As the sign said, Welcome to the Gates of Hell. Ivan Basso and Liquigas played their cards well today, controlling the tempo all day long before dropping their leaders off at the Gate. Nibali, predictably, didn't have great legs today, but Basso did, and made everyone pay. Cadel Evans turned himself inside out as usual to stay in the hunt, and Damiano Cunego and Michele Scarponi managed to keep themselves intact. But a lot of other guys got smacked down by the fearsome Zoncolan. Stage results:
- Ivan Basso, Liquigas
- Cadel Evans, BMC, at 1.20
- Michele Scarponi, Androni, at 1.30
- Damiano Cunego, Lampre, at 1.58
- Alexandre Vinokourov, Astana, at 2.26
- Carlos Sastre, Cervelo, at 2.44
- Vincenzo Nibali, Liquigas, at 3.07
- Marco Pinotti, HRC, at 3.21
- Dan Martin, Garmin, at 3.32
- John Gadret, AG2R, at 3.45
- David Arroyo, Caisse d'Epargne, at 3.51
Overall in turmoil once again, albeit more in line with what we'd have expected.
- David Arroyo, Cd'E
- Richie Porte, Saxo Bank, at 2.35
- Ivan Basso, Liquigas, at 3.33
- Carlos Sastre, Cervelo, at 4.21
- Cadel Evans, BMC, at 4.43
- Alexandre Vinokourov, Astana, at 5.51
- Vincenzo Nibali, Liquigas, at 6.08
- Michele Scarponi, Androni, at 6.34
- Linus Gerdemann, Milram, at 7:12
- Robert Kiserlovski, Liquigas, at 8:13
Pics of the day: The Winnar!
The Gladiator:
Crazy Zoncolan:
