one4smoke

Or perhaps the "pocket rocket" would've been dropped like Groenwegen and Merlier was. We will never know...

one4smoke

surak

If Sagan also expects to go to the Tour but is staying in Italy, then he deserves the win no question.

GrainBrain

Mercx had some choice words about Ewan's actions!

surak

There's keeping your powder dry, and then there's going all out for 2 and 1 bonus seconds as our white and pink-jersey dynamic duo did today!

GrainBrain

what was that about? I happened to tune in at the moment, Castroviejo was quick to jump Remco! Still nuts they used Ganna and Castroviejo like that for at most 3 seconds - but that's the difference with keeping the pink jersey. Would it have been dumb to let it go?

surak

Someone speculated that Ineos was trying to stealthily take the bonus seconds with Ganna leading out Bernal, but Remco reacted so it was a lot of energy expended over a measly second, on a stage that was made tough for everyone by Bora. Can't blame them for trying as a spectator, but that's one of those little things that could lead to some regrets by the third week.

diphthong

gonna (ganna?) be some big time gaps by the time stage twenty wraps up. from stage 14 >...very little picnicking time.

OBoile

If Remco doesn't do this then it is likely a 4 second swing. Instead of gaining a second, he probably loses 3. But yeah, that's a lot of energy spent.
Incidentally, having the other Ineos rider win the sprint hurt Bernal. Either way, he loses a second to Evenepoel, but by finishing 3rd instead of 2nd he only gains 1 second on his other competitors.

diphthong

stages eleven and twelve both look to be an absolute blast. not game changers like the stage 14 zoncolan or stage 16 high passes but fun and a few will fall off the pace.

stage eleven...sagan or tales of brave ulissi...? let's go with tales of brave ulissi.

slcbob

Uissi is a solid pick. This race has been a win-from-the-break-fest and I think it happens again today. Tough to call who make it stick, but Simon Pellaud wasn't in the break yesterday so he's overdue for some more camera time.

GrainBrain

Agree the break will probably win, but I have real worries about Hugh Carthy. Could be a real bad day for some on GC. Hugh's style of riding up climbs out of the saddle and weight forward on the bike is opposite of how you need to ride the second gravel sector and the climb.

Not arguing against Ulissi, but Dave Hunter did offhandedly mention Herman's. How wonderful that could be ...

I didn't realize Bernal is a mountain biker! I look for Bernal to put in some real time today. I could see a wild prediction of Bernal getting into the break that forms at the base of the gravel climb. With the rolling terrain and gravel it would be hard for the GC to chase him down.

MinnMan

That would be huge, but if the opposing teams have any strength at all, they'll do everything to prevent it.

GrainBrain

Wow can't wait to rewatch this stage from 50k to go! I kind of watched without audio. Sweet Jesus Remco shed 2 minutes and quickstep put Moviestar to shame on tactics

Hugh seemed ok at 5km then I tuned back in at 1km ... Just to see Bernal and Buchmann attacking?

MinnMan

slcbob

No predictions? Has this magnificent hot mess of a Giro finally beaten everyone down?

It certainly has taken a chunk out of me. I have no business making top 10 GC picks let alone pulling a rabbit out of a hat and a new winner out of a breakaway, perhaps on his maiden tour.

That's why I know Honore is going to win.

GrainBrain

Still processing yesterday's stage! Bernal is looking incredible. João ... what happened? But was it right to have him go back for Remco? Remco never was supposed to be the favorite right? Just testing himself with no goals ... right?

EF looked incredible as a team! They (betiol) did an amazing job!!

Honoré a good choice, looks like he's gotten into an early break. Cycling mole mentioned maybe großschatner and Guierro/Betiol but I don't think we'll see anyone from a GC team trying. Caicedo crashed out yesterday so EF will probably keep the team safe for the big mountains.

Speaking of out ... Just at the start of this stage:

• Soler
• Mader
• Demarchi and Dowset
• Masnada!?

Yikes! Okay my prediction after seeing the current break - George Bennett. JV needs to salvage this Giro.
​​​​​​
Goosens out, m***** f*****!!!

diphthong

pulled a space ghost and totally forgot. woulda been another horrrible prediction so...

diphthong

yah...stage twelve coming for riders like a bounty hunter.

diphthong

stage thirteen is prob nizzolo’s last/best chance to win a stage and he may be the fastest man left. let’s go with nizzy to pluck stage thirteen.

slcbob

My head says "who is going to haul the break in to make it a sprint?"

But there are a lot of teams still looking to make a dent in the proceedings. And my heart screams:

USAZorro

I'm not sure whether or not to feel reassured that Ineos got Egan's microdosing issues sorted out.

MinnMan

Nobody is forcing you to watch.

USAZorro

I refuse to let Brailsford ruin cycling for me.

GrainBrain

https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/s...o-ditalia-2021

Bernal was within reason, Guierro produced the most on the final gravel sector. In isolation, Bernal's bike handling was superb - him and Pogacar have real talent, like Pogacar's knack of reading a race at that young age.

The Giro has a passion