Giro Expert Preview - Stage 19

Gianni Savio explains:

This is a very, very hard stage! It's the third photo of the Giro. The last climb is unbelievable hard and therefore I have no doubts that it will be one of the small climbers who will win this stage.

A guy like Domenico Pozzovivo has been looking very strong in this Giro and this is a very good stage for him. Also for Purito and hopefully for Rujano too.

Giro Expert Preview - Stage 18

Gianni Savio explains:
Okay. This is the last chance for the sprinters before the Giro ends. A break probably get away in the beginning but I'm sure the team of the sprinters will work hard to make it all come back together. Even though nothing is for sure in this sport.

The big favorite is once again Mark Cavendish.

GIRO EXCLUSIVE: Savio criticizes Rujano's Giro perfomance

Gianni Savio hopes his star rider will
find himself in the remaining stages.

Team manager of Androni Giocattoli, Gianni Savio, had big expectations for José Rujano before the start of this year’s Giro d’Italia, stating that Rujano was even better than last year. Before the last three decisive mountain stages José Rujano is number 22nd in the overall classification, 7,50 min behind Joaquim Rodriguez. 

First chance to turn the tables will be on Stage 17 to Cortina D’Ampezzo with four hard mountains on the menu, but even though Gianni Savio hopes for the best, he also makes it clear that Rujano isn’t where he should be.

“I hope we will see Rujano in front because so far he is the only rider on the team who hasn’t had produced a good Giro d’Italia. He has told me that it has been too cold for him and that’s why he hasn’t been performing well, but I think that if you are in good condition the weather shouldn’t really matter much. But let's see, I really hope he can rise tomorrow [Stage 17]”, Gianni Savio tells.

You can read Gianni Savio’s preview of Stage 17 by clicking here.

Giro Expert Preview - Stage 17

Gianni Savio explains:

This is another difficult stage. It’s very, very hard but it’s also possible to come back on the last descent if you are not too far behind. I think the overall favorites for the Giro victory; Scarponi, Basso & Purito will try to do something on this stage. We won’t see who will win Giro d’Italia but we will see who won’t be able to do it.

Again it’s very difficult to pick out a certain favorite for the stage win. I think a breakaway can make it again and for this reason I will tell all my riders to try to get away in the morning. So far they have been doing a great job. Today [Stage 16] every rider I told to attack was able to get away and in the end De Marchi managed to get a good result, let’s hope it will be even better tomorrow!

Giro Expert Preview - Stage 16

Gianni Savio explains:

This is a stage for a breakaway. I don’t think the few sprinters left can handle the last steep hill so a break will have good chances of succeeding this time. 

It’s close to impossible to pick a favorite for such a stage since everybody wants to get in the erly break, but to be honest I think it’s a good stage for my own riders like Miguel Angel Rubiano, Jackson Rodriguez & Fabio Felline. We hope for glory!

Giro Expert Preview - Stage 15

Gianni Savio explains: 
This stage will give us the 2nd photo of the Giro. It’s a very, very hard stage and we will now see which riders won’t be able to win this Giro. If you already is one minute or one and a half minute behind the favorites on the last climb you will never see them again. I don’t think a break will make it again this time. This stage is for the favorites to fight for.

That doesn’t mean it will be easy to pick a winner though. Cycling is a beautiful sport because anything can happen, still I wouldn’t be surprised if the winner of this stage will turn out to be the future winner of the Giro as well. It could be Michele Scarponi.

Giro Expert Preview - Stage 14

Gianni Savio explains:
Now it begins! The last climb to Cervinia isn’t very hard though so it all depends on if the favorites want to attack in the finish. I’m sure there will be established a breakaway in the beginning of the stage and if that break gets 12-13-14 minutes it’s possible it could make it with two or three minutes in the end. I wouldn’t be surprised if we get two races in the race. One for the stage win and one for the overall classification.

It’s difficult to pick out a favorite. Many riders want to the be in the break but if the peloton catches the break on the last climb it could be a good chance for my team leader José Rujano.