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90th Giro d'Italia - GT
Italy, May 12-June 3, 2007
Main Page Results & report Stage Details Previous Stage Next Stage
Stage 10 - Tuesday, May 22: Lido Di Camaiore - Santuario Nostra Signora Della Guardia, 250 km
Complete live report
Live commentary by Gregor Brown
Live coverage starts: 14:30 CEST
Estimated finish: 17:00 CEST
14:30 CEST
Hello and welcome to Cyclingnews' live coverage of the 2007 Giro d'Italia. Today the riders tackle the second of the Giro's mountain-top finish stages, 250 kilometres from Camaiore to Santuario Nostra Signora della Guardia.
This stage will likely change the look of the Giro d'Italia, with a demanding finale that will make it hard for Pink Pinotti. Starting in Lido di Camaiore, this long stage heads due north along SS1, the via Aurelia through Cinque Terre, over the Passo della Biscia where a break will surely go away, then more up and down to Genova, with a final ascent of 8.8 kilometres to the Santuario Nostra Signora Della Guardia.
After over six hours in the saddle, this climb will separate the contenders from the pretenders in the 2007 Corsa Rosa.
14:32 CEST
180 riders started this morning, at 10.34. Not starting was Petacchi's ultimate lead-out man Alberto Ongarato (Milram). We will search for an update on why he did not start.
14:32 CEST 160km/90km to go
We currently, at km 160, have an escape of six with around four minutes over the peloton being led by Lampre and Liquigas. The escape riders are Ivan Parra (Cofidis), George Hincapie (Discovery Channel), Hubert Dupont (Ag2r Prévoyance), Alberto Losada (Caisse d'Epargne), Mauricio Ardila Cano (Rabobank) and Fortunato Baliani (Ceramica Panaria-Navigare).
14:33 CEST
The first hour of racing was marked with attacks and counter attacks, starting with a move at kilometre 11 by Ricardo Serrano (Tinkoff Credit Systems).
At Marina di Carrara, kilometre 28.3, the sprint was won by Pierre Drancourt (Bouygues Telecom). This was followed by attacks from Pavel Brutt (Tinkoff Credit Systems), Tim Klinger (Gerolsteiner), José Joaquín Rojas (Caisse d'Epargne) and Salvatore Commesso (Tinkoff Credit Systems).
The attacks really pushed the pace upwards; the first hour of racing was at a amazing 51.2 km/h.
14:40 CEST
Continuing with a recap of the first part of today's stage...
A large move of 27 riders was formed but was then brought back before La Spezia, km 51.7. Laszlo Bodrogi (Crédit Agricole) and then Fortunato Baliani (Ceramica Panaria-Navigare) struck out. Baliani went again with a move from Charles Wegelius (Liquigas), joined by Francesco Bellotti (Crédit Agricole).
Baliani got the city sprint in Biassa, km 58.1. And by kilometre 65 there was four more escapees to make a group of seven.
14:45 CEST
World Champ Paolo Bettini (Quickstep-Innergetic), Iban Mayo (Saunier Duval-Prodir), Olivier Bonnaire (Bouygues Telecom) and Mauricio Ardila Cano (Rabobank) joined in. Cano was active, km 68, and so was compatriot Ivan Parra (Cofidis).
Parra dug off on his own at kilometre 72, and was joined by Alberto Losada (Caisse d'Epargne). This was the start of the formation of the current escape group.
14:46 CEST
The race is currently on the backside of the Passo del Biscia, 892m.
14:47 CEST
The penultimate climb, the Campi, tops out at 222.8 km.
14:50 CEST
One kilometre later, at km 73, Hubert Dupont (Ag2r Prévoyance), Fortunato Baliani (Ceramica Panaria-Navigare) and American Champ George Hincapie (Discovery Channel) joined the trio of Cano, Parra and Losada, to form six. Just over 10 kilometres later, km 85, the six had 4'24".
The average after two hours of racing was down to 43.8km/h.
14:54 CEST
Continuing our recap: At kilometre 95 Gregory Henderson (T-Mobile) dropped out of the race, further weakening the chances of teammate Pinotti defending the Maglia Rosa.
