So long as they make the the 'maximum time' the sprinters don't care and until the Alps don't risk much in that way. Indurain depressed me as did Armstrong and Moser a massive hypocite regarding doping if there ever was one. That Giro they laid out without proper climbs for him to win was a travesty to cycling. Tomorrow is another day although the final climb with is 6% ending up at 4% and then flat bad pavé will probably change little.
Just over 25 km to go, last 12 km possibly can be interesting. A flat, a crash or the chain coming off could be bad news from now on today. Apparently although not raining where they are now it's raining very heavily at finish which is on pavé.
Sorry Imaz I've missed today's stage, got an overheating problem with my double six and been checking for air locks since I got home Not checked yet but I'm guessing wiggins came out fighting after brailsfords latest PR tosh ?
Brailsford... Apparently (and allegedly) his latest 'marginal gain' is to wake the riders in the middle of the night and make them train for an hour on the turbotrainers so as to, as he (allegedly) puts it, "keeps their blood nice and thin". Thick blood can of course, and indeed has in the past, kill a sleeping athlete. What could cause such a dangerous symptom in super fit athletes remains a mystery.
He! I read that as 'sleeping alone in an attitude tent' at first. One big difference between the Giro and the Tour is that a home rider can win the Giro. Same isn't true for the Tour. Can't see him managing it whatever he achieves in the ITT. A bad day on the Stelvio's 22 hairpins and that's 20 minutes minimum.
Don't want to make this a doping thread, but again in ignorance, was there ever a time when cycling was clean?
Not as far as I know but at least with old school doping they didn't have to woken up to train at night time just to stay alive! About time the whole scam was busted for once and for all even if it ends pro cycling as we know it.
If they want to keep their blood thin adding aspirin or warfarin (very dangerous depending on what else you are taking) to the mix should help. Then pray they don't crash and bleed for hours. Top tip - a single aspirin before a long (5 hour plus) flight helps prevent deep vein thrombosis and lasts for a week.
12 Km to go, group is compact with Cavendish back after being dropped on the climb 20 km out. Finish is in Matera famous for its 'sassi' or cave houses inhabited right up until the 1950s and immortalised in the film "Christ stopped at Eboli". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christ_Stopped_at_Eboli_(film)
Cavendish has been dropped, was in real trouble on the the short climb and over did it. Was so knackered he was zigzagging at one point!
Cadel Evans is looking strong, probably not his day but must be up there among the top five favourites for the overall win.
John Degenkolb wins from about 10 riders. Looks like someone badly hurt at site of fall. All gaps will be cancelled as within last 3 km.
