The Real Giro 2026 Afternoon

[team fl]

Well, it was not Pyry, he finished third. It was a Domingo again, Gonzales this time, to win a stage at the Giro, stage 10, the only ITT this year, in front of his team mate Raul Valero, both from Equip Ciclista Poblenou. Fourth and the new leader in the GC, the guy in Rosa, is Jamshid Abdurashitov form SouthWest Packers, not very surprisingly. The former wearer of Rosa, Moreno Ottema, finished fifth, but more than 2 minutes behind Abdurashitov. A huge leap in GC has been made by Gabriel Lafuente (Big Donkey), now sitting at place 3 more than 1 min ahead of place 4 after finishing 8th today. Then it gets tight. Between place 4 (Uros Urbanek from L RSV) and place 16 (Magnus Jensen from Falcor) are only 82 seconds. In the youth classement Dong Thong (RC Cost) overtook Finn Bennett (Confidential Era) for place 3, while Burger still rides in white in front of Alborghetti, but with a closer gap after the ITT. Let's see who will be fit for tomorrow, 195 km of hills. Will it be a group again for the stage win? And how will SWP control for Rosa? Until we find out, here are the stats:

General classement:
01. 00:00:00 Jamshid Abdurashitov (SouthWest Packers)
02. 00:01:14 Moreno Ottema (Romoc Riders)
03. 00:04:06 Gabriel Lafuente (Big Donkey)
04. 00:05:19 Uros Urbanek (L RSV)
05. 00:05:28 Talvi Kairi (VC Team Multi)
06. 00:05:33 Salvatore Meeus (Flandrien Pro Cycling)
07. 00:05:45 Arjen Burger (CreditPommes)
08. 00:05:52 Pablo Gallego (Big Donkey)
09. 00:06:00 Michael Redrocks(Falcor)
10. 00:06:07 Tilen Trkman (L RSV)

Points classement:
01. 153 - Artem Palamarchuck (Tukhtahuaev)
02. 135 - Vincent Verwimp (Team FL)
03. 075 - Fabiano Frizzante (L RSV)

Mountain classement:
01. 121 - Domingo Cruz (Falcor)
02. 066 - Oleksandr Piskun (Tukhtahuaev)
03. 039 - Kenneth Verbeke (Flandrien Pro Cycling)

Youth classement:
01. 00:05:45 Arjen Burger (CreditPommes)
02. 00:06:11 Graziano Alborghetti (Tukhtahuaev)
03. 00:07:23 Dong Thong (RC Cost)

Team classement:
01. 00:00:00 L RSV
02. 00:02:10 SouthWest Packers
03. 00:05:39 Falcor

Stage wins by riders:
2 - Domingo Cruz (Falcor)
2 - Artem Palamarchuck (Tukhtahuaev)
2 - Vincent Verwimp (Team FL)
1 - Carlo Chambaere (Romoc Riders)
1 - Domingo Gonzales (Equip Ciclista Poblenou)
1 - Magnus Jensen (Falcor)
1 - Robin Jonckheere (Flandrien Pro Cycling)

Stage wins by teams:
3 - Falcor
2 - Team FL
2 - Tukhtahuaev
1 - Equip Ciclista Poblenou
1 - Flandrien Pro Cycling
1 - Romoc Riders

Days in Rosa:
5 - Magnus Jensen (Falcor)
1 - Jashid Abdurashitov (SouthWest Packers)
1 - Moreno Ottema (Romoc Riders)
1 - Michael Redrocks (Falcor
1 - Xavi Rodriguez (Confidental Era)
1 - Vincent Verwimp (Team FL)

Most combative rider:
1 - Zane Claessens (Flandrien Pro Cycling)
1 - Magnus Fjellvik (Flandrien Pro Cycling)
1 - Shohrat Dawamat (Tukhtahuaev)
1 - Luat Meo (RC Cost)
1 - Kodai Naraoka (Equip Ciclista Poblenou)
1 - Oleksandr Piskun (Tukhtahuaev)
1 - Kensi Taiwia (Tukhtahuaev)
1 - Tapio Tamikkonen (L RSV)
1 - Kenneth Verbeke (Flandrien Pro Cycling)
1 - Stage 10 tbd

Days with the Red Lantern:
7 - Mick Rory (Falcor)
2 - Cesare Baddetti (Falcor)
1 - Pyry Pitkäaikainen (L RSV)

[Tukhtahuaev]

Good TT for Alborghetti all things considered, but without another mountain training it still seems almost impossible to beat Burger for white. Maybe a small chance to do something today, but profile does not seem difficult enough

[team fl]

Stage 11, we have a new winner! NOT! But we have a new hero: Alvaro Guerra (Equip Ciclista Poblenou). After being isolated in the back of everybody, he managed to stay in time, riding alone for around 100 km. Unfortunately he won't be fit for today's bunch sprint... Anway, were was I? Yes, stage 11, same old same old. While Tukhtahuaev was the frist cereal of this year's Afternoon Giro, Falcor is on the way to become it's permanent cereal. While SouthWest Packers (for GC) and Tukhtahauev (for Dosmagambetov controlled most of the stage, it was Magnus Jensen who crossed the finish line first. It wasn't that hard to get that classics sprint though, as L RSV was the only team in an early escape. In the end, the climbers made it a bit more interesting, but Confidential Era missed again to fully invest in keeping the classics group away. And so, it was an opus magnum(/s) from Falcor again. BUT: Rory lost his red lantern ro Liberiu (L RSV)! Besidest that, not much changed, but Jensen got closer to the Maglia Ciclamino, which will be important on stage 12, when it's again flat but not flat. Palmarchuk again? Or a lucky sprinter in a full bunch sprint? Or something completely different? (like another Falcor win). Until we know that, we know the current stats at least:

General classement:
01. 00:00:00 Jamshid Abdurashitov (SouthWest Packers)
02. 00:01:14 Moreno Ottema (Romoc Riders)
03. 00:04:06 Gabriel Lafuente (Big Donkey)
04. 00:05:19 Uros Urbanek (L RSV)
05. 00:05:28 Talvi Kairi (VC Team Multi)
06. 00:05:33 Salvatore Meeus (Flandrien Pro Cycling)
07. 00:05:45 Arjen Burger (CreditPommes)
08. 00:05:52 Pablo Gallego (Big Donkey)
09. 00:06:00 Michael Redrocks(Falcor)
10. 00:06:07 Tilen Trkman (L RSV)

Points classement:
01. 153 - Artem Palamarchuck (Tukhtahuaev)
02. 135 - Vincent Verwimp (Team FL)
03. 094 - Magnus Jensen (Falcor)

Mountain classement:
01. 121 - Domingo Cruz (Falcor)
02. 066 - Oleksandr Piskun (Tukhtahuaev)
03. 041 - Kenneth Verbeke (Flandrien Pro Cycling)

Youth classement:
01. 00:05:45 Arjen Burger (CreditPommes)
02. 00:06:11 Graziano Alborghetti (Tukhtahuaev)
03. 00:07:23 Dong Thong (RC Cost)

Team classement:
01. 00:00:00 L RSV
02. 00:02:10 SouthWest Packers
03. 00:05:39 Falcor

