The presence of Contador: Alberto Contador is still under doping investigation. He might be the race leader and he is likely racing clean right now, but his clenbuterol test from the Tour de France is still out there and his non-suspension is still under appeal from both the UCI (cycling's governing body) and WADA (the World Anti-Doping Agency). Most realize the reason he is racing the Giro d'Italia is that he may not be able to start the Tour de France because of a decision on the appeal is due between the end of the Giro and the beginning of the Tour. Sadly, this could also mean vacated results. I bring this up because it changes the race entirely. If Contador's results are likely to be vacated, does it make any sense to try and keep up with his superhuman accelerations? I know if I can't beat him and there is a good chance his results will be expunged from the record book, I am marking everyone else while letting him attack, much like the main GC favorites other than Scarponi did on the Mount Etna stage. Just bringing the pint up, nothing more.
Safety matters: We have two different approaches to safety being taking at the major races right now after Wouter Weylandt's death last week. At the Tour of California, we had Stage 1 in the snow canceled and stage 2 significantly changed because of safety concerns with the snow fall. At the same time, the Giro is sending its cyclist down an absolutely crazy descent later this week that many riders voicing concerns about before Weylandt's crash. Below is a video of part of the descent and I really can't believe they think adding some padding and nets is really going to do much if someone overcooks a turn on this thing. Hopefully, we have no problems with the crazy descent and can just enjoy that day of racing on Saturday.
Is the GC over? Contador has a big lead. I don't know that its over though since we've never seen so much climbing in a race. Tactically, the other contenders need to change it up and likely work together to try to weaken Contador in the mountains. Normally, early attacks are not a good idea, but waiting until the last mountain is just dumb against Contador because he rests the whole day in the peloton and then unleashes his trademark acceleration when it is necessary. Something different really needs to be done. Of the remaining contenders, the only one who can afford to wait is Vincenzo Nibali, and that is because he is a good time trialist (might can beat Contador on either the flat or the mountain time trial). That said, he can't afford any more time losses though I also expect a stage win from him in week three on the stage that finishes at the end of a descent. Nibali is one of the best descenders in the entire peloton.
Tomorrow's Stage: A sprint stage for certain tomorrow. The sprinters haven't had a tone of chances and the mountains only get worse from here. Tomorrow is one of the few remaining days left for the sprinters and the rest day should mean their teams have strong legs to chase down breakaways.
Any GC changes tomorrow: None. No chance. Even if a breakaway somehow sticks, nobody is making any big time gains.
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