Giro 2008 Stage 16 - May 26: San Vigilio di Marebbe => Plan de Corones (ITT), 12.85km

Stage 16. ITT. 12.85km up an average 8.4% grade.

Here's the CN map and profile: http://www.cyclingnews.com/road/2008...tages/giro0816

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Depending on dope, and fill-ups

Contador
Menchov
Bruseghin
Nibali
Vandenbroeck

I'd take a guess at:

Contador
Menchov
Kloden
Simoni
Ricco

Okay, he's clearly hurting, but I'm still hoping Andreas has a killer TT. It would be sweet if he makes up some of today's huge losses.

Realistically, hmmm, not sure yet

Assuming adequate recovery, Contadore shouldn't give up any time to his main rivals in this stage, and will probably extend his lead.

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I get this suspicious feeling that given how bad the weather has been the Steratto section at the end of this climb is going to be very very messy indeed. Get your gearing selection wrong, get your equipment choice wrong, have some bad luck and I think you could loose a lot of time very quickly. Given how steep the section is anyone who has to stop for a bike or wheel change is going to find it hard to get their rhythm going again.

Kiss of death : Denis Menchov.

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.."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.

My money is on Contador, but seeing how Ricco rode today I have to put him up in the top 10. I had no idea before today that Ricco's finish line puch was that long (3Ks?). I always thought of him as a good rider in the mountains but not one that could beat Menchov and Contador.

And of course...still having my thumbs up for Klöden...

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It never gets easier, you just go faster
Oton ATK Sandisk Mp3-soittimet ja Koss kuulokkeet

Having watched them ride the stage on RAI I reckon Gibo could do well, especially with his MTB experience - it isn't like a straight MTT that's for certain and shouldn't be underestimated

Just because I can I'm going to predict the winning time to be 38 minutes.

gearing tough to get wrong, they should get a full lower cluster. Choosing the big and small front ring will only give them minute differences in the gear ratio.

Vandenbroeck could surprise for a win here. The guy was world champion in the junior chrono, and he has been at the pointy end on the climbs (suspiciously so).

Vdb,Nibali, and Bruseghin are all noted chrono riders who climb well. None have the tt pedigree of Kloden or Contador however, or even Leipheimer, but curiously enough, LL only has really excelled in flat tts.

Bar Contador the Astana boys are not gonna win today.

So who else?

Dennis Menchov has to be a big chance.

I stick with my first 5 choices. Very wise thunder, even if it is devalued by writing in the third person.

3 in a row for sella! If not him, then Rujano!

mtn tts favour chrono riders who go uphill well.

Sella aint a chrono rider. He wont be in the top 10.

This crono geografi have not many sharp, velocity killing twists…it favour tt specialist with constant, hi output…power vibration not good here… much sit/stand..sit/stand not good in this mountains

who is 420 watt…? Who is 66kg….?…who is steady rider sitting in seat?

Not Di Luca…not Sella (pun not special: sella=seat) …

Menchov win probable….good chance in Brusegnin, Contador (in spite his style) , AK, Simoni.

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For inches and centimetres, let fools contend."
-- Damian Grammaticus

you don't like Vandenbroeck and Nibali's chances Italiano, o' wise one of Italian genes.