Two mountain stages and then a time trial into Milano? A perfect ending to this tortuous three weeks through Italy. Today’s stage is likely the lynch pin of the weekend as it’s the last mountaintop finish and Contador looks to be faster than any of his most dangerous rivals (Simoni ad Ricco) in the time trial discipline. If they’re going to do it, they really ought to do it today. Tomorrow’s parkours, while including the monstrous Passo Gavia, finishes after a descent so there should be opportunity for the lead group to come back together a little bit if anyone cracks on the ascent. Today? No such luck as the as the Passo del Vivone will grind up the peloton in advance of the finish on the Monte Pora.
Thankfully all of this stuff happens in the morning, otherwise my days would be shot…