2011 Giro di Lombardia

[Libertine Seguros]

come on now, he isn't THAT bad of a sprinter. obviously vs. Gilbert he'll get whooped, but that goes for quite a few people. based on this years current form, the only climbers that I can see beating him in a sprint 9 times out of 10 are Cadel and Samu.

 

[Angliru]

I respectfully disagree with this perspective. I enjoyed Nibali's descending at the Giro, but felt that it was ineffectual tactically. Only once might it have made sense, and that was when he caught up after he had been dropped - but it took so much energy, he was quickly dropped again on the next ascent. The time he "attacked" out front was fun, but literally laughable tactically. If you could have drawn a cartoon bubble over the group when he took off, it looked like they were saying, WTF? He ended up isolated on the flat and soon decided to soft pedal until the group caught up. All this was not his fault, it was just that there were no opportunities for him to make gains with that skill.

Contador, on the other hand, appeared to be a way better descender than many people gave him credit for. But rare are the moments when it makes sense for him tactically, considering the risk/reward of his position in a series. Certainly he had no incentive to follow Nibali at the Giro - actually it made no sense for anyone to do so.
At the Tour however, as soon as it made sense tactically he showed himself to be a very capable descender in proportion to his other skills.

Lombardia with Gilbert, Sanchez, and Contador ... and Nibali and the others ... wow!

Excellent post!

I may have missed it but has Contador confirmed for Lombardia?

Imagine the four you mentioned along with Cunego who has a fairly decent record at this particular event.

 

[Angliru]

He's horrible I think he could be voted worst sprinter in the peloton for sure

I think he'd outsprint Andy and Frank if given the chance.

 

[Je ne sais quoi]

... I may have missed it but has Contador confirmed for Lombardia? ...

Not that I know of... just wishful thinking to add to an already great Lombardia lineup, and reading between the lines of his schedule. Maybe he'll be feeling an extra urge to race again ahead of the hearing.

 

[El Pistolero]

Well, he's going to do other races this season and it won't be the Vuelta. So I'm thinking the new Colorado race perhaps and the Autumn classics.

 

[Havetts]

Robert Gesink is doing this race aswell am I right? Wondering how he'll do when on great form coming out of the Canadian one day races and the Colorado stage race. Last year we didnt get to see it due to the well known reason. I dont think he'll win, but he might deliver some spectacle.

I'm guessing Samu will win this if he doesnt have to ride to the line with Phil .

 

[The Hitch]

Its still a while away but other than the obvious choice ill go with Nibali.

 

[El Pistolero]

Its still a while away but other than the obvious choice ill go with Nibali.

Valverde?

I'd rather see Scarponi win by the way. If you look at what he did at M-SR.

 

[Havetts]

Yea the jump on the Cipressa to close the gap was impressive, if hes in the finale I hope he doesnt gift anyone a win by changing wrongly and f'ing up his chain .

 

[El Pistolero]

Yea the jump on the Cipressa to close the gap was impressive, if hes in the finale I hope he doesnt gift anyone a win by changing wrongly and f'ing up his chain .

Ah come'on he was never going to win

Scarponi is one of the few Italianos I really like though and Ivan Basso as well.

 

[Havetts]

I doubt he wouldve won the sprint vs Gilbert, but last year it was over instantly when Scarponi made the mistake. It definatly wouldve been a more interesting finish if he didnt shift wrongly .

 

[Climbing]

Well, it's still a long way, but since many guys still undervalue (a bit) Nibali, I'll go with him.

 

[The Hitch]

Ah come'on he was never going to win

Scarponi is one of the few Italianos I really like though and Ivan Basso as well.

Dont forget Pozzato.

 

[El Pistolero]

Dont forget Pozzato.

He's fun to troll

 

[l.Harm]

Robert Gesink is doing this race aswell am I right? Wondering how he'll do when on great form coming out of the Canadian one day races and the Colorado stage race. Last year we didnt get to see it due to the well known reason. I dont think he'll win, but he might deliver some spectacle.

I'm guessing Samu will win this if he doesnt have to ride to the line with Phil .

Yes. Last year he was in great form but his father died the day after he won the Giro d'Emillia for the second time in a row. Together with Gilbert Gesink was the favourite in 2010.

 

[ultimobici]

So now that we know the start is Milan & the finish is in Lecco, any ideas what the route will be like?

Similar to last year but ditching the Sormano, turning left at Erba instead of right I presume. But what about the finale?

 

[Duartista]

Reading the RVV thread reminded me of this, which is only a month away. Surely there must be some indications of the new route out there by now?

 

[Ferminal]

Reading the RVV thread reminded me of this, which is only a month away. Surely there must be some indications of the new route out there by now?

I have been checking the website frequently, I'm surprised they haven't announced it yet. They can have a Giro route locked in 8 months before but can't produce a Lombardy profile four weeks in advance.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

manana manana..

oh no that's spain

 

[jens_attacks]

manana manana..

oh no that's spain

your italian lesson for today

 

[Nielsa]

your italian lesson for today

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=1PQnfBTFNJE#t=32s

 

[Lupetto]

The course will be presented next week.

 

[Duartista]

The course will be presented next week.

Thanks. Interesting to see what they do.

 

[Lupetto]

Official course presentation tomorrow.

 

[ultimobici]

Official course presentation tomorrow.

About time!