Stage wins by riders:
2 - Domingo Cruz (Falcor)
2 - Magnus Jensen (Falcor)
2 - Artem Palamarchuck (Tukhtahuaev)
2 - Vincent Verwimp (Team FL)
1 - Carlo Chambaere (Romoc Riders)
1 - Domingo Gonzales (Equip Ciclista Poblenou)
1 - Robin Jonckheere (Flandrien Pro Cycling)

Stage wins by teams:
4 - Falcor
2 - Team FL
2 - Tukhtahuaev
1 - Equip Ciclista Poblenou
1 - Flandrien Pro Cycling
1 - Romoc Riders

Days in Rosa:
5 - Magnus Jensen (Falcor)
2 - Jashid Abdurashitov (SouthWest Packers)
1 - Moreno Ottema (Romoc Riders)
1 - Michael Redrocks (Falcor
1 - Xavi Rodriguez (Confidental Era)
1 - Vincent Verwimp (Team FL)

Most combative rider:
1 - Zane Claessens (Flandrien Pro Cycling)
1 - Magnus Fjellvik (Flandrien Pro Cycling)
1 - Shohrat Dawamat (Tukhtahuaev)
1 - Luat Meo (RC Cost)
1 - Kodai Naraoka (Equip Ciclista Poblenou)
1 - Oleksandr Piskun (Tukhtahuaev)
1 - Kensi Taiwia (Tukhtahuaev)
1 - Tapio Tamikkonen (L RSV)
1 - Kenneth Verbeke (Flandrien Pro Cycling)
1 - Pyry Pitkäaikainen (L RSV)
1 - Miikka Muurinen (L RSV)

Days with the Red Lantern:
7 - Mick Rory (Falcor)
2 - Cesare Baddetti (Falcor)
1 - Dacian Liberiu (L RSV)
1 - Pyry Pitkäaikainen (L RSV)

[team fl]

hardly any time to do much of a report for stage 12: but it's a short story anyway. Flandrien Pro Cycling showed again that its one of the most active teams in this year's Afternoon Giro and attacked with three riders at the start of the stage. As nobody else attacked, he chose a cosy way of riding and rolled most of the first half of the race. In the back, it was Tukhtahuaev who started the control and used the climb in the second half of the stage to reduce the peloton. In the end, Palamarchuk was the only sprinter left in the main group, with Big Donkey, L RSV and Team FL chasing for Bongiorno, Frizzante and Verwimp. Eventually, the early group was caught and Tukhtahuaev managed to keep the other sprinters away easily, winning his 3rd stage. He has a comfortable lead in the points classement now. The other classements didn't change, as you can see here:

General classement:
01. 00:00:00 Jamshid Abdurashitov (SouthWest Packers)
02. 00:01:14 Moreno Ottema (Romoc Riders)
03. 00:04:06 Gabriel Lafuente (Big Donkey)
04. 00:05:19 Uros Urbanek (L RSV)
05. 00:05:28 Talvi Kairi (VC Team Multi)
06. 00:05:33 Salvatore Meeus (Flandrien Pro Cycling)
07. 00:05:45 Arjen Burger (CreditPommes)
08. 00:05:52 Pablo Gallego (Big Donkey)
09. 00:06:00 Michael Redrocks(Falcor)
10. 00:06:07 Tilen Trkman (L RSV)

Points classement:
01. 203 - Artem Palamarchuck (Tukhtahuaev)
02. 135 - Vincent Verwimp (Team FL)
03. 106 - Magnus Jensen (Falcor)

Mountain classement:
01. 121 - Domingo Cruz (Falcor)
02. 066 - Oleksandr Piskun (Tukhtahuaev)
03. 054 - Kenneth Verbeke (Flandrien Pro Cycling)

Youth classement:
01. 00:05:45 Arjen Burger (CreditPommes)
02. 00:06:11 Graziano Alborghetti (Tukhtahuaev)
03. 00:07:23 Dong Thong (RC Cost)

Team classement:
01. 00:00:00 L RSV
02. 00:02:10 SouthWest Packers
03. 00:05:39 Falcor

Stage wins by riders:
3 - Artem Palamarchuck (Tukhtahuaev)
2 - Domingo Cruz (Falcor)
2 - Magnus Jensen (Falcor)
2 - Vincent Verwimp (Team FL)
1 - Carlo Chambaere (Romoc Riders)
1 - Domingo Gonzales (Equip Ciclista Poblenou)
1 - Robin Jonckheere (Flandrien Pro Cycling)

Stage wins by teams:
4 - Falcor
3 - Tukhtahuaev
2 - Team FL
1 - Equip Ciclista Poblenou
1 - Flandrien Pro Cycling
1 - Romoc Riders

Days in Rosa:
5 - Magnus Jensen (Falcor)
3 - Jashid Abdurashitov (SouthWest Packers)
1 - Moreno Ottema (Romoc Riders)
1 - Michael Redrocks (Falcor
1 - Xavi Rodriguez (Confidental Era)
1 - Vincent Verwimp (Team FL)

Most combative rider:
2 - Zane Claessens (Flandrien Pro Cycling)
1 - Magnus Fjellvik (Flandrien Pro Cycling)
1 - Shohrat Dawamat (Tukhtahuaev)
1 - Luat Meo (RC Cost)
1 - Kodai Naraoka (Equip Ciclista Poblenou)
1 - Oleksandr Piskun (Tukhtahuaev)
1 - Kensi Taiwia (Tukhtahuaev)
1 - Tapio Tamikkonen (L RSV)
1 - Kenneth Verbeke (Flandrien Pro Cycling)
1 - Pyry Pitkäaikainen (L RSV)
1 - Miikka Muurinen (L RSV)

Days with the Red Lantern:
7 - Mick Rory (Falcor)
2 - Cesare Baddetti (Falcor)
2 - Dacian Liberiu (L RSV)
1 - Pyry Pitkäaikainen (L RSV)

[team fl]

Piling up stages like nothing. Stage 13 already! And we have a new winner. Simon Mølgaard (VC Team Multi) won the sprint of the classics in front of Manfred Matt (Team FL) and Magnus Jensen (Falcor), after 189 km of mostly flat terrain with a steep hill around 15 km before the finish line. The set up was the following: Three teams escaped: L RSV, Team FL and Tukhtahuaev. In the peloton, they were thightly controlled by Falcor, !!! ROMOC RIDERS !!! and SouthWest Packers. All escapers were caught at the top of the last hill eventually. Now the main groups were seperated in climbers and classics, the latter chasing the former. But Again, Confidential Era refused to join in in front and so the classics group easily caught up. The rest we know already. And if you read any further, you will also know the statistics after stage 13.

