2012 Giro Di Lombardia 29/09/2012

[King Boonen]

Both Valcava and Sormano (taken into account the Muro) are full HC... It's true they are shorter and steeper than the French climbs... but this holds true for almost every Italian climb. If those hills "suit" him, then he can definitely win the Giro one day

Well I hope he can do it. After all Gilbert has won this race (without the Sormano though...) so it's not massively out the realms of possibility.

 

[El Pistolero]

Both Valcava and Sormano (taken into account the Muro) are full HC... It's true they are shorter and steeper than the French climbs... but this holds true for almost every Italian climb. If those hills "suit" him, then he can definitely win the Giro one day

I don't see Phil winning the Giro any time soon.

 

[Eshnar]

I don't see Phil winning the Giro any time soon.

Nor do I. In fact, those hills don't suit him. He can go past them if they're not raced hard,just like Sagan can, imo

 

[Zam_Olyas]

He might be able to win if he gets a swimming coach

 

[Libertine Seguros]

I don't see Phil winning the Giro any time soon.

I don't see the Valcava or the Muro di Sormano in either of the Giri di Lombardia I've seen Phil win either. Sagan would have a better chance on the parcours Phil won on than on this one, in my opinion.

If the Muro di Sormano was on its own, fine, but it comes off the back of a long climb. Sagan hasn't proven himself over genuine long climbs as tough as that yet. I wouldn't say it's outside the realm of possibility, but if it's raced hard then Nibali is a much better Liquigas bet than Sagan.

 

[El Pistolero]

I don't see the Valcava or the Muro di Sormano in either of the Giri di Lombardia I've seen Phil win either. Sagan would have a better chance on the parcours Phil won on than on this one, in my opinion.

If the Muro di Sormano was on its own, fine, but it comes off the back of a long climb. Sagan hasn't proven himself over genuine long climbs as tough as that yet. I wouldn't say it's outside the realm of possibility, but if it's raced hard then Nibali is a much better Liquigas bet than Sagan.

Phil would've won easily last year if he still had his top form. Or if he didn't react on Nibali's attack. I don't see Zaugg winning the Giro either anyway.

Valcava will have little to no effect in this race... If Phil finally regains his form from 2009/2010(or more unlikely 2011) he wins or podiums.

The race is still really the same no matter what little trinkets they throw in it. Sormano is like the Muur of Geraardsbergen in the E3 Harelbeke. Totally meaningless.

 

[Richeypen]

Wiggins FTW

 

[Alpechraxler]

Zaugg and Pozzovivo and the likes should be pleased with the muro. Zaugg rode well up the mortirolo in this years giro, ok he faded on the road to bormio but still steep climbs suit him.

 

[Eshnar]

Phil would've won easily last year if he still had his top form. Or if he didn't react on Nibali's attack. I don't see Zaugg winning the Giro either anyway.

That's because those climbs don't suit him, told ya As I said, he can survive them if there aren't attacks, otherwise he's gonna crack. That's all.
If he does survive, he can definitely win this. BUT that won't mean those climbs suit him.

 

[cineteq]

It's show time!
Lo Squalo is clearly the man to beat!

 

[Afrank]

It's show time!
Lo Squalo is clearly the man to beat!

After his sub-par showing at worlds I'm inclined to agree with you, plus he needs a win.

 

[Descender]

So glad to hear they decided to go for it and include the Muro di Sormano. I was there two years ago when I went to watch the race, it is a hell of a climb, it will break the field apart I tell you... I realised there how deeply ingrained cycling is in the Italian society, and how much of a cycling culture there is over there. All along the upper slopes of the Muro there are quotes from past greats (Baldini, Bartali, etc.) talking about the hardness of the climb, and I recall seeing a monument to the Muro at the top.

 

[ILovecycling]

Uran,Nibali,Valverde,Voeckler for this...My bet is Alejandro ofc

 

[Parrulo]

if the pure climbers go hard on the sormano, with the inclusion of the muro, it could get ugly for the punchers like phill pretty fast.

 

[Red Rick]

Uran,Nibali,Valverde,Voeckler for this...My bet is Alejandro ofc

Before you start predicting, take a good look at the second part of your signature

 

[the asian]

Nibali to break his duck in the Monuments.

 

[maltiv]

Hopefully Nibali will get that big victory which has eluded him this year. Even if he "only" gets 2nd or 3rd here he will have been on the podium on all 3 monuments that doesn't include cobbles this year, which is certainly an impressive feat. Particularly as he's not really your typical classic's specialist.

Obviously Nibali needs a hard race from the start to get rid of Gilbert, but that should be doable. I think that for example the Sky trio of Nordhaug, Henao and Uran could help create some fireworks if they're on the offensive. I doubt anyone will be interested in dragging Gilbert to the last hill.

 

[the asian]

Hopefully Nibali will get that big victory which has eluded him this year. Even if he "only" gets 2nd or 3rd here he will have been on the podium on all 3 monuments that doesn't include cobbles this year, which is certainly an impressive feat. Particularly as he's not really your typical classic's specialist.

Obviously Nibali needs a hard race from the start to get rid of Gilbert, but that should be doable. I think that for example the Sky trio of Nordhaug, Henao and Uran could help create some fireworks if they're on the offensive. I doubt anyone will be interested in dragging Gilbert to the last hill.

There is no way Nordhaug is going to survive it if Gilbert drops.

Uran and Henao should certainly feature.

I wonder if Cunego is riding? It's been a bad year for Lampre and he could salvage some pride in his favourite race.

Valverde has also never won Lombardia and if he decides to race in Italy and go hard at it, he'll have to be dropped as well for the others to have any chance.

 

[SafeBet]

I've seen no Colle Brianza on the profiles:

That's where I'm gonna be


After his poor showing in the Worlds, I'm not sure Nibbles has the legs to contend here. Liquigas sure needs to make the race hard to drop Phil and some other punchers, but do they have the personnel to do it?

Uran to feature for sure.
Last chance for Little Prince to save his mediocre season.
Can't believe Valverde and Purito will still have the form to win here.

 

[maltiv]

There is no way Nordhaug is going to survive it if Gilbert drops.

Maybe not, but Nordhaug is much more of a climber (for the mountains) than Gilbert is. Puncheurs like Gilbert might get into trouble on this course, no matter how good shape they are in.

 

[Ruudz0r]

Rooting for Pozzovivo, D Martin (who has been poor in the late season this year ) and Di Luca.

 

[theyoungest]

There is no way Nordhaug is going to survive it if Gilbert drops.

Why? Nordhaug is a climber, who happens to be quite good on hills, Gilbert is a hills specialist.

 

[jens_attacks]

phil will win this because he's back in 2011 form.the only chance for the others is to drop him on sormano(what a climb,beautiful!).of course they can drop him on valcava too but i doubt they will go fast there

certainly i have a lot of favourites for this one.di luca and the italian champion delfino will definitely attack here.

 

[SafeBet]

Jens you think il Delfino still has the form? I've seen him declining after the Italian nationals.

 

[la.margna]

Although it's going to be incredibly difficult to repeat his 2011 win, as he will be marked, don't underestimate Oli Zaugg.

It seems that after a ****ty season, il padrone del Mortirolo 2012 is just coming into form at the right moment.

Forza Oliver! Go!