I am glad I'm not the only one that dislikes the ultra compact bars the manufacturers are infatuated with at the moment.

Today was an interesting stage, Froome looked like he was hurting but he always looks terrible. TD at one point looked to be hurting but made it back just fine. I think today confirmed what we already knew, Froome vs TD vs Pinot with yates as a long shot. I think Chaves will pay for the effort today. Sky did seem to be less cohesive today, potentially not 100% comitted to Froome? I think after today he proved that his form is good enough to be on the podium. Lets hope for a close race and everybody on form.

That's the funny thing with Froome, I've never seen him look like he was feeling good. His riding style never even makes him look fast, but somehow nobody can drop him.

Well Yates for one did drop him, but point taken overall.

What makes this race different for Froome from all of the past races, is that unlike every other race where all he had to do was hang in the Mountains and know that he can smash everyone in the TT, this won't win him the giro in this rodeo, he is already almost a minute behind TD, and even if was equal in time he more then likely won't be able to gain anything on TD in the TT, so his formula won't work if he wants to win (though it could still get him on the podium)

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http://www.instagram.com/cyclewise

Give him until week 3.....then we will know what he's really doing. I'm not a Froome fan by any means, but he's not one to count out just yet.

If he looked less ungainly, and didn't ride for Sky, I'd probably be a big fan, in spite of puffergate. I thought today would show a lot and it did. He's right there.

It's funny, I used to despise Froome because of the way he treated Wiggins when he took over Sky and because he was a boring rider. His 2016 TDF performance made me like him a little bit, but I'm still not all the way there.

Fan of Chavez, happy for him today. But was wondering why the team didn't get Yates to cross the line first to get the bonus seconds. Having two leaders in the team always complicate things IMO. (But what do I know.)

He lost nearly 1:30 to TD at Worlds last year and :27 or whatever in only 10k. It's not only unlikely he won't gain anything in 30k ITT, but likely he'll lose gobs of time.

Little surprised TD gave away that much time to Yates today. He looked in control the whole way, and is perhaps being patient for what's to come. That said, was probably worse outcome for Froome.

ST calls it again.

I think that the team was the antithesis of Sky today, actually taking into account human feeling and emotions, after all that Chavez has been through the last 12 months and how much work he put in the break today, they just figured that he deserved to have the stage, it seems that Yates was on board with that plan as well.

classy ride by Yates.........Chavez won from the break, credited his teammate Haig for driving the break, which set up Yates for the GC.....cool team work, go figure........

Is Froome going to make it to Rome? Although I wouldn't bet on it, I won't be surprised if he pulls out of the race before the end. It doesn't seem like he (and Sky) really have their hearts into this Giro.

Lots of racing to go, though. Maybe they're saving themselves for the 3rd week.

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"Human existence is based upon two pillars: Compassion and knowledge. Compassion without knowledge is ineffective; Knowledge without compassion is inhuman." Victor Weisskopf.

Yes, and nice that still exists today.

Not like in 2012 when Froome won a stage and Wiggins said something along the lines of he now had his little glory and can now do his real job supportint me.

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10k - 30:48 / half - 1:06:40

what's your current set up, btw?

I was also a bit disappointed when Sagan traded his classic rounds for compact bars. The aethestics of compact bars just look "off"



indeed

Sean Kelly was saying how Yates should take the win to gain additional seconds, but even from a purely dollars and cents perspective, that wouldn't have been wise, as it'd have alienated someone who would help Yates, all for measly two seconds.

Also, Chavez being in the break meant that Yates could just sit tight and do diddly until he finally decided to kick it off. It was just reward for Chavez.

If there's any team that could leverage a dual-leader set-up, it would be this team. I think their all for one, one for all motto is more than just a marketing gimmick.

I'm all for feel good stories, but I don't really knock Sky for being what they are. When a domestique signs on with team Sky, presumably for more money than another team would offer...you know what you're getting into. And if you out grow that role, you're free to move on to another team like Porte and Landa.

Perhaps it was "calculated?" His team really doesn't have the fire power to ride at the front for that long. Might as well "lend" the jersey to Yates, who'll cough up 1:30 on the time trial

On a different note, what's going on with Joe Dombrowski? He was in the break at the start of Etna climb, and then he was gone. Looks like he finished 5 minutes down.

Hey Thread,

How can you say no to loving these guys?



All that is right about the peloton in one squad,

Scott

TD said his legs weren't great at the start of the climb, but after that they were OK but he was finished at the end. So it seems he's not at his top game yet, but manages to keep up going uphill.

Good question. He may have been called off to come back to Woods, or he may have just been cooked and pulled the plug for the day. I admit being surprised he was off the climb. Hope he's healthy.

How can I watch the Giro in the US?

Eurosport + VPN

1st get a VPN service


next subscribe to Eurosport


which gives you access to both live streams and VOD (for at least one week)
For instance, all 260km of De Ronde was available for a whole month




Entire stages of the Giro are also available, commercial free. For example Stage 2





More from today's stage

Start


mid-stage


decisive move


finish, note the time on the slidebar and the time for the stage

Check out Flo Tv
https://www.flobikes.com/...in-the-us-and-canada

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http://www.instagram.com/cyclewise

The peloton did not want Tony Martin in the break today.

Yes, that interview with Flecha was refreshing. None of the common meaningless coached interview drivel. They were obviously, and understandably, delighted with their performances and couldn't stop grinning but it also came across as very sincere when they were talking about their team mates etc. It put me in a good mood.