Giro 2019 Pre Race Chat 'n Stuff

2

Comments

  • m.r.m.
    m.r.m. Posts: 3,486
    Agree. Think it's going to be terrific for the race that there isn't a real clear favourite. Sure, Roglic, but putting him that far ahead of Dumoulin seems quite foolish. Entirely discounting Nibali and Yates as well. Dark horses Landa, Lopez and Jungels. Super open race imho!
    PTP Champion 2019, 2022 & 2023
  • blazing_saddles
    blazing_saddles Posts: 22,730
    TheBigBean wrote:
    I've read a few comments about how weak the field is, and I'm really not sure that is true: S Yates, Doumoulin, Nibali, Lopez, Landa, Aru, Zakarin and this year's favourite Roglic.
    M.R.M. wrote:
    Agree. Think it's going to be terrific for the race that there isn't a real clear favourite. Sure, Roglic, but putting him that far ahead of Dumoulin seems quite foolish. Entirely discounting Nibali and Yates as well. Dark horses Landa, Lopez and Jungels. Super open race imho!


    Aru isn't riding.
    Compared to last year, it's weaker. In: Roglic, Nibali and Landa, plus Jungels and Majka.
    Out: Froome, Pinot, Konrad, Bennett, Woods, Schachmann, Wellens, Grosshartner, Aru, Poels, Betancur and Dennis.

    A better sprint field this year, though.
    "Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
  • shirley_basso
    shirley_basso Posts: 6,195
    Surely it's all about relative strength?

    But I do agree the absense of the mega big hitters is a shame.
  • m.r.m.
    m.r.m. Posts: 3,486
    My point isn't that there are better riders riding this time. It's that the race ought to be more suspenseful and fun to watch simply because the big hitters are missing! Quite unlike the Froome or Contador or Armstrong days when you're quite sure who will win when they ride. I'm really not sure among the big 4 favourites this Giro.
    PTP Champion 2019, 2022 & 2023
  • RichN95.
    RichN95. Posts: 27,262
    Il Garibaldi

    A PDF of the Roadbook: http://www.giroditalia.it/wp-content/up ... _res_3.pdf


    h1E7Az4.png
    Twitter: @RichN95
  • andyp
    andyp Posts: 10,576
    Shirley Basso wrote:

    But I do agree the absense of the mega big hitters is a shame.
    Surely Froome is the only mega big hitter missing?
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,660
    andyp wrote:
    Shirley Basso wrote:

    But I do agree the absense of the mega big hitters is a shame.
    Surely Froome is the only mega big hitter missing?

    Thomas? He did win the Tour....
    _
  • blazing_saddles
    blazing_saddles Posts: 22,730
    M.R.M. wrote:
    My point isn't that there are better riders riding this time. It's that the race ought to be more suspenseful and fun to watch simply because the big hitters are missing! Quite unlike the Froome or Contador or Armstrong days when you're quite sure who will win when they ride. I'm really not sure among the big 4 favourites this Giro.

    Froome most certainly didn't make last year's Giro less suspenseful, despite his his presence, last year.
    Neither did Sky spend three weeks on the front controlling things, either.
    Despite the Israel debacle, last year's race was, in most people's eyes, a much more exciting race than the previous year.
    Last year's race will be remembered for multiple reasons, but especially the Colle delle Finestre attack.
    Meanwhile back at the 2017 edition and it's probably one thing: Toiletgate.
    "Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,660
    They were both really enjoyable, but I suspect we all forget some of the absolute stinker stages.

    last year's foray to Israel was not a success from a racing perspective, for example....

    I sort of don't mind - since i'm usually not on holiday (though I was for the final two weeks of the Giro last year - lucky me!).

    I have a bit of a link to Bologna so I really hope it's not shite weather because I'd love to take in the surroundings.
    _
  • RichN95.
    RichN95. Posts: 27,262
    Rick Chasey wrote:
    andyp wrote:
    Shirley Basso wrote:

    But I do agree the absense of the mega big hitters is a shame.
    Surely Froome is the only mega big hitter missing?

    Thomas? He did win the Tour....
    And Quintana - an actual former winner
    Twitter: @RichN95
  • mididoctors
    mididoctors Posts: 18,912
    This year's parcours lacks a bit in the first half compared to last year.
    "If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm
  • mididoctors
    mididoctors Posts: 18,912
    Where would roglic take the jersey? Pretty back loaded. Unless something weird happens the race is going to be a wait till the last week .... Last year the big names were in the thick of it by the second week.
    "If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm
  • kingstongraham
    kingstongraham Posts: 28,228
    mididoctors wrote:
    Where would roglic take the jersey? Pretty back loaded. Unless something weird happens the race is going to be a wait till the last week .... Last year the big names were in the thick of it by the second week.

    Stage 1?
  • The Nodder
    The Nodder Posts: 33
    The main reason that the start list is lower on quality than last year is because there is a week less between the end of the Giro and the start of the Tour.
    Conventional wisdom says that that extra week was necessary for recovery plus a full cycle of high altitude training. This year, anybody with Tour GC ambitions has to skip the Giro.
    Dumoulin's Tour this year compared with last year is going to be interesting.
  • mididoctors
    mididoctors Posts: 18,912
    KingstonGraham wrote:

    Stage 1?

    Mmmm maybe. He is the guy in form. Unlikely to be riding out of stage 20 wearing it thou.
    "If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm
  • dish_dash
    dish_dash Posts: 5,647
    New national champs jersey for Viviani for the Giro

    viviani_670.jpg
  • RichN95.
    RichN95. Posts: 27,262
    ^^^^That's a no from me. He looks like he's working in an ice cream shop.
    Twitter: @RichN95
  • blazing_saddles
    blazing_saddles Posts: 22,730
    RichN95 wrote:
    ^^^^That's a no from me. He looks like he's working in an ice cream shop.

