Giro d' Italia 2014

[r0adrunner]

Well said Meathead

[T-Bob]

It's only dull, if you aren't playing fantasy league.

 

Some days are more exciting than others but I personal don't think Evans has the race sown up, the suspense is building up.

 

enjoy it for what it is

 

Most commentators seem to think it's been quite eventful... Martin out repeating LBL, J-Rod out in dramatic circumstances, Scarponi losing time and writing him out of contention, Evans putting the hammer down to be proactive and make time over the rest of the climbers, Uran quietly sitting in second and no one really talking about him, Kittels amazing sprinting, rise of a couple of new faces, Ullissi 's double, the Rosa taking a stage in fine style, rider protests & suicidal sprints, wetter roads in southern italy than northern ireland, drama of 'do we stop / do we go' @ Monte Cassino and it's only the 1st part.

 

AI can't imagine anyone think Evans is a shoe in with a tiny 59sec over Uran and couple of minutes over the rest of the Contenders. That last week screams 'attack, attack, attack' day after day after horrible summit day for all the mountain goats against the pure bloody mindedness of a 37 year old. Pozzi' just took 30 secs without even thinking as cuddles played poker with the other GC guys and put another name on their radar.

 

So far it seems as crazy-nuts as the italian tour usually is and we haven't even seen a ITT or a proper high mountains stage yet. 3 of the fav's culled in the first week? You won't usually find any where else than the giro and people calling it a yawn fest.

[Jakkals.]

Uran is going to be a silent killer in the ITT, so will Pozzovivo.

[Jakkals.]

I think the race has been great thus far, I couldnt get away from the tv all weekend.

 

I say again, Wiggins's ride was super impressive up Mt Diablo and he's team rode brilliantly on Mt High. Not allowing the other teams to attack.

 

For the Giro, Everyone thought the break away will take st 8 and 9 easily, well it didnt happen with large minutes yesterday and didnt succeed on saturday.

 

The sprints has been epic.

 

What more could us, as followers of this sport ask for?

['Dale]

Uran is going to be a silent killer in the ITT, so will Pozzovivo.

 

Pozzo' has improved radically over the last while

He is as stoic as Kientanaah when he attacks on a 10 percent gradient - amazing

[tombeej]

Right, so I've taken a day's leave for next Tuesday so that I can watch the Gavia / Stelvio stage. I refuse to miss this spectacle.

 

The race will be live on TV from 12h50 so I'll be on the couch at home, watching from start to finish :clap: .

[X-Man]

Is it just me or do you all agree that Quintana's performance seems a bit off?

 

Or is he holding back?

[T-Bob]

Is it just me or do you all agree that Quintana's performance seems a bit off?

Or is he holding back?

 

Apparently he says he's been a bit sore from the crashes but I think he's waiting and watching.

[kosmonooit]

Hopefully all the bad weather and luck is behind them now, and we can get on with the race, if yesterday was anything to go by, bring it on! Happy for some guys other than the big knobs to get some fame and glory.

['Dale]

Is it just me or do you all agree that Quintana's performance seems a bit off?

 

Or is he holding back?

 

It's in the highest mountains where he thrives where the air is rarified.

He can breath through a straw while rolling up Helzhoogte Pass at 24 km/h.

[rudi-h]

Is it just me or do you all agree that Quintana's performance seems a bit off?

 

Or is he holding back?

 

I think he's going to make 'ole cuddles cry on zoncolan

[TALUS]

Quintana could be bluffing a bit. Maybe he is really hurting. Either way he and Uran and the mountains will make sure that this is just the start. I have great internal conflict about Evans. I repect that he is realy tough and I like that he is showing the youngsters a thing or two but it is hard to root for him. For my money Quintana needs only one good day on the high mountains and minutes could disapear. Quintana showed what he can do on Mont Ventoux (as did Froome). This is a marathon and not a sprint.

[T-Bob]

I have great internal conflict about Evans. I repect that he is realy tough and I like that he is showing the youngsters a thing or two but it is hard to root for him.

 

It is hard and I know what you mean. He's such a prickly personality and is very private that there is not much 'humanity' to love. Also when he smiles it really looks like the moist unnatural thing ever.

 

Best thing Cadel did was get named 'cuddles'. Properly changed my view of him and the nation's as well, Australia love a sports man with an nickname.

 

If you look past everything (and for Saffa's that he's an aussie) he is a great rider with a massive ticker and bundles of passion. He loves the sport and will die trying be it in a 'Pissy little race' (as Cav would say) or a grand tour. I don't think you'll ever 'love' him but you can't help but admire a whole heap about him.

 

Fark, he had 6 weeks to prep for the Giro last year and still came 3rd. Even when he looked like he was going backwards to Nibali you can see he only had eyes for the line and his limits.

Edited May 19, 2014 by hellocolour

['Dale]

Pics by Brakethroughmedia

 

Durbridge, vomiting since the morning finishes Sunday's mountaintop finalè, leans on an OGE soigneur

 

['Dale]

Bruised Matthews

['Dale]

Breakaway hero Arredondo limps home