FISO. 2021 Giro d'italia. 8-30 May.

[unc.si.]

only talking points today are going to be whether Viviani can win in his home town, whether Sagan can get close enough to the stage winner to keep the ciclamino jersey and which sprinters have mysterious niggling injuries after the stage which force them to go home 'just in case' (ie, most of them).

[theo29]

the long hilly ride from Siena to Bagno di Romagna was a triumph for Talkie Toaster & his AG2R Citroen team by winning both the 12th stage and the numerous King of the Mountain points, altogether 84 points for the day !
Today it is back to the Adriatic and Ravenna for the ride N to Verona. Flat as a board all the way so a sprint finish is almost a certainty. No change in the top GC positions yesterday or maybe today but stage stage 14 on Saturday is a different story on the Zoncolan mountain.

Time to start thinking about the TDF line-up next month !

[murf]

Bernal looks to be back on form, will he tackle France as well if he wins? Ineos will want to send a leader with the potential to challenge Pog and Rog, surely...

So did Yates a year or three back.

Not even sure who the Ineos TdF team leader is. G and/or Tao I guess? Not impossible they would send Bernal if he wins and his back is OK, although risks upsetting other key riders - one of the perils of having such a strong squad.

Also the TdF is earlier this year due to the Olympics, so I don't see it as an option.

Wonder if they will consider pushing the TdF back when the Olympics are inevitably cancelled.

Japan are on their 4th wave and have only vaccinated 3% of the population. I thought they were an efficient, organised country but this appears to be a shambles. 80% of locals want it cancelled. As I said, inevitable.

[forestfan]

The locals don’t decide, the IOC do. Every other major event is managing to go ahead, whether behind closed doors or otherwise, and it must be getting towards being too late to pull the plug logistically? I think they’ve already said they can’t push it back a further year, though guess they could move Tokyo to 2024 and push the next two hosts back four years, or just award them ‘32 now. Anyway, the world needs it, as do the athletes who have been preparing for 5 years now and many won’t get another chance.

Anyway, moving an event as complex as the TdF at a month’s notice is even less plausible. Training schedules will have been tailored to the June start, road closures etc... I know they moved it last year but guess that was announced a bit further ahead?

[murf]

Wouldn't be sure about the Olympics. The locals are up in arms.

For example, nurses and doctors are being requested for the Olympics from areas where hospitals are struggling with Covid overload.

Think you are right about TdF logistics though.

[theo29]

a sprint stage 13 win for Sarf London's Q Assos team in Verona and just beating Sagan (BORA tbf to the line. Up to the heights of Monte Zoncolon 1750m today. Will Bernal (INEOS morganb be challenged ?

[theo29]

115 Lorenzo Fontunato (EOLO Malrom) got to the mist shrouded finish on Monte Zoncolan first but maglia rosa Bernal cemented his lead finishing just ahead of Simon Yates(BikeExchange 0 nz) who moved up to second in the GC category.
Back to the water on Sunday morning at Grado (a way back stamping ground) on the Venetian lagoon)

TOUR DE FRANCE. there is a recruiting thread for this now open inviting your participation.

[theo29]

another stage win for Q ASSOS (Sarf London) in Gorizia and INEOS (morganb) tighten their grip on the 'maglia rosa'
Today's stage 16 goes high and ends in Cortina before the second & final rest day.
Current points tally will show during Tuesday.

[unc.si.]

I’m liking Bernal more and more.
Nice old school ride today.

[murf]

I’m liking Bernal more and more.
Nice old school ride today.

He is really showing to be a class rider.

[theo29]

yes the streets of Cortina celebrated his performance in the shortened 16th 'queen' stage. With the helicopers grounded we were deprived of most of the 'on road' action pictures. Simon Yates lost a lot of ground but Hugh Carthy moved uyp in the GC.
Resting today before the final stages and ITT in Milan.
Points for all 16 stages and top 10 GCers coming shortly.

TOUR DE FRANCE. awaiting your participation !

[theo29]

The General Classification after stage 16.

1. BERNAL. morganb INEOS.
2. CARUSO, simonb. BAHRAIN VIC.
3. CARTHY. Geoffv. EF EDUCATION.
4. VLASOV. happyhoppy. ASTANA.
5. YATES. 0 nz. BIKEEXCHANGE.
6. CICCONE. forestfan. TREK SEGAFREDO.
7. BARDET. Renton. TEAM DSM.
8. MARTINEZ. morganb. INEOS.
9. FOSS. murf. JUMBO VISMA.
10. ALMEIDA. UNC.SI. D. QUICK STEP.

[theo29]

TEAM POINTS FOR THE 16 STAGES SO FAR.

1. AG 2 CITROEN.Talkie Toaster. 197.
2. ALPECIN FENIX. Canary fan. 234
3. ANDRONI GIOC. Eagle 224. 123
4. ASTANA . happyhoppy. 33
5. BAHRAIN VIC. simonb 150
6. BARDIANI. Neath boy 134
7. BORA H thebillfella 138
8. COFIDIS. Chazzy Ath. 165
9. D.QUICK STEP. unc.si 65
10. EF EDUCATION.Geoffv. 40
11. EOLO KOM. Malrom. 200
12. GROUPAMA. Darbyand. 16
13. INEOS. morganb 169
14. INTER MARCHE. Spinymorman 126
15. ISRAEL S.U.N. Yorkshiredragon 180
16. LOTTO SOUDAL. tenpinterry 184
17. MOVISTAR. Smurfy's Paw 46
18. BIKEEXCHANGE. 0 nz 12
19. TEAM DSM. Renton. 140
20. JUMBO VISMA. murf 138
21. Q ASSOS. Sarf London. 217
22. TEAM SEGAFREDO. forestfan 178
23 UAE EMIRATES. blenosey 227

[theo29]

TEAM POINTS FOR THE 16 STAGES SO FAR.

