Giro d' Italia 2014

['Dale]

The favourite

 

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[meathead]

Gentlemen, I have joined

['Dale]

So close in 2012 until surprised by Hesjedal

Gotta love that Canyon

 

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['Dale]

2010 winner 'Basso - hope his TTing is a bit better

 

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[meathead]

2012 was an exciting race. Much more than last years.

['Dale]

2012 was an exciting race. Much more than last years.

 

Last year was intense.

Snow.

But The Shark Of Messina kicked some serious PRO butt.

 

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[meathead]

He did indeed, will be interesting to see him in The Tour against Contador, Froome, and hopefully an in form Schleck.

['Dale]

Bike porn

New SL5 *unofficially*

 

Scarpo's

 

[Wez-O]

The favourite

 

http://d4nuk0dd6nrma.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Kramon_TOB13_stage3_DSC1408-Version-2.jpg

I can't help but feel that he will lose too much time in the two individual time trails?

[tombeej]

9 people have signed up so far for the Fantasy League.

 

You've got only today to choose your team, so hop to it!

 

Again, here are the rules of the game and the scoring system.

['Dale]

I can't help but feel that he will lose too much time in the two individual time trails?

 

Definitely a concern.

But he's been improving lots.

 

Cadel is a threat here as he has some TTing abilities.

 

Gonna be interesting.

 

Some say that he'll make up time in the high mountains.

[Wez-O]

Definitely a concern.

But he's been improving lots.

 

Cadel is a threat here as he has some TTing abilities.

 

Gonna be interesting.

 

Some say that he'll make up time in the high mountains.

Yeah its definitely going to be close.

 

I've heard it said that this years tour is "easier" than past editions from a climbing perspective.

If Cadel can do damage limitation in the mountain stages, perhaps his TTing ability could carry him to victory?

 

Uran, Rodriguez and Quintana are all in the same boat regarding their average TTing ability, so there are many scenarios to which this tour could play out... AND what about a certain 2012 Giro winner who is apparently in good form?

['Dale]

Yeah its definitely going to be close.

 

I've heard it said that this years tour is "easier" than past editions from a climbing perspective.

If Cadel can do damage limitation in the mountain stages, perhaps his TTing ability could carry him to victory?

 

Uran, Rodriguez and Quintana are all in the same boat regarding their average TTing ability, so there are many scenarios to which this tour could play out... AND what about a certain 2012 Giro winner who is apparently in good form?

 

Hesjedal has been keeping a very low profile indeed.

 

Relatively easy to other years doesn't make it easy peasy, I reckon.

The Zoncolan and the Stelvio are humongous climbs, amongst others.

Looking forward to daily viewing!

[gummibear]

Great tribute to WW108

 

[Wez-O]

Hesjedal has been keeping a very low profile indeed.

 

Relatively easy to other years doesn't make it easy peasy, I reckon.

The Zoncolan and the Stelvio are humongous climbs, amongst others.

Looking forward to daily viewing!

Very true, those will most definitely put some hurt into the legs!

Hoping the snow stays away this year so our viewing isn't interrupted

[tombeej]

Re. time trialing ability: Rodriguez is actually on the back foot there, not Quintana. Nairo is generally a much better time trialist than Purito is.

 

Remember when he won the 2013 Tour of the Basque Country by beating Richie Porte in the final time trial?

 

And this is why the bookies have got Quintana as favourite.

 

But we also need to keep in mind:

 

1. The TTT: Movistar are better than Katusha at this discipline, so Quintana is already expecting to kick off with a time advantage over Purito right off the bat.

 

2. The first ITT is basically straight uphill for the first 12km.

 

3. The second ITT is a mountain time trial - straight up into the clouds. No advantage to either rider there: