Giro d'Italia 2013

Nibali deserves this win. He was arguably the best rider in last years TDF but Liquigas team were weak and couldn't give him the support the Sky boys had. I think it is a shame Wiggins has been ill as I feel Nibali would still have beaten him and the battle would have been worth watching, as the relative strengths of the two teams are more even.

Thu, 23 May - stage 18: Mori-Polsa (20.6km) Individual time trial

Stage type: Time Trial

http://www.gazzetta.it/Speciali/Giroditalia/2013/it/tappa.shtml?t=18&lang=en

The stage is mainly uphill all the way.

One for Dowsett?

Just a reminder of the next 3 stages after today's time trial.

Fri, 24 May - stage 19: Ponte di Legno-Val Martello (139km)

Stage type: High Mountain

Three big mountains will test the best on a stage which features a cumulative 4,300m of vertical climbing. The legendary 23km ride up the Passo Gavia and 21.7km ascent of the Passo di Stelvio, which reaches the highest point of the race at 2,783m, dominate the opening half of the stage. The final 22km, to the finish at Val Martello, features gradients of 14%.

http://www.gazzetta.it/Speciali/Giroditalia/2013/it/tappa.shtml?t=19&lang=en

Look out for: Italy's Vincenzo Nibali

Sat, 25 May - stage 20: Silandro-Tre Cime di Lavaredo (203km)

Stage type: High Mountain

A final day in the Dolomites of northern Italy which has five categorised climbs to negotiate.

http://www.gazzetta.it/Speciali/Giroditalia/2013/it/tappa.shtml?t=20&lang=en

Sun, 26 May - stage 21: Riese Pio X-Brescia (197km)

Stage type: Flat

Just like the Tour de France, the final stage is a procession ahead of several laps and a big sprint in the city that will host the finish. The traditional finish in Milan has been ditched in favour of Brescia.

http://www.gazzetta.it/Speciali/Giroditalia/2013/it/tappa.shtml?t=21&lang=en

Look out for: Italy's Elia Viviani. His Cannondale team is based nearby and they will be looking to deliver him to the finish in front of an expectant home crowd.

Nibali wins the stage.

General classification after stage 18:

1. Vincenzo Nibali (Ita/Astana) 73:55:58"

2. Cadel Evans (Aus/BMC Racing) +4:02"

3. Rigoberto Uran (Col/Team Sky) +4:12"

4. Michele Scarponi (Ita/Lampre) +5:14"

5. Przemyslaw Niemiec (Pol/Lampre) +6:09

Giro d'Italia 2013: stage 18 results
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2013/may/23/giro-d-italia-2013-stage-18-results

Classifications (top 3 only)

Stage results
1 - V. Nibali - Astana = 20:29:00
2 - S. Sánchez - Euskaltel = +0:58
3 - D. Caruso - Cannondale = +1:20

General classification
1 - V. Nibali - Astana = 01:55:58
2 - C. Evans - BMC Racing = +4:02
3 - R. Urán - Team Sky = +4:12

Points classification
1 - M. Cavendish - Omega Ph.-Q-Step = 113
2 - C. Evans - BMC Racing = 109
3 - V. Nibali - Astana = 103

Mountain classification
1 - S. Pirazzi - Bardiani Valvole = 79
2 - Gio. Visconti - Movistar = 45
3 - Jac. Rodríguez - Androni Giocatt. = 41

Youth classification
1 - R. Majka - Saxo - Tinkoff = 02:02:43
2 - C. Betancur - AG2R = 00:00:00
3 - W. Kelderman - Blanco = +10:18

Team classification
1 - Team Sky = 05:35:10
2 - Blanco = +5:49
3 - Movistar = +7:01

Sprint classification
1 - R. Andriato - Vini Fantini = 20
2 - C. Wurf - Cannondale = 18
3 - P. Ligthart - Vacansoleil = 15

Combativity classification
1 - Gio. Visconti - Movistar = 39
2 - S. Pirazzi - Bardiani Valvole = 37
3 - M. Cavendish - Omega Ph.-Q-Step = 31

Other selected riders
GC Name Time
1 - V. Nibali = 01:55:58
2 - C. Evans = +4:02
3 - R. Urán = +4:12
4 - M. Scarponi = +5:14
10 - S. Sánchez = +9:34
12 - R. Gesink = +10:19
35 - Gio. Visconti = +56:49
96 - O. Gatto = +2:24:47
118 - E. Viviani = +2:45:11
121 - F. Pozzato = +2:46:05
131 - M. Cavendish = +2:59:10
150 - A. Dowsett = +3:20:51
153 - S. Cummings = +3:24:55
171 - A. Blythe = +4:05:50

Reminder!

