Giro stage 15

Personally i think they will all be together when they cross the line with a rest day beckoning to recover before a final assault on the hills.

I think (hope) someone will blow the race apart tomorrow with it leading into a rest day. I'm not sure who, maybe a Rujano or Gadret might go after the win, maybe Pozzovivo looking to build up some time ahead of the TT, maybe De Gendt going after a stage win and announcing his intentions to compete for the Pink, maybe even Henao or Uran... Whatever happens, it should be a cracking stage

Glad you mentioned the Sky lads, i think one might actually podium. Uran has a decent tt in him as well so you never know.

I reckon a purie will take the win tomorrow, an Italin, and pink, but won't be able to hang onto the lead until Milan.

ie. RUJANO

Im gonna drop Ruijano for Uran and then will have both sky guys, also need to get tiralongo in, so cataldo to be dropped

I'm not sure what to do about Rujano. He might try again. Might drop Basso for someone else as he's a very cagey rider. Doesn't score many points.

Basso is never gonna score the big points for you, as he severely lacks any sort of acceleration or sprint to the line. So, he never drops anyone and is beaten by 5 or 6 guys at the finish... He wins by consistency and even that doesn't seem to be his strong suit anymore.

(he's probably going to refute my little theorem tomorrow, so you best take him)

No, that is his game but at least he doesn't fall to pieces like Rujano.

The climbs don't look quite as steep today, but the descents do...

I backed Hesjedal 2 weeks ago at 40-1, so its beginning to get interesting...

Dropped Rubiano and Caruso who seems to be struggling after being Basso's workhorse. Picked up a Rabobanker and an Italian climber, decided I was happy with my stars and wanted to take a few risks with my DSs.

I'm not happy with my stars but who knows they may shine today. Dropped the same guys and taken a risk with an Italian from near this area, not bad at climbing and a young Italian from not far away - maybe wants to make a name for himself. Probably going to lose ground as they're unlikely to come off. The safe thing to do would be to bring Purito and Hesjedal back in but I can't be bothered to play safe now.

Got 3rd on the stage in TOC in any case so haven't entirely lost my touch on climbing stages!!

Well my team know is

J-Rod
Hesjedal
Uran
Haeno

Tiralongo
Huzarski
Slagter
Caruso
Pozzovivo

My question is will there be a point at which J-Rod should be dropped from my team? to free up some credits

In an ideal world i would like to replace Haeno for Gadret, however will never be able to raise enough credits to do that without dropping J-rod, and the only one i would drop him for (scarponi) still wouldnt raise enough credits

Out:Santamorito & Intxausti
In:Basso & Barta

J-Rod
Henao
Basso
Hesjedal
Tiralongo
Golas
Barta
Casar
Rubiano

Fancy a break involving Golas or Rubiano today

Just in time 7mins left!
Ivan Basso (LIQ)
Enrico Gasparotto (AST)
Rigoberto Uran (SKY)
Jan Bakelants (RSN)
Pier Paolo De Negri (FAR)
Domenico Pozzovivo (COG)
Lars Bak (LOT)
Jack Bobridge (GRE)
Alex Rasmussen (GRM)

Wonder how it will paan out

I'm giving Kreuziger one more stage to see if he can perform.

Kreuziger
Hesjedal
Henao
Rodriguez

Pozzovivo
Benedetti
Rubiano
Golas
Tiralongo

I'm also sticking with Kreuziger for now - plenty of transfers after today. Have 4 potential guys for a break, so hopefully one of them will come good...
Kreuziger
Hesjedal
Basso
Henao
Pozzovivo
Samoilau
Pirazzi
Benedetti
Felline

Rodriguez
Hesjedal
Henao
Rujano

Tiralongo
Pozzovivo
Sella (almost went Pirazzi, it was 50/50)
Slagter (nearly went Clement, again, 50/50 decision)
Golas

Fingers crossed my transfers pay off but I may regret dropping Rubiano if he decides to go after the 4 category climbs today.

Also nearly went for Pietropolli now he's out of it GC-wise.

Dammit, considered Rabottini for today too

Shrek's abandoned and Hunt did not start

A lot of buzz around Rujano pre-giro(and during).

Not sure if he's justifying it(although I'll probably regret saying that come Journey's End).

Joaquin Rodriguez (KAT)
Jose Humberto Rujano (AND)
Roman Kreuziger (AST)
Benat Intxausti (MOV)
Domenico Pozzovivo (COG)
Miguel Angel Rubiano (AND)
Paolo Tiralongo (AST)
Damiano Caruso (LIQ)
Jon Izagirre (EUS)

Same team as yesterday to keep 6 transfers for after rest day tomorrow

Jez Hunt's becoming a Dad according to Twit.

de Gendt
J-Rod
Hesjedal
Basso
Guardini
Tiralongo
Rubiano
Pozzovivo
Caruso

Feel pretty good. Glad to have four transfers for the next stage...

Intermediate sprint:

Bonnafond
Rabottni
Cavendish
Golas
Rosseler
Eisel

Also...

Hurray!

3 Lampre's in the chasing group....Cunego(virtual leader),Malori and Ulissi.

Dangerous move?

