Valverde had nothing when things got heated on the climb to Passo Valparola, Nibali had something but not enough to dampen the enthusiasm of Esteban Chaves and Steven Kruijswijk.
Guys like Majka, Zakarin and Uran suddenly looked like the likely fifth place finishers we all thought they were, not bad but not with the best. And one timetrial later we have Kruijswijk firmly in the driver's seat. Eight minutes separate 1st and 10th place with these four challenges left in the race:
Stage 16 after the rest day with the Passo Mendola as the butcher's block for those who suffer from bad after-rest-day-legs. No doubt Astana will start their onslaught here.
Stage 18 with the tricky Pramartino approach to Pinerolo that we have seen in the Giro and Tour before. Nothing decisive but prime real estate for little jabs and sneak attacks.
Stage 19 with the Agnello, this year's Cima Coppi. No hiding on a day like this.
Stage 20 celebrates the old GT tradition of saving the worst for last. Bonette and the magnificent looking Colle della Lombarda. There is no way anything is decided before this stage. No one can feel safe on a stage like this.
Top 10 after Stage 15
1. | KRUIJSWIJK Steven | TLJ | ||
2. | CHAVES RUBIO Johan Esteban | OGE | 00:02:12 | |
3. | NIBALI Vincenzo | AST | 00:02:51 | |
4. | VALVERDE BELMONTE Alejandro | MOV | 00:03:29 | |
5. | MAJKA Rafal | TNK | 00:04:38 | |
6. | ZAKARIN Ilnur | KAT | 00:04:40 | |
7. | AMADOR BIKKAZAKOVA Andrey | MOV | 00:05:27 | |
8. | JUNGELS Bob | EQS | 00:07:14 | |
9. | SIUTSOU Kanstantsin | DDD | 00:07:37 | |
10. | FUGLSANG Jakob | AST | 00:07:55 |
So with all this in mind, who is your bet to win ?