I think the perfect description of today's stage is the one that miss Sansen gave on her blog (http://sansenmag.livejournal.com/) :LIEK WTF ZOMG MENCHOV ATTACKED!?!?!I think that sentence is perfect for describing how I felt when Menchov attacked:it was the last km,Sastre tried anticipating the other riders,Di Luca caught him and Menchov ATTACKED and won the stage in an amazing way.Chapeau mr.Menchov.
Anyway my surprise and my admiration for the Russian soon left place to the sadness of seeing Di Luca taking the pink jersey from Lovkvist (on http://http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/Thomas_Lovkvist_Interview_article_282374.htmltherehtml there's a new-old interview about him).The most good-looking rider of the Giro went really well today,he managed to stay with the best but lost the jersey because of the sprint.What an anger.
Anyway,lots of riders had problems on today's climb towards Alpe di Siusi (it's a really nice place,I went on holiday there many times and it was really funny to see the riders riding on that road).Soler,Pellizotti,Simoni (!!!),Garzelli,Bruseghin and Cunego lost some very precious time from the group of the best,which was formed by Menchov,Di Luca,Lovkvist, Basso,Leipheimer, Horner and Sastre (who crossed the line 19 seconds after the winner).Rogers lost 22 seconds as well.You may have noticed one big name missing.In fact sir Lancelot deserves a reserved mention.In fact he lost about 3 minutes and the thing that surprised me most was that King Johann Bruyneel made 3 Astana's riders stay near to the American and left Leipheimer with just 1 helper.If I were Leipheimer,I would be slightly annoyed by this.Do you think Bruyneel will behave in the same way with Contador during the Tour? In that case,I would like knowing how Alberto will react.If I were him,I wouldn't react well at all.Talking about the last climb,I'd like to talk a little also about Szmyd,Basso's helper,who made a very great race.I really like some helpers and Szmyd is one of them.Perhaps he'll be able to have a free day here at the Giro and to get some good results.He'd deserve it.
I remain in shock from witnessing Attacking Menchov; of course it is not as exciting as Attacking Jens.
RispondiEliminaAttacking Jens is more exciting,but Attacking Menchov is much more surprising and it allows you to say "I was there when attacked".Not a lot of people can say that...In fact I think that what happpened in the last km of yesterday's stage will be remembered for lots and lots of years by all cycling fans.
RispondiElimina