1. AG 2 CITROEN.Talkie Toaster. 197.
2. ALPECIN FENIX. Canary fan. 234
3. ANDRONI GIOC. Eagle 224. 123
4. ASTANA . happyhoppy. 33
5. BAHRAIN VIC. simonb 150
6. BARDIANI. Neath boy 134
7. BORA H thebillfella 138
8. COFIDIS. Chazzy Ath. 165
9. D.QUICK STEP. unc.si 65
10. EF EDUCATION.Geoffv. 40
11. EOLO KOM. Malrom. 200
12. GROUPAMA. Darbyand. 16
13. INEOS. morganb 169
14. INTER MARCHE. Spinymorman 126
15. ISRAEL S.U.N. Yorkshiredragon 180
16. LOTTO SOUDAL. tenpinterry 184
17. MOVISTAR. Smurfy's Paw 46
18. BIKEEXCHANGE. 0 nz 12
19. TEAM DSM. Renton. 140
20. JUMBO VISMA. murf 138
21. Q ASSOS. Sarf London. 217
22. TEAM SEGAFREDO. forestfan 178
23 UAE EMIRATES. blenosey 227

[theo29]

The Giro resumes in Canazei today and ends stage 17 not too far away from Lake Garda at Sega di Arla. Let's hope the weather has improved and the aircraft can all take off. In each stage about half the teams score some points along the route and those with 150 or more perform on most days. Will there be any GC changes today ?

[theo29]

yes there will be changes. Full story a little later but a storming show by Dan Martin, ISRAEL S.U.N & a large smile on the face of Yorkshiredragon for the win in stage 17.

[theo29]

3 stages left and Simon Yates now lying 3rd with a 1500m finish today at Alpe di Mera. EF Education (Geoffv) had an excellent stage 18 win with the peloton out of sight on the very long flat ride. Will Bernal stay with the pack today ?

[blahblah]

I’m liking Bernal more and more.
Nice old school ride today.

He is really showing to be a class rider.

Could be a good one tomorrow..... apparently his back is more of a problem than admitted. (From some top back bod on the Pro Scene and mates with Brad - if that counts as a source )

Yates to go on the 2nd climb and take the Pink

[murf]

I’m liking Bernal more and more.
Nice old school ride today.

He is really showing to be a class rider.

Could be a good one tomorrow..... apparently his back is more of a problem than admitted. (From some top back bod on the Pro Scene and mates with Brad - if that counts as a source )

Yates to go on the 2nd climb and take the Pink

Love to see it but Yates burned a lot of energy gaining not much today. See who is up for it tomorrow.

You can bet Yates will try so should be an interesting day whatever the outcome. May even set up another crucial conundrum, sorry, I mean time trial.

[theo29]

goodness gracious me ! A brand new FISOers and his first post lands here. Yes, the final stage today before the time trial on Sunday. Must get all those stage 19 points registered after breakfast. We should hear something from 0 nz (Bikeexchange) as well.

[Oxford NZ]

Thanks Theo.
Yes, Yates has pushed hard the last few stages for me but I fear that he will not get into Pink.
Egan Bernal is in control and I wish him fair speed for the rest of the Giro

[theo29]

yes Bernal is home & dry but for some ITT heroics elsewhere. What happened to the 'newby post yesterday' ?
Full Giro points tally will appear early next week as recruitment for TDF continues.

[Oxford NZ]

yes Bernal is home & dry but for some ITT heroics elsewhere. What happened to the 'newby post yesterday' ?
Full Giro points tally will appear early next week as recruitment for TDF continues.

The newby seems to have been " moderated" as a potential Bot. There are a lot getting into this forum

[theo29]

Full results for the Giro. On the podium, maglia rosa Egan Burnal,morganb INEOS. 2nd Damiano Caruso,simonb BAHRAIN VIC.
3rd Simon Yates,Oxford nz BIKEEXCHANGE.
Leading points scorer, Peter Sagan,thebillfella,BORA HANSGROHE. King of the Mountains points scorer, Geoffrey Bouchard, AG2 Citroen, Talkie Toaster.

Team points scored for the complete race.
AG2R 261
ALPECIN 281
ANDRONI 158
ASTANA 72
BAHRAIN VIC 242
BARDIANI 190
BORA HANSGROHE 152
COFIDIS 165
DEC Q STEP 172
EF EDUCATION 95
EOLO 248
GROUPAMA 16
INEOS 276
INTERMARCHE 161
ISRAEL START UP 227
LOTTO SOUDAL 219
MOVISTAR 54
BIKEEXCHANGE 41
DSM 148
JUMBO VISMA 153
Q ASSSOS 222
SEGAFREDO 196
UAEMIRATES 261.
*****************************************************

[unc.si.]

Missed most of the last week due to being on holiday so couldn't watch the stages but catching up on the highlights now. Great race overall. Slightly strange final TT, with Ganna getting a flat but then Cavagna crashing in the last 500m when he had the win in his grasp. take both incidents out and Ganna would have won so I guess it evened itself out

roll on the TdF

[Oxford NZ]

Thanks Theo. Bikeexchange not netting me too many points but Yates did OK.
Congratulations to the winners and thanks to those who posted here to make it entertaining.
As unc.si said " roll on the TdF "