2008 Giro - Stage 20

And Sella wins another one. I so need to keep him in mind for my VDS teams in the future. The few k's before he got his gap, we were all expecting some serious racing (as in attacks) to get going. Up to that point the group was sticking together and then in the steep hairpins the pace got picked up and riders started drifting off the back. Ryder had just lost contact with that main leaders group before that. DiLuca lost contact. It looked brutal and the climb on the narrow road was full on. But, the huge attacks amongst the top GC guys didn't seem to happen. They were all looking around at each other but the group, other than Sella taking off, managed to stay together. As Chris (and Dan) put it over at PdC, it was kinda anti-climatic after such a good Giro.

I like Alberto and love watching him climb the mountains but I so wanted to see him attack and put some ownership on the pink jersey. He's earned his jersey but I like it when the leader shows more leadership versus hanging with the group. Bummer.

Colom put in an impressive ride today. And huge kudos to Ryder today for hanging with that group. Watching it, he looked pretty cooked but great job for 17th in such a stage.

Tomorrow's TT should be pretty intense. I think Alberto, less mechanicals and horrible bad luck, will keep his win. I don't think Ricco is going to out TT him. The third podium spot on the other hand could be highly fought over. Bruseghin is at 2.00, Pellizotti at 2.05, Sella at 2.35, and Menchov at 2.47. If any of them has a great ride or a bad day, those four will be all on for getting to the podium and it is pretty open.

Live Chatter: CN - VN - DP - and always the best PdC 1 & PdC 2

Stage 20 - Saturday 5/31: Rovetta - Tirano, 232km
Results
1 Emanuele Sella (Ita) CSF Group Navigare 6.52.45 (33.725 km/h)
5 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Astana 1.30
17 Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Slipstream Chipotle P/b H30 10.53
19 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana
72 Christian Vande Velde (USA) Slipstream Chipotle P/b H30 35.20
74 David Millar (GBr) Slipstream Chipotle P/b H30
75 Jens Voigt (Ger) Team CSC
80 Jason McCartney (USA) Team CSC
140 Danny Pate (USA) Slipstream Chipotle P/b H30 37.19
General classification after stage 20
1 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Astana 89.23.25
19 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana 45.19
52 Christian Vande Velde (USA) Slipstream Chipotle P/b H30 1.44.16
55 Jens Voigt (Ger) Team CSC 1.46.20
61 Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Slipstream Chipotle P/b H30 2.00.07
94 Jason McCartney (USA) Team CSC 2.56.18
95 David Millar (GBr) Slipstream Chipotle P/b H30 2.56.47
139 Danny Pate (USA) Slipstream Chipotle P/b H30 4.07.34

Slipstream: Ryder finishes 17th on penultimate stage
TeamCSC: Contador Looks Like Giro Winner
Astana_CMehl: Four Precious Seconds
CW: Contador sets up Giro d'Italia victory

Graham Watson Photos: Stage 20
Astana: Stage 20
TeamCSC: Thru Stage 20

CW: Giro Analysis: Final Time Trial Preview