Cycling: Today is the third rest day of the 100th Giro d'Italia. What has happened so far and what can we expect in the last Giro week? We have four explosive questions & answers.
Is Tom Dumoulin the new Miguel Indurain?
Of course, after 15 of 21 stages, the Giro d'Italia 2017 has not yet been decided. But the performances shown so far by Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb) are impressive. The Dutchman won the time trial on the 10st stage Dumoulin is known to have worked a lot on his mountain qualities over the winter. Nevertheless, due to the extremely strong time trial, we had to assume that he couldn't be among the best in the mountains yet. On the 14st stage he taught us otherwise. Dumoulin won the hilltop finish, taking more seconds from Nairo Quintana (Movistar). However, the ascent and the approach were not particularly demanding. Dumoulin's driving style is reminiscent of Miguel Indurain. The Spaniard was unbeatable in the time trial and then defended his lead in the mountains. Dumoulin isn't the best climber in the field either, but he has a big lead and another time trial up his sleeve.
What awaits us in the last week of the Giro d'Italia 2017?
The previous Giro d'Italia certainly cannot be described as boring. But things only really get down to business after this third rest day. The mountains are coming! It's coming in quick succession now. The king's stage is scheduled for Tuesday. The drivers not only have to cover 222 kilometers on the way to Bormio, but also have to climb three difficult mountains. Among other things, the Mortirolo and the Stilfserjoch are on the agenda. The day after, under normal circumstances, there will be a successful breakaway attempt, because the stage is bumpy, but too easy for the classification riders. On the 18th stage, the riders can expect four mountain classifications along the way and then another mountain finish. Stage number 19 leads to Piancavallo. It gets exciting there on the last 15,4 kilometers with an incline that averages 7,3 percent. If Tom Dumoulin is still wearing the maglia rosa after this, stage 20 will be the last chance for his challengers. On the way to Asiago, about 15 kilometers before the finish, the last mountain classification will be taken. The 21st stage will then normally bring us another stage win from Tom Dumoulin, because the final time trial is coming up.
When will the Italians finally win their first stage?
In Sardinia, 43 Italians were at the start of this year's Giro d'Italia. After completing 15 sections, the fanatical Tifosi are still waiting for the first victory of one of their compatriots. In the meantime, the Italian fans are already afraid that there won't be a home win at all - and that at the 100th Giro d'Italia of all places. But we can reassure them, because the Italians will still be able to secure their success. After all, there are now five mountainous stages and this is the terrain where you have the best chance. While the classification riders probably don't want to miss the king's stage on Tuesday, there will probably be good chances for a successful escape on Wednesday. We should actually be able to find numerous Italians in the group. Even if it doesn't work then, there are three more chances. The Tifosi rely primarily on Vincenzo Nibali (Astana). The defending champion is always strongest in Grand Tours in the third week. However, we also give up good chances for Davide Formolo (Cannondale-Drapac), Dario Cataldo (Astana), Eros Capecchi (Quick-Step Floors), Matteo Montaguti (Ag2r), Diego Rosa (Sky), and Davide Villella (Cannondale-Drapac). a successful escape.
What else can we expect from the Germans, Swiss & Austrians?
In contrast to the Italians, the fans of the German-speaking drivers had a lot to celebrate. Austria's Lukas Pöstlberger (Bora-hansgrohe) won directly 1th stage. He also wore the Maglia Rosa, like the German André Greipel (Lotto Soudal), who Stage number two could decide for himself. The Swiss Silvan Dillier (BMC) had his nose on the sixth part front. But what about the third week of the Giro? Unfortunately, we don't find the best climbers in our ranks and in the time trial there is probably no match against Tom Doumoulin. After all, the Dutchman drives for the German team Sunweb. But there will no longer be a German day victory. Rüdiger Selig (Bora-hansgrohe) and André Greipel have already left. Phil Bauhaus and Simon Geschke have to work for their captain Tom Dumoulin in Team Sunweb. The Swiss Sébastien Reichenbach (FDJ) and the Austrians Patrick Konrad (Bora-hansgrohe) and Felix Großschartner (CCC Sprandi Polkowice) have significantly better prospects. They feel comfortable in the mountains and should get clearance from their teams to flee.
The overall standings of the Giro d'Italia after 15 of 21 stages
Tour Locations | Driver | Country | Team | Time |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Tom Dumoulin | Netherlands | Sunweb | 63:48:08 |
2. | Nairo Quintana | Colombia | Movistar | + 2: 41 |
3. | Thibaut Pinot | France | FDJ | + 3: 21 |
4. | Vincenzo Nibali | Italy | Bahrain Merida | + 3: 40 |
5. | Ilnur Zakarin | Russia | Katusha Alpecin | + 4: 24 |
6. | Build Mollema | Netherlands | Trek-Segafredo | + 4: 32 |
7. | Dominic Pozzo alive | Italy | Ag2r | + 4: 59 |
8. | Bob jungels | Luxembourg | Quick Step Floors | + 5: 18 |
9. | Andrew Amador | Costa Rica | Movistar | + 6: 01 |
10. | Steven Kruijswijk | Netherlands | LottoNL Jumbo | + 7: 03 |
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