Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Krushing the Giro: Stage 10

Uran proudly wearing the Colombian flag and a cycling cap
Wow. I don't know where to start. Another great day for Colombian cycling. Uran and Betancur had amazing performances. Team Colombia and the other Colombians didn't do too well, but I'll happily take the one-two.
Final results of stage 10. The Colombian tricolor way up there, twice
Sky took over the pace-setting pretty early in the stage on the climb to the Passo Cason di Lanza. Was that a good idea? I guess depends on who you ask. Henao and Wiggo were in trouble, but Uran went on to win the stage. Is Uran the leader for Sky? Well, he told RAI (in excellent Italian, to my surprise) that Wiggins and Henao are still strong and that now Sky will have two leaders. He added that he recuperated better during the rest day than Wiggins. I don't know, the Englishman did not look good to me, but we will have to wait and see. I would not be the SkullKrusher if I didn't point out, once again, that if Uran wouldn't have been asked to wait for Wiggins on Friday, he'd be 2nd in the GC 26" behind Nibali.

AG2R are also having a great Giro. Pozzovivo and Betancur played the one-two punch perfectly up the last climb. That's two second places for Betancur in this Giro and he continues to crawl his way up the Maglia Bianca classification. AG2R has to be very happy with their two new signings. Maybe Mike Spriggs has the right idea with buying their jersey and putting it in the freezer for future enjoyment.

Mike's real refrigerator with a real AG2R jersey in it
On the other side of the spectrum, Hesjedal lost contact with 54k to go and finished over 20 minutes down. Needless to say his Giro is over. What a shame. He looked very racey at the beginning of the race last week.

How many times have I said "keep an eye on Evans"? This is the last time I say it, because everyone now realizes I was right all along.

Finally, a special and heartfelt THANK YOU to Rapha for remembering that the Giro is a cycling race and not a baseball game. Rapha (yes, I'm kissing their ass) provides Team Sky with cycling caps and it was very nice to see Uran not only wearing a cycling cap on the podium, but a winter cycling cap. Thank you Rapha!
Uran answering question in Italian wearing a proper Rapha cycling cap

Randomness:

- Mario Cipollini mention counter: 3
- Helmet talk counter: 10
- Euskaltel guys on the deck counter: 3
- Stage winner wearing cycling cap / baseball hat / no hat counter: 1 / 8 / 1 (Finally!)

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12 comments:

  1. Henrique dAvilaMay 14, 2013 at 1:21 PM

    You're wrong: Uran would be third, 53 seconds behind Nibali. Don't have time to explain though... Check your facts!

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    1. SkullKrusherMay 14, 2013 at 7:39 PM

      I did my math based on 1:36, he lost... Am I wrong? I suck at math. I really do.

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  2. bike masterMay 14, 2013 at 3:19 PM

    whatever.

    i believe that the point is that team Sky's race tactics and priorities are skewed... and look forward to the day that Uran and Henao are rightful leaders on other teams. otherwise, a fantastic day of racing in Italy.

    baseball caps on the podium should be awarded -10 seconds penalty for each egregious violation of good taste. leave them to the ballsports and nascar guys, for Pete's sake

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  3. henrique davilaMay 14, 2013 at 4:47 PM

    I agree entirely! didn't mean to sound arrogant, just was in a hurry at the time. W Uran! and down with the brit and sky tactics

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    1. bike masterMay 14, 2013 at 5:35 PM

      no worries. i am very busy celebrating as well (and checking my facts, too).

      i am also hoping that Betancur gets his timing right at the finish one of these days... no doubt he will.

      what a great day again for Colombian cycling, wow.

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  4. SkullKrusherMay 14, 2013 at 7:43 PM

    I don't really think it's a UK vs. Colombia thing within the team. I just think that a team with 2 (or 3) guys who are up on the GC shouldn't throw away the position of 1 (or 2) for another one, when he's obviously not in good shape. It doesn't take a genius to see that Wiggins is not in good form. Frustrating.

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  5. AnonymousMay 15, 2013 at 3:40 AM

    Your head is so far up Rapha's ass, it smells like British shit.

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    1. Henrique dAvilaMay 15, 2013 at 5:29 AM

      I wonder how the british shit smells like... :)

      Delete
    2. AnonymousMay 15, 2013 at 12:48 PM

      It smells like victory.

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    3. AnonymousMay 15, 2013 at 12:48 PM

      But not in the Giro. Let me make that clear :)

      Delete
  6. Henrique dAvilaMay 15, 2013 at 5:26 AM

    I guess that maybe their DS is trying to over compesate the fact that he choose froome to lead the tour and wants to give wiggins full support, but, if that's the case, he is getting in the way of the team interests

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  7. AnonymousMay 15, 2013 at 1:28 PM

    i have that same refrigerator. alas, no stiff denim nor ag2r jerseys inside.

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