Giro : Stage 11 Pontedera - Pontedera, ITT : 50 kms

Thursday sees the ITT over 50kms from Pontedera - Pontedera, for the first day racing back after the second rest day.

It will be very interesting to see how the main contenders perform.
Will Savoldelli try to recoup lost time and go all out for the win?
Will Basso try to extend his lead?
TT'ists Gonchar and Rogers and Ullrich could look for the stage win.

My prediction?

Kiss of death goes to Michael Rogers

__________________
.."But finally the last thing I’ll say to the people who don’t believe in cycling, the cynics and the sceptics. I'm sorry for you. I’m sorry that you can’t dream big. [I]I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles. You should believe in these athletes, and you should believe in these people. I'll be a fan of the Tour de France for as long as I live. And there are no secrets - this is a hard sporting event and hard work wins it" - Armstrong 2005 TDF
morelike hypocrisy.

Savoldelli will have to work very hard in this time trial, I definitely think he will be going all out to get as much time on the climbers as possible. I think he can run Basso close, but he won't beat him.
Personally I don't think Rogers will perform, he has a tendancy not to do well in any time trial but the worlds. Still, he should get himself a top 10. Honchar is capable of a top 10, as I think is Ullrich should he decide to push himself. Danielson is also capable of hitting the top 10.

Normally I would say Bobby J would get top 10, but he doesn't seem to be on form at all. Di Luca could well get up there too. His team mate Cioni could do well. Bruseghin did well last year so maybe he will hit top 10 too. Maybe Pena could put in a performance.

Rujano, Simoni, Cunego will all get eaten in this time trial as it is very, very flat.

So with all that in mind here is my run down:

1: Basso
2: Savoldelli
3: Rogers
4: Gonchar
5: Cioni
6: Bruseghin
7: Pena
8: Ullrich
9: Di Luca
10: Danielson

Hopefully I have done enough guessing to get at least one right .

Gonchar....

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Jan will start at 14:46 tomorrow, the first of the top ten at 15:52'30


See the complete starting times of all riders at the PDF attachment

Attached Files

Partenti_cronometro_Pontedera.pdf (153.0 KB, 15 views)

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I hope Savoldelli, but my guess is 50/50 Basso/Savoldelli for the win.

I hope Savoldelli's ITT has improved since he tested for the first time in the wind tunnel earlier this year. We know that DC can significantly improve its cyclists' ITT skills.

i read today that Il Falco has breathing problems due to an allergic reaction, i hope for him (and for an exiting second part of the Giro..) he will feel better tomorrow.

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We also know how they can ruin them.... ie Lance in the car at the TTT..... diabolical.

What is the weather forecast for tomorrow? That could be a factor.

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Dope,when training and talent just aren't enough.

wetter-online.de: clowdy but dry, about 24 degrees celsius...

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In that case Ullrich may show some speed.I know that he hates wet cold weather and doesn't do well in it.

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Dope,when training and talent just aren't enough.

Correct, a top 5 place is possible (i think).

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Would JU risk his knee by going all out to win the ITT?

As great as it would be to see him win the ITT - I'd prefer to see him doing a reasonable and completing the Giro rather than going out to win ITT and not completing the Giro.

__________________
.."But finally the last thing I’ll say to the people who don’t believe in cycling, the cynics and the sceptics. I'm sorry for you. I’m sorry that you can’t dream big. [I]I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles. You should believe in these athletes, and you should believe in these people. I'll be a fan of the Tour de France for as long as I live. And there are no secrets - this is a hard sporting event and hard work wins it" - Armstrong 2005 TDF
morelike hypocrisy.

I don't believe he will go all out but he may turn up the heat a bit.Then again he may fell good and make a statement.

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Dope,when training and talent just aren't enough.

He went all out in the TTT. Wasnt it Gonchar that said he was having trouble keeping with the pace set by JU. Why would the ITT be any different?

Fair point.

__________________
.."But finally the last thing I’ll say to the people who don’t believe in cycling, the cynics and the sceptics. I'm sorry for you. I’m sorry that you can’t dream big. [I]I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles. You should believe in these athletes, and you should believe in these people. I'll be a fan of the Tour de France for as long as I live. And there are no secrets - this is a hard sporting event and hard work wins it" - Armstrong 2005 TDF
morelike hypocrisy.