2008 Giro - Stage 5

So today was looking awesome as I was watching the race this morning. Big Maggy had tried in a break but it didn't stick. Then Millar goes and with 4 others, the break sticks and they're off. Dave was looking great. He had taken some long pulls up front and for a bit I wondered if he had enough to win it as he was doing a lot of work. But then in the last say 2-3 K's they guys were starting to attack each other and it was pretty clear the he had some left and could win this thing. Then, the craptastic moment of the stage - his frickin' chain breaks! I was just like, what the hell? In full-on-winning race mode, he picked up the bike and tossed it like some of the very best. Some say that's totally unprofessional, I say, hey he was pissed watching his win now gone.

I got to chat with John again today. So glad he's back from his vacation. Today's race was good and I hope that David goes for it again. I for one love Slipstream so much because they animate races a lot and get into break aways. Today C stayed alert and looked good with the other leaders. I'd love to see him back in pink for sure but still excited he's right there in the mix givin' hell. :-)

Live Chatter: CN - DP - VN - PC

Stage 5 - Wed 5/14: Belvedere Marittimo - Contursi Terme, 203km
Results
1 Pavel Brutt (Rus) Tinkoff Credit Systems 5.04.52 (39.951 km/h)
10 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Astana 0.31
27 Christian Vande Velde (USA) Slipstream Chipotle P/b H30
35 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana
104 Magnus Backstedt (Swe) Slipstream Chipotle P/b H30 3.03
107 Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Slipstream Chipotle P/b H30
110 Jason McCartney (USA) Team CSC 3.18
111 Jonathan Patrick Mc Carty (USA) Slipstream Chipotle P/b H30
119 David Millar (GBr) Slipstream Chipotle P/b H30 0.25
143 Julian Dean (NZl) Slipstream Chipotle P/b H30 8.53
144 Jens Voigt (Ger) Team CSC 11.21
158 Christopher Sutton (Aus) Slipstream Chipotle P/b H30 13.27
166 Danny Pate (USA) Slipstream Chipotle P/b H30
General classification after stage 5
1 Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Liquigas 21.46.49
2 Christian Vande Velde (USA) Slipstream Chipotle P/b H30 0.01
16 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Astana 0.30
21 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana 0.40
64 David Millar (GBr) Slipstream Chipotle P/b H30 2.02
81 Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Slipstream Chipotle P/b H30 5.26
100 Jens Voigt (Ger) Team CSC 11.55
141 Jason McCartney (USA) Team CSC 22.40
160 Magnus Backstedt (Swe) Slipstream Chipotle P/b H30 29.40
174 Julian Dean (NZl) Slipstream Chipotle P/b H30 34.06
175 Jonathan Patrick Mc Carty (USA) Slipstream Chipotle P/b H30 34.38
180 Danny Pate (USA) Slipstream Chipotle P/b H30 37.54
188 Christopher Sutton (Aus) Slipstream Chipotle P/b H30 44.29

Slipstream: Bad break ends Millar's brilliant day
Slipstream_JV: Stuff happens
Slipstream_DM: My chain reaction
CW: Watch Giro stage last kilometre
CW: Millar denied by snapped chain at the last
PEZ_Jered: Brute Force Gets It For Brutt
BikeRadar: Tinkoff wins by Brutt force

Graham Watson Photos: Stage 5