General classement:
01. 00:00:00 Jamshid Abdurashitov (SouthWest Packers)
02. 00:01:14 Moreno Ottema (Romoc Riders)
03. 00:04:06 Gabriel Lafuente (Big Donkey)
04. 00:05:19 Uros Urbanek (L RSV)
05. 00:05:28 Talvi Kairi (VC Team Multi)
06. 00:05:33 Salvatore Meeus (Flandrien Pro Cycling)
07. 00:05:45 Arjen Burger (CreditPommes)
08. 00:05:52 Pablo Gallego (Big Donkey)
09. 00:06:00 Michael Redrocks(Falcor)
10. 00:06:07 Tilen Trkman (L RSV)

Points classement:
01. 203 - Artem Palamarchuck (Tukhtahuaev)
02. 135 - Vincent Verwimp (Team FL)
03. 118 - Magnus Jensen (Falcor)

Mountain classement:
01. 121 - Domingo Cruz (Falcor)
02. 066 - Oleksandr Piskun (Tukhtahuaev)
03. 054 - Kenneth Verbeke (Flandrien Pro Cycling)

Youth classement:
01. 00:05:45 Arjen Burger (CreditPommes)
02. 00:06:11 Graziano Alborghetti (Tukhtahuaev)
03. 00:07:23 Dong Thong (RC Cost)

Team classement:
01. 00:00:00 L RSV
02. 00:02:10 SouthWest Packers
03. 00:05:39 Falcor

Stage wins by riders:
3 - Artem Palamarchuck (Tukhtahuaev)
2 - Domingo Cruz (Falcor)
2 - Magnus Jensen (Falcor)
2 - Vincent Verwimp (Team FL)
1 - Carlo Chambaere (Romoc Riders)
1 - Domingo Gonzales (Equip Ciclista Poblenou)
1 - Robin Jonckheere (Flandrien Pro Cycling)
1 - Simon Molgaard (VC Team Multi)

Stage wins by teams:
4 - Falcor
3 - Tukhtahuaev
2 - Team FL
1 - Equip Ciclista Poblenou
1 - Flandrien Pro Cycling
1 - Romoc Riders
1 - VC Team Multi

Days in Rosa:
5 - Magnus Jensen (Falcor)
4 - Jashid Abdurashitov (SouthWest Packers)
1 - Moreno Ottema (Romoc Riders)
1 - Michael Redrocks (Falcor
1 - Xavi Rodriguez (Confidental Era)
1 - Vincent Verwimp (Team FL)

Most combative rider:
2 - Zane Claessens (Flandrien Pro Cycling)
2 - Pyry Pitkäaikainen (L RSV)
1 - Magnus Fjellvik (Flandrien Pro Cycling)
1 - Shohrat Dawamat (Tukhtahuaev)
1 - Luat Meo (RC Cost)
1 - Kodai Naraoka (Equip Ciclista Poblenou)
1 - Oleksandr Piskun (Tukhtahuaev)
1 - Kensi Taiwia (Tukhtahuaev)
1 - Tapio Tamikkonen (L RSV)
1 - Kenneth Verbeke (Flandrien Pro Cycling)
1 - Miikka Muurinen (L RSV)

Days with the Red Lantern:
7 - Mick Rory (Falcor)
3 - Dacian Liberiu (L RSV)
2 - Cesare Baddetti (Falcor)
1 - Pyry Pitkäaikainen (L RSV)

[team fl]

no time yesterday for the stage report, so stage 14 and 15 together:

Stage 14 was probably the most mountain stage so far. up and down from the beginning. Which also meant Gruppetto work from the beginning. Unfortuantely, Raul Valero (Equip Ciclista Poblenou) was the first victim of this Giro, not making it in time after being left alone for too long. All other riders made it in time due to great Gruppetto cooperation. While these riders' goal was to stay in the race, in the front, the riders tried to fight for the stage win and time in the GC. While SWP controlled most of the first part of the race for Rosa, Confidential Era took over for Xavi Rodriguez later on. Goal was to catch the front group with many dangerous classics and possible satellite riders for their leaders. In the end, Confidential Era and SWP had everything under control and Xavi Rodriguez celebrated his first stage win in front of Tilen Trkman (L RSV) and Salvatore Meeus (Flandrien Pro Cycling). GC leader and man in Rosa finished right behind them together with his team mate Iwan Bondarew. Second in GC is still Moreno Ottema (Romoc Riders) with Gabriel Lafuente (Big Donkey) lurking as last rider on the podium currently.

Stage 15 was one of the few flat sprint stages and all the sprint teams used that opportunity to ride for a bunch sprint. All sprint teams? Well, not all, as some teams rather took the chances to send some riders in the early escape, or even tried a late attack. But long story short: it was a bunch sprint eventually, with Palamarchuk proving again that he's the strongest sprinter in the Afternoon Giro 2026 (and better gambler for directions today). Verwimp got second being pulled be his Team FL train, and Fabiano Frizzante coming in third. Looks like the Maglia Ciclamino is safe for Palamarchuk now, but there is still one sprint left on the last day. For now, all riders may enjoy the rest day and then there will be a lot more Gruppetto work I think. But now, let's have a look at the standings after week 2:

General classement:
01. 00:00:00 Jamshid Abdurashitov (SouthWest Packers)
02. 00:03:20 Moreno Ottema (Romoc Riders)
03. 00:04:27 Gabriel Lafuente (Big Donkey)
04. 00:05:21 Salvatore Meeus (Flandrien Pro Cycling)
05. 00:05:33 Uros Urbanek (L RSV)
06. 00:05:47 Arjen Burger (CreditPommes)
07. 00:05:53 Tilen Trkman (L RSV)
08. 00:06:01 Xavi Rodriguez (Confidential Era)
09. 00:06:12 Michael Redrocks(Falcor)
10. 00:06:13 Graziano Alborghetti (Tukhtahuaev)

Points classement:
01. 253 - Artem Palamarchuck (Tukhtahuaev)
02. 170 - Vincent Verwimp (Team FL)
03. 118 - Magnus Jensen (Falcor)

Mountain classement:
01. 189 - Domingo Cruz (Falcor)
02. 098 - Oleksandr Piskun (Tukhtahuaev)
03. 098 - Kenneth Verbeke (Flandrien Pro Cycling)

Youth classement:
01. 00:05:47 Arjen Burger (CreditPommes)
02. 00:06:13 Graziano Alborghetti (Tukhtahuaev)
03. 00:07:47 Finn Bennett (Confidential Era)

Team classement:
01. 00:00:00 L RSV
02. 00:03:16 SouthWest Packers
03. 00:06:10 Falcor

Stage wins by riders:
4 - Artem Palamarchuck (Tukhtahuaev)
2 - Domingo Cruz (Falcor)
2 - Magnus Jensen (Falcor)
2 - Vincent Verwimp (Team FL)
1 - Carlo Chambaere (Romoc Riders)
1 - Domingo Gonzales (Equip Ciclista Poblenou)
1 - Robin Jonckheere (Flandrien Pro Cycling)
1 - Simon Molgaard (VC Team Multi)
1 - Xavi Rodriguez (Confidential Era)

Stage wins by teams:
4 - Falcor
4 - Tukhtahuaev
2 - Team FL
1 - Confidential Era
1 - Equip Ciclista Poblenou
1 - Flandrien Pro Cycling
1 - Romoc Riders
1 - VC Team Multi

Days in Rosa:
5 - Magnus Jensen (Falcor)
6 - Jashid Abdurashitov (SouthWest Packers)
1 - Moreno Ottema (Romoc Riders)
1 - Michael Redrocks (Falcor
1 - Xavi Rodriguez (Confidental Era)
1 - Vincent Verwimp (Team FL)

Most combative rider:
2 - Zane Claessens (Flandrien Pro Cycling)
2 - Pyry Pitkäaikainen (L RSV)
1 - Magnus Fjellvik (Flandrien Pro Cycling)
1 - Shohrat Dawamat (Tukhtahuaev)
1 - Luat Meo (RC Cost)
1 - Kodai Naraoka (Equip Ciclista Poblenou)
1 - Oleksandr Piskun (Tukhtahuaev)
1 - Kensi Taiwia (Tukhtahuaev)
1 - Tapio Tamikkonen (L RSV)
1 - Kenneth Verbeke (Flandrien Pro Cycling)
1 - Miikka Muurinen (L RSV)
1 - Cesare Baddetti (Falcor)
1 - Ivo Peraza (RC Cost)

Days with the Red Lantern:
7 - Mick Rory (Falcor)
5 - Dacian Liberiu (L RSV)
2 - Cesare Baddetti (Falcor)
1 - Pyry Pitkäaikainen (L RSV)

[Tukhtahuaev]

Quite happy with how this is going so far. 4 stage wins and almost secured Ciclamino already. 1 more stage or a surprise comeback for white and this is fully on target.
Also happy that the final stage will most likely be a sprint for the win instead of an annoying stage trying to ride against Verwimp

[team fl]

For all those who are missing the rest day stories: I had a rest day as well yesterday. Guess that's the rest day story .

