tombeej

Cycling News this morning is saying that Kittel is expected to climb off his bike before the big mountains after all. It's expected he'll hang around until the flat Stage 13 on Friday 23th May, which finishes in Rivarolo Canavese (158km). After that, those of us who have Viviani, Bouhanni and Swift on our teams will be able to finally start earning some decent sprinter points.

Here's Dan Lloyds twitter feed...

The main commentator (if I'm not mistaken) is Carlton Kirby, supported by ex-pro Dan Lloyd who retired a couple of years ago. Mr. Kirby also has a twitter account, which he's very active on. I really enjoy his commentating, quite refreshing - even during those long sections where nothing is really happening - he knows how to fill the gaps with some amusing banter.

Kittel is an absolute brute on the flats. Head and shoulders above everyone else. I just hope he's a modern day Cipo who has to climb off his bike as soon as the mountains arrive. That will give Viviani a chance to start scoring me some points for the red jersey.

Re. Scarponi: It seems he's ok, and still has a sense of humour, which is good. He's been posting on his twitter feed, showing a pic of him in the dirt with Gasparotto, Agnoli and Landa, saying he landed in magic mushrooms on the side of the road. But seems he's also putting in a little dig at Bozic for not waiting? Michele Scarponi ‏@MicheleScarponi 51m Oggi a funghi con @enrigasparotto @AgnoliValerio e Kung Fu LANDA.....ma cosa facevi @BorutBozic là in lontananza??? pic.twitter.com/NRMI7buuwn Expand Reply Retweet Favorite More Translation: Today in mushrooms with enrigasparotto @ @ AgnoliValerio and Kung Fu LANDA @ BorutBozic ..... but what were you doing there in the distance?? Then a second tweet: Michele Scarponi ‏@MicheleScarponi 45m @AgnoliValerio @enrigasparotto @BorutBozic funghi allucinogeni però... Hide conversation Reply Retweet Favorite More Translation: However, hallucinogenic mushrooms...

I had Kittel in my team, but had to drop him for Viviani coz I needed more cash to pick up Scarponi. Hope that decision didn't backfire on me today.

What if they do something like that on one of the big mountain stages.... I mean, if they cut away for one second on the Zoncolan to run that flippin coffee advert, I'll pledge never to buy an MTN product again.

The missus had gone for a snooze and then my screams at the TV woke her up. Now she's in a rage and I'm in the dog box. Thanks Supersport, thanks a lot.

Supersport, some needs to be fired for that.

FFS!!!! I HATE MTN!!!!!!!!!

OMG, I'm so sick of that MTN ad...

Ivan Drago, ready to crush the puny competition again today. "I must break you"

Cellar, you know it was the right thing to do. After all, the Giro is never won in the first week...

It's Rocky 4 in Belfast

Viviani had Kittels wheel, pole position in the last corner, but got boxed in right at the end. Eish. It

Viviani my designated sprinter. Come on lad!

Terrible for Dan. Two races in a row. Not to mention Ryder.

Katusha 38 secs slower than Movistar. Advantage Quintana.

What a pleasure to be able to watch live on HD. Awesome.

Ok, TheHubSA Fantasy League is closed. 22 Director Sportifs have registered their teams for the Giro. Let the games begin

If a group buy is still on the cards, I'm in (KZN based though).

Team selections close at around 18h30. You can make unlimited changes until then, but once deadline comes, it's shut down for the rest of the tour.

Good man!

Once you've decided on your team and submitted it, you'll see these options (below) on your screen somewhere. Click 'Visit your team' and at the bottom of your selected riders, you'll see where you can 'Join or create league'. Click that link and you'll see where to enter our league code to join the Hub private league.

Wez-O, Scott and Anton, ja I know you guys are in . I was really asking all those other folks to get on board.