It looks flat but look again. The last 10km have a series of short hills that could ruin the hopes of the sprinters or allow a crafty rider to get away whilst the sprint trains try get their wagons back on track.
In particular there are three short ramps and the profile above does not go them justice, the last one is 1.2km long with a gradient of 6%. That’s enough to make the sprinters worry.
Can Mark Cavendish survive the final climb? We’ll have to wait and find out as the slopes are just about enough for a rider to benefit from the slipstream of team mates. But it could be a safer bet to think of riders like Matthew Goss or Francisco Ventoso although you write off Mark Cavendish at your peril.
Either way today’s stage marks a change, the race has finished its southwards journey and now bends north, although Milan is still almost two weeks away. If the racing won’t be too dramatic, the race will pass tobacco fields and buffalo farms famed for their mozzarella cheese although the weather won’t be too great, thunderstorms are lurking although expected to clear for later.
The finish: a quick mention of the final kilometres. After the short sharp climbs come some short, sharp corners, including a very tight bend with 325m to go. There’s a good chance that the top three into this corner are the top three at the finish line too.
Piano piano
And in case you missed it, yesterday’s stage winner Domenico Pozzovivo might dance on the pedals but he can play the tunes as well.
I’ve been smitten by Pozzovivo’s abilities. He’s an intellectual and a ferocious climber. Now I’m his fan.
Cav for today please.
Pozzo is fast becoming my New Favourite Rider (even if he does look like a 12 year old boy).
Matt Goss for today…
ok………now then Pozzo ……….. if i sing these lyrics dya think u cood play along ????
Bicycle bicycle bicycle
I want to ride my bicycle bicycle bicycle
I want to ride my bicycle
I want to ride my bike
I want to ride my bicycle
I want to ride it where I like
You say black I say white
You say bark I say bite
You say shark I say hey man
Jaws was never my scene
And I don’t like Star Wars
You say Rolls I say Royce
You say God give me a choice
You say Lord I say Christ
I don’t believe in Peter Pan
Frankenstein or Superman
All I wanna do is
Bicycle bicycle bicycle
I want to ride my bicycle bicycle bicycle
I want to ride my bicycle
I want to ride my bike
I want to ride my bicycle
I want to ride my
Bicycle races are coming your way
So forget all your duties oh yeah!
Fat bottomed girls they’ll be riding today
So look out for those beauties oh yeah
On your marks get set go
Bicycle race bicycle race bicycle race
Bicycle bicycle bicyI want to ride my bicycle
Bicycle bicycle bicycle
Bicycle race
You say coke I say caine
You say John I say Wayne
Hot dog I say cool it man
I don’t wanna be the President of America
You say smile I say cheese
Cartier I say please
Income tax I say Jesus
I don’t wanna be a candidate
For Vietnam or Watergate
Cos all I want to do is
Bicycle bicycle bicycle
I want to ride my bicycle bicycle bicycle
I want to ride my bicycle
I want to ride my bike
I want to ride my bicycle
I want to ride it where I like
now that would be cool …………………………………………………….
This is the same finish as in 2005 when Bettini “pushed” Baden Cooke into the barriers: http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2005/giro05/?id=results/giro054
Well I mentioned that sharp corner and even tipped Ventoso but he won for different reasons.
Kudos. The best stage in the race so far.
“The finish: a quick mention of the final kilometres. After the short sharp climbs come some short, sharp corners, including a very tight bend with 325m to go.”
Unfortunately the peleton didn’t read this article!
Pozzovivo was also impressive today. What determination in chasing Purito. He looked like he was the one defending the maglia rosa.