Giro Pre Race Chat

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Comments

  • milton50
    milton50 Posts: 3,856
    Oleg says (in print) he prefers the Giro to the Tour.

    Funny that.
  • blazing_saddles
    blazing_saddles Posts: 22,725
    Atapuma's mum has died, but it seems as if he is going to be at the startline.
    What with Moinard having to be called up from a break, BMC are having a rough ride even before the race begins.
    "Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
  • Crampeur
    Crampeur Posts: 1,065
    edited May 2015
    George Bennett (Lotto-Jumbo) not starting because of low cortisol levels.

    eta: press release from the team here: http://www.teamlottojumbo.com/cycling-n ... n-the-giro
  • type:epyt
    type:epyt Posts: 766
    This Rapha jersey is, however nice looking (other than the Sky logo), rather disrespectful:

    http://www.rapha.cc/gb/en/shop/team-sky ... e%20Jersey

    As far as I know Nibs is still tne Italian RR champ ...
    Life is unfair, kill yourself or get over it.
  • takethehighroad
    takethehighroad Posts: 6,821
    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).

    What was Contador's precedent in 2007?
  • salsiccia1
    salsiccia1 Posts: 3,725
    type:epyt wrote:
    This Rapha jersey is, however nice looking (other than the Sky logo), rather disrespectful:

    http://www.rapha.cc/gb/en/shop/team-sky ... e%20Jersey

    As far as I know Nibs is still tne Italian RR champ ...

    Given the abomination he currently wears, Nibali hasn't exactly been bothered about being showing that off to best effect
    It's only a bit of sport, Mun. Relax and enjoy the racing.
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,661
    type:epyt wrote:
    This Rapha jersey is, however nice looking (other than the Sky logo), rather disrespectful:

    http://www.rapha.cc/gb/en/shop/team-sky ... e%20Jersey

    As far as I know Nibs is still tne Italian RR champ ...

    They won't be racing in that.
  • type:epyt
    type:epyt Posts: 766
    type:epyt wrote:
    This Rapha jersey is, however nice looking (other than the Sky logo), rather disrespectful:

    http://www.rapha.cc/gb/en/shop/team-sky ... e%20Jersey

    As far as I know Nibs is still tne Italian RR champ ...

    They won't be racing in that.

    I think all of us knew that.

    Regardless, there are more subtle ways to 'celebrate' a team's participation in a race. I get where there market is for this kind of thing but for a company that peddles tradition as much as Rapha it's a bit off given it's plastered in their own pro team's logos.
    Life is unfair, kill yourself or get over it.
  • Macaloon
    Macaloon Posts: 5,545
    type:epyt wrote:
    This Rapha ..., rather disrespectful:

    I know, man. Only snake-charming fakirs put metal spoons in their supressos.

    Some 'shy Contadors' in this thread judging by the PTP poll.
    ...a rare 100% loyal Pro Race poster. A poster boy for the community.
  • Crampeur
    Crampeur Posts: 1,065
    Anyone remember the downhill timetrial off the Poggio in 1987? Video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOvoy3yrVeY

    Imagine the rider protests now. Probably with good reason.
  • RichN95.
    RichN95. Posts: 27,253
    Crampeur wrote:
    Anyone remember the downhill timetrial off the Poggio in 1987? Video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOvoy3yrVeY

    Imagine the rider protests now. Probably with good reason.
    Ha! Look who one of the commentators is.

    (I believe that downhill TTs used to be popular in Italian amateur races, but I think they got banned because people kept killing/seriously injuring themselves)
    Twitter: @RichN95
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,312

    They won't be racing in that.

    How about you? Still dressed like Pantani? :wink:
    left the forum March 2023
  • joelsim
    joelsim Posts: 7,552
  • Pross
    Pross Posts: 43,463
    A few people tipping Uran. Do they think he's doing a Nibali so far this season and trying to stay below the radar? I've gone for Bert as I think it's his main aim and that he's not convinced he can beat all the big contenders at the Tour. I think Porte may have shown his hand too early but don't buy the 3 week weakness theory. As well as the 2013 Tour that people have already discussed just look how much work he did in 2012, him and Rogers rode far harder for Wiggins than Froome did - day in, day out riding the front on climbs at such a hard tempo and burning themselves out.
  • FJS
    FJS Posts: 4,820
    Boonen's Pantani homage hairdo?
    86491543.jpg
  • Crampeur
    Crampeur Posts: 1,065
    Lack-of hairdo surely?
  • Pross
    Pross Posts: 43,463
    Does anyone see Zakarin as a potential threat after his recent climbing performances? Obviously a much bigger race but he did well in strong company.
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,661
    FJS wrote:
    Boonen's Pantani homage hairdo?

    He heard some world class cycling forum moderator has been rocking the same hairdo for a couple years.

    He also doesn't wear gloves in the summer either, just like that guy :wink:
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,661

    They won't be racing in that.

    How about you? Still dressed like Pantani? :wink:

    I've been known to dress like 2008 Boonen as well you know ;)
  • ddraver
    ddraver Posts: 26,697
    Double Denim? Classic Belgium Fashion!
    We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
    - @ddraver
  • ddraver
    ddraver Posts: 26,697
    Crampeur wrote:
    Anyone remember the downhill timetrial off the Poggio in 1987? Video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOvoy3yrVeY

    Imagine the rider protests now. Probably with good reason.

    That is Brilliant! They should bring those back! Finally sort out this "Nibali is a great descender" once and for all! :wink:

    Any rider protests, point them in the way of DH kit!

