks only operate to their rules ....

I am really looking fwd to Stage 20. Hope the telecast showes the Motirolo climb, as it is apparently a new direction and seriously narrow and choppy roads. There was a great video preview (done in Italian) of the route.

[Daccordi Rider]

SBS coverage starts at 11 or 11.30 whereas Eurosport starts at 9. SBS will miss the Mortirolo I reckon.

[MichaelB]

SBS coverage starts at 11 or 11.30 whereas Eurosport starts at 9. SBS will miss the Mortirolo I reckon.

Don't have Eurosport, so will have to make do with the Stelvio by itself ...

[sigh]

That'll do though

[RICHARDH]

Is it just me or are SBS not doing a live stream of this race on there website?

[Mulger bill]

Me too Richard

Got stopstream.tv running on another monitor.

Shaun

[RICHARDH]

I've been doing the same but a couple of nights the streams have been crap keep stopping or just wont load? Other nights i can watch the whole stage not a prob, murphys law though is that when it does stuff up its the last 5km or something and by the time i get another its over Don't understand why no stream, is it because its on SBS Two ? Bizzare? Got to get Eurosport again Sean Kelly is the because commentator out there. Makes going back to Phil and Paul impossible.

[Daccordi Rider]

http://www.atwistedspoke.com/bruyneel-f ... ancellara/

It appears Froonk employing the Schleckchute to leave the Giro is the last straw for JB.

[tomness]

Is that for real? It is one of the craziest cycling stories I've read in a while. I love Cancellara's comments at the end. And Prudhommes comments about Rasmussen were gold as well.

It was very entertaining reading. Great find.

[gururug]

http://www.atwistedspoke.com/bruyneel-fires-all-radioshack-nissan-trek-riders-except-cancellara/

It appears Froonk employing the Schleckchute to leave the Giro is the last straw for JB.

Would be a shock if it eventuated. Sounds like his dispute with Franky went to a whole new level and the other riders stood by Franky so he's pulling this power play in an attempt to regain control.

More carrot less stick.

[jules21]

i assume it's satire.

[Daccordi Rider]

i assume it's satire.

Tick.

Very funny blog.

[MichaelB]

i assume it's satire.

Tick.

Very funny blog.

Flavio Becca, the financier behind the RadioShack Nissan Trek squad, has asked for calm. “Johan is upset. We are all disappointed by the performance of the team. It is not what we had envisioned,” said Becca. “However, we cannot jump to conclusions. He tore up all the contracts but not into small pieces. We can tape them back together.”

This one cracked me up.

I'd love it to be true (except that there would be many people out of a job).

Now, the big question is how to make sure I watch tonight, but am able to focus at work tomorrow ....

[Daccordi Rider]

Caffine dude!

[Chuck]

Flavio Becca, the financier behind the RadioShack Nissan Trek squad, has asked for calm. “Johan is upset. We are all disappointed by the performance of the team. It is not what we had envisioned,” said Becca. “However, we cannot jump to conclusions. He tore up all the contracts but not into small pieces. We can tape them back together.”

This one cracked me up.

Me too

More funny stuff from the Giro....

http://www.sbs.com.au/cyclingcentral/vi ... sweet-ride

[TDC]

Did the telecast end abruptly (stage 17) with about 17 k to go? Was half asleep and it left me all confused.

[MichaelB]

Did the telecast end abruptly (stage 17) with about 17 k to go? Was half asleep and it left me all confused.

Seems like it. Watched some of the stage (that descent of the Passo Duran looked sweet), but then crashed and got up early to flick through the last bit with about 19 to go, and then Tommo and Sunderland appear

I tell you, Ryder is doing a sterling job !! I'm impressed indeed

[TDC]

Did the telecast end abruptly (stage 17) with about 17 k to go? Was half asleep and it left me all confused.

Seems like it. Watched some of the stage (that descent of the Passo Duran looked sweet), but then crashed and got up early to flick through the last bit with about 19 to go, and then Tommo and Sunderland appear

I tell you, Ryder is doing a sterling job !! I'm impressed indeed

oh good, then I'm not going nuts (or maybe this doesn't change a thing! I was nuts before this). Yeah Ryder looked pretty comfortable on the climbs.