[Robyklebt]

Donkey still writes nothing...

So last week.
TT, basically all as expected, Lafuente catapulted into the favorite for second place position, which seemed to surprise some? Was clear, question is how much do I want second place... How much do we try Iskanderov for a stage?
Next day, Burger turns out to be the winner of the 2 days, most under reg i guess, fit enough not to be dropped at any point, ok, the way it was ridden the risk was small. Try by the climbers, first Donks, then L (more decisive) then L and Donks, finally confidential joins, but too late by confidential, otherwise maybe a chance? Nice stage anyway.
Palamarchuk shows his ruthlessness again, dropping Verwimp and the other sprinters, another win. He has an estimated 12 in this Giro now. Oh no, 4, still a lot. Donks liked the stage in the sense that finally he could do something again, but that other one somehow seemed closer? So more fun, this one just a bit.
Verbania, absolutely no memory of that stage, I probably won I guess, let me check. Ah no, weird, I usually win. Sort of, anyway, offline VC Multi won, don't mention it, but he's close to be kicked out too, which actually I wouldn't mind. Today Veline, if he doesn't manage to come on at the right kms in 3 stages Multi. He's already saved himself from the "offline"tag at least once by coming on for a km just in time... don't like that way of riding, hope he gets kicked. Getting a win, ok, why not.
Aosta-stage: The classics group, in the back this time Confidential controls well, first SWP, then confidential takes over. I sort of expected a more aggressive SWP though, weaken Confidential, to go for stage with Bondarew maybe, but didn't happen, so far mountains are really ridden ultra-softly this year here. Anyway, nothing aggressive, Rodriguez finally gets his stage, perfectly ridden by him. Donkey tried an attack with Lafuente, hoped for useful followers, Burger was the opposite... one of the 3 guys with a classic in front, then Ousland doesn't need to get over the climb, just to the flat part, the classic by x (Tukh-L-Falcor) then can take over. Didn't happen, so was hopeless. Even with, the GC time gain if everything works perfectly would be minimal, but expected GC time loss not to be too big either. Didn't send Gallego due to his lack of downhill... in retrospect sending him to pull up Ousland maybe a good idea, but well, as I said, even if it miraculously works, breadcrumbs to be won, but again, no big time loss expected either. A second attack in the final climb made it a bit bigger, but many climbers not following a last attack in the peloton made Lafuente lose little to some, Urbanek, Redrocks.
Milano: Donks boycotting sprint, escape, paying for it. Bongiorno unfit due to high tempo, Romoc not doing the train anymore, Donks far back, oh well...

Now not that happy with the team anymore. As expected Bonjour would have been useful to Pila. Had topform there as well. But it's for breadcrumbs. Bigger regret actually. Kebede. Never was really an option, but with him at least would have been in 2 sprints more and would have the option of doing a train in other sprints. I probably should have taken him along for Kagge or Ole. Makes me more expensive again, and actually not sure if he's enough to bring in enough money to make up for it, so understand why I didn't bring him. But having him around would have been nice on the sprint stages.

Last week:
Mountain
hilly
hilly
mountain
mountain
sprint
Best chances for a stage are the 2 hilly stages, in reality both will be escapes, here don't know, we'll see. Escape: Gallego too close to be let go for, no sprint, no downhill, not a good option. Ousland a bit better but risks not having enough sprint. Also not enough mountain. Sherifo too parasitic probably, has the sprint, mountain will be 60 by then, so like Ousland. The rest might go in the escape to sprint at intermediates or something.
Mountain stages don't look very exciting, mostly due to the fact that the GC is decided. That the pattern of riding has been consistent, very slow control, helper saving, which is actually good for me, with my mountain skills I would risk having only 3 riders in front early at times... 5 after the first sieb, 3 after the second, so the slow-slower-slowest chase is fine by me. Just a bit boring. Hope not to inspire anybody to be more aggressive.
Sprint also looks not too exciting, Palamarchuk now has ciclamino, 4 of 5 sprints, so he's the top favorite in Rome as well, while I might not attack that day I sure don't expect to ride.

[Robyklebt]

To be more active this week, plan was every 2 stages, but risk that I then forget it... so start even today.

Stage to Cari, big big escape, classics, caught like, Trkman wins. Happy about an L win, unhappy that minutes before I said that L is doing almost as much wrong as I do... The Urbanek attack was "wrong", but for Trkman perfect, so actually good, short sighted Donkey didn't see it. Bah.

Big escape, Piskun-Cruz, that L classic, Felikss... not bad. Donkey with Ousland (thought it was Ole, but Ousland was fine) and Kagge. The only idea to save helpers over the circuit. That worked, so had 3 helpers instead of 1. After FL said that I should have gone to the front with Gallego... hm, actually he's right, the idea just didn't occur to me, was thinking about helper saving only.
In the back then Confidential worked a lot, and would have deserved this win too, L winning, a so far winless manager, in sprint in basically the same situation as Bongiorno, quite good sprinter, better than Bongiorno, but always losing out on the wheel vs Palamarchuk, which is even more frustrating than Bongiorno's Giro, since Frizzante looks to have a chance to get that wheel.. but hasn't managed to get it so far.
Anyway, in the back good work by Confidential but a few mistakes
1) Not blocking km 1. Just put somebody in green, then red from the moment the group is gone, like this the peloton was 1'02" back after 2 km.. and Confidential hard the whole stage. Make it easier by blocking! Ok, maybe if you're closer you don't get any help, or less, by SWP, who did help.
2) In the flat part before that isolated 6 just before the climb starts in with Wheelan. Just go for the classic there... If he's dropped on the 6, ride back up.
3) Whelan the start of the climb, when it was unsure if you get the classics. Very risky. And very tempting for the Donkey. But he predicted that and went for a 3 minute walk around the house, to the fridge, to the TV to the fridge, to the TV, ok let's go back. Knew attacks were not coming yet, feared slow tempo, feared not being able to see that and resist the temptation to attack (and be caught, and lose time, I know it, but if I see unfit Whelan going up slooowly... still not sure if I can resist. Anyway I come back he's in tempo, argh.. .but soon change to Bennett. Uff. Yes, it's a risk going with Bennett early, then if somebody attacks Rodriguez needs to go early too... but at that point he was risking not to catch the group. Of course better gain time earlier, by using the classic, by having Whelan a bit fitter there, but already unfit, risky.

