Stage 14: Egna - Livigno
 

Holy cow, Basso blew up big time! He is outta there.
This is going to make the TDF really intersting since he will definitely gear up for that now. There are going to be so many heavies in the TDF, it's going to be the best yet.

This stage was awesome, looks like Savodelli or DiLuca- if Diluca can hold form till the end.

Is Di Luca this good of a climber? I know he's a capable classics man, but wow, I can't believe how well he's riding.

Simoni is now in position to win this thing! If Di Luca doesn't continue the superhero act, I think Simoni can put time into Savoldelli in the last week and snatch the maglia rosa. You know he's going to be ultra motivated if he's close.

If he hasn't already, Basso should abandon and regroup for the Tour. Provided the stomach thing is a minor hiccup, he should Lance a run for his money, especially with CSC's varsity riders.

Also, hats off to Ivan Parra for another stage win.

Since Basso isn't CSCs main guy for the TDF, I worry that he may have peaked for the Giro. If so he may have some trouble come July.

Di Luca is in my opinion riding way above himself. He's not a great climber but has managed to be where he needs to be.

And I agree that this is now Simoni's race to win. 1.48 minutes is like 2 seconds when you look at next weekends stage profiles.

?
unless i am missing someone, there is Basso and Sastre, and I think basso is a better climber and tt rider than sastre.

I think this is Simoni's to win. He dropped Savoldelli today and Di Luca yesterday, and he is clearly the more explosive climber than the two. I think stage 19 is tailor made for him. What a great race this is.

Oh yeah, I guess this means Basso was all hype after he took third in the Tour last year. He was riding against sub-par competition, afterall. Where was Merckx? Anquetil? Gimondi? Hinault? Nowhere to be seen, and that's the only reason Basso was able to place so well.

(yes, that's a cheap shot at divekrb)

I meant that Sastre and Basso will be co-leaders at the TDF.

Simoni is inching himself right into contention isn't he?

Salvodelli is riding very conservatively. He's counting on the coming time trial I take it. he wants to simply follow Simoni or Diluca and not let them have any time. simoni needs stage 17. If he doesn't win the Giro there...then he will not win it period. Diluca is in the cat bird's seat!

Diluca is still in this simply because of his consistency. Day in and day out he is always right there.

we are down to three riders. Reminds me of the '89 Tour with Lemond, Fignon and Delgado.

Only three crucial stages to go...stages 17, 18 and 19. two stages are mountain top finishes and the other is a hard time trial. very difficult closing week...favors Simoni if you ask me.

This is going to be a war! This could be a very very close finish! Yes this is looking like an epic Giro.

Stage 17? Try stage 19. Stage 19 is brutal as all hell. He can win the Giro there - any of the top three guys can.

Sad to see Basso drop out. Mad props to the guy for finishing the stage though without being able to eat or drink anything.

hehehehe...quote from Van Velde from his Velonews diary:

"This has to be one hell of a race to be watching on TV. It's just kind of a b**ch to ride it."

I agree about Basso. He looked to be in great form and had a great shot at it. It is amazing that he finished this stage in that condition. It is an absolutely brutal stage with one of the toughest climbs thrown in in the middle. It's somewhat ironic that the climb that knocked him out of contention is a climb he first did as a ten year old, the Stelvio Pass. This part of Italy, really is his backyard.

Being a big fan of his, I was really happy to see that he had improved so much in the time trial. He already was a talented climber. He has developed into a definite GC treat for the majors. It's a shame that it all got thrown away because of a stomach virus. It is being reported that when he tired to eat something that last two days, he would not be able to keep it down. Well, I guess that's all part of beauty of sport. He's young and still should be able to get a couple more shots at the Giro. Luckily for him there is still the Tour to show off his growth as a rider, this year. Here's hoping he re-focuses on it.

Ivan Parra is Fabio Parra's brother.

I never knew that. :)