Or are they setting it up for Scarponi?

Cunego. He's won Lombardia three times, this stage is absolutely made for him.

Well im going to be avoiding the forum until ive watched the hightlights later on eurosport as im off out now

Hope at least the chasers don't stay away. Had ullisi for the first 10 or so stages and now he tries something

Was tempted by Cunego but I thought he'd blown his chance yesterday

Gone today with this team;

Sergio Luis Henao (SKY)
Joaquin Rodriguez (KAT)
Ivan Basso (LIQ)
Rigoberto Uran (SKY)
Arnaud Demare (FDJ)
Paolo Tiralongo (AST)
Damiano Caruso (LIQ)
Domenico Pozzovivo (COG)
Jack Bauer (GRM)

Well I put in Carrara and Pagani in for Caruso and Rubiano. Still got Scarponi, Basso, Rujano and Henao. Wasn't hopeful at the start but just turned on the TV and Carrara is in the chasing group so we'll have to see.

I see you've got Sella there but it may all come to nothing.

2k to go, peloton closing in really fast, this is going to be close for Rabottini.

I knew this would be a great stage, Rodriguez has attacked and may well take the stage! Glad to see someone really going for it.

Oh! What a win for Rabottini, sneaks around Rodriguez on the last corner to take it, not that J-Rod put up much of a fight.

Great ride from Uran to stay with the main group for so long, looks like I close badly by taking Rujano over Gadret, who was up in the top group.

What a finish! Great ride from Rabottini. Can't help but think J-Rod gifted him the win, but thoroughly deserved, nonetheless.

Thrilling stuff!

Rabottini
Rodriguez
Losada
Henao
Scarponi
Basso
Pirazzi
Kreuziger
Gadret
Txukkuka
Nieve
Hesjedal (39")

That's your top twelve

Rodriguez
Hesjedal
Basso
top three in GC

Anyone who got Henao (like me) is in for big points.

GC:

1. Rodriguez
2. Hesjedal (30")
3. Basso
4. Tiralongo
5. Kreuziger
6. Scarponi
7. Intxausti
8. Henao
9. Cataldo
10. Casar
11. Uran
12. De Gendt
13. Pozzovivo

Pozzovivo's a big loser today, Henao takes the white jersey too. Uran lost 1'47 in the end to fall well down. Surprised to see Casar still up there but I might take a punt on De Gendt for next week now

Agreed, I've got Henao and I expect him to be very popular for Tuesday, especially with 4 transfers on offer. Basso and Scarponi looked strong, if only I could get both of them and Rodriguez into my team without dropping Hesjedal

I was watching the end on the Giro website so didn't get any commentary, anyone know how far back the Gruppeto is and whether Cav is likely to be inside the time limit?

1. Rabottini
2. Rodriguez
3. Losada
4. Henao
5. Scarponi
6. Basso
7. Pirazzi
8. Kreuziger
9. Gadret
10. Txurruka
11. Nieve
12. Hesjedal
13. Cataldo
14. Intxausti
15. Tschopp
16. Tiralongo
17. De Gendt
18. Moreno
19. Cunego
20. Brambilla
21. Casar
22. Uran
23. Niemic
24. Pozzovivo
25. Szmyd

Rujano came in 4 minutes down in 32nd, he's definitely getting the boot tomorrow.

Cav bus home 34:48 down, 60 odd riders.
Guardini last man again

I really thought about bringing Guardini in this morning, but decided it was too much of a risk. Is 15 points his highest score so far?

Rujano has been a disaster for me. I meant to change him for Purito and swap Golas for a cheap rider but went with two breakaway riders instead. One was in the break but couldn't stay out, the other was 3rd from last. So close but not quite. Should have played safe. I would have made up a bit of ground. Have to bring in Purito now (who I like - don't know why I ever left him out) but won't change the other stars and maybe change one DS. Keep 2 transfers spare for later.

I asked a club rider why he thought that the Poz had lost so much time yesterday, and his classic response was:

"Probably took the wrong pills."

Just thought I'd share.

Also, tomorrow I'll finally be able to get rid of Serge Powels.

Please can someone explain why Guardini got 15 points and Cav got 9? Not this scoring lark clearly.....

Guardini got 10 for being the last man home (again!) and 5 for being in the same team as the stage winner. Guardini let me down badly in the sprints but is grabbing loads of points for me in the mountains for being last!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yeah Rujano has to go, Sella too, but I don't know who to bring in to help me move up. I think at this point I run the risk of having exactly the same team as those above me and not going anywhere.

Basso will be popular this window, Henao too, anyone whoever didn't have Rodriguez will get him if they can so I'm just faffing around the edges really, the core of my team (Rodriguez, Henao, Hesjedal, Tiralongo, Pozzovivo, Golas) is probably the same as most other teams and won't change now until the TT. I either take huge risks or just hope I get lucky with a breakaway or on the remaining sprint and TT stages.

Cav got 5 for being in red and 4 for the intermediate sprint

Harsh

Italian TV were saying repeatedly yesterday and today that he absolutely detests the rain, pre-race interview today he clearly didn't fancy the descents. Basso not a big fan of the wet stuff either, apparently.

