Cycling: 15 stages of the Tour of Italy are behind us. Simon Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) leads by over two minutes over defending champion Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb). So has the Giro d'Italia already been decided? No – not in all areas yet.
How much time does Yates lose in Dumoulin time trial?
131 seconds Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb) behind in the standings Simon yates (Mitchelton-Scott). With six stages to go that would actually be a relatively reassuring cushion if it weren't for the time trial on Tuesday. Directly after today's rest day, the drivers will be sent into the fight against the clock. It is the parade discipline of Tom Dumoulin, the reigning time trial world champion. At best, Simon Yates can be described as a decent time trialist. He has improved in recent years but will definitely not stand a chance against his opponent.
At the start, Yates lost 19 seconds at 9,7 kilometers in Jerusalem. From Trento to Rovereto 34,2 kilometers have to be completed tomorrow. We can assume that Yates will definitely lose two to three seconds per kilometer. If Dumoulin has a perfect day and Yates doesn't have a good one, the Dutchman could even overtake the Brit in the overall standings. Yates himself said in an interview after his victory on the 15st stage stated that he does not consider this improbable.
Who will secure white and a place on the podium?
If the last week goes normally, we will see a duel for pink between Tom Dumoulin and Simon Yates. However, surprises cannot be ruled out, because Yates may have been convincing in the mountains so far, but the third week includes several mountain stages. One bad day and the pink dream is over. Chances can be calculated - especially with regard to the podium - therefore also Dominic Pozzo alive (Bahrain Merida) and Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ). They are just 17 and 26 seconds behind Dumoulin respectively. Although this is better in the time trial by classes, but in the mountains he is vulnerable. Self Chris Froome (Sky) still has every chance with a deficit of 2:24 minutes in third place.
The young professionals are currently fighting for a place on the podium as well as for the white jersey Miguel Angel Lopez (Astana) and Richard Carapaz (Movistar). Due to the experience and the performance so far, the Colombian is to be rated more strongly than the Ecuadorian. At the moment, the two are only 20 seconds apart. Your strengths are certainly not in the time trial, so we will be offered an exciting fight in the high mountains. The lightweights are considered aggressive and hungry for victory. In addition to the white jersey, a stage victory is therefore also possible - as already on the eighth stage by Richard Carapaz.
Can Bennett still intercept Viviani in the points classification?
Not only the overall ranking plays an important role in an interesting tour. After all, the Giro d'Italia is also about the points jersey and the mountain jersey. The Maglia is currently wearing Ciclamino Elia Viviani (Quick-Step Floors), who has also proven to be the fastest man in the bunch sprints to date. But with Sam Bennett (Bora-hansgrohe) he has found a competitor. Even if the Italian is 40 points ahead of the Irishman, this gap can be made up with two flat stages left. But Bennett would have to win on Wednesday and Sunday – and Viviani would have to miss another bunch sprint.
The same applies to the mountain classification, which will only really get going in the third week. Simon Yates is currently leading by 39 points Julius Ciccone (Bardiani-CSF) but there are still points up for grabs in the coming days - and Ciccone is guaranteed to try his best while Yates will focus on the Maglia Rosa. teammate Stephen Chaves is also lurking, but the beaming Colombian will likely have to focus on helping out. Fausto Masnada (Androni Giocattoli) and Valerio Conti (UAE Team Emirates), on the other hand, are guaranteed a free ride.
When your last to the top of Zoncolan but win all the style points 👌
hat, @Sammmy_Be #twist101 pic.twitter.com/1wmeGAM3qe
- Eurosport UK (@Eurosport_UK) 20 Maj 2018
Will the German-speaking riders win another stage at the Giro?
Thanks to Tom Dumoulin and Sam Bennett, the German teams Sunweb and Bora-hansgrohe have already achieved one and two wins respectively. However, the German-speaking riders are still waiting for the first day's success at this year's Giro d'Italia. Nevertheless, some of them presented themselves very well. First is natural in this regard Nico Denz (AG2R La Mondiale) to mention. The 24-year-old secured himself on the tenth stage his first podium in the professional field. Also on the 15st stage he tore away and proved to be the strongest driver of the escape group. So within a few days the young German left a Giulio Ciccone uphill and was able to keep up with downhill artist Matej Mohoric (Bahrain Merida). He probably won't get any more chances of a stage victory in this Giro d'Italia, but the first professional victory can't be long in coming.
The Austrian is currently very well placed in the overall standings Patrick Conrad (Bora-hansgrohe). If he stays in tenth place, he will be overjoyed with the outcome of the Giro d'Italia. However, a stage victory is rather unlikely due to this top placement. But maybe your teammate and compatriot will worry Felix Grossschartner for this. We will certainly see him on the offensive in the upcoming mountain stages. As well as maybe Maximilian schachmann (Quick-Step Floors), who has already been allowed to wear the white jersey. The German is now 27th in the overall standings and can also dare to escape. Once again, the Swiss prove themselves to be loyal helpers. Kilian Frankiny (BMC) is Captain Rohan Dennis' noble helper in the mountains, as is Sebastian Reichenbach (Groupama-FDJ) by Thibaut Pinot. With a corresponding free ticket, a lot is still possible for the German-speaking professionals in the third week.
So close to my 1st per victory
Surely I am a bit disappointed but hey I still got 2nd😳💪 #giro101 https://t.co/0r2Jnqe35x— Nico Denz (@NicoDenz) 15 Maj 2018