    Judging from his face, he is working in an ice cream shop.

    I see that that RCS have gone for a late presentation slot tonight. 20-00CET and it's on for 3 hours.
    Should do wonders for insomnia sufferers worldwide.
    Anyhow, if anyone fancies it, check back here in a couple of hours.

    http://www.steephill.tv/players/720/eur ... 01&yr=2019
    "Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
  • RichN95.
    RichN95. Posts: 27,262
    Something not mentioned anywhere else, although it's fairly old news is that Eurosport have replaced Jonathan Edwards with Orla Chennouai as lead presenter for the GTs, with Bradley Wiggins alongside as the main pundit
    Twitter: @RichN95
  • gweeds
    gweeds Posts: 2,613
    Viviani looks like a tube of toothpaste.

    Will be easy to spot though.
    Napoleon, don't be jealous that I've been chatting online with babes all day. Besides, we both know that I'm training to be a cage fighter.
  • mididoctors
    mididoctors Posts: 18,912
    RichN95 wrote:
    ^^^^That's a no from me. He looks like he's working in an ice cream shop.

    Ditto
    "If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm
  • Mad_Malx
    Mad_Malx Posts: 5,183
    RichN95 wrote:
    Something not mentioned anywhere else, although it's fairly old news is that Eurosport have replaced Jonathan Edwards with Orla Chennouai as lead presenter for the GTs, with Bradley Wiggins alongside as the main pundit

    Think Edwards is still doing the highlights show on Quest channel (somewhere on the upper echelons of Freeview).
  • bobmcstuff
    bobmcstuff Posts: 11,444
    mididoctors wrote:
    This year's parcours lacks a bit in the first half compared to last year.
    Good cos I'm going to miss the first week!!
  • blazing_saddles
    blazing_saddles Posts: 22,730
    RichN95 wrote:
    Something not mentioned anywhere else, although it's fairly old news is that Eurosport have replaced Jonathan Edwards with Orla Chennouai as lead presenter for the GTs, with Bradley Wiggins alongside as the main pundit

    I'm ashamed to say that I had to look her up, as I don't go in much for the pseudo expert journo chat.
    'Tis the way things are these days: all men's sports must sport a female link, interviewer or, the one I struggle with, 'expert pundit'.
    Not much going in the other direction however, which is a great pity, as I think John Inverdale might be more suited to fronting the netball analysis.
    "Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
  • RichN95.
    RichN95. Posts: 27,262
    Blazing Saddles wrote:
    I'm ashamed to say that I had to look her up, as I don't go in much for the pseudo expert journo chat.
    'Tis the way things are these days: all men's sports must sport a female link, interviewer or, the one I struggle with, 'expert pundit'.
    She knows a lot more about cycling than Edwards probably does. Her cycling credentials aren't in doubt - for example she co-hosts the Cycling Podcast Feminin with Richard Moore and is a frequent contributor to their main podcast. She'll be good.
    Twitter: @RichN95
  • blazing_saddles
    blazing_saddles Posts: 22,730
    RichN95 wrote:
    Blazing Saddles wrote:
    I'm ashamed to say that I had to look her up, as I don't go in much for the pseudo expert journo chat.
    'Tis the way things are these days: all men's sports must sport a female link, interviewer or, the one I struggle with, 'expert pundit'.
    She knows a lot more about cycling than Edwards probably does. Her cycling credentials aren't in doubt - for example she co-hosts the Cycling Podcast Feminin with Richard Moore and is a frequent contributor to their main podcast. She'll be good.

    Nice.
    "Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,660
    Blazing Saddles wrote:
    RichN95 wrote:
    Something not mentioned anywhere else, although it's fairly old news is that Eurosport have replaced Jonathan Edwards with Orla Chennouai as lead presenter for the GTs, with Bradley Wiggins alongside as the main pundit

    I'm ashamed to say that I had to look her up, as I don't go in much for the pseudo expert journo chat.
    'Tis the way things are these days: all men's sports must sport a female link, interviewer or, the one I struggle with, 'expert pundit'.
    Not much going in the other direction however, which is a great pity, as I think John Inverdale might be more suited to fronting the netball analysis.

    She knows more than we do.
    _
  • RichN95.
    RichN95. Posts: 27,262
    Blazing Saddles wrote:
    RichN95 wrote:
    Blazing Saddles wrote:
    I'm ashamed to say that I had to look her up, as I don't go in much for the pseudo expert journo chat.
    'Tis the way things are these days: all men's sports must sport a female link, interviewer or, the one I struggle with, 'expert pundit'.
    She knows a lot more about cycling than Edwards probably does. Her cycling credentials aren't in doubt - for example she co-hosts the Cycling Podcast Feminin with Richard Moore and is a frequent contributor to their main podcast. She'll be good.

    Nice.
    For example here she is on that podcast interviewing Becky James (who I trust you won't need to look up)

    https://youtu.be/eoMYN1ZMmgo?t=576
    Twitter: @RichN95
  • blazing_saddles
    blazing_saddles Posts: 22,730
    RichN95 wrote:
    For example here she is on that podcast interviewing Becky James (who I trust you won't need to look up)

    https://youtu.be/eoMYN1ZMmgo?t=576

    Amazin' (her uncle has told her about this) how much you can miss, not have Sky Sports, or living in a podcast free cave in the Welsh hills. :lol: :oops:
    Rick is wrong about her knowing more about us in this case, at least. :wink:
    "Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
  • ddraver
    ddraver Posts: 26,718
    Now Ned has moved in to the commentary box, it's fair to say that Orla is the new Ned.

    All of which I mean to be compliments

    (there's also some network cross-pollination problems in that analogy too...)
    We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
    - @ddraver

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