Still a number of riders in the list who have abandoned. Goss, Renshaw, Schleck etc. can this be cleaned up over the rest day?

They only abandoned this morning, some while the stage was under way, So will be removed before the next deadline as always

Nice and convenient that Schleck pulled out on the morning of the stage where he was bound to lose a good chunk of time, descending really is a massive weakness for him. No wonder he prefers the TdF in the summer where there's less chance of rain.

Descending in the rain is a problem, dry he can just about handle, He's TT skills are a mess and the only reason he is a "big name" is because he shares that surname with his brother, otherwise he'd be classed as a high end DS

Nah, he's probably in the same league as Rujano/Gadret, someone who can win a stage and maybe get top 5 if they're lucky. He just doesn't have the allround skills to win a grand tour.

Neither of them is ever going to win anything... They can't TT, they have questionable phsychological strength, and then they simply act like babies... afraid to set off alone and do it on their own. Frank can't ride the Giro cause he misses Andy and wants to be training with him instead... Andy can't level a full out attack at the Tour cause he doesn't want to leave Frank behind... Abundance of natural skills and a huge absence of everything else that it takes to be a champion for both brothers.

I never understood why riders like the Schleck's are so poor at TTing, some of the best climbers (Contador, & Armstrong drugs not withstanding) have been excellent TTers so its surely not a physical thing? And its not like the top all rounders like Evans and Wiggins are THAT much bigger or more powerful than the Schlecks (ok, Evans is bigger but Wiggins doesn't look much bigger nowadays) and surely the effort needed to climb the Tormalet at pace is comparable with that needed to sustain a good TT pace for 40kmk? Is it just a mental thing?

It must be a Euro Thing.

Having now seen the result again not gambling on gadret cost me points. another very average day!

Now for tuesday do i go Gadret or Basso? Ive pretty much decided the two other changes im gonna make.

Doesnt look like Cav is gonna be able to win the red jersey. He must win stage 18 (i think its that stage) to stand a chance and try and take out as many of the sprints as possible, maybe go in some breaks?

Tuesday is a pretty flat stage, however the finish is it too steep/long for Cav as it does flatten off?

Rujano ... thank for the zero points that you gave me in the last 2 stages...

What a waste

Thanks Gkam. I thought I'd read that Goss and Renshaw didn't start on Saturday. I shall be patient...

Once you start chasing breaks you know you're finished! If they come by chance while you play sensibly that's great, like Rubiano and Golas did for me. It was stage 5, I think, that lost it for me when I had Farrar and Hushovd and some other sprinters who all went out the back. Lost about 80-100 points on that one stage.

By the end of a Tour everyone's team is pretty similar but you still have a small chance. I, however, have none and even if I had played a bit safer I'd still be too far behind.

At least I still have my top place in East Anglia and amazingly I'm still top 20 on GC and above TERatcliffe26.

Could go for a stage win. Maybe the TT

Been a good couple of days racing though and I've enjoyed watching it. Fun having Carrara in the break as well even if he scored only 2 points.

Sorry you are correct, Those two didn't start stage 14

God I'd forgotten how dull Basso can be to watch, yet somehow he's contrived to climb the GC ladder whilst actually losing yet more time. Obviously others have lost still more. He stays as he might just bore his rivals to death.

He's unspectacular but effective, he knows that Rodriguez is great on small steep climbs so he limits his losses and will make time up on the others when we get to the really hard stages and the TT.

From a fantasy point of view though he's a pain in the arse as he won't get loads of points but will be consistently up there.

Edit: Also, how do you think Wiggins and Evans win races? They grind out the results, stay close to the proper climbers on the hills and blow them away in the TT, yes they're a better version of Basso but it's the same idea.

drheaton, spot on, Basso merely follows which makes him a v good allrounder whereas the likes of Wiggo, Evans and Bertie have that extra bit in their armoury and can put the hammer down and drill it or destroy a field on the tt.

Basso is still a brilliant rider he just gets things done differently.

Grand Tour's tend to have the toughest stages towards the end and Basso tends to linger lower down the GC Order until he reaches these and so picks up less GC top 10 pts per stage than perhaps a Cuddles or Wiggo who can take advantage of an early TT.

Exactly, although if any of the really top draw GC contenders were at this year's Giro I doubt Basso could win it. The fact that Basso is still favourite is probably a reflection of the quality of the field more than anything else. It's a shame that the Giro is run so close to the start of the TdF because it really thins out the people hoping to compete for the win. If they ran the Giro even a week or two earlier in the season (or pushed the tour back a bit) you may get people racing both of them to win rather than using the Giro as a warm-up for the tour.

Agreed, and with this year's Giro being more TdF like in having more sprint stages clustered at the start of the race it means Basso won't be a high scorer until the back end of the race, although I don't really expect him to win any stages, just be close enough to the winners so that he can take it in the TT. From a fantasy point of view he's consistently mediocre whereas Rodriguez and Hesjedal have provided more points earlier in the race but I suspect they'll fall away a bit in the next few stages (maybe not J-Rod but definitely Hesjedal).