Titantic battle on Mortirolo shows Liquigas team clearly strongest - again - I blame the ToC

It's been a great Giro, full of drama - and it's not over yet. But I can't help feeling that it could have been better if the teams had been on a more equal footing. To me Liquigas looks strongest and has acted tactically and strategically as though they want to win. Whilst Evans, Vino and Sastre have had to rely on individual brilliance to stay in - or out of - contention. Now I can't blame Liquigas for bringing the strongest team, working with other Italians or choosing a strong combo like Basso and Nibali, but it does weaken the competition overall. To me the simultaneous running of the Tour of California overly distracted the other teams and caused a split of resources - not just riders but of all resources - that has dented the Giro and made it both wonderfully diverse and pathetically predictable at the same time. Diverse in the individuals who have made it happen, predictable in that the "super team" will win. I hope I'm wrong (much as I'd like to see Basso win) but I just feel it's become  a race for the minor places. Still better than Le Tour but way less exciting than it could have been. Oh well, who knows - tomorrow's horror stage may indeed be the bloodbath when the weaker teams get away.

Giro D'Italia: Stage 19, Route Maps & Results | Cyclingnews.com

Ivan Basso blasted open the 19th stage and the Giro d'Italia itself, shedding his rivals on the Motirolo with the help of his Liquigas-Doimo teammate Vincenzo Nibali, and donning the maglia rosa for the first time since 2006. The third man in the group, Michele Scarponi (Androni Giocattoli – Diquigiovanni), took the stage win..

The attack from the Liquigas pair took place on the day's biggest climb, the Mortirolo, with over 40km and another unclassified hill-top finish still to go. One by one, the morning's leader David Arroyo (Caisse d'Epargne), Cadel Evans (BMC), Carlos Sastre (Cervelo) and Alexander Vinokourov (Astana) were ridden off the train, while only Scarponi could hold the pace of Basso and Nibali.

Arrrgh. I wish Basso hadn't dropped everyone. I blame the ToC.

There's more than one odd thing about this year's Giro. The ups and downs seem more severe, possibly hinting at a tireder, more human and ultimately cleaner bunch - not that you can really tell. They all seem to be superhuman on these consecutive 200km stages into the clouds. And the tactics have been unusual, too. Like take the lead then look the other way as the biggest move of the race flies up the road. Please, you chase. Oh no, after you. No, I insist... you first. Oh look, they've gone!

Which leads naturally to the U23 young rider leading overall and hanging onto 2nd for yonks. And to Basso and Nibali playing 1-2 as one strong team corrects its earlier mistakes and finally gets its act together. Indeed I'm tempted to blame the simultaneous running of the Tour of California for the whole mess, with teams split up between 2 continents. It's addled their minds as well as their legs. In this theory - the 'tour of chaos' theory - as the ToC ends today (thankfully) we'll finally see the Giro settle down into a real race with sharp minds concentrated on hard physical efforts and good tactical decisions. We may even get consistent, repeatable results. Alas, that may mean that just one team will be the strongest and will mop up the rewards. If they can catch what remains of the guys they let fly, I mean.

At least it's been memorable. Go Ivan! (And Cadel, of course.)

Giro D'Italia: Stage 15, Route Maps & Results | Cyclingnews.com

The first round went to Ivan Basso of Liquigas-Doimo, who dropped all his rivals on the steep and painful slopes of the Zoncolan. World champion Cadel Evans (BMC) was the last to crack and they finished one-two on the stage after distancing all the other contenders.

Can't help but get a bit excited at today's ToC finish

It was as close as you'd hope between 3 great and highly pedigreed riders - Rogers, DaveZ and Leapin' Levi. The fact that the chase was on and gaining added to the excitement - and I have to say the heart rate went up just watching on TV. I think I need to go on a ride myself now.

If we were to analyse the sprint a bit, to me Rogers looked the better sprinter, but DaveZ was first to react, grabbing the advantage in the tight finale. I suspect all 3 knew the finish well and it came down to who was brave enough to take the initiative and hold on. Rogers was coming for him but lacked just that extra few metres. So kudos to DaveZ for first and best move. Levi looked off the pace - and let's face it he's not a sprinter, even in this elite-climber-and-TTer company. All 3 were an even match on the climb although Dave seemed to be holding back a bit - perhaps wary of keeping something for the finish. Levi looked best on the climb but Rogers wasn't far off. It's hard to know for sure but Levi initiated proceedings and was promptly matched by Mick and Dave, so it looks even at this stage. It's worth noting that a few good climbers missed the attack, so expect them to be fired up and prepared next time. Good result for Garmin, given that their rider won despite a strong team effort from RadioShack (with the modified and patented Lance Launch).  

And the Giro is going along quite nicely too. Pro Cycle Racing is surely on another upswing, you'd think. After years of bad publicity you'd hope so, anyway.

Boonen beaten twice but enjoys the rain and cold

Only a Belgian would be enjoying the lousy weather at the Tour of California.

"The early weather in this race helped me a lot [for the Classics]. I feel great now after racing two or three days in the rain!"

Quite a contrast from the Tour Down Under, which of course was held in a heatwave (as usual).

Tour of California - wrap up

It was pretty good, actually. Levi fought off all challengers, especially Voigt, to win overall. CSC won heaps of stages and lots of Aussies won both stages and intermediates as well. Read the CN coverage here.

Cali Tour 2007 - sprinters on form

A few interesting things to look at after 2 satges of the Tour of California. Firstly the win by Rabobank's Graeme Brown, carrying on from late last season; and JJ Haedo picking up with where he left off as well. Brown had to prove himslef last year in to to stay with Rabo - even McEwen couldn't do that, you'll recall - whereas JJ was looking to move to a bigger team. Which he did. So this win is a payback to CSC for their trust.

It's early season, too, so we shouldn't get too excited, but we have a few Aussies up front and the big sprinters are showing their wheels as well. But not (yet) winning: Hushovd 3rd, Davis 4th.

Otherwise, it's interesting to see Leipheimer in the lead overall and back with his old team, Discovery.