Please join us for live blogging of Stage 15 of the Giro d’Italia. Live coverage will start from 8.30pm AEST, with comments as the race progresses.
Stage 15 sees the race start (after a small transfer) in Busto Arsizio and travels to Lecco, where the riders will be again greeted by another mountain top finish, this time on the top of the Category 2 climb of Piani dei Resinelli.
While the stage is classified as a ‘high mountains’ stage there is only one Category 1 climb, the Valico de Valcava, which starts at 70.5km and is approximately 15km in length.
The remaining climbs are shorter, but certainly with steep enough profiles to ensure that all but the better climbers will be in contention for the stage by the time the final climb is reached.
Yesterday’s stage saw the break stay away, with Andrey Amador of Movistar taking the win – the biggest of his career so far.
Previous Magila Rosa holder Ryder Hesjedal managed to break away from bunch containing the General Classification favourites and take back the leaders jersey from Joaquim Rodriguez.
The Katusha rider had attempted to follow Hesjedal when the Canadian had jumped with 4km to go, however was unable to maintain the pace that Ryder was setting and relinquished the race lead.
The only big name loser from stage 14 was Roman Kreuziger, who was dropped from the chasing bunch and lost another six seconds in the General Classification.
He now trails the Magila Rosa by 1:07 and in fact has his ‘super domestique’ Paolo Tiralongo 26 seconds higher up in GC.
While there would be no doubt Roman is still the leader of Astana, his manager would be hoping to not see much more time dropped before the start of the final week of the tour.
Which, with the coming climbs in mind, will mean it remains to be seen if the break is again successful today or if the GC riders will choose to have the first real battle of this year’s Giro d’Italia ahead of tomorrow’s rest day.
Either way stage 15 should prove to be another entertaining affair, so please join us for live coverage from 8.30pm AEST.
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That brings to an end tonight's coverage of stage 15 of the Giro. Thank you for tuning in to what was a riveting stage. Tomorrow is a rest day, but be sure to log back on for stage 16 on Tuesday's stage that looks tailor made for another breakaway winner. Until then keep it rubber side down on the road and keep it logged on to The Roar!
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Top ten for the stage 1 Matteo Rabottini (Ita) Farnese Vini - Selle Italia 5:15:30 2 Joaquim Rodriguez Oliver (Spa) Katusha Team 3 Alberto Losada Alguacil (Spa) Katusha Team 0:00:23 4 Sergio Luis Henao Montoya (Col) Sky Procycling 0:00:25 5 Michele Scarponi (Ita) Lampre - ISD 6 Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale 7 Stefano Pirazzi (Ita) Colnago - CSF Inox 0:00:29 8 Roman Kreuziger (Cze) Astana Pro Team 9 John Gadret (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale 10 Amets Txurruka (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi
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Still buzzing from that amazing finish. Top 8 so far are: 1. Rodriguez (KAT) 65:11:07 2. Hesjedal (GRM) +0:30 3. Basso (LIQ) +1:22 4. Tiralongo (AST) +1:26 5. Kreuziger (AST) +1:27 6. Scarponi (LAM) +1:36 7. Intxausti (MOV) +1:42 8. Sergio Luis Henao Montoya (Col) Sky Procycling 0:01:55
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Top three is: - Rodriguez - Hesjedal at 30 seconds - Basso at 1:22
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Hesjedal has lost 40 seconds, J - Rod is back in pink!
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I certainly did not give Matteo Rabottini any chance, he proved me wrong. Showed amazing strength and composure. Hugely impressive.
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Classy, classy move by Rodriguez! Didn't come back around Rabottini. Well played. Incredibly deserving win for Rabottini.
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Certainly looks like Rodriguez will be back in pink today, Rabottini might make it. It's going to be close!
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Last kilometer for Rabottini. Cheer him home, he deserves this stage!
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Krueziger has been dropped. So has Hesjedal. Magila Rosa could be back with Rodriguez -who is well aware Ryder is not there.
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And Scarponi goes! Basso closes to his wheel easily. Cunego is there to lend what help he can to Scarponi.
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Peloton now only 30s behind the chasing 3. They are coming and coming fast! Basso now isolated, Astana with 2 cards to play. However Basso is looking strong.
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2.6km for Rabottini, 1:27 advantage over the 3 chasers. This is going to go down to the line!
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It's now Losado and Txurruka with Pirazzi - all three chasing down Rabottini!
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Losada now goes from the Cunego group. If they had of worked together throughout the stage they probably would have caught Rabottini. However their games have played perfectly into the hands of the Farnese rider. 4km to go now for Rabottini.
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Also now only a 1 minute gap between the peloton and the chase bunch. They have made mince meat of the time gap that the chase bunch had built up, thanks mainly to Astana coming through and really lifting the tempo.
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Pirazzi might hacve gone too hard too soon, as Rabottini has kept a gap of 2:18 to the Cunego group. Unsure of where Pirazzi has gone...
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Rabottini has ripped the earpiece out. He knows what to do and clearly doesn't want any more time checks. He's going to leave it all on the road, come what may.
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Pirazzi again jumped out of the chase bunch - Rabottini could be in some trouble as Pirazzi is pushing a big gear!
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Rabotttini about to start the final climb. If he takes the stage the KOM jersey will be his too in a nice added bonus. Hopefully he can hold on!