Sprinter Juan José Haedo (Team CSC) quickly followed suit, and he too retired in the feed-zone at Bivio.
14:57 CEST
Shortly after, km 108, José Joaquín Rojas (Caisse d'Epargne) and Alexei Markov (Caisse d'Epargne) retired. The gap to the six, at km 116, was 4'34".
14:59 CEST
The average after three hours was 42.4km/h. The peloton was being led by Liquigas and Lampre for Di Luca and Cunego.
At the top of the Passo del Biscia the gap was an even four minutes.
14:59 CEST
Cano took a small spill on the climb but was able to quickly re-join his five buddies.
15:05 CEST 188km/62km to go
Italy keeps getting hotter and hotter as the race continues. The Italians on the side of the road are all enjoying gelatos.
A few teams will be watching the progress of big Hincapie. After the maxi-escape of stage 8, he is only 3'04" back on the GC.
The gap is currently 3'40" and we are currently four hours and 30 minutes into this race. The race is back along the coast, in S. Lorenzo della Costa.
15:07 CEST
An update on the DNFs and the DNSs.
DNS Stage 1: Carlos Da Cruz (Française Des Jeux)
DNS Stage 2: Michael Barry (T-Mobile)
DNS Stage 3: Adam Hansen (T-Mobile)
DNS Stage 3: Andrea Tonti (Quickstep-Innergetic)
DNF Stage 3: Volker Ordowski (Gerolsteiner)
DNF Stage 3: Graeme Brown (Rabobank)
DNF Stage 4: Ian McLeod (Française Des Jeux)
DNS Stage 5: Joan Horrach (Caisse d'Epargne)
DNS Stage 6: Thomas Ziegler (T-Mobile)
DNS Stage 6: Patrice Halgand (Crédit Agricole)
DNF Stage 6: Leon Van Bon (Rabobank)
DNF Stage 7: Timothy Gudsell (Française Des Jeux)
DNS Stage 8: Thomas Voeckler (Bouygues Telecom)
DNF Stage 8: Cyrille Monnerais (Française Des Jeux)
DNF Stage 8: Michael Blaudzun (Team CSC)
DNS Stage 10: Alberto Ongarato (Milram)
DNF Stage 10: Gregory Henderson (T-Mobile)
DNF Stage 10: Juan José Haedo (Team CSC)
DNF Stage 10: José Joaquín Rojas (Caisse d'Epargne)
DNF Stage 10: Alexei Markov (Caisse d'Epargne)
Yes, that is four T-Mobiles in the group. Leaving Pink Pino with only four men to assist him.
15:10 CEST 183km/67km to go
The riders are entering the second feed-zone of the day, km 183-186.
If you are in the area of Rapallo, you must try a focaccia; this area is famous for this pizza-like bread.
15:17 CEST
Lampre is leading the chase along the coast, off to the left, while our six is going though a tunnel.
Cano is showing the markings of his earlier crash. The right backside on his shorts is torn. Hincapie is currently beside, and dwarfing, the little Colombian.
15:20 CEST
"Today is a stage that is very important. It will be important to keep your head in this finale," said Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas) at the start.
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15:21 CEST 195km/55km to go
"With the escape of the other day there will be other guys fighting for the classification," said Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Fondital) at the start.
One such man could be Hincapie. The American is currently in the virtual Maglia Rosa.
15:23 CEST
"This is almost a Liège-Bastogne-Liège with the stage distance of 250 kilometres," said Stefano Garzelli (Acqua & Sapone-Caffè Mokambo) at the start.
15:26 CEST
The gap has dropped back down and Hincapie is out of the virtual Maglia Rosa.
15:29 CEST
"Today in the last section, will be very hard," noted Riccardo Riccò (Saunier Duval-Prodir) at the start. "Today we will try to make the best selection for Gibo. There will be no escape from far out, we will make the selection from the front. ... Everything for Gibo."
We are in the Cinque Terre zone, in Sori, and Riccò is at the back of the peloton pouring water over his head to keep cool.
