In a Giro that’s had just about everything, we were given a
real life view of the action yesterday – in the sense that we had to wait for 4
and a half hours to see the first riders coming up the climb to Jafferau, and
when Vincenzo Nibali (pictured below) and Mauro Santambrogio came out of the finish, one could
tell that this year’s Giro might have been won, and the Italian – even though
unable to bring home the bacon for those following him (remember that we have
backed him hard for the points jersey, and with more summit finishes to come,
including today’s modified, but still fearsome, Col Du Galiber, coming straight
after the Telegraphe with only a little descent inbetween the two.
Today’s stage (seen left) actually ends at the Marco Pantani monument –
where the Italian won the 1998 Tour De France with a famous attack in the rain
– with just 4KM cut off the finish, meaning that (weather permitting) we end
with 18KM’s of the Galbier at an average of 6% and a maximum percentage of 11%.
It’s made for high tempo riding and attacking alike, with the Telegraphe and
Mont cenis earlier sure to have softened legs still suffering from yesterday’s
brutal stage.
Whatever happens, it’s impossible to get away from Nibali,
who in a fashion we expected of Bradley Wiggins, has dominated this race since
Stage 8’s trek to Saltare Mara and never looked in serious danger of losing his
Magalia Rosa. Riding as one should when leading a race, today’s trek will hold
no fears for the leader and it’s surpsing to see him as big as 7’s. Carlos
Betancur is favourite ahead of him, but he was 9 seconds behind Santambrogio
and Nibali yesterday, and the shorter, harder finishes are the ones more likely
to suit him. Pozzovivio is worth of respect but just looks to have found a few
stronger than him.
Team Sky’s new leader Rigoberto Uran’s podium place is in
big trouble now that Santambrogio has emerged, but today looks like an ideal
opportunity to make some gains on his Italian rival. Team Sky’s powerful pace
setting tactics at the front of the Peloton are best suited towards French
rather than Italian climbs, where they can put everyone but themselves in
serious trouble, and the sheet length of the Telgraph and Galiber, along with a
percentage that has a steady average along with a decent surface, has their
mantra written all over it. Uran is as big as 22/1 in places following his
fifth yesterday but today’s finish is very different – far more a test of
endurance on the bigger ring than a test of pure explosiveness (not that he
lacks that ability) and he makes appeal.
Advice
1 pt each/way Vincenzo Nibali (9/1 Stan James, 7/1 general)
1 pt each/way Rigoberto Uran (18/1 general)
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