Giro 2019 SPOILERS ! (provided by rich p)

[ColinJ]

What’s the benefit to the massive lower jockey wheel some of the riders are using?

A small power saving.

 

[Sillyoldman]

Thanks. Wow 300 quid a pop

 

[nickyboy]

A small power saving.

Interesting. By the same token I presume I'm slightly more efficient in big/big gear combinations than small/small. Keep it in the big ring and smash it!

Anyway, today...what does the CC massive think? Normally a sprint stage but different dynamics at play. Groupama FDJ will be happy to see the break take it and I think Bora are the only other team left with a real sprinter. So they would have to pull all day to bring the inevitable break back. Can they do it? It would be a great break to get into so I'm expecting every man and his dog to be trying

 

[Adam4868]

Interesting. By the same token I presume I'm slightly more efficient in big/big gear combinations than small/small. Keep it in the big ring and smash it!

Anyway, today...what does the CC massive think? Normally a sprint stage but different dynamics at play. Groupama FDJ will be happy to see the break take it and I think Bora are the only other team left with a real sprinter. So they would have to pull all day to bring the inevitable break back. Can they do it? It would be a great break to get into so I'm expecting every man and his dog to be trying

The last rest day for GC

 

[ColinJ]

Interesting. By the same token I presume I'm slightly more efficient in big/big gear combinations than small/small. Keep it in the big ring and smash it!

I thought I had detected that on my less-than-perfectly maintained bike. It was pretty subtle but it did feel easier in the big ring combination.

Chain efficiency is very noticeable on my singlespeed bike when it has a new chain. Before the chain 'stretches', the chain tensioner barely touches the chain, and the chainline is perfect. It wasn't a placebo effect - 'think about it, then feel it', more like 'feel it, then think about it'!

Anyway, back to the Giro... I am enjoying it but somehow haven't felt engrossed in it this year. Probably because of the slow, fairly boring start?

It would be nice if Yates could manage a stage win but his form doesn't seem to be there.

 

[rich p]

If it's a breakaway then fdj and bora will want it closed down for their two sprinters.
Could be a fast day with efforts to get clear. I suspect there's enough teams with semi sprinters for it to be a bunch finish

 

[roadrash]

I agree with @rich p (how often have you seen that phrase) teams with second tier sprinters will fancy trying for a stage win. G.C day off maybe.

 

[rich p]

On reflection and watching the start, it's in FDJ's interest (and Demare's) to let the break go and not have a sprint.
I think it will still be a boonch sprint though

 

[Crackle]

Is anyone tempted to go to Tel Aviv on holiday? Always sunny.

 

[rich p]

I'd rather get a tattoo from Sanjeev Bhaskar than go to Israel.

 

[mjr]

Is anyone tempted to go to Tel Aviv on holiday? Always sunny.

No but I can almost recite that mattress advert word for not quite word! Me me me me!

4minutes gap, 33km to go. Peloton now doing 3kph faster than Denz, Cima and Maestri. Not quite enough yet to close it in time. Which will give up first?

 

[mjr]

2.5km gap, 25km to go. So I reckon that means the peloton needs to average about 5kph more than the breakaway to catch it.

 

[nickyboy]

No but I can almost recite that mattress advert word for not quite word! Me me me me!

4minutes gap, 33km to go. Peloton now doing 3kph faster than Denz, Cima and Maestri. Not quite enough yet to close it in time. Which will give up first?

26km, 3min 13 sec the advantage. I think they will pull it back but I'm not sure they've quite made the right calculation

 

[nickyboy]

1.59 @ 15km to go. It's coming down at 30s per 10km so it's gonna be really tight. If they pull it back expect the scrappiest sprint ever

 

[mjr]

53s @ 6.2km to go