2008 Giro - Stage 7

This morning's viewing was fun as usual. I enjoy watching mountain stages probably more than any other as it really plays on tactics and abilities. Some have a natural ability and can climb like birds can fly. It's impressive to say the least. There's also the grupetto at the back comprising of sprinters and such where you can let your guard down and feel a bit for the pain they are in just making sure they make the finish so they can fight tomorrow.

Today's stage had a break get away and that was followed by a group about 30 chasing. Jens! and Pate were in that group but the climbs split things up pretty good. In the end there were contenders battling it out. Contador seems to be right where he needs to be and I am curious if he's going to be their main GC guy or if Klodie and Levi are going to all be battling. I'm not an Astana fan but like Levi and as I say, Contador is just impressive with his graceful way of climbing. I'm hoping C hangs in there and has some good days coming up. He can TT so he should be able to stay in the mix of things.

The exciting thing for me of a Grand Tour is that there's 3 weeks of the racing to be done and great efforts one day will effect the next. Someone will have a bad day, or a mechanical happens at a key moment, or someone has an incredible day and things can get shaken up so there's always enjoyment in watching. I prefer races that are close enough that changes can happen. Of course I hope the changes go in my guy's favor but one can't always get what one wants. So we watch, cheer, and pray a little too!

Slipstream_CVV: White elephants & blue swiss balls
Dave Zabriskie: 5/15 - Giro
Bicycling: Millar an Olympic Shotput Contender
CozyBeehive: Stretch the PRO way

Live Chatter: CN - VN - DP - PC

Stage 7 - Friday 5/16: Vasto - Pescocostanzo, 180km
Results
1 Gabriele Bosisio (Ita) LPR Brakes - Ballan 4.45.05 (37.041km/h)
8 Alberto Contador (Spa) Astana 2.10
18 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana 2.55
28 Christian Vandevelde (USA) Slipstream Chipotle 3.46
77 Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Slipstream Chipotle 14.51
92 Jason McCartney (USA) Team CSC 24.29
98 Jens Voigt (Ger) Team CSC
118 David Millar (GBr) Slipstream Chipotle
120 Danny Pate (USA) Slipstream Chipotle
144 Christopher Sutton (Aus) Slipstream Chipotle 28.11
176 Jonathan Patrick Mc Carty (USA) Slipstream Chipotle
179 Magnus Backstedt (Swe) Slipstream Chipotle
181 Julian Dean (NZl) Slipstream Chipotle
General classification after stage seven
1 Giovanni Visconti (Ita) Quick Step 32.03.01
9 Alberto Contador (Spa) Astana 7.56
22 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana 9.14
24 Christian Vandevelde (USA) Slipstream Chipotle 9.17
74 Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Slipstream Chipotle 26.41
85 David Millar (GBr) Slipstream Chipotle 33.17
102 Jason Mccartney (USA) Team CSC 41.54
104 Jens Voigt (Ger) Team CSC 42.03
131 Magnus Backstedt (Swe) Slipstream Chipotle 52.16
168 Jonathan Patrick Mc Carty (USA) Slipstream Chipotle 1.09.13
171 Julian Dean (NZl) Slipstream Chipotle 1.09.57
177 Danny Pate (USA) Slipstream Chipotle 1.12.58
182 Christopher Sutton (Aus) Slipstream Chipotle 1.23.16

Slipstream: Staying in the game
TeamCSC: Nice Effort by Team CSC in First Mountain Stage
Astana_CMehl: Contador Gains Time with DiLuca and Ricco
DP: Stage 7 Interview Roundup
PEZ: Bosisio Triumphs, The Killer Warns
CW: DiLuca, Ricco, & Contador all gain time on Giro rivals
BikeRadar: Gabriele Bosisio best of the break
CW: Ricco criticises Contador after first Giro mountain stage
CW: Petacchi out of Team Milram

Graham Watson Photos: Stage 7
Astana: Stage 7
TeamCSC: Giro