But otherwise this time he rode well, but paying a bit for his not great team behind the 3 climbers and Byrne (checked the name now, 76-77) no 60-80, and as the Donkey always says, or ok, not that often because he said it more often in the past and everybody with an ounce of common sense should know it anyway: 60-80es are the heart and lungs of every team! But also his rather bad riding on the 2 first mountain finishes. Opponents see weaknesses, they jump on it. But yesterday actually rather well done, just these points above.

Rescued then by a km of Bondarew, without him they go through Tukh said later, not completely sure, they ended up in the non-attacking peloton, probably hung on fighting, guess they would have lost more without the pull there. Might still not have been enough, not sure. But don't think the Bondarew km was wrong. SWP wants a stage, who doesn't (Donkey it seems the way he keeps Gallego in the back) keep it alive with 1 km, hope the block&go is enough. It wasn't for him, but for Trkman. Maybe no tempo that km is enough, but possibly he was gambling a bit on form, somehow early on I had the impression that Rodriguez has rather early form, he was very superior then, nobody could follow, even with just 1 less mountain... usually the first attack then can be followed by weaker ones. If he had that feeling too, then tried, not wrong, just didn't work.
Donkey on pure defense yesterday, well, hanging on Trkman in the hope of following, but Lafuente had the extra helper (although late, kind of forgot to put Gallego on fast I think) Iskanderov 1, then after that 6 0... not enough to follow anymore. So no Iskanderov follow and win, bah. Kind of expected. But for the rest pure defense, waiting, block the second last km, although didn't get in tempo even, block again last km, even Abdurashitov got away, depressing. But Lafuente lost no time to the most direct opponents for podium, second place. 54" to Meeus, who isn't scaring him much, 1'06" to Urbanek, who scares him a bit more. Trkman now scares him most, lost time to him, 14", but he's at 1'12", 2 mountain stages to go, with only 84 of course Lafuente is not immune to a big time loss, but the way the mountain stages have been ridden so far, seems possible to hang on, which at this point seems the sensible thing to try. Points and money. A stage win more prestige, but Iskanderov with his 85 now has 3 87 to beat, also 2 86, doesn't look too promising.

Today big escape stage. In the UCI Giro. At c4f much less so, Falcor for Jensen? Or Cruz? Or Redrocks? Or Parri'? With his sprint army there....Romoc for Joma would make sense, but well, Joma seems to never have any chance at all in his managers mind... Dosmagambetov strong enough to hang on? On 6 6 seems very possible, the 7 a bit earlier could kill him? But who rides then? Form questions, Matt the same, with 72 better chances to hang on. SWP probably happy to contribute to keep everything calm. But we'll see who actually rides in the end, Tukh and FL are not sure to be there in the end (form dependent too as I said), we'll see what happens.

Donkey of course has a masterplan! He will be there from the start for the second day in a row, excellent. Thursday Friday then back to being late though.

[Falcor CC]

Just to go in week 3 as a 83 climber

Are you happy now??

[drei.zehn]

Just to go in week 3 as a 83 climber

Are you happy now??

Just listen to me for once…

[team fl]

Nice race report from Big Donkey. Just for the protocol, the standings after stage 16:

General classement:
01. 00:00:00 Jamshid Abdurashitov (SouthWest Packers)
02. 00:04:28 Gabriel Lafuente (Big Donkey)
03. 00:05:04 Moreno Ottema (Romoc Riders)
04. 00:05:22 Salvatore Meeus (Flandrien Pro Cycling)
05. 00:05:34 Uros Urbanek (L RSV)
06. 00:05:40 Tilen Trkman (L RSV)
07. 00:05:48 Arjen Burger (CreditPommes)
08. 00:05:52 Xavi Rodriguez (Confidential Era)
09. 00:06:13 Michael Redrocks(Falcor)
10. 00:06:14 Graziano Alborghetti (Tukhtahuaev)

Points classement:
01. 253 - Artem Palamarchuck (Tukhtahuaev)
02. 170 - Vincent Verwimp (Team FL)
03. 118 - Magnus Jensen (Falcor)

Mountain classement:
01. 195 - Domingo Cruz (Falcor)
02. 116 - Oleksandr Piskun (Tukhtahuaev)
03. 102 - Kenneth Verbeke (Flandrien Pro Cycling)

Youth classement:
01. 00:05:48 Arjen Burger (CreditPommes)
02. 00:06:14 Graziano Alborghetti (Tukhtahuaev)
03. 00:08:30 Finn Bennett (Confidential Era)

Team classement:
01. 00:00:00 L RSV
02. 00:05:15 SouthWest Packers
03. 00:06:14 Falcor

Stage wins by riders:
4 - Artem Palamarchuck (Tukhtahuaev)
2 - Domingo Cruz (Falcor)
2 - Magnus Jensen (Falcor)
2 - Vincent Verwimp (Team FL)
1 - Carlo Chambaere (Romoc Riders)
1 - Domingo Gonzales (Equip Ciclista Poblenou)
1 - Robin Jonckheere (Flandrien Pro Cycling)
1 - Simon Molgaard (VC Team Multi)
1 - Xavi Rodriguez (Confidential Era)
1 - Tilen Trkman (L RSV)

Stage wins by teams:
4 - Falcor
4 - Tukhtahuaev
2 - Team FL
1 - Confidential Era
1 - Equip Ciclista Poblenou
1 - Flandrien Pro Cycling
1 - L RSV
1 - Romoc Riders
1 - VC Team Multi

Days in Rosa:
5 - Magnus Jensen (Falcor)
7 - Jashid Abdurashitov (SouthWest Packers)
1 - Moreno Ottema (Romoc Riders)
1 - Michael Redrocks (Falcor
1 - Xavi Rodriguez (Confidental Era)
1 - Vincent Verwimp (Team FL)

Most combative rider:
2 - Cesare Baddetti (Falcor)
2 - Zane Claessens (Flandrien Pro Cycling)
2 - Pyry Pitkäaikainen (L RSV)
1 - Magnus Fjellvik (Flandrien Pro Cycling)
1 - Shohrat Dawamat (Tukhtahuaev)
1 - Luat Meo (RC Cost)
1 - Kodai Naraoka (Equip Ciclista Poblenou)
1 - Oleksandr Piskun (Tukhtahuaev)
1 - Kensi Taiwia (Tukhtahuaev)
1 - Tapio Tamikkonen (L RSV)
1 - Kenneth Verbeke (Flandrien Pro Cycling)
1 - Miikka Muurinen (L RSV)
1 - Ivo Peraza (RC Cost)

Days with the Red Lantern:
7 - Mick Rory (Falcor)
6 - Dacian Liberiu (L RSV)
2 - Cesare Baddetti (Falcor)
1 - Pyry Pitkäaikainen (L RSV)

[Robyklebt]

The Donkey's problem is that he's out of sync with the race!

Today Gallego another reason not to go for him yesterday, except that of course if somebody looked at the way this has been ridden it was crystal clear that today wouldn't be a Piskun-Cruz day. Even the Donkey finally realized it yesterday or whenever he wrote his race report... he's just thinking to go for Gallego on the wrong days... idiot.