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15:32 CEST 200km/50km to go
"We will see. Today is a stage that is very important but not the end of the race," said Gilberto Simoni (Saunier Duval-Prodir) at the start.
Simoni needs longer climbs to make a difference. We can expect to see 'Gibo' in the serious mountain stages that are still to come.
The race is nearing the climb of Campi, which starts at km 212.9.
15:35 CEST
The gap is at three minutes. Lampre and Liquigas are on the front of the peloton. Cancellara is at the back, jersey open, and stretching.
15:40 CEST 207.2km/42.8km to go
Parra took the Garibaldi sprint at Quarto dei Mille. The Colombian was first ahead of Spaniard Losada and American Losada.
15:45 CEST 210km/40km to go
We are in the final forty kilometres of this barn-burner of a stage. It is likely this next little climb will form a second escape group.
15:46 CEST
The escape of six is working well but it is showing signs of wear.
15:48 CEST
The front six are rotating well but its end is near. They are rotating in a counter-clockwise motion.
15:57 CEST 220km/30km to go
1'50" is the current gap back to the 'gruppo' that is flying along. The race is just outside of Genova.
The front six are starting the climb of Campi.
16:00 CEST 221km/29km to go
The race is in Trensasco.
Petacchi is off the back of the gruppo. The front six is breaking up. Hincapie had a flat, or some some sort of mechanical.
16:01 CEST
It was a flat; it looked like a rear flat. He is behind with Cano.
Parra, Baliani and Losada are on their own.
16:02 CEST
In the gruppo Mayo is on the wheel of Cunego.
16:03 CEST
The Pink Pinotti seems to be suffering. He is about 3/4 down in the gruppo.
16:06 CEST
At 5:30' into the race, Lampre has this race by the reins. Is Liquigas playing sly today? Will it fire off Franco Pellizotti or V. Nibali in the finale?
On the Santuario there are 55 curves and 10 switch-backs.
16:08 CEST
The front trio continues up Campi. Hincapie, pro since 1994, is chasing the three. He looks to be up to more than just training here in Italia.
He rejoins the Spaniard, Italian and Colombian.
16:10 CEST 222.8km/27.2km to go
Baliani, Parra, Losada and Hincapie go over the top, in that order.
Dupont passes 34 seconds behind the four.
Cano passes at 1'10" back with the front of the chase.
16:10 CEST 222.8km/27.2km to go
Baliani, Parra, Losada and Hincapie go over the top, in that order.
Dupont passes 34 seconds behind the four.
Cano passes at 1'10" back with the front of the chase.
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16:15 CEST
Parra dominated i Dolomiti two years ago with two stage wins. Remember he won in Ortisei (stage 13) and Livigno (stage 14). Stage 14 was the last time the race passed over the Passo dello Stelvio.
16:17 CEST
The front-runners have been away since km 72.
Lampre really have this race stretched out. At the bottom of this descent, following the nine kilometres of flat, we should see some fireworks.
16:18 CEST 233km/17km to go
Hubert Dupont (Ag2r Prévoyance) is caught by the Lampre boys.
16:20 CEST
Sylvester Szmyd (Lampre-Fondital) is leading the six Lampre men.
16:25 CEST 236km/14km to go
Simoni has had a mechanical and he is now chasing back on with two teammates through the long line of team cars. He is being aided by 'Litu' and Mori.
16:27 CEST
Laverde is at the front of the gruppo in the Verde, the greet climber's jersey. Right beside him is Gibo, he is now back up at the business end of this race.
16:28 CEST 240km/10km to go
The front four pass 10 kilometres to go. The climb will start soon.
16:29 CEST 241km/9km to go
Rabon is at the back of the race, talking with the team car.
Astana, for Savoldelli, is up at front with Lampre. Now Liquigas is moving up.
16:31 CEST
The four have started the climb with 1'00" over the gruppo.
16:32 CEST
This climb hits its hardest gradient, 14%, at the top.
16:32 CEST 242.6km/7.4km to go
Liquigas has five men up front. Garzelli's men are there too.
16:33 CEST
Parra attacks his three 'friends!'