    All we have to do then is work out how a road equivalent of BMX/4X/XCE could work...4 riders, up then down the Oude Kwaremont? :P
    We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
    - @ddraver
  • Yellow Peril
    Yellow Peril Posts: 4,466
    Crampeur wrote:
    Anyone remember the downhill timetrial off the Poggio in 1987? Video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOvoy3yrVeY

    Imagine the rider protests now. Probably with good reason.

    superb clip. Roberto Visentini, aviator shades and a mullet brilliantly cool.
    @JaunePeril

    Winner of the Bike Radar Pro Race Wiggins Hour Prediction Competition
  • frenchfighter
    frenchfighter Posts: 30,642
    Kerrisson q and a on Porte us worth a read:
    http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/tim-ker ... ed-in-2012

    Two points to mention:
    Given he only weighs a Rujano and Pozzo level of weight now his TT should suffer significantly so dont hold out hopes of this 58kg rider putting minutes into Contador.
    Sky are piloting a new project where the team leader sleeps in a camper van as many nights as possible. This seems to be better manage disruption from hotels and also a psychological aspect. Also says that Richie prefers to be by himself then with his team members.
    Contador is the Greatest
  • Yellow Peril
    Yellow Peril Posts: 4,466
    Kerrisson q and a on Porte us worth a read:
    http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/tim-ker ... ed-in-2012

    Two points to mention:
    Given he only weighs a Rujano and Pozzo level of weight now his TT should suffer significantly so dont hold out hopes of this 58kg rider putting minutes into Contador.
    Sky are piloting a new project where the team leader sleeps in a camper van as many nights as possible. This seems to be better manage disruption from hotels and also a psychological aspect. Also says that Richie prefers to be by himself then with his team members.

    Hmmm...I'm sure the Clinic would have a field day with that interview particularly the last para. Obviously Sky know best but I've played a fair amount of team sport and I'm not convinced that setting the leader apart is the best for team bonding.
    @JaunePeril

    Winner of the Bike Radar Pro Race Wiggins Hour Prediction Competition
  • Macaloon
    Macaloon Posts: 5,545
    Kerrisson q and a on Porte us worth a read:
    http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/tim-ker ... ed-in-2012

    Two points to mention:
    Given he only weighs a Rujano and Pozzo level of weight now his TT should suffer significantly so dont hold out hopes of this 58kg rider putting minutes into Contador.
    Sky are piloting a new project where the team leader sleeps in a camper van as many nights as possible. This seems to be better manage disruption from hotels and also a psychological aspect. Also says that Richie prefers to be by himself then with his team members.
    :roll: I don't think so.

    Bs6DAopIMAAXrzw.jpg
    ...a rare 100% loyal Pro Race poster. A poster boy for the community.
  • adr82
    adr82 Posts: 4,002
    Kerrisson q and a on Porte us worth a read:
    http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/tim-ker ... ed-in-2012

    Two points to mention:
    Given he only weighs a Rujano and Pozzo level of weight now his TT should suffer significantly so dont hold out hopes of this 58kg rider putting minutes into Contador.
    If you keep saying things like this people might get the impression you're a little worried about what Porte might do to Contador!

    Anyway good to see Kerrison pointing out that the "bad day" in the 2014 Tour was due to illness more than anything else. I don't understand why his other commonly noted "bad day" in the 2013 Tour is so consistently extrapolated into this "He always has one bad day in a Grand Tour" thing. Even if it was true, isn't that a pretty common thing for most riders to experience in a GT (especially when riding as a domestique)? Why don't people say the same about Froome after the Alpe stage in 2013? Or about Purito after he lost that Vuelta to Contador? I'm sure there are other similar incidents you can easily pick out just from the last few years. The whole thing is a perfect example of how repeating something often enough will make it an accepted fact.
  • frenchfighter
    frenchfighter Posts: 30,642
    Maybe because their bad days means they go from 1st to 3rd or something rather than to not even being in the top 20.

    Im not worried about Contador - I rarely am to be honest. He has proven himself too many times. Exciting times ahead.
    Contador is the Greatest
  • RichN95.
    RichN95. Posts: 27,253
    Kerrisson q and a on Porte us worth a read:
    http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/tim-ker ... ed-in-2012

    Two points to mention:
    Given he only weighs a Rujano and Pozzo level of weight now his TT should suffer significantly so dont hold out hopes of this 58kg rider putting minutes into Contador.
    Sky are piloting a new project where the team leader sleeps in a camper van as many nights as possible. This seems to be better manage disruption from hotels and also a psychological aspect. Also says that Richie prefers to be by himself then with his team members.
    "Camper van" is underplaying it somewhat.

    This is the actual mobile home he's using (not the same model, the actual one) http://www.empirerv.co.uk/vehicle/fleet ... rettyPhoto

    It's certainly a hell of a lot better than the average hotel room they stay in
    Twitter: @RichN95
  • LeicesterLad
    LeicesterLad Posts: 3,908
    RichN95 wrote:
    Kerrisson q and a on Porte us worth a read:
    http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/tim-ker ... ed-in-2012

    Two points to mention:
    Given he only weighs a Rujano and Pozzo level of weight now his TT should suffer significantly so dont hold out hopes of this 58kg rider putting minutes into Contador.
    Sky are piloting a new project where the team leader sleeps in a camper van as many nights as possible. This seems to be better manage disruption from hotels and also a psychological aspect. Also says that Richie prefers to be by himself then with his team members.
    "Camper van" is underplaying it somewhat.

    This is the actual mobile home he's using (not the same model, the actual one) http://www.empirerv.co.uk/vehicle/fleet ... rettyPhoto

    It's certainly a hell of a lot better than the average hotel room they stay in

    It's decent enough. Rumour is Richie Porte is of pikey stock and prefers the homely feel of a caravan.
  • joelsim
    joelsim Posts: 7,552
    Maybe lock a camera aiming at the doorway of the van to see who sneaks in overnight.

    Froome for instance.