Giro Pre Race Chat

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Comments

  • adr82
    adr82 Posts: 4,002
    frenchfighter wrote:
    Whatever folks I am not arguing this further as my opinion on the matter is quite clear. Just get behind your tiny, 0% body fat Aussie and place a bet.
    FF, I just want to see a competitive race that is still in the balance right to the end of stage 20. I don't particularly care who wins it, but it'd be nice if it wasn't a Contador walkover, and Porte seems to be the guy with the best chance of troubling him. Don't you think a hypothetical Contador win would be improved if he was pushed all the way by Porte (or someone else), with plenty of opportunities for do-or-die attacks to delight all those "real" cycling fans?
  • frenchfighter
    frenchfighter Posts: 30,642
    Of course it is great if he will be pushed by Porte. I am not arguing otherwise. My point is simply that he has 0 precedent for performing on a level that suggest a GT win is a distinct possibility.

    That being said I wouldn't mind a walkover - not that it will occur. 2011 was a 'walkover' I suppose but was brilliant to watch. There is something special observing someone on occasion just being so far apart from the others (in any sport).
    Contador is the Greatest
  • bobmcstuff
    bobmcstuff Posts: 11,435
    Well my real money is on Contador to win but I have an e/w on Porte too. I quite like Porte, his attitude is endearing (he's always so cheerful!) so I'd prefer to see him win. I don't like Contador all that much apart from his riding with a broken leg thing from last year which was cool.

    (In my opinion)
  • EKIMIKE
    EKIMIKE Posts: 2,232
    Formolo will be interesting to watch. Proper talent.
    Canyon Endurace CF 2014 | Canyon Ultimate CF 2010
  • inseine
    inseine Posts: 5,788
    frenchfighter wrote:
    Of course it is great if he will be pushed by Porte. I am not arguing otherwise. My point is simply that he has 0 precedent for performing on a level that suggest a GT win is a distinct possibility.

    That being said I wouldn't mind a walkover - not that it will occur. 2011 was a 'walkover' I suppose but was brilliant to watch. There is something special observing someone on occasion just being so far apart from the others (in any sport).

    Great wasn't it, like Lance in 1999... :wink:
    http://cyclinganddesign.blogspot.fr/
  • above_the_cows
    above_the_cows Posts: 11,406
    Milton50 wrote:
    Kind of surprised at the apathy towards the race. At the start of the year it looked like it was going to be a procession for Contador but not now. And the charm of the Giro is the unpredictability of it.

    Apathetic? I can't blawdy wait! MY MAN is going to clean up, bwhahahahahaha 8)

    And even if he doesn't I am still super excited, I'm just very, very busy at work with a crazy research load and a monster teaching semester. Still I get a sabbatical from teaching next semester so...
    Correlation is not causation.
  • above_the_cows
    above_the_cows Posts: 11,406
    adr82 wrote:
    frenchfighter wrote:
    Whatever folks I am not arguing this further as my opinion on the matter is quite clear. Just get behind your tiny, 0% body fat Aussie and place a bet.
    FF, I just want to see a competitive race that is still in the balance right to the end of stage 20. I don't particularly care who wins it, but it'd be nice if it wasn't a Contador walkover, and Porte seems to be the guy with the best chance of troubling him. Don't you think a hypothetical Contador win would be improved if he was pushed all the way by Porte (or someone else), with plenty of opportunities for do-or-die attacks to delight all those "real" cycling fans?

    But then Bert would be knackered for the Tour...
    Correlation is not causation.
  • mike6
    mike6 Posts: 1,199
    frenchfighter wrote:
    adr82 wrote:
    Yes, but how many of those GT placings were the result of him going into the race as unquestioned team leader? Riding a GT as a domestique isn't generally the way to get yourself into the top 10, with some occasional exceptions.

    Who knows. And who knows if he could have placed highly if he went balls out for the win. Or whether he should have placed a lot higher if he even could have even if he was riding to help Froome (lots of other riders manage to place top ten despite not being team leader). He is also not riding for Froome in a way that some other rider does - ie/. he is not flogging himself then stepping off the gas and rolling in.