16:33 CEST
Rubens Bertogliati (Saunier Duval-Prodir) is off the back of the gruppo.
16:34 CEST
Bettini is at the back as well.
16:35 CEST
Pink Pino is going backwards. Tin-Tin Rebellin too.
We are at 6 hours of racing.
16:35 CEST
Dave Zabriskie is off the back.
16:36 CEST
Alessandro Spezialetti (Liquigas) is forcing the pace for Di Luca.
16:36 CEST
Hincapie is on his own behind Colombian Parra.
16:38 CEST
Parra is pumping along. Hincapie is now caught.
Di Luca launches!
16:38 CEST 245km/5km to go
The favourites will be forced to reacted to this.
16:39 CEST
'The Killer looks smooth! He has immediately joined Parra.
16:39 CEST
Riccò is looking back for the where-abouts off Gibo.
Lampre leads.
16:40 CEST 245.5km/4.5km to go
Di Luca is playing his cards early, which could signal he is worried about the final week. The front duo has 8".
16:42 CEST
Parra and Di Luca are caught.
Leonardo Piepoli (Saunier Duval-Prodir) departs! A smart move by the Puglia rider.
16:42 CEST
Lampre and Liquigas are now driving on the defensive.
Savoldelli and Garzelli look in difficulty.
16:43 CEST
Did Di Luca choose to sit up or was he blown?
Pink Pinotti is about one minute back.
16:44 CEST
Sella launches, followed by Andy Schleck.
16:45 CEST
Sella gets on 21 year-old Schleck's wheel.
16:46 CEST 247km/3km to go
Schleck drops the punchy Sella. His brother, Frank, is a winner of l'Alpe d'Huez.
16:47 CEST
Pink Pinotti is suffering and will not be in the Maglia Rosa tonight.
16:47 CEST
Schleck is catching Piepoli.
16:47 CEST 248km/2km to go
The duo will be together with -1800m.
16:48 CEST
Di Luca departs again. Riccò chases and looks back for Captain Simoni.
16:49 CEST 248.6km/1.4km to go
Piepoli is still solo but looking back for Schleck. He does not want the company.
Simoni attacks!
16:50 CEST
Di Luca catches Schleck.
Popo is with Gibo.
16:50 CEST 249km/1km to go
Piepoli is still solo.
16:51 CEST
Piepoli could win this.
Di Luca and Schleck chase and Gibo is further back.
Cunego is leading the chase, marked by Liquigas men.
16:52 CEST
We are at 6:17' of racing. Gibo looks tough.
Popo is fading quick.
16:52 CEST
Piepoli is on the 14% gradient. He one two stages in 2006.
16:53 CEST
Piepoli should take this.
16:53 CEST
Leonardo Piepoli (Saunier Duval-Prodir) wins the stage!
16:53 CEST
Di Luca is coming at 15".
16:53 CEST
Schleck follows at 27".
16:54 CEST
Gibo arrives.
16:57 CEST
Andrea Noè should be the new Maglia Rosa.
Pink Pino is still climbing. He is solo and suffering at 250 metres to go.
16:58 CEST
Pino crosses at 4'30" back.
17:01 CEST
Thanks for joining Cyclingnews today on this exciting stage. Please check back for a full stage report with quotes from all the favourites.
Grazie!
Provisional Results
1 Leonardo Piepoli (Ita) Saunier Duval-Prodir 2 Danilo Di Luca (Ita) Liquigas 3 Andy Schleck (Lux) Team CSC 4 Gilberto Simoni (Ita) Saunier Duval-Prodir 5 Riccardo Riccò (Ita) Saunier Duval-Prodir 6 Paolo Savoldelli (Ita) Astana 7 Damiano Cunego (Ita) Lampre-Fondital 8 Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Liquigas ... .. Marco Pinotti (Ita) T-Mobile 4.30 General classification after stage 10 1 Andrea Noè (Ita) Liquigas 2 Marzio Bruseghin (Ita) Lampre-Fondital 3 David Arroyo (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 4 Patxi Vila (Spa) Lampre-Fondital
