Stage 7 saw Adam Hansen (Lotto-Belisol) win a breakthrough grand tour stage and Bradley Wiggins (Team Sky) not only lose time but also crash. The first individual time-trial is upon us – join The Roar for coverage from 11:15pm AEST.
Stage 8 is the first genuine GC stage for 2013 and was to be the stage when Wiggins would put his rivals to the sword.
Wiggins’ Tour de France victory last year was built on his success in the two individual time trials but after losing time overnight, any possible lead after ITT looks more likely to be seconds than minutes.
This is the first individual time trial but second of three races against the clock at the 2013 Giro after the TTT on stage 2.
Luca Paolini (Katusha) lost the pink jersey as he struggled in the wet and greasy conditions to somewhat surprise maglia rosa wearer, Beñat Intxausti (Movistar).
Intxausti has a slender five second lead over favourite Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) and defending champion Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin-Sharp).
Cadel Evans (BMC) and Robert Gesink (Blanco) are within 20 seconds of Intxausti which leaves Wiggins as the only favourite outside the top ten.
Paolini has had his fun in pink and Intxausti looks likely to enjoy just the one day as Mark Cavendish (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) and Salvatore Puccio (Team Sky) have already done.
The 54.5km course is sure to separate the contenders from the pretenders but it is also a course on which the specialists will shine. Wiggins will be a favourite for the stage win which begins in Gabicce Mare in the Marche region and finishes in Saltara.
There are two tie checks on the course with the first one at 26kms at Pesaro and the second at 51.5kms at Calcinelli.
The first 37kms of the course are undulating before the long flat drag to the second time check and then an uphill finish into Saltara. This is still very much suited to the ITT specialists so expect Wiggins to claw back the time he lost in the first week.
This will be a test for Nibali and Hesjedal to limit their losses before the mountains while for Evans and Gesink they can let their rivals know they’re not here for a nice Italian holiday. Taylor Phinney (BMC) would have selected the stage as a season goal but as the young American is suffering from hay fever, it hard to back any result but one of the GC men winning tonight.
Join us from 11.15pm AEST as we bring you all the action from what should be a pivotal stage in the 2013 Giro.
Andy
Guest
Go Cadel, so far so good! Plays your game right and attack when you can on the mountains. Aussie , Aussie , onk, onk,,!,,,
Colin N
Guest
Not sure how Wiggo can make up that time in the remainder of the race, particularly now that Nibali doesn't have to attack. Funny how everything went for him last year but nothing has gone for him this season (think of the mechanical at the Trentino, the crash on 7, the stage where he lost 17 seconds and of course the issues today)
Jeremy
Guest
Where did Taylor Phinney end up? The american TT rockstar and not in the top 30 results... Anyone know?
Zeb Woodpower
Guest
Thanks for joining tonight and come back for more tomorrow night as the race heads to the beauty that is Firenze on a less decisive day for the GC men but still an important day for deciding the victor in 2013. See you all tomorrow, Cheers
Zeb Woodpower
Guest
The big winners today are Nibali who will wear his first maglia rosa of 2013, Evans who moves up to second and Gesink who is now third overall, while Scarponi surprised us all with his race against the clock. The biggest loser today was defending champ Hesjedal who is now over 2 minutes behind. The top ten 1 Vincenzo Nibali IAstana) 29:46:57 2 Cadel Evans (BMC) 0:29 3 Robert Gesink (Blanco) 01:15 4 Bradley Wiggins (Team Sky) 01:16 5 Michele Scarponi (ILampre-Merida) 01:24 6 Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin-Sharp) 02:05 7 Sergio Luis Henao Montoya (Team Sky) 02:11 8 Mauro Santambrogio (Vini Fantini-Selle Italia) 02:43 9 Przemyslaw Niemiec (Lampre-Merida) 02:44 10 Rigoberto Uran Uran (Team Sky) 02:49
Zeb Woodpower
Guest
Intxausti has finally crossed the line and its a fair way off but a top ten place in Brescia may be possible. His time is good enough for 41st and that's over 4 minutes behind teammate Dowsett
Zeb Woodpower
Guest
Final top ten is 1.Alex Dowsett (Movistar) 1.16.27 2.Bradley Wiggins (Sky) + 10 3.Tanel Kangert (Astana) + 14 4 Nincenzo Nibali (Astana) + 21 5.Stef Clement (Blanco) + 32 6.Luke Durbridge (Orica-GreenEdge) + 35 7.Cadel Evans (BMC) + 39 8.Manuele Boaro (Saxo-Tinkoff) + 45 9.Sergio Henao (Sky) + 53 10.Michele Scarponi (Lampre) + 53
Zeb Woodpower
Guest
So Wiggo had the best time of all the GC men but its debutant Dowsett who takes his maiden grand tour victory. Movistar have lost the maglia rosa but won the stage
Zeb Woodpower
Guest
Nibali is fourth and in pink
Zeb Woodpower
Guest
Dowsett wins the stage
Zeb Woodpower
Guest
Hesjedal is +2:23
Zeb Woodpower
Guest
Hesjedal has rallied but his time outside the top ten.
Zeb Woodpower
Guest
Before Nibali and Hesjedal this is how the top ten stands and the Canadian is losing time. Fireworks to come in the mountains then 1.Alex Dowsett (Movistar) 1.16.27 2.Bradley Wiggins (Sky) + 0.10 3.Tanel Kangert (Astana) + 0.14 4.Stef Clement (Blanco) + 0.32 5.Luke Durbridge (Orica-GreenEdge) + 0.35 6.Cadel Evans (BMC) + 0.39 7.Manuele Boaro (Saxo-Tinkoff) + 0.45 8.Sergio Henao (Sky) + 0.53 9.Michele Scarponi (Lampre) + 0.53 10.Patrick Gretsch (Argos-Shimano) + 1.48
Zeb Woodpower
Guest
This looks like the pink jersey is now nibbles to lose
Zeb Woodpower
Guest
Nibbles at 6th at the same time check before the final climb
Zeb Woodpower
Guest
Its Dowsett, Wiggins, Kangert, Clement, Durbirdge and Evans at the moment
WhatUsername
Roar Rookie
And Cuddles is still in front of captain sideburns! Surely he couldn't ask for much more
Zeb Woodpower
Guest
Hesjedal in 16th at the base of the climb
Zeb Woodpower
Guest
Next up will nibbles with 5kms left as we wait and see if he can win the stage or will it be the Brit in his debut grand tour that takes the win?
Zeb Woodpower
Guest
Evans has finished and his time is good enough for 6th. However Durbridge has finished in front of cuddles!