2013 Giro D'Italia, Stage 1: Napoli - Napoli, 130 km

[Libertine Seguros]

Sometimes wonder how many guys on here actually ever ride a bike, clean racing means you cant treat riders like robots. Yes they could have had short prologue, which would just hand jersey to beat prologue rather instead the best sprinter can earn it.

Hardly expect them to go up a cat 1 climb from day one.

Alessandro Petacchi and Danilo Hondo doped, they were sprinters.

Levi Leipheimer doped, he was boring. David Moncoutié probably didn't, he wasn't. Clean racing and quality of racing are separate issues that don't map onto one another and I wish people wouldn't conflate them.

Also, clean racing and difficulty of racing are separate issues as well. People dope to run 100m in a straight line. Doping is to do with the opportunities for fame, glory and success, neutering the racing won't stop it, it will just mean that the racing will be more boring.

This first circuit with the hill in it isn't bad. Why couldn't this be the finish, do the circuits the other way round? Still good chance to be a sprint, but the sprinters have to earn it, and their teams have to control it as it gives other riders a chance.

 

[the asian]

Bad start for FDJ at the Giro.

 

[deValtos]

Hopefully they can learn the right jerseys, Cannondale does not equal Bardiani ...

 

[Flamin]

Already 3 riders racing with no. 225 on the back according to the tv-director

 

[manafana]

LS, not debating on thsoe points all fair, just saying it didnt help the problem, doping happens anyway but it doesnt help it.

Today really is about showing an improved Naples, hence the laps, they have spent alot of money cleaning place up.

 

[burning]

Already 3 riders racing with no. 225 on the back according to the tv-director

Everybody is no. 225 to honor Gatto

 

[iZnoGouD]

Machado will destroy the field today

 

[manafana]

Machado will destroy the field today

nothing else to ad, all good having favourite rider but be realistic please.

im looking forward to see how bouhanni does.

Nasty road rash for Popyvch,

 

[iZnoGouD]

He is a top TTer, if he attacks he wins, it's that easy

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Machado will destroy the field today

Please stop.. It's getting tiresome as hell. Do you have some personal grudge against Machado since you're mocking him and trying to turn him into a joke?

 

[Peccio89]

Was it big crowds at the presentation? Any pics?

very few people actually, cycling is not that popular in the south of italy sadly.

 

[Flamin]

Breakaway completely shattered on that hill.

 

[webvan]

Eurosport UK - dude saying Wiggo disrespectful to Giro by talking about double ? Trying to spice things up I guess because I don't see his point...guy with thick accent (Kelly ?) saying it's not. So can anyone fill me up on the names of the commentators?

 

[staubsauger]

Jean-Claude Leclerq is mentioning Pieter Weening as potential suprise podium finisher, but says no word about Betancur

 

[iZnoGouD]

please stop.. It's getting tiresome as hell. Do you have some personal grudge against machado since you're mocking him and trying to turn him into a joke?

:d :d :d :d :d :d :d :d :d :d :d :d

 

[the asian]

Bad crash by Urtasun. He's back on his bike now, but Jee, Euskaltel and crashes really do go hand in hand.

 

[roundabout]

Puncture city...

 

[Netserk]

Why the **** is Ryder riding in pink? I already hated that Scarponi rode in it last year.

 

[RHRH19861986]

Why the **** is Ryder riding in pink? I already hated that Scarponi rode in it last year.

Race tactics... He probably didn´t wash it since May 2012, and so tries to avoid crashes in the nervous peloton by making sure no one rides too close to him...

 

[Carols]

Bloody soccer on beIN.....wish it would end

 

[phanatic]

Why the **** is Ryder riding in pink? I already hated that Scarponi rode in it last year.

Ryder got gifted his pink?

 

[Peccio89]

Why the **** is Ryder riding in pink? I already hated that Scarponi rode in it last year.

i actually like the fact that the defending champion wears the leading jersey. A good reward for winning the previous year, and it also makes the race sponsors happy.

 

[The Hitch]

Why the **** is Ryder riding in pink? I already hated that Scarponi rode in it last year.

Why not? It's a good way to honour the previous years winner.

Your beloved Nibali rode the ttt in red at the vuelta 2 years ago.

 

[Netserk]

Why not? It's a good way to honour the previous years winner.

Your beloved Nibali rode the ttt in red at the vuelta 2 years ago.

Guess what...





...I'm also against that!

 

[rainman]

Eurosport UK - dude saying Wiggo disrespectful to Giro by talking about double ? Trying to spice things up I guess because I don't see his point...guy with thick accent (Kelly ?) saying it's not. So can anyone fill me up on the names of the commentators?

Declan Quigley occasionally nudging Sean kelly awake.