Recent content by Poppert

Boring GC fight this year I'm affraid this course has very little things that can shake up the GC. In particular with such a strong team as SKY in control. SKY will cruise their way to Paris. Haven't seen any thing like this since L.A.'s glory days.

Contador can easily take 1 min on Evans in the mountains. So Contador remains favorite. Although Evans now has a good position for podium finish. BTW, BMC should really sign Cancellara for next year. Besides helping Evans on the Pavé , he is probably the reason why Evans is the world...

I don't get it, does UCI perform the tests? I thought WADA/AFLD did all the testing independently of UCI/ASO? What is UCI's role in the testing procedures? Sounds really stupid if UCI can have influence over how testing is done. All they want is to avoid scandals that scares away...

Totally agree with this (except I acctually DO blame McQuaid! ;-)). UCI is out on a dangerous path. Exactly! If they don't do everyting to catch the cheaters, then this sport is pointless. I don't understand McQuaid's comment about "we dont want to work with AFLD", etc. What gives him...

Descents to deside GC? IF Evans will ever break clear from Basso (which I doubt), I suspect it will be on a descent, not a climb. But Arroyo is my pick for the GC win now. Evans can't catch Arroyo himself, and Liquigas fears Evans too much, only 0:42 back. This will hamper the chase and play...

Arroyo must like this I think Arroyo must like how this develops. Evans can't catch Arroyo on his own. Yet Liquigas will be too affraid of Evans now, only 0:42 behind. "We're not going to be a domestique for Evans" they said after stage 11. I suspect Arroyo will win the Giro thanks to...

And another question for you experts ;-) : - Is there no time bonus on this stage? And, - Will they race with TT bikes or regular ones.

My 5 cents Evans Vinokourov 0:15 Nibali 0:25 Basso 0:45 Sastre 0:55 Arroyo 1:25

It's up to Liquigas I think IF we see any real action today it will be up to Liquigas. Evans and Vino - too alone on this type of stage. Sastre - too early to make a move (even if he can). The only ones with both interest and capacity to try something would be Nibali and Basso.

Cunego will loose 15 minutes today. It would be typical of him to mix great with poor performances. Sastre don't have the legs, not yet anyway. Liquigas may have a go just to see how Evans and Vino responds, but I suspect there will not be huge gaps today.

Mountain biker Do you think Evans being a x-mountain biker will be any factor? Is this a good opportunity for him to "do something"? Or will it be more like the "lottery" in Holland? E.g. GC boys just tying not to get caught behind crashes etc.

A step forward At TTT in TdF 2009 Evans lost 2,35 to Astana. He was then 2,59 behind leader and 2,40 behind Contador. I suppose being 1,40 behind Basso is a step forward.