Stage 13
With three days to go, and two serious racing stages left, it looks like it is between Meoni and Roma, Meoni holds the lead, with Roma 3 minutes behind. Cox came in 5th today, and is now 16 minutes behind the leader.
The way they run the race, it is very tough to catch up, if you are going to win a stage you need to win it big, by 5 or so minutes. If you win a stage you start first the next day, with the rest following off in two minute intervals, this gives the chasers an oportuniity to catch up, stay with the leader, and if possible get ahead, classic hare and hound kind of stuff. If you win a stage, it had better be by at least 2 minutes, otherwise, the next day you have to go like hell and hope no one catches you up. Usually the guy who starts 3rd has a huge advantage. Meoni has played this game well, and has consistently placed in the top riders, without winning too many stages. However tomorrow Roma starts 4 minutes behind Meoni, if he can catch up, and stay with Meoni, he can turn the 3 minute deficit into a 1 minute lead, exciting stuff. Cox will start 8 minutes behind the first man, 2 behind Roma, and 6 behind Meoni, he could make up a lot of time, the advantage tomorrow is probably with Roma.
Looks like that big 950 twin with Meoni is going to do it.
Todays top 10 finish times:
1 007 SALA 6h 10' 06" 00' 00"
2 001 MEONI 6h 13' 51" 03' 45"
3 004 ESTEVE PUJOL 6h 14' 18" 04' 12"
4 009 ROMA 6h 15' 54" 05' 48"
5 005 COX 6h 18' 06" 08' 00"
6 003 DE GAVARDO 6h 32' 22" 22' 16"
7 006 SAINCT 6h 32' 36" 22' 30"
8 002 ARCARONS 6h 47' 38" 37' 32"
9 065 ULLEVALSETER 7h 08' 35" 58' 29"
10 012 BERNARD 7h 09' 01" 58' 55"
Overall top 10 standings.
1 001 MEONI 39h 32' 59" 00' 00"
2 009 ROMA 39h 36' 02" 03' 03"
3 005 COX 39h 49' 18" 16' 19"
4 003 DE GAVARDO 40h 19' 11" 46' 12"
5 002 ARCARONS 40h 44' 52" 1h 11' 53"
6 004 ESTEVE PUJOL 40h 48' 24" 1h 15' 25"
7 007 SALA 40h 48' 46" 1h 15' 47"
8 006 SAINCT 40h 52' 57" 1h 19' 58"
9 012 BERNARD 44h 01' 57" 4h 28' 58"
10 065 ULLEVALSETER 45h 02' 32" 5h 29' 33"