Posts: 6213 Joined: 23.10.06 Location: Roermond, the Netherlands PCM$: 100.00
Despite the fact I think Basso is going to win the Giro, I think he's actually weaker than 2010. Same with Scarponi, he's weaker.
Edited by ruben on 24-05-2012 13:40
ruben wrote:
Despite the fact I think Basso is going to win the Giro, I think he's actually weaker than 2010.
That is what i think too and because of that i dont rate the competition on this years Giro as overwhelming. Or you really think think Scarponi,Rodriguez, Hesjedal are the worlds top stage racers? Schleck or Contador would have these for breakfest and still would be hungry then.
kumazan wrote:
I do think so too. But is that enough to say Gesink, Sánchez or Vandenbroeck would destroy him? I'd say no.
Actually, has Vandenbroeck EVER destroyed someone? I mean, the guy has a grand total of 1 professional win.
I would also no include VdB, but i still think Contador, Schleck, Sanchez, Evans, Gesink are the real stage racers. Riders on this years Giro are great climbers, but look at how "tough" is this years Giro besides climbing. One big borefest so far, with some exceptions of course.
I agree, Basso and Scarponi aren't as strong this year, which is what's making this Giro tighter.
2010 Basso and 2011 Scarponi wouldn't have the others hanging with them
"Hopefully in 2 years time I might win the Time Trial and be a credible Time Trial winner because I haven't beaten someone by 2 minutes."
- Bradley Wiggins a few years ago
"It's the Time Trial. The race against the truth!" - Phil Liggett, 2003 Vuelta
But the Tour was a borefest too before the Alps. Boring racing has nothing to do with the toughness of the race, but with the dubious ambition of some contenders and a badly designed route (not the stages themselves, mind you).
It's difficult to say X,Y and Z (besides Contador obviously, and maybe Andrew) are the best stage racers, because, for instance, when was the last time Basso and Sánchez raced each other at peak form? Yes, 2009 with Basso coming back from his ban. And even then, it isn't like Samu put a ton of minutes on him.
Also, as he hasn't even been named here, I'd give Menchov the benefit of the doubt for this year. He might be past his peak, but imo we won't know for sure until the Tour.
75kms to go and Sky pulling hard to catch a break that has less than half a minute so Cavendish can get the intermediate sprint points.
This has massive backfire potential written all over it.
"Hopefully in 2 years time I might win the Time Trial and be a credible Time Trial winner because I haven't beaten someone by 2 minutes."
- Bradley Wiggins a few years ago
"It's the Time Trial. The race against the truth!" - Phil Liggett, 2003 Vuelta
Posts: 4581 Joined: 14.07.08 Location: Sydney, Australia PCM$: 0.00
Sky will take the sprint points, but then let the break go. Cav gets the points jersey for another day that way and can also mop up any extra points at the end of the day.
CountArach wrote:
Sky will take the sprint points, but then let the break go. Cav gets the points jersey for another day that way and can also mop up any extra points at the end of the day.
That would leave him with a 6 point lead on RodrÃguez, with two major mountain stages to come.
To have any chance at all he needs to win the stage....which means Sky needs to control the upcoming attacks. Their only hope is that everyone is too scared of the two coming days to try some serious attacks.
"Hopefully in 2 years time I might win the Time Trial and be a credible Time Trial winner because I haven't beaten someone by 2 minutes."
- Bradley Wiggins a few years ago
"It's the Time Trial. The race against the truth!" - Phil Liggett, 2003 Vuelta
That is what i think too and because of that i dont rate the competition on this years Giro as overwhelming. Or you really think think Scarponi,Rodriguez, Hesjedal are the worlds top stage racers? Schleck or Contador would have these for breakfest and still would be hungry then.
Scarponi and Rodriguez are imo. Look at the racing this year, nobody seems way stronger than the rest, it's become unpredictable to say who will win.
Also Contador would have everyone for breakfast so it's a bit unfair for the others. Pozzato sucks!
Even if Cav took the inter and the stage still a big ask for the points jersey - those 2 crashes really taken their toll. OF course maybe now 20 go off the front
Edit just caught the sprint on the sly at work - looked fairly amusing with some random Lampre rider forcing Cav to put in some effort on the inlince.
Edited by ianrussell on 24-05-2012 14:37
I love the fact that there are some Norwegian riders in the Giro, but I'm so sick and tired of hearing an interview with them before every single stage where the only thing they talk about is "What do you think of todays stage?"
Come one, PLEASE ask them something else, anything! What they had for breakfast, if their having a bad hair day, just any else!
There's a fine line between "psychotherapist" and "psycho the rapist"
cactus-jack wrote:
I love the fact that there are some Norwegian riders in the Giro, but I'm so sick and tired of hearing an interview with them before every single stage where the only thing they talk about is "What do you think of todays stage?"
Come one, PLEASE ask them something else, anything! What they had for breakfast, if their having a bad hair day, just any else!
It can get a lot worse. Here, have some singing Pantani:
YouTube Video "Hopefully in 2 years time I might win the Time Trial and be a credible Time Trial winner because I haven't beaten someone by 2 minutes."
- Bradley Wiggins a few years ago
"It's the Time Trial. The race against the truth!" - Phil Liggett, 2003 Vuelta
Posts: 4581 Joined: 14.07.08 Location: Sydney, Australia PCM$: 0.00
issoisso wrote:
cactus-jack wrote:
I love the fact that there are some Norwegian riders in the Giro, but I'm so sick and tired of hearing an interview with them before every single stage where the only thing they talk about is "What do you think of todays stage?"
Come one, PLEASE ask them something else, anything! What they had for breakfast, if their having a bad hair day, just any else!
It can get a lot worse. Here, have some singing Pantani:
I was wrong. There's also stuff worse than that video.
"Hopefully in 2 years time I might win the Time Trial and be a credible Time Trial winner because I haven't beaten someone by 2 minutes."
- Bradley Wiggins a few years ago
"It's the Time Trial. The race against the truth!" - Phil Liggett, 2003 Vuelta
cactus-jack wrote:
I love the fact that there are some Norwegian riders in the Giro, but I'm so sick and tired of hearing an interview with them before every single stage where the only thing they talk about is "What do you think of todays stage?"
Come one, PLEASE ask them something else, anything! What they had for breakfast, if their having a bad hair day, just any else!
It can get a lot worse. Here, have some singing Pantani:
YouTube Video
Must be boring for Cav to sprint today. Nearly every good sprinter is gone.
There's a fine line between "psychotherapist" and "psycho the rapist"
