Giro d' Italia 2014

['Dale]

[GrumpyOldGuy]

I was flicking through the start list this morning as I have nothing to do and it seems provisionally there is still a strong field all be it no 'Berto and Chris.

 

​I think Scarponi's change to Astana will also help him a lot, he is the leader and has a strong team of climbers to support him in the mountains where he excels, Tiralongo especially will be invaluable.

 

Lampre always saw Cunego as their golden boy and Scarponi was mostly left to battle it out on his own with little support from the team. Even though Cunego's palmeres in recent years in the grand tours has been distinctly lacking he was allowed to go swanning off for the camera's while poor old man Scarponi was left to fight on his own for a podium spot.........yeah, yeah, I know, its old hat but it still hurts.

 

I also see Basso is the leader again of the Cannondale team, although apart from Viviani I cant see many there who would challenge for much in the way of podiums.

 

Pierre Roland is looking quite healthy as well, I think he could be a competitor for the podium, but on paper you would need to be somewhat naive to bet against Rodriquez for the overall win.

 

['Dale]

To add, GOG:

 

Porte out with illness and struggling form

Horner out after a training incident

 

I'm wondering about Uran and whether he can create some magic as a young GC leader within OPQS

 

Interesting times

 

Not too long to go!

[kosmonooit]

Pity Vincezo is not defending.

 

Not holding my breath for Ivan, who still thinks he can take it, but you never know.

[jcza]

Favourites must be Quintana and Purito.

 

Evans will feel that he is in with a chance.

 

I'm going with Purito.

['Dale]

Pity Vincezo is not defending.

 

Not holding my breath for Ivan, who still thinks he can take it, but you never know.

 

I'll be a happy fan if he podiums

He's worn pink to Milan before - hard to discount that experience

 

Sure signs though that he is past his best or next-best.

 

 

GO IVAN THE TERRIBLE

['Dale]

Favourites must be Quintana and Purito.

 

Evans will feel that he is in with a chance.

 

I'm going with Purito.

 

Evans looks dogged and determined though

His experience could be the edge over the young Quintana

[kosmonooit]

Team Columbia having UK Visa hassles apparently

[Wez-O]

My podium

 

Quintana

Evans

Uran or Purito

 

(Tejay would be nr 1 for BMC at TdF )

 

I'm going to go with the Giro podium of:

1. Purito

2. Quintana

3. Evans

 

I really hope that Tejay hits form in time for June and is given leader status at Le Tour.

[GrumpyOldGuy]

To add, GOG:

 

Porte out with illness and struggling form

Horner out after a training incident

 

I'm wondering about Uran and whether he can create some magic as a young GC leader within OPQS

 

Interesting times

 

Not too long to go!

 

Hmm Yeah, I think Horner was a a one horse victory, how he did it is beyond me but I cant see it happening again.

 

Porte seems to blow hot and cold, sometimes he is just magnificent, other times he is conspicuous by his absence anywhere near the leader board, personally I dont believe he is good enough for a top step on the podium anyway.

 

Basso, well what can we say, he has had a great career but I think now he needs to accept its coming to an end, I cant see him up on any podium step but I would be the first to clap if he did, I still quite like the guy.

 

I think Evans and Quintana will round out the top 5 but I will go a little from the general consensus and say my top 3 pick will be -

 

1. Rodriguez

2. Scarponi

3. Roland

Edited April 29, 2014 by GrumpyOldGuy

[tombeej]

Will be interesting to see who the team leader at Trek will be. Time for the DS brains trust to make some hard decisions that are long overdue.

[Cellar]

Will be interesting to see who the team leader at Trek will be. Time for the DS brains trust to make some hard decisions that are long overdue.

 

I think they should re-hire uniball.

[GrumpyOldGuy]

Pity Vincezo is not defending.

 

Not holding my breath for Ivan, who still thinks he can take it, but you never know.

 

Indeed, I am a big Nibali fan and I find it strange he will not contest his home tour, especially as he is the current winner!

[GrumpyOldGuy]

To add, GOG:

 

Porte out with illness and struggling form

Horner out after a training incident

 

I'm wondering about Uran and whether he can create some magic as a young GC leader within OPQS

 

Interesting times

 

Not too long to go!

 

Well, I have always regarded Uran as a podium competitor so its quite possible he could produce some magic, but the team is too light on support in my opinion which could be a problem for him.

 

Cant wait to see old man Petacchi back in action again though,.... poetry in motion.

[GrumpyOldGuy]

Will be interesting to see who the team leader at Trek will be. Time for the DS brains trust to make some hard decisions that are long overdue.

 

So far it appears to be Kiserlovski, but the team is so light in the pants its hardly worth a mention, apart from maybe Hondo, expect to see them sunning themselves at the back.

['Dale]

Team Columbia having UK Visa hassles apparently

 

I've been trailing this news.

What a fork up.

 

Doesn't look good either... how strange.