Please join us for live blogging of Stage 13 of the Giro d’Italia. Live coverage will begin at 22:25 with comments being added to the bottom of this post as the race progresses.
Stage 13 takes us from Savona to Cervere. The stage is 121km (75 miles) and is the second last flat stage of the Giro.
This is likely to be the final stage for the majority of the sprinters including Cavendish, Goss and Renshaw so expect some serious fireworks with what should be an epic bunch sprint.
Renshaw has already noted that he is quite fatigued after racing the Tour of Turkey and backing up a week later for the Giro. Teammate Theo Bos has also unfortunately not been able to carry over his strong form from the Tour of Turkey where he notched two stage wins. His form has been hampered by his crash on stage 2 of the Giro, so it’s still unclear if Rabobank will really fire a shot to match Sky or Orica-GreenEDGE today.
Several of their rivals have already abandoned the Giro. Thor Hushovd (BMC Racing) left feeling tired, Tyler Farrar (Garmin-Barracuda) crashed on Saturday, Daniele Bennati (RadioShack-Nissan) suffered from a fever and Romain Feillu (Vacansoleil-DCM) suffered from crashes in Denmark.
The riders still in the hunt for the Maglia Rose will be looking to sit in and try and freshen up the legs ahead of the mountains, and they will focus on ensuring that any time gaps are kept to a minimum. Easier said than done as 121km it is not a very long distance and teams like Sky and Orica-GreenEDGE will be pushing the pace right up from the get go.
The GC riders generally do not get mixed up in the mayhem of the final sprint. They look to stay upright and remain in the hunt for Maglia Rose, so don’t expect a change in the General Classification with RODRIGUEZ (Katusha) currently holding it.
My tip for today is Cavendish ahead of Goss. Cav is fresher than Goss as he did not race in the Tour of Turkey and Goss has had two crashes in the last few days.
I will have several of the Total Rush Race Team on hand to provide their expert opinions and comments throughout the race.
Your comments and thoughts on the race are encouraged and, as always, appreciated.
See you on the start line.
Bones506
Roar Guru
A massive thanks goes to the Total Rush team for their input. A lot of technical detail and understanding provided. Hope you enjoyed
Bones506
Roar Guru
Thats the last stage for the sprinters, tomorrow we head to the real mountains, with a hill top finish. Thanks for tuning in. Overall Rodriguez (KAT) Caruso (LIQ) Cataldo (OPQ) Capecchi (LIQ) Uran (SKY) Scarponi (LAM) Possovivo (CCI) Montoya (SKY)
Darryl Kotyk
Roar Pro
Agreed.
Bones506
Roar Guru
Cav, theres is simply no one who can match his kick.
Bones506
Roar Guru
Cav has come through with a hard kick to take the honours.
Bones506
Roar Guru
Orica Green egde have gone early.
Bones506
Roar Guru
Cav has this race to lose.
Bones506
Roar Guru
1km to go, sSky on the front looking strong. Orica re down to two.
Bones506
Roar Guru
six in the sky train, sitting comfy behind saxo who are drilling it on the front..
Bones506
Roar Guru
3.5 km's to go, pace at 52-53kms an hour...
Bones506
Roar Guru
Small break off the front, it won't last
Bones506
Roar Guru
The predictions in the room so far are two for Cavendish, two for Renshaw, one for Goss. Who has legs?
Bones506
Roar Guru
The sprint teams cant win the race from here, but they can lose it. The contenders are staying up the front and out of Trouble. Goss, Cavendish, Renshaw/Boss are all sitting on familiar wheels.
Bones506
Roar Guru
11km to go. The feeling is Rabobank and Orica have gone to the front a smidge early, with Sky holding on to all their cards.
Bones506
Roar Guru
its chicken on wheels. who's going to crack first? Orica Green Edge already have their riders in a line, Rabobank and Sky are getting together as well.
Bones506
Roar Guru
15 kilometres to go, everybody thinks there in with a chance for the win, there hads to be someone willing to attack early.
Bones506
Roar Guru
the bunch is wider than the hell ride. stoinnington residents have already penned letters.
Bones506
Roar Guru
the sprinters are now biding their time, making their plans.
Bones506
Roar Guru
20km to go, the bleeding carrots are bandaged up to stem the flow.
Bones506
Roar Guru
*bang* the break is back, groupetto compacto