Giro dItalia STAGE 7: Castrovillari – Alberobello 224 km

neris

Sorry for the short crappy preview, doing it off the phone

Another long stage and probably another snooze fest with a bit of a sprint.

Stage 7 is a long but fairly easy one, that can be divided into two parts: the first part is completely flat along the coast of the Ionian see, almost entirely straight for over 100 km, where the only difficulty might be crosswinds, which are actually quite likely, albeit they're usually weak. The second part of the stage goes into the inland of the Puglia region, where after the first intermediate sprint the only GPM of the day starts. Bosco delle Pianelle (GPM4, 4.9 km at 3.6%) isn't exactly a big deal for a professional peloton. Once through it, the riders will face a bit of an irregular terrain, without particular difficulties but with some little ramps here and there. The finale (see map) is quite weird, regarding both the profile and the planimetry. There are some significant gradients (4-5% in small ramps) and very tricky bends inside the town of Alberobello, where the stage finishes.

irishrover99

This Giro has been very un-Giro like. Really long stages along the coast and the shorter stages haven't really had any tough finishes. Luckily we have the amazing Italian scenery to look at.

TheBlaaMan

irishrover99 wrote: »

This Giro has been very un-Giro like. Really long stages along the coast and the shorter stages haven't really had any tough finishes. Luckily we have the amazing Italian scenery to look at.

...wait till the last week !

Kaisr Sose

TheBlaaMan wrote: »

...wait till the last week !

zzzzzz...will set my alarm so....zzzzz

greenspurs

yeh... Bit of a borefest so far.

Best thing was yer man celebrating 6km too early !!!! DOH !!!

Inquitus

greenspurs wrote: »

yeh... Bit of a borefest so far.

Best thing was yer man celebrating 6km too early !!!! DOH !!!

Aye the headwind neutralised the Etna stage to a large degree, so nothing of note has happened yet, I guess Blockhaus on Stage 9 is when we can expect things to kick off next. With the ITT following the next day, we should have a clear idea of who'll be contesting for the win and who won't by the end of this 2 day block.

neris

https://twitter.com/friebos/status/862958379051999233

irishrover99

neris wrote: »

https://twitter.com/friebos/status/862958379051999233

What a beautiful bike. One of those must cost a fortune

greenspurs

OffTopic, but related to previous post -
Anyone seen the new Wilier bike ? OH MY GOD !!! cycling porn at its finest ...
(i would post a pic, but im not able!! :P )

pelevin

I've not seen much of it tobh. Seems like I've missed very little drama-wise but what I did see that was great was the latter stages of the stage QuickStep blew apart in the winds with Jungels putting in a great ride & Gaviria finishing it off.

I think the most fun I've had watching a Grand Tour was the Giro when I started watching cycling again in 2013 I think where it was billed as Wiggins vs Nibali. The first half of that race was great uncontrolled off-the-cuff racing it seemed everyday - with the added fun I suppose of Wiggins coming very slowly down mountains.

This Giro doesn't seem to be delivering that kind of racing too much unfortunately so far.

MPFGLB

Hope Sam Bennet can get a go go at the finale...could be his day


This Giro though is one long sprint finish after another and no one wants to come out to play

De Bhál

MPFGLB wrote: »

Hope Sam Bennet can get a go go at the finale...could be his day


This Giro though is one long sprint finish after another and no one wants to come out to play

only two in the break according to the live feed http://www.giroditalia.it/eng/live/

so I've put a fiver on Sam Bennett 7/1

68 lost souls

MPFGLB wrote: »

Hope Sam Bennet can get a go go at the finale...could be his day


This Giro though is one long sprint finish after another and no one wants to come out to play

From the sounds of thing she's still not 100% from his bug. Had a gel and set his stomach into despair again. Hopefully though hes over the worst of him, he certainly knows how to suffer through.

Great picture of him sprinting not to be last on twitter.

https://twitter.com/mrconde/status/862928899386245122

MPFGLB

I wish someone would just go for it...tear up the written wisdom and have a go

Pippo Pozatto , Adam Hansen ...anyone ? anyone ?

dragratchet

snore. your average a4 would be mixing it up for most of this first week. zzzz

Highlight today was Sean Kelly spilling his coffee

https://twitter.com/robhatchtv/status/863031558994841604

dastardly00

We are often quick to say that the Tour is dull compared to the Giro and Vuelta, but you wouldn't see a snoozefest like this in the Tour

MPFGLB

Vuelta is the best GT every year ...hands down

maybe its becasue people are in the last chance saloon and also some top riders are a lttle less than best and other are better ....and no teams dominate

That and the short steep stages

If Giro had had a TTT it would have been better ...Some GC guys would have to make up times , etc

De Bhál

http://www.giroditalia.it/eng/live/

Average speed after the 4^ h. of race: 38,650 Km/h.

They're not even trying

although that graphic doesn't show me a wind direction symbol (as far as I can make out), they might be into a headwind.

Go Sam!!!

So close

Subpopulus

Ewan first, Gavira second, Sam third. Sam lost by half a wheel.

Weepsie

Nope, It's Caleb Ewan

REBELSAFC

Ah sh**e

Inquitus

Shame for Sam, his team did a great job for him, just couldn't quite finish it off, his form looks good though and he should have a few more shots at glory.

MPFGLB

Bennett needed to be in the lead on the last bend ..

Greipel , Gaviria and Cadel Ewan (love Sean !) have all won now

Only Sam left ...he has the ability , just needs the positioning and luck

Lumen

dastardly00 wrote: »

We are often quick to say that the Tour is dull compared to the Giro and Vuelta, but you wouldn't see a snoozefest like this in the Tour

It's a sprint stage! It's supposed to be boring.

velo.2010

Hard luck on Bennett. The way he's improving each day after illness, he may pick up a stage before the end of the race.

First time having a look at Jonathon Edwards presenting today. It's clear he's borrowed Jim Rosenthal's 'A Bluffer's Guide' handbook on presenting sports you don't know about!

dastardly00

Lumen wrote: »

It's a sprint stage! It's supposed to be boring.

Yeah I know it's meant to be boring but they generally go a bit quicker!

dastardly00

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZwvgQAxBAI

Lusk_Doyle

MPFGLB wrote: »

Bennett needed to be in the lead on the last bend

Brian Smith was bang on with his preview at the start about it. Strange thing sprinting flat out for a finish that you can't see.