Friday's live TV coverage of stage 19 starts on Eurosport at 11.30

Stage 19 cancelled due to snow.

Stage 20 altered.

" Stage 20 was set to feature five categorised climbs during a final day in the Dolomites of northern Italy but the Passo Costalunga, Passo di San Pellegrino and Passo Giau have all been omitted from the new route.

The climb of the Passo Tre Croci remains, along with the final climb to the finish at Tre Cime di Lavaredo, weather permitting. "

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cycling/22652522

Giro d'Italia 2013: stage 20 results
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2013/may/25/giro-d-italia-2013-stage-20-results

Classifications (top 3 only)

Stage results
1 - V. Nibali - Astana = 05:27:41
2 - F. Duarte - Colombia = +0:17
3 - R. Urán - Team Sky = +0:19

General classification
1 - V. Nibali - Astana = 07:23:19
2 - R. Urán - Team Sky = +4:43
3 - C. Evans - BMC Racing = +5:52

Points classification
1 - V. Nibali - Astana = 128
2 - M. Cavendish - Omega Ph.-Q-Step = 117
3 - C. Evans - BMC Racing = 111

Mountain classification
1 - S. Pirazzi - Bardiani Valvole = 82
2 - V. Nibali - Astana = 45
3 - Gio. Visconti - Movistar = 45

Youth classification
1 - C. Betancur - AG2R = 07:30:47
2 - R. Majka - Saxo - Tinkoff = 00:00:00
3 - W. Kelderman - Blanco = +12:06

Team classification
1 - Team Sky = 22:03:58
2 - Astana = +4:29
3 - Movistar = +7:27

Sprint classification
1 - R. Andriato - Vini Fantini = 20
2 - C. Wurf - Cannondale = 18
3 - A. Hansen - Lotto = 16

Combativity classification
1 - V. Nibali - Astana = 40
2 - Gio. Visconti - Movistar = 39
3 - S. Pirazzi - Bardiani Valvole = 38

Other selected riders
GC Name Time
1 - V. Nibali = 07:23:19
2 - R. Urán = +4:43
3 - C. Evans = +5:52
4 - M. Scarponi = +6:48
12 - S. Sánchez = +11:59
36 - Gio. Visconti = +1:10:55
99 - O. Gatto = +2:44:09
119 - E. Viviani = +3:04:33
121 - F. Pozzato = +3:05:27
129 - M. Cavendish = +3:19:48
148 - A. Dowsett = +3:40:13
149 - S. Cummings = +3:42:50
167 - A. Blythe = +4:27:03

Cav wins the stage

Giro d'Italia 2013: stage 21 results
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2013/may/26/giro-d-italia-2013-stage-21-results

Classifications (top 3 only)

Stage results
1 - M. Cavendish - Omega Ph.-Q-Step = 05:30:09
2 - S. Modolo - Bardiani Valvole = +0:0
3 - E. Viviani - Cannondale = +0:0

General classification
1 - V. Nibali - Astana = 12:53:28
2 - R. Urán - Team Sky = +4:43
3 - C. Evans - BMC Racing = +5:52

Points classification
1 - M. Cavendish - Omega Ph.-Q-Step = 158
2 - V. Nibali - Astana = 128
3 - C. Evans - BMC Racing = 111

Mountain classification
1 - S. Pirazzi - Bardiani Valvole = 82
2 - V. Nibali - Astana = 45
3 - Gio. Visconti - Movistar = 45

Youth classification
1 - C. Betancur - AG2R = 13:00:56
2 - R. Majka - Saxo - Tinkoff = 00:00:00
3 - W. Kelderman - Blanco = +12:50

Team classification
1 - Team Sky = 14:34:25
2 - Astana = +4:29
3 - Movistar = +7:27

Sprint classification
1 - R. Andriato - Vini Fantini = 23
2 - Gio. Visconti - Movistar = 21
3 - C. Wurf - Cannondale = 20

Combativity classification
1 - M. Cavendish - Omega Ph.-Q-Step = 49
2 - Gio. Visconti - Movistar = 47
3 - V. Nibali - Astana = 40

Other selected riders
GC Name Time
1 - V. Nibali = 12:53:28
2 - R. Urán = +4:43
3 - C. Evans = +5:52
4 - M. Scarponi = +6:48
12 - S. Sánchez = +12:13
35 - Gio. Visconti = +1:10:47
98 - O. Gatto = +2:44:53
119 - E. Viviani = +3:04:25
120 - F. Pozzato = +3:05:27
127 - M. Cavendish = +3:19:16
148 - A. Dowsett = +3:40:57
149 - S. Cummings = +3:44:28
167 - A. Blythe = +4:28:23