How the time gaps affect the pre-race GC favourites, part 2

Yesterday's massive pile up that appeared to bring down, or at least hold up, the entire peloton baring about eight men positioned right at the front of the race. One of those was one of the pre-race favorites Cadel Evans, using all his veteran savvy to stay at the front and out of danger once the break was caught and the speed was being ramped up ahead of the final climb to the finish on wet roads. The result was chaotic to the GC.

Everyone lost time to Evans, but the biggest loser was Joaqium Rodriguez, who like Dan Martin on stage 1 had to abandon as a result of the rain. Unlike Martin however, Rodriguez managed to limp home before pulling out with a broken rib and thumb, finishing 7 minutes and 43 seconds behind Evans. At 35 years of age, Rodriguez's chances of winning a Grand Tour are narrowing by the year. This Giro was seen as a huge chance for him to finally get it done having racked up five top five finishes including nine top ten finishes across the three Grand Tours since 2008.

Another big loser was Nicolas Roche who lost over 15 minutes on the day and who will now turn his attention to helping teammate Rafal Majka who sits fourth overall, little over a minute behind Evans.

As a result of the times lost by those we came into this Giro considering as potential winners, their general classification now stands as thus:

1. Cadel Evans

2. Rigoberto Urán + 57 secs

3. Ivan Basso + 1-45

4. Nairo Quintana + 1-47

5. Michele Scarponi + 2-07

6. Ryder Hesjedal + 4-18

7. Nicolas Roche + 15-34

Abandoned: Dan Martin (Stage 1), Joaqium Rodriguez (Stage 6).

The upshot is that Evans holds a pretty commanding lead and unless things change -- which they probably will -- will see him in control come the mountains. At 37 years of age, this is the perfect scenario for him. There's a chance he could tire later in the race and so having this kind of a lead to defend suits him better than having to chance time. But fear not for a conservative final two weeks for Nairo Quintana at 1 minute, 47 seconds is going to have to throw caution to the wind in the mountains and attack early and often to try claw back the time. 1-47 is very doable, likewise Urán's 57 seconds, and it'll be fascinating to see if they can.