    Fact is he hasn't shown anything that could suggest he could walk away with a three week Tour.

    Who said anything about walking away with the Giro? Win it, yes.
    And your comment........
    "...I just hope that he doesn't somehow come out and beat Contador over three weeks as he has shown he is nowhere close to being that rider..."

    Is a thinly veiled slur on the guy, presumably insinuating that if he wins he must be doping.
    We all know who the cheat is, you only have to look at his results since his ban. There again if Bertie is loosing he can always "Break" his leg again and go for the easy option in the Vuelta.
  • RonB
    RonB Posts: 3,984
    Here's a blog from @cyclingalps which focuses on the climbs in this years race ...

    http://www.podiumcafe.com/2015/5/7/8550413/the-giro-ditalia-mountains-preview

    It might not look all that, compared to S19 & S20, but that penultimate climb on S15 the day after the long ITT could be a real test.
  • ocdupalais
    ocdupalais Posts: 4,317
    Them naughty race photographers will be keeping an eye out for any Aru/Henderson action... Ideally, at the pre-race presentation.
  • blazing_saddles
    blazing_saddles Posts: 22,725
    EKIMIKE wrote:
    Formolo will be interesting to watch. Proper talent.

    His proper talent seems to have gone AWOL since Garmin got added to his team's name.
    He needs a good Giro, that's for sure.
    "Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
  • above_the_cows
    above_the_cows Posts: 11,406
    RonB wrote:
    It might not look all that, compared to S19 & S20, but that penultimate climb on S15 the day after the long ITT could be a real test.

    I can attest that the Passo Daone is a nasty whatnot. I inadvertently climbed it last summer, not realising what I was climbing. :shock:
    Correlation is not causation.
  • norvernrob
    norvernrob Posts: 1,448
    I'm on team Richie for this one, he seems a nice guy and looks like he's smiling even when he's grimacing!

    Contador may win, but I think they've entered him because it's a soft target compared to the Tour. The double isn't happening, and if Porte wins this Giro I don't think Contador will ever win another GT unless it's maybe a Vuelta without much competition.
  • above_the_cows
    above_the_cows Posts: 11,406
    NorvernRob wrote:
    I'm on team Richie for this one, he seems a nice guy and looks like he's smiling even when he's grimacing!

    Wey hey! Have a Toblerone :D
    Correlation is not causation.
  • yourpaceormine
    yourpaceormine Posts: 1,245
    Another Team Toblerone vote here, would really like to see Richie take his week/10 day form up another level. Certainly been a good rider to watch this season (so far), so yes I hope to have a few shouts at the telly box over the 3 weeks.

    In other words I'd like to see a closely contested GC. If Richie doesn't take the top step I hope Rigoberto does (or anyone apart from the tainted beef man)
  • ocdupalais
    ocdupalais Posts: 4,317
    Above The Cows wrote:
    RonB wrote:
    It might not look all that, compared to S19 & S20, but that penultimate climb on S15 the day after the long ITT could be a real test.

    I can attest that the Passo Daone is a nasty whatnot. I inadvertently climbed it last summer, not realising what I was climbing. :shock:

    Like accidentally going on holiday, accidentally riding up cols can often be the best method.
    The Nasty Whatnot Aspect is an excellent measurement device for unexpected git climbs.

    There's a really horrible one at the base of Sierra Nevada that I accidentally took some mates up before we tackled the full climb to 3400m... Oh, how we laughed.
  • andyp
    andyp Posts: 10,549
    Blazing Saddles wrote:
    His proper talent seems to have gone AWOL since Garmin got added to his team's name.
    He needs a good Giro, that's for sure.

    The curse of Sebastian Weber strikes again.
  • andyp
    andyp Posts: 10,549
    I'm with FF on this, Porte's credentials as a GC contender in a GT are weak. Since his 7th place in the 2010 Giro, which suggested he would be a GT rider, he's consistently failed to deliver.
  • dolan_driver
    dolan_driver Posts: 831
    Win, lose or draw, Richie P is down to ride the Irish Giro D'Italia Gran Fondo in June.