Escape went, second try, first one Falcor wasn't happy with Tukh and FL in front, Tukh won in the end, so he was right. But that was almost the only thing he did right today...Chase by Tukh, Romoc and SWP, with Falcor missing. Yes, the form.. but IMO there were chances today, why not try to get rid of Dosmagambetov on that 7? Cruz further behind, ok, but then just see if somebody else has interest in riding. Not impossible. Donkey got the idea to sieb on the 7 too late, thought a good moment to get rid of some to have less control on the last climb, more chances for Iskanderov, was too late. Anyway, second escape went, worked well, but too well controlled in the back. Which is logic, with chances in the back.. why not try. They did, they caught the group rather easily finally, sprint was a bit weird by Falcor again, today is hate on Falcor day... at least try to win? Delay that sprint with Parri as long as possible, Dosmagambetov can't go earlier, gamble, go slow, no other train seemed any danger.. go at 150 with Parri, especially since Tukh didn't do the expected pressure sprint with Alborghetti in his mini-train followed by L. Or 200 if it looks critical. Form yes, so you're likely not to win, why not still try, worst that can happen is: you don't win. Same result as if you don't try. And if in the end you get third instead of second, does it really matter?

Worst move of the day though Falcor of course, hate Falcor day as we know. Brilliant sieb by Søvndal, Skutin last, Baddetti 1" ahead. Instead of waiting 1 km for offline Skutin going green, then go in red, he goes red immediately, so leaving Skutin stranded behind. Benefit, SWP has less riders to chase tomorrow if Falcor is in an escape, but if he's riding for your interests as well, while Falcor didn't, though he clearly had chances plus a guarantee for good places if he didn't manage to win.. at least wait for him.. it's 1", plus the time you lose by going red 1 km later. Not a nice move, also unless Falcor plans to escape tomorrow, there's no real benefit for him, dead flat guys will only mean harder racing by SWP on friday, if the 2 flat guys are dead, that means Darski immediately. And then earlier than we're used to the first of the endless classics. Bad for the escape, now that Gallego and the Donkey understood the system, pfff. And bad for the Donkey anyway, no Søvndal, no Vigni no other heroes to load my climbers

Anyway, tomorrow, escape attempt, we'll see about the control, might be a better chance for an escape tomorrow, since Romoc used quite a bit of his riders, SWP will ideally want to get Skutin and Zhiyi fit, Dosmagambetov might not be strong enough on the Cà del Poggio, Matt the same and Falcor, who knows....

[team fl]

Standings after stage 17:

General classement:
01. 00:00:00 Jamshid Abdurashitov (SouthWest Packers)
02. 00:04:28 Gabriel Lafuente (Big Donkey)
03. 00:05:04 Moreno Ottema (Romoc Riders)
04. 00:05:22 Salvatore Meeus (Flandrien Pro Cycling)
05. 00:05:34 Uros Urbanek (L RSV)
06. 00:05:40 Tilen Trkman (L RSV)
07. 00:05:48 Arjen Burger (CreditPommes)
08. 00:05:52 Xavi Rodriguez (Confidential Era)
09. 00:06:13 Michael Redrocks(Falcor)
10. 00:06:14 Graziano Alborghetti (Tukhtahuaev)

Points classement:
01. 253 - Artem Palamarchuck (Tukhtahuaev)
02. 170 - Vincent Verwimp (Team FL)
03. 136 - Magnus Jensen (Falcor)

Mountain classement:
01. 195 - Domingo Cruz (Falcor)
02. 120 - Kenneth Verbeke (Flandrien Pro Cycling)
03. 116 - Oleksandr Piskun (Tukhtahuaev)

Youth classement:
01. 00:05:48 Arjen Burger (CreditPommes)
02. 00:06:14 Graziano Alborghetti (Tukhtahuaev)
03. 00:08:30 Finn Bennett (Confidential Era)

Team classement:
01. 00:00:00 L RSV
02. 00:05:15 SouthWest Packers
03. 00:06:14 Falcor

Stage wins by riders:
4 - Artem Palamarchuck (Tukhtahuaev)
2 - Domingo Cruz (Falcor)
2 - Magnus Jensen (Falcor)
2 - Vincent Verwimp (Team FL)
1 - Carlo Chambaere (Romoc Riders)
1 - Zhansultan Dosmagambetov (Tukhtahuaev)
1 - Domingo Gonzales (Equip Ciclista Poblenou)
1 - Robin Jonckheere (Flandrien Pro Cycling)
1 - Simon Molgaard (VC Team Multi)
1 - Xavi Rodriguez (Confidential Era)
1 - Tilen Trkman (L RSV)

Stage wins by teams:
5 - Tukhtahuaev
4 - Falcor
2 - Team FL
1 - Confidential Era
1 - Equip Ciclista Poblenou
1 - Flandrien Pro Cycling
1 - L RSV
1 - Romoc Riders
1 - VC Team Multi

Days in Rosa:
5 - Magnus Jensen (Falcor)
8 - Jashid Abdurashitov (SouthWest Packers)
1 - Moreno Ottema (Romoc Riders)
1 - Michael Redrocks (Falcor
1 - Xavi Rodriguez (Confidental Era)
1 - Vincent Verwimp (Team FL)

Most combative rider:
2 - Cesare Baddetti (Falcor)
2 - Zane Claessens (Flandrien Pro Cycling)
2 - Pyry Pitkäaikainen (L RSV)
1 - Magnus Fjellvik (Flandrien Pro Cycling)
1 - Shohrat Dawamat (Tukhtahuaev)
1 - Luat Meo (RC Cost)
1 - Kodai Naraoka (Equip Ciclista Poblenou)
1 - Oleksandr Piskun (Tukhtahuaev)
1 - Kensi Taiwia (Tukhtahuaev)
1 - Tapio Tamikkonen (L RSV)
1 - Kenneth Verbeke (Flandrien Pro Cycling)
1 - Miikka Muurinen (L RSV)
1 - Ivo Peraza (RC Cost)
1 - Facundo Pomoli (RC Cost)

Days with the Red Lantern:
7 - Mick Rory (Falcor)
7 - Dacian Liberiu (L RSV)
2 - Cesare Baddetti (Falcor)
1 - Pyry Pitkäaikainen (L RSV)

[Tukhtahuaev]

Quite lucky for me today. No big group going on a day that looked to be destined for an escape to win meant a very relaxed chase. Then no one really trying to prevent Dosmagambetov from catching up after the Muro di Ca’ del Poggio and also a bit lucky to not get boxed in in the sprint. Definitely did not expect to win these 2 stages in a row

[team fl]

Standings after stage 18:

General classement:
01. 00:00:00 Jamshid Abdurashitov (SouthWest Packers)
02. 00:04:28 Gabriel Lafuente (Big Donkey)
03. 00:05:22 Salvatore Meeus (Flandrien Pro Cycling)
04. 00:05:34 Uros Urbanek (L RSV)
05. 00:05:40 Tilen Trkman (L RSV)
06. 00:05:48 Arjen Burger (CreditPommes)
07. 00:05:52 Xavi Rodriguez (Confidential Era)
08. 00:05:52 Moreno Ottema (Romoc Riders)
09. 00:06:13 Michael Redrocks(Falcor)
10. 00:06:14 Graziano Alborghetti (Tukhtahuaev)

Points classement:
01. 253 - Artem Palamarchuck (Tukhtahuaev)
02. 171 - Magnus Jensen (Falcor)
03. 170 - Vincent Verwimp (Team FL)

Mountain classement:
01. 195 - Domingo Cruz (Falcor)
02. 120 - Kenneth Verbeke (Flandrien Pro Cycling)
03. 116 - Oleksandr Piskun (Tukhtahuaev)

