Nibali riding himself into .... (potential Giro Spoiler)

plectrum

.....favourite for the TdF?

He is looking as the strongest GT overall mountain rider in the world currently and it very much looks as if he will be able to win this year's Giro at a canter and by taking it slightly easier in the last week may well roll straight into le Tour in prime form.

If his race calendar doesn't include le Tour then please ignore this thread!

Daz555

Last I read he was not doing the Tour. Even if he was I would not place him favourite.

plectrum

Daz555 wrote:

Last I read he was not doing the Tour. Even if he was I would not place him favourite.

Daz555 - really his TT has massively improved and it isn't a major decider, he is versatile on a variety of ascents both lengths and steepness and he does look more in form than anyone also Sky whichever way you look at it will be split. As for the other contendors such as Contedor, he really hasn't looked a genuine GC winner since returning from the ban and perhaps as a consequence of riding clean. I still feel Movistar and possibly Quintana are going to be the real surprise but whether that is PED fuelled or not is another concern.

alihisgreat

Froome has to be the favourite at the moment..

then the Dauphine will have the final say as to who is favourite going into the tour.

Daz555 - really his TT has massively improved and it isn't a major decider, he is versatile on a variety of ascents both lengths and steepness and he does look more in form than anyone also Sky whichever way you look at it will be split. As for the other contendors such as Contedor, he really hasn't looked a genuine GC winner since returning from the ban and perhaps as a consequence of riding clean. I still feel Movistar and possibly Quintana are going to be the real surprise but whether that is PED fuelled or not is another concern.

Except that time he won La Vuelta last year?

frenchfighter

Good luck to anyone trying for the Giro Tour double in the same year.

viewtopic.php?t=12661621

secretsqirrel

As far as I am aware Fuglsang is leading Astana for the TdF. It's not in Nibs schedule for this year, the Giro is his target race.

plectrum

SS - thanks oh well redundant thread!

plectrum

ALIHISGREAT wrote:

Froome has to be the favourite at the moment..

then the Dauphine will have the final say as to who is favourite going into the tour.

Daz555 - really his TT has massively improved and it isn't a major decider, he is versatile on a variety of ascents both lengths and steepness and he does look more in form than anyone also Sky whichever way you look at it will be split. As for the other contendors such as Contedor, he really hasn't looked a genuine GC winner since returning from the ban and perhaps as a consequence of riding clean. I still feel Movistar and possibly Quintana are going to be the real surprise but whether that is PED fuelled or not is another concern.

Except that time he won La Vuelta last year?

oh yah ... oops short term memory.

secretsqirrel

plectrum wrote:

SS - thanks oh well redundant thread!

Never say never. You never know, Astana might change their plans.

Just as Sky might :?

Pross

SecretSqirrel wrote:

As far as I am aware Fuglsang is leading Astana for the TdF. It's not in Nibs schedule for this year, the Giro is his target race.

Jeez, is he really their plan A for the Tour? Nibs knackered from the Giro is a better option and Tiralongo would be preferable!

greasedscotsman

Pross wrote:

Jeez, is he really their plan A for the Tour? Nibs knackered from the Giro is a better option and Tiralongo would be preferable!

I'm sure Contador would agree!

thomthom

I've said it plenty of times in the Wiggins discussion as well - you can't win both.

Unless you want entry in the Roche, Indurain, Pantani-club. And you don't.

Daz555

ThomThom wrote:

I've said it plenty of times in the Wiggins discussion as well - you can't win both.

With the right route it is possible to win both - if unlikely.