Last night we saw a cracking Stage 3 of the Giro, with Italian veteran Luca Paolini of Katusha, slip away from the main group and claim victory over Cadel Evans (BMC) and Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin).
A seven man break away was slowly whittled away by the chasing peloton who sacrificed taking in the stunning scenery to fly down the final descent to the finish line.
Thankfully the roads had dried from the morning rain or else we would have had scenes of carnage.
Today’s stage is the longest at 244 km, from Policastro Bussentino to Serra San Bruno. Expect to see the pretenders separated from the contenders on today’s stage. Time lost today could well equal race over.
The stage is fairly flat for 180 km until the riders reach Vibo Valentia which is 450 metres up. This isn’t too bad, it’s the Croce Ferrata whose summit is 6 kilometres from the finish that will test the riders.
At 950 metres and with an average gradient of 5%, except for the parts that touch 10%, this baby has the potential to cut down grown men, flinging their shattered pink Giro dreams into the woodlands below.
Prediction: I think we’ll see a similar stage to yesterday with to possibility of another non-GC rider escaping to take the win, but the genuine GC contenders will be very close behind. Any loss of time today for a GC contender could be disastrous.
So join me from 10.15pm AEST for a thrilling ride through deepest darkest Calabria.
Tim
Guest
Thanks Kate. Good call.
Kate Smart
Expert
Thanks for following tonight's blog. I hope you've enjoyed following. Remember to join us again tomorrow when Sean Lee takes the blog controls and keeps you up to date with all of the action from Stage 5 of the Giro d'Italia.
Kate Smart
Expert
Paolini still in Pink. Evans finished 10th. Wiggins MIA at the finish.
Kate Smart
Expert
What a great stage with a surprise winner. The race took 6hours and 14seconds. Evans didn't quite have it. Finished in the top 10.
Kate Smart
Expert
Sprint for the end. Bardiani Valvole win with Enrico Battaglin.
Kate Smart
Expert
Deluca in pain. Katusha behind
Kate Smart
Expert
Deluca moves on. 700 to go. on cobbles
Kate Smart
Expert
1km to go. Peloton almost caught up
Kate Smart
Expert
1.2km to go. Deluca Gomez still away
Kate Smart
Expert
We're now under 5km to go. Peloton probably 10" behind.
Kate Smart
Expert
Slippery and dangerous conditions on the descent. 6km to go. The bunch is chasing down Deluca and Gomez. Visconti 3rd over the hill.
Kate Smart
Expert
Gomez takes the KOM on the top of Croce Ferrato. Deluca takes second. Descent about to begin. Blue jersey comp wide open.
Kate Smart
Expert
Morabito (BMC) has just been spat out the back of the peloton.
Kate Smart
Expert
Some more moves on the front. Deluca has taken off with Gomez from Colombia. The road is wet and it is still very dark on the descent. 8km to go. Sky leading the chase.
Kate Smart
Expert
10km to go. George's lead dwindling to 20". The road is very wet. Will Nibali take a chance on the descent or is it too early in the race for kamikaze descents?
Kate Smart
Expert
Georges took a great victory in a stage of last year's Tour of California. He was out for about 50km in what was a great ride. He's got 12" on the chasing peloton. It would be great to see him win today but I doubt it. Sky are setting the tempo and they will want to control the last 10km of the race.
Kate Smart
Expert
Cadel looking as relaxed as you can when you're climbing a mountain on a bike after having already for 230kms.
Kate Smart
Expert
Sky begin the chase for the first time today. 13km to go. Georges has a 43" lead.
Kate Smart
Expert
Sylvain Georges has 1'16" with 15km to go. The gap is growing.
Kate Smart
Expert
Cameron Wurf has the flu and almost got taken out. Such a shame after a great first day.