Youth classement:
01. 00:05:48 Arjen Burger (CreditPommes)
02. 00:06:14 Graziano Alborghetti (Tukhtahuaev)
03. 00:08:30 Finn Bennett (Confidential Era)

Team classement:
01. 00:00:00 L RSV
02. 00:05:15 SouthWest Packers
03. 00:06:14 Falcor

Stage wins by riders:
4 - Artem Palamarchuck (Tukhtahuaev)
2 - Domingo Cruz (Falcor)
2 - Zhansultan Dosmagambetov (Tukhtahuaev)
2 - Magnus Jensen (Falcor)
2 - Vincent Verwimp (Team FL)
1 - Carlo Chambaere (Romoc Riders)
1 - Domingo Gonzales (Equip Ciclista Poblenou)
1 - Robin Jonckheere (Flandrien Pro Cycling)
1 - Simon Molgaard (VC Team Multi)
1 - Xavi Rodriguez (Confidential Era)
1 - Tilen Trkman (L RSV)

Stage wins by teams:
6 - Tukhtahuaev
4 - Falcor
2 - Team FL
1 - Confidential Era
1 - Equip Ciclista Poblenou
1 - Flandrien Pro Cycling
1 - L RSV
1 - Romoc Riders
1 - VC Team Multi

Days in Rosa:
5 - Magnus Jensen (Falcor)
9 - Jashid Abdurashitov (SouthWest Packers)
1 - Moreno Ottema (Romoc Riders)
1 - Michael Redrocks (Falcor
1 - Xavi Rodriguez (Confidental Era)
1 - Vincent Verwimp (Team FL)

Most combative rider:
2 - Cesare Baddetti (Falcor)
2 - Zane Claessens (Flandrien Pro Cycling)
2 - Pyry Pitkäaikainen (L RSV)
1 - Magnus Fjellvik (Flandrien Pro Cycling)
1 - Shohrat Dawamat (Tukhtahuaev)
1 - Luat Meo (RC Cost)
1 - Kodai Naraoka (Equip Ciclista Poblenou)
1 - Oleksandr Piskun (Tukhtahuaev)
1 - Kensi Taiwia (Tukhtahuaev)
1 - Tapio Tamikkonen (L RSV)
1 - Kenneth Verbeke (Flandrien Pro Cycling)
1 - Miikka Muurinen (L RSV)
1 - Ivo Peraza (RC Cost)
1 - Facundo Pomoli (RC Cost)
1 - Kodai Naraoka (Equip Ciclista Poblenou)

Days with the Red Lantern:
7 - Mick Rory (Falcor)
8 - Dacian Liberiu (L RSV)
2 - Cesare Baddetti (Falcor)
1 - Pyry Pitkäaikainen (L RSV)

[Robyklebt]

Not too much happening today.

Donkey-focused view is easy. Defense of second place, after all with 2 87 now stage chances are even worse, no sense wasting time thinking about great plan, just defend. All went well, Lafuente still 54" on Meeus, Trkman at 1'03". Gallego 1" to far behind, Ousland dropped too earlier, not idea twice, but didn't matter.

Generally, very soft riding again, full Donkey team there on the Duran, didn't expect that, thought this time SWP would start going fast earlier Darski early, then maybe ride with him longer, but no, very slow up the Duran. In the end Fokerots and Dong 2 of the 4 classic escapers only 37" back, that's not that much... Piskun not dropping could have already saved them 5"... And the the Cruz weirdness, no idea what that was for, just be first on the Giau? It's not as if he needed the points, Just scoring a bit more, he has it... why not go for stage, ok, form down? Try.. ride with all, the others then spend a bit more energy, but on the other hand they are all faster I suspect, the stage wasn't THAT far off either.
But generally nothing happening, GC too decided (rosa), SWP going for stage clear and logic, controlled race as expected, trying something with a climber to jump to the front group pretty pointless, in the end mostly happened as all was expected, just a bit slower than thought, speed up only after the first climb.

Tomorrow probably another escape attempt by the usual suspects, stage favorite actually is Bondarw again I'd say.

[Robyklebt]

Last mountain stage, Donkey plan was clear, save helpers. 3, planned, done, one had to drop earlier than hoped, no problem. Huge group, SWP not fully on, Confidential no help, but had 2 riders in front, which I only realized late too, but didn't bother me so didn't need to check.
Was quite afraid of an L double attack on the first Piancavallo and had no idea how to react, tempo with Iskanderov then Ousland-Gallego in the flat? Hope to follow? On Urbanek then obviously. And once we got to the first climb obviously was VERY tempted to go myself, SWP classics in tempo, but resisted, attack would have been more fun, but... and since I hadn't seen those Confidentials I'm proud to have resisted the temptation. Also there was little to be gained from it really, stage seemed far, looked good for the escape, GC even if it works and I manage to gain time, nowhere near enough. So no attack. Was pretty sure that my second place (money! points, but mostly money, although points for Lafuente to reach 5000 eternal points don't hurt either) was secure, just had to go in tempo early enough in the final climb.. did that, all fine. No regrets.

Well yes, regrets, now, after the stage has finished for a long time. More concentration for Gallego, that was the chance to get a stage... during the race didn't care that much, oh well, basically accepted that I would finish the second GT in a row with no stage, Vuelta I came closer, think pretty close once with Dixon. Here hoped to have a chance with Bongiorno mostly, maybe Ousland from an escape, not sure Ousland ever was in an escape finally, and Bongiorno with minimal chances was clear once the participants were set. Just not the right constellation. So today could have been the day, but didn't help him with 2 guys, wanted Ousland fittish, so he didn't help until shortly before the first climb. There fighting meant already losing energy on the first climb, was down to 540 in the downhill, end of downhill, no clue if others had more there, hope didn't fight more during the rest of the climb... Then went in, wanted to go out again early, but Tapio faster, thought stay in, finally went out too late, red while Jensen alone blue, brr, idiot, probably just 1 km? Something like that, anyway, should have sucked more, was fighting every km then, once I hoped to surive to the 3 I dropped.. bah. But well, didn't change anything, once you fight, even if you manage to stay (and you can fight forever, too long actually) would be hopeless in the sprint anyway. Even with equal energy. So Tapio finally won, beating Jensen who had trouble understanding others not just riding for him and Matt, who with more energy beat Jensen for second. But well, that's the problem with so big differences, 78 vs 73-72-71, the guys with lower climbing skills need much more energy, if one then has the same sprint of course he'll win the sprint...Anyway, now Donks regrets not sucking more or not paying more attention during my short walk.. but at the time didn't really care that much, second place in GC safe, what now became the main goal reached. Now, bah, concentrate in both places stupid Donks! Second regret, first time in this Giro I earned money, should have sold Lanfredini and Lüthi yesterday.

