2012 Giro d'Italia wildcards:Who would you like to see?

[craig1985]

I voted for the Colombians over Colnago for the reasons Ryo suggested, a lot of the Colombians will be rookies when it comes to riding a GT, but I don't think they will be short of entertainment and trying to get in breaks and get a stage win in the mountain stages, and Colombia has a proud cycling history. Aside from that Acqua, Androni, and Farnese were the other teams I voted for. One other WT team that don't deserve a ride is FDJ, when was the last time they had any success in the race? Back in 2004 when McGee won the prolouge and came 8th overall (lolwut).

 

[Lupetto]

Coldeportes, Acqua&Sapone, Androni and Colnago/Farnese.

I'm quite sure that 1t4i will get one of the seven wildcards for M-Srm.

 

[Reuell]

the only reason they shiuld be in is pozzovivo. the rest of the team sucks for many years now. however pozzovivo always has something that makes him suck in the giro

Pozzovivo had a few bad runs, but he has talent enough to hurt the GC guys the way Rujano can.

Modolo had a terrific year, but I would like him to pick up a stage or podium at the Giro next year

They have Battaglin now, even though he is not made for the GC. I expect him to be an attractive rider on the more hilly courses.

And they still have attackers like Pirazzi, Brambilla and such

Alas they don't have the likes of Perez Cuapio, Baliani, Tiralongo and (a clean) Sella anymore. Still I rate them high enough to be present in the Giro.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Colnago aren't half the team they used to be, agreed.

I'm sure there's a joke in there about the "green dwarfs" quote (CSF 2008) but I'm not witty enough to see it.

cipollini used to call reverberi snow white on rai tv, because his team was full of midgets

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Pozzovivo had a few bad runs, but he has talent enough to hurt the GC guys the way Rujano can.

Modolo had a terrific year, but I would like him to pick up a stage or podium at the Giro next year

They have Battaglin now, even though he is not made for the GC. I expect him to be an attractive rider on the more hilly courses.

And they still have attackers like Pirazzi, Brambilla and such

Alas they don't have the likes of Perez Cuapio, Baliani, Tiralongo and (a clean) Sella anymore. Still I rate them high enough to be present in the Giro.

rujano can win the giro, he already podiumed when 23. pozzovivo could be a force only in mountains, unfortunately he hasn't shown it since the days he was in the same team as sella... I definitely see the incredible talent pozzovivo has in climbing and his itt improved a lot last year but how many changes should a team get just for this one guy that's never even won a stage in the giro.

 

[Reuell]

Pozzovivo alone earned the wildcard for Colnago in Trentino, and will do so again this year.
he can't have bad luck and diseases every year.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

gesink has, so why can't he?

 

[Reuell]

same can be said for Rujano and he did fairly well last year, ánd you expect him to be better in 2012

 

[will10]

same can be said for Rujano and he did fairly well last year, ánd you expect him to be better in 2012

Androni bring a lot more to the race than just Rujano. They'd get an invite without him, no doubt about it.

 

[Reuell]

I wasn't comparing Androni to Colnago obviously.
They're first to get picked in my book.

I just hope Colnago gets a wild card as well, despite Pozzovivo's last Giro's.
They have a long firm relationship with the Giro and should not be dropped, if I have a say in it. Even though they will bring a young and unexperienced team, I think they will be present nearly every stage. Despite beings dwarves and all

 

[Ferminal]

Androni: Rujano... (plus the next 4 are good too but Rujano is enough).
A&S: Di Luca & Garzelli, former winners and KoM holder, hard to refuse.
Coldeportes: Just because... it will be great to see them there.
Farnese: A highly promising sprinter in Guardini and a superstar (albeit slightly fallen one) in Pozzato.

Colnago: Pozzovivo has had his chances so I don't consider him a key factor here. Modolo is a good sprinter but it's not enough for me. Pirazzi and Brambilla are good break value but not much more.

I think Androni and A&S are certainties, the final two spots between Farnese, Coldeportes and Colnago. I would be happy as long as the four come from these.

The other teams are bits and pieces, and I don't think a team deserves selection just because they have Kittel who will get 4 or 5 chances (don't mention Geniez).

 

[roundabout]

A&S have two fossils who are way past their best.

I don't really see why they are so certain of an invite.

 

[theyoungest]

A&S have two fossils who are way past their best.

I don't really see why they are so certain of an invite.

Fan favourites. Plus they have Betancur, who has made quite a name for himself as a neo pro.

 

[roundabout]

Why?

Because he had a partner as strong and as dumb as Zaugg when he won Emillia?

 

[Parrulo]

i voted for 5 teams(4 italians+ coldeportes), the giro will make another exception like last year

 

[will10]

A&S have two fossils who are way past their best.

I don't really see why they are so certain of an invite.

BETANCUR GOMEZ Carlos Alberto
CODOL Massimo
GARZELLI Stefano
MARZOLI Ruggero
MASCIARELLI Andrea
MIHOLJEVIC Vladimir
NAPOLITANO Danilo
PRONI Alessandro
TABORRE Fabio
DI LUCA Danilo
GINANNI Francesco
REDA Francesco

9 from that list are more than good enough for a wildcard.

 

[roundabout]

GC winners who are past their best. A sprinter who didn't have a chance even years ago. Career helpers that can be found in any team. Stage hunters/1 day racers that aren't particularly remarkable.

 

[Ruudz0r]

I take Colnago over Farnese Vini every day.

Colnago has someone for the mountains who could entertain (Pozzovivo), someone who could do well in the sprints (Modolo) and some very entertaining attackers (Pirazzi, Brambilla) + maybe the next italian the star if he would be doing the Giro when they get an invite (Battaglin).

Farnese Vini has a probably invisible GC men if he can do well for 3 weeks (Ascani). Then they have Pozzato a 1 day rider who will not show himself that much in the Giro, A very fast sprinter but in how many stages will he manage to stay on till the finishline + have something left for a good sprint? And Gatto who could be fun to watch.

 

[luckyboy]

Farnese Vini have Guardini as well btw.

 

[Kvinto]

Imo if a team gets invitation to a GT one year and the leader of this team sucks there (due to the injury or whatever), and then on the next year they get invitation to the same GT once more but this time not only the leader but the whole team sucks i have no idea why the organizers should invite this team 3rd time in a row. There are many other teams that strive for this invitation and ready to deliver decent performance today, not after dozen of last chances. Farnese Vini at least won a stage last year.

 

[Kwibus]

Fan favourites. Plus they have Betancur, who has made quite a name for himself as a neo pro.

Didn't he sign with Liquigas? Or were that just rumours?

 

[Michielveedeebee]

Didn't he sign with Liquigas? Or were that just rumours?

He was about to, but stayed with Acque e Sapone for whatever reason

 

[will10]

He was about to, but stayed with Acque e Sapone for whatever reason

Because he's a leader at Acqua rather than going to pull for Basso and Nibali all season?

 

[Ruudz0r]

Farnese Vini have Guardini as well btw.

If that was to my post that was the very fast sprinter I was saying but I forgot to put (Guardini) behind it.

 

[Kvinto]

In the case of Acqua Sapone i think if they are out it's rather because of Di Luca's undermined authority than the age of leaders.

Yes, Garzelli and Di Luca are past their prime long ago, whereas Betancour is not yet a rider to be taken serious in GTs but among those longing for an invitation only Androni is clearly stronger, i guess.

EDIT: Sad that ineligible Christina Watches gets more votes than TT1