The Giro d’Italia

[minnieclaret]

Egan Bernal has looked imperious so far. Never racing outside of the top 10 in the peleton but remembering what happened to Roglic at last years TdF legs can go at any time.
It has been an amazing race and with a 20mile TT to finish positions can and will change.
Flat day today but 4 of the next 5 stages are leg killers.
Profiles. In order they are racing from the last one up to the first.

B5A2455E-B04D-4102-8CF5-C9CD34E4F350.jpeg (117.79 KiB) Viewed 3466 times

59465AA6-F01C-437F-8A59-EA0C33D0742D.jpeg (131.13 KiB) Viewed 3466 times

[minnieclaret]

7AFE4765-6B5A-4E33-956B-9F76B662F72F.jpeg (222.05 KiB) Viewed 3460 times

A0C67697-16E3-4BEE-AFBF-EC12A266DA8C.jpeg (194.65 KiB) Viewed 3460 times

[minnieclaret]

Simon Yates and Hugh Carthy in the top 5 and Yates has looked very relaxed. Might be a big week coming up for him.

4C796156-0D2E-4DE6-92E6-3357E28B89FC.jpeg (136.54 KiB) Viewed 3428 times

[Bosscat]

I thought this was going to be a thread about the average Blackburn Fans income stream

[TheFamilyCat]

Been a good race so far, Wednesday's stage on the gravel sections was great viewing.

Tomorrow will be killer, one of the toughest climbs of any race.

Bernal and the whole IG team look very strong.

The commentators' love-in with "Remco" is starting to get a bit tedious though.

[edison]

I've been dipping in and out and enjoying it, as I do most years.

There's still a poster in the window of a now-closed shop for the Giro start the year it was in Belfast - seven years ago now.

[Claret Toni]

I thought this was going to be a thread about the average Blackburn Fans income stream

You and me both.

[minnieclaret]

Giacomo Nizzoli wins the sprint for team Quebeka.
His first giro stage victory after 11 second places. Emotional at the end.

[kendaldave]

Looking forward to the Zoncolan tomorrow!

[Garnerssoap]

My money’s unsurprisingly on Egan ( he owes me after the disastrous tour last year) but I think Yates is holding back and might have a little blast this week.
Great stage tomorrow

[minnieclaret]

The Zoncolan, tomorrow, will change the leaderboard but Sunday is the great day.
From the flag dropping they have a 1st cat and teams will drop riders on that. Then from km70 a 50km climb up to Passo Fedaia. Which after a fast descent leads them into Passo Pordoi, this years high spot of the race, and still they haven’t finished with a final cat 1 to come.
I’ll only make my mind up at 4pm whether to stick with the cycling or watch Seans Mighty Clarets live. They are both recording.

[tim_noone]

So what channel?

[jdrobbo]

Bernal is a terrific GC rider.

[TheFamilyCat]

My money’s unsurprisingly on Egan ( he owes me after the disastrous tour last year) but I think Yates is holding back and might have a little blast this week.
Great stage tomorrow

Mentioned on commentary today that Yates hasn't been well so will be interesting to see how that plays out.

[tim_noone]

So what channel?

[minnieclaret]

Mentioned on commentary today that Yates hasn't been well so will be interesting to see how that plays out.

Not been well and still within 1m 25s. Many other wish they’d had whatever he’s had.

[HandforthClaret]

Two Lancashire riders within 1.22 of the leader of the Giro and I think nine days of racing left

[ceborame]

The Zoncolan, tomorrow, will change the leaderboard but Sunday is the great day.
From the flag dropping they have a 1st cat and teams will drop riders on that. Then from km70 a 50km climb up to Passo Fedaia. Which after a fast descent leads them into Passo Pordoi, this years high spot of the race, and still they haven’t finished with a final cat 1 to come.
I’ll only make my mind up at 4pm whether to stick with the cycling or watch Seans Mighty Clarets live. They are both recording.

This stage is on Monday

[minnieclaret]

This stage is on Monday

Even better. Thanks.

[minnieclaret]

Very emotional first ever win for todays victor. He looked to be crying with 400m to go.
As predicted changes at the top of the heap. Fabulous last half hours racing.

[TheFamilyCat]

Very emotional first ever win for todays victor. He looked to be crying with 400m to go.
As predicted changes at the top of the heap. Fabulous last half hours racing.

Think I'd have been crying if I tried to ride up there!

Bernal was fantastic again. Yates further from the lead but still a good day for him I think.

[minnieclaret]

Todays major stage shortened by bad weather. 2 cat1s taken out. Ruined my day.
The new stage below.

A6F49736-B7DB-4A60-A285-010A737780A7.jpeg (560.88 KiB) Viewed 2401 times

[TheFamilyCat]

Well that's livened things up a bit.

[minnieclaret]

I said in the OP legs can go at any time. Makes tomorrows final mountain stage very interesting. Still can’t imagine Bernal will lose now but team tactics will be vital tomorrow.
I have no idea about Caruso’s TT level and that could come into play on Sunday.

[TheFamilyCat]

Tomorrow's a flat stage which should give Bernal an opportunity to recover.

[Garnerssoap]

Cash out on Bernal and lose a fifth of my profit ? Or hodl ?

[Garnerssoap]

I’ve marked almeida for future punts - not necessarily today - but he looks very impressive and he’s got to win something at some point

[minnieclaret]

Excellent days racing. Shame they had to cut a mountain, route passing to close to last weeks cable car disaster.
Yet again the nearly men allowed Ineos to sit on the front waiting for Bernal to blow up. If they had assisted with chasing down Caruso and Bardet the GC could have a different look.
Can’t see any changes to the podium tomorrow with the gaps as they are.

[Chester Perry]

Yet again the nearly men allowed Ineos to sit on the front waiting for Bernal to blow up. If they had assisted with chasing down Caruso and Bardet the GC could have a different look.
Can’t see any changes to the podium tomorrow with the gaps as they are.

It was this fact that left me a bit deflated by today's race - Caruso's effort in the end looked to me more a about a first major career win and cementing 2nd rather than going for the title, Yates and Carthy unfortunately did not have the legs and Ineos played the percentages so much that they had to keep slowing down for Martinez to keep up, though you saw why it was worth it on the final climb.

[TheFamilyCat]

Martinez was brilliant yesterday. Not sure what his TT is like but he could be another grand tour GC contender at Ineos if he's ever given the chance.