Tapio winning good, L IMO the only guy who can compete with me in under performing so far. And even after 2 stage wins somehow it's still under performing, even if by now of course it's clear that I'm the winner there. In my case it's my lineup (little regret, Bonjour and Gjeldnes mostly just make me more expensive with no additional benefit, not in stages either, Kebede in retrospect would have made sense, better chances in sprints, but not much actually, more money on the Palamarchuk ego-trip stages, but stage wins.. ok, better chances, but not that much) that restricted what I can do. No reg, no mountain... L had better stuff to work with IMO, but of course on the hilly things 2 teams with super classics who then took over half the mountain stages one controls the hilly stages too (until he decides to do 0 because of less than 1% chances) and more importantly the climbers.. Urbanek and Trkman have reg, they can try stuff, if I try something yesterday with Iskanderov involved he's dead today, and need him as helper for Lafuente. Trkman-Urbanek had nothing to lose, why not try, even today. In his place today I would, nothing to lose, try to go for stage, try to get second in GC. Even if I had seen the confidentials ahead waiting to ride for Rodriguez.. just try. It's not like Tapio has good chances to win in front.... well.. he won, ok. But from the front group he was the one with the least chances, only 71 mountain. How to beat Jensen and Piskun? Piskun then dropped back, but not even to Alborghetti (which would be a senseless move too, but dropping only to the group before is even worse), so only 4, still, 2 with high sprint... I wouldn't have believed in Tapio that much, would have tried Urbanek/Trkman. Already on the way to Pila probably, yesterday not sure, already forgot the situation... But ok, he believed in Tapio, did everything right and won, so ok. Still, Urbanek-Trkman with their reg were a bit underused on the 3 days that an early move would have been an option.

Dumb move of the day of course Piskun dropping.

Anyway, let's see what team I manage to bring together for the Tour, if I manage to have a bit more reg there....

[Nomorelulz]

Last mountain stage, Donkey plan was clear, save helpers. 3, planned, done, one had to drop earlier than hoped, no problem. Huge group, SWP not fully on, Confidential no help, but had 2 riders in front, which I only realized late too, but didn't bother me so didn't need to check.
Was quite afraid of an L double attack on the first Piancavallo and had no idea how to react, tempo with Iskanderov then Ousland-Gallego in the flat? Hope to follow? On Urbanek then obviously. And once we got to the first climb obviously was VERY tempted to go myself, SWP classics in tempo, but resisted, attack would have been more fun, but... and since I hadn't seen those Confidentials I'm proud to have resisted the temptation. Also there was little to be gained from it really, stage seemed far, looked good for the escape, GC even if it works and I manage to gain time, nowhere near enough. So no attack. Was pretty sure that my second place (money! points, but mostly money, although points for Lafuente to reach 5000 eternal points don't hurt either) was secure, just had to go in tempo early enough in the final climb.. did that, all fine. No regrets.

Well yes, regrets, now, after the stage has finished for a long time. More concentration for Gallego, that was the chance to get a stage... during the race didn't care that much, oh well, basically accepted that I would finish the second GT in a row with no stage, Vuelta I came closer, think pretty close once with Dixon. Here hoped to have a chance with Bongiorno mostly, maybe Ousland from an escape, not sure Ousland ever was in an escape finally, and Bongiorno with minimal chances was clear once the participants were set. Just not the right constellation. So today could have been the day, but didn't help him with 2 guys, wanted Ousland fittish, so he didn't help until shortly before the first climb. There fighting meant already losing energy on the first climb, was down to 540 in the downhill, end of downhill, no clue if others had more there, hope didn't fight more during the rest of the climb... Then went in, wanted to go out again early, but Tapio faster, thought stay in, finally went out too late, red while Jensen alone blue, brr, idiot, probably just 1 km? Something like that, anyway, should have sucked more, was fighting every km then, once I hoped to surive to the 3 I dropped.. bah. But well, didn't change anything, once you fight, even if you manage to stay (and you can fight forever, too long actually) would be hopeless in the sprint anyway. Even with equal energy. So Tapio finally won, beating Jensen who had trouble understanding others not just riding for him and Matt, who with more energy beat Jensen for second. But well, that's the problem with so big differences, 78 vs 73-72-71, the guys with lower climbing skills need much more energy, if one then has the same sprint of course he'll win the sprint...Anyway, now Donks regrets not sucking more or not paying more attention during my short walk.. but at the time didn't really care that much, second place in GC safe, what now became the main goal reached. Now, bah, concentrate in both places stupid Donks! Second regret, first time in this Giro I earned money, should have sold Lanfredini and Lüthi yesterday.

Tapio winning good, L IMO the only guy who can compete with me in under performing so far. And even after 2 stage wins somehow it's still under performing, even if by now of course it's clear that I'm the winner there. In my case it's my lineup (little regret, Bonjour and Gjeldnes mostly just make me more expensive with no additional benefit, not in stages either, Kebede in retrospect would have made sense, better chances in sprints, but not much actually, more money on the Palamarchuk ego-trip stages, but stage wins.. ok, better chances, but not that much) that restricted what I can do. No reg, no mountain... L had better stuff to work with IMO, but of course on the hilly things 2 teams with super classics who then took over half the mountain stages one controls the hilly stages too (until he decides to do 0 because of less than 1% chances) and more importantly the climbers.. Urbanek and Trkman have reg, they can try stuff, if I try something yesterday with Iskanderov involved he's dead today, and need him as helper for Lafuente. Trkman-Urbanek had nothing to lose, why not try, even today. In his place today I would, nothing to lose, try to go for stage, try to get second in GC. Even if I had seen the confidentials ahead waiting to ride for Rodriguez.. just try. It's not like Tapio has good chances to win in front.... well.. he won, ok. But from the front group he was the one with the least chances, only 71 mountain. How to beat Jensen and Piskun? Piskun then dropped back, but not even to Alborghetti (which would be a senseless move too, but dropping only to the group before is even worse), so only 4, still, 2 with high sprint... I wouldn't have believed in Tapio that much, would have tried Urbanek/Trkman. Already on the way to Pila probably, yesterday not sure, already forgot the situation... But ok, he believed in Tapio, did everything right and won, so ok. Still, Urbanek-Trkman with their reg were a bit underused on the 3 days that an early move would have been an option.

Dumb move of the day of course Piskun dropping.

Anyway, let's see what team I manage to bring together for the Tour, if I manage to have a bit more reg there....

Piskun stopping in the group before Alborghetti was probably me trying to fix the settings from dreizehn when I got back..

[drei.zehn]

Dumb move of the day of course Piskun dropping.

Thats on me. Not ideal half eye sitter situation. Saw the gap to romoc and thought it makes no sense. When I realised the peloton is on 7 mins it was already too late…

[Falcor CC]

Dumb move of the day of course Piskun dropping.

Thats on me. Not ideal half eye sitter situation. Saw the gap to romoc and thought it makes no sense. When I realised the peloton is on 7 mins it was already too late…

Luckily you had sitters winning for you in the morning, imagine if you rode yourself instead!!

[drei.zehn]

Dumb move of the day of course Piskun dropping.

Thats on me. Not ideal half eye sitter situation. Saw the gap to romoc and thought it makes no sense. When I realised the peloton is on 7 mins it was already too late…

Luckily you had sitters winning for you in the morning, imagine if you rode yourself instead!!

I‘ve lost him a stage. Tuk lost me Tirreno. Guess I am still on the positive side

[Falcor CC]

Dumb move of the day of course Piskun dropping.

Thats on me. Not ideal half eye sitter situation. Saw the gap to romoc and thought it makes no sense. When I realised the peloton is on 7 mins it was already too late…

Luckily you had sitters winning for you in the morning, imagine if you rode yourself instead!!

I‘ve lost him a stage. Tuk lost me Tirreno. Guess I am still on the positive side

Wouldn't call that genius GC winning move in Tirreno losing for you, nothing to do against that level of greatness!

[flockmastoR]

That's why you shouldn't rely on sitters. Don't trust anybody