    I tipped Rigo to win in the Giro PTP thread. I will go further and throw down this gauntlet; if Mr. Uran wins the Giro, I will put pink handlebar tape on my bike! I can't say fairer than that. 8)

    DD.
  • cc78
    cc78 Posts: 599
    EKIMIKE wrote:
    Formolo will be interesting to watch. Proper talent.

    Formolo is tipped for a top 10 finish in this week's Cycling Podcast. 4/1 at the bookies if you are that way inclined...
  • above_the_cows
    above_the_cows Posts: 11,406
    OCDuPalais wrote:
    Above The Cows wrote:
    RonB wrote:
    It might not look all that, compared to S19 & S20, but that penultimate climb on S15 the day after the long ITT could be a real test.

    I can attest that the Passo Daone is a nasty whatnot. I inadvertently climbed it last summer, not realising what I was climbing. :shock:

    Like accidentally going on holiday, accidentally riding up cols can often be the best method.
    The Nasty Whatnot Aspect is an excellent measurement device for unexpected git climbs.

    There's a really horrible one at the base of Sierra Nevada that I accidentally took some mates up before we tackled the full climb to 3400m... Oh, how we laughed.

    There's another git climb the other side of the valley too. The moral of this story is always check the gradients before you set off and never take what you think is the short cut to Pinzolo. But still as you say its is fun, because you really have no idea, you get back, check out the gradient when you get internet and think blimey no wonder I thought I was going to die and no wonder everyone passing me on the descent was giving me funny looks.
    Correlation is not causation.
  • frenchfighter
    frenchfighter Posts: 30,642
    If Contador wears these shoes at the Giro it will be a complete disaster.

    CEarNqeWMAI2Hra.jpg
    CEarPCpW0AAytRM.jpg
    Contador is the Greatest
  • ddraver
    ddraver Posts: 26,697
    yes, the world will surely end....
    We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
    - @ddraver
  • ocdupalais
    ocdupalais Posts: 4,317
    Bertie's looking very brown. Hopefully, he's been at the Parador in Tenerife, now that they all copy Sky, rather than "Mexico"...
  • ddraver
    ddraver Posts: 26,697
    Cycling Podcast said he's been doing laps of Teide

    Obvioulsy Froome's ex coach told him nothing though, nothing...cos, you know, Berite said he didnt so there
    We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
    - @ddraver
  • ocdupalais
    ocdupalais Posts: 4,317
    For all of Oleg's hubris and bluster, I bet he's sh!tting himself about being a Riis replacement.
    I'd be very surprised if he doesn't f@ck something up. He's like an un-toilet trained Labrador that's been let back in the house because there's a lion* on the loose. You know, sooner or later, a stinking turd will make it's presence felt... Bert knows this and is probably pretending he's not nervous...


    * And that lion is RITCHIE PORTE! Ish...
  • blazing_saddles
    blazing_saddles Posts: 22,725
    The team presentation is due at 3pm. Live here if anybody can stomach it.
    http://www.calcion.md/rai3.htm
    "Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
  • frenchfighter
    frenchfighter Posts: 30,642
    Check out those arms. Perfect.
    CEfK4ZJW0AEh7Z2.jpg:large
    Contador is the Greatest
  • frenchfighter
    frenchfighter Posts: 30,642
    The Giro d’Italia has previously raced on gravel roads, planks and islands, but when the 2015 race starts on Saturday in Liguria it will be the first time the organiser has run a stage on a bike path.

    The Italian Riviera will host the opening stage, a team time trial, from San Lorenzo al Mare to San Remo on bike paths that it created from abandoned railway lines. The Riviera dei Fiori bike path will span 60 kilometres when completed.

    Snapshot of it:
    CEbs0cnXIAAauBN.jpg
    Contador is the Greatest
  • blazing_saddles
    blazing_saddles Posts: 22,725
    The French are very unhappy, Oleg says (in print) he prefers the Giro to the Tour.
    Team Tinkoff looking over shoulders very nervously, while on stage, but fortunately the Russian clown didn't pull an Eric Morcambe with the curtain. Contador looked like he was at the dentist.
    The actual presentation oddly absent from Rai, but on Bein sports in France...
    "Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.

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