Giro d'Italia 2023 Giro d'Italia: Who is going to win? Pre-race poll.

[CyclistAbi]

I don't know on how to break this to Rogličes and Evenepoels fans but the ITT honeypot in this year Giro edition was planted there to attract Pogi.

 

[CyclistAbi]

As for ITT stages. First one should be about some prestige. Second one is where Remco is planning to make a statement in regards to GC. Third one is anyone's guess. It's obviously there to attract Slovenian cyclists and fans. And obviously Remco will likely always chose a GT with good amount of ITT in it. The road to the top of last ITT was done because of the Giro. It's something very very unique. I wouldn't even call it an ITT. But mountaineering.

ITT obviously is territory where Remco will try to gain some advantage. On the other hand and in my opinion it suits Rogla too.

Personally i don't feel Remco will only focus on ITT in first half of the Giro. He will likely try to achieve more. Here JV as a team will play a big role. To counter.

But considering the strength of the field. I doubt that first and second ITT on this years Giro edition will decide the overall. There will be more to it.

 

[CyclistAbi]

As for mountain stages. If we take races from last year Vuelta forward and cyclists like López, Mas, Yates ... as reference. In my opinion Roglič, after preparing for Giro, has an edge here.

 

[JosefK]

Heart says Rog. Head says Remco.

 

[dercuforever]

I think Remco will win but showing us a level much higher than last year Vuelta.
I also think Roglic will show us a very high level.

The hardest question :
If those two do not fall sick or fall of their bikes, who will get 3rd ?

I think it can be a UAE, Almeida is reliable, Vine could be strong as well.
My heart would love some Pinot podium but it is unrealistic.

 

[Andre]

I think Remco will win but showing us a level much higher than last year Vuelta.
I also think Roglic will show us a very high level.

The hardest question :
If those two do not fall sick or fall of their bikes, who will get 3rd ?

I think it can be a UAE, Almeida is reliable, Vine could be strong as well.
My heart would love some Pinot podium but it is unrealistic.

Or maybe the Russian Vlasov will get third place. I'm not sure if he's super fit or still improving

 

[Riek s]

Lets hope the Giro won't be decapited by COVID. Feels like half the peleton is having it atm. So lets hope Roglic/Remco also have it now and not during the Giro. (Same for the others like Almeida etc)

 

[Andy schleck]

I think Remco will win but showing us a level much higher than last year Vuelta.
I also think Roglic will show us a very high level.

The hardest question :
If those two do not fall sick or fall of their bikes, who will get 3rd ?

I think it can be a UAE, Almeida is reliable, Vine could be strong as well.
My heart would love some Pinot podium but it is unrealistic.

Vine is flying in his training campo on sierra nevada. Check is strava.

 

[Riek s]

Vine is flying in his training campo on sierra nevada. Check is strava.

If he improved on his endurance and can keep his form for 3 weeks he is a good candidate for the podium indeed.
In that case Almeida is screwed again because he might need to tuf for Vine . (Although it might not be a problem the way almeida rides.)
But i would favor Almeida more then Vine atm, just because of the proven 3rd week of Almeida. (and i think he wants revenge on last year when he was realy good but needed to abandon due to Covid)

 

[Andy schleck]

If he improved on his endurance and can keep his form for 3 weeks he is a good candidate for the podium indeed.
In that case Almeida is screwed again because he might need to tuf for Vine . (Although it might not be a problem the way almeida rides.)
But i would favor Almeida more then Vine atm, just because of the proven 3rd week of Almeida. (and i think he wants revenge on last year when he was realy good but needed to abandon due to Covid)

That's the question....if vine can prove during 3 weeks....because i believe he can be stronger than Almeida in the climbs. Almeida didn't progress since he leave quick step, like i expected.

 

[Nick2413]

A bit off topic but UAE are sending some decent riders here that could’ve been good domestiques at the Tour. I would’ve expected Ayuso to get sent here and Vuelta, is he maybe going to the Tour, or still dealing with some sort of injury/illness?

 

[Bonimenier]

A bit off topic but UAE are sending some decent riders here that could’ve been good domestiques at the Tour. I would’ve expected Ayuso to get sent here and Vuelta, is he maybe going to the Tour, or still dealing with some sort of injury/illness?

Feels a bit early to send him to 2 GTs in a year already. Pretty sure he just focuses on Vuelta this year.

 

[CyclistAbi]

Ayuso has some health issues and frankly i don't understand on why they are (thinking of) making him ride Giro. Before they have that under control.

 

[nightowl]

A bit off topic but UAE are sending some decent riders here that could’ve been good domestiques at the Tour. I would’ve expected Ayuso to get sent here and Vuelta, is he maybe going to the Tour, or still dealing with some sort of injury/illness?

Ayuso had tendonitis in his ankle and only just got back to racing yesterday so makes sense they wouldn’t send him to the Giro. At his age 2 GTs in a year would be a lot anyway

 

[Filippo_3467]

When the route and contenders became clear I hoped that it would be an exciting race with multiple teams trying to overcome a deficit to the good TTers on really brutal and great mountain stages.

No unfortunately it seems likely that it will be an absolute borefest with one or two riders (can Roglic stay on the bike) riding 10 minutes in front of the field with everyone else fighting closely which could have been exciting if it wasn't for 3rd place. Two months ago or so it still seemed plausible that Vine could be on par with the best climbers and a big threat + there could have been the potential for Almeida and Thomas to stay close in GC so that Remco and Roglic had to ride all the time without an off-day.

Where does that leave the field? Tao could have his Jai moment at the Giro but I'm still not a believer tbh and it's a few weeks till the serious slopes start at the Giro so topform in ToA could be a bit early. I wouldn't be surprised if the timing on the form is better for a Thomas or a Vlasov.

So what to watch out for if the GC battle is decided early on? Kaden Groves had a great season and would be my pick for the ciclamino. Can Mathews, Pedersen or Cort mount a challenge or is it too important to be the best bunch sprinter in the field. When it comes to guys maybe finding their GC footing I'm looking out for Buitrago, Kämna and Gall maybe competing for a surprising Top 7 or so. Besides Buitrago guys that should be on for stage win include Ciccone, Konrad, Lafay and of course Ben Healy. I'm a bit worries that there won't be that much left for the break, but I hope I'm wrong.

When it comes to predictions everything else then Remco with a medium advantages of 1-3 minutes seem unlogical to me. Roglic won Catalunya yes but he will loose the time trials with a deficit so that he has to drop Remco and I don't know if anyone right now can do that. I would guess Remco is the strongest in the mountains as well.

 

[Riek s]

When the route and contenders became clear I hoped that it would be an exciting race with multiple teams trying to overcome a deficit to the good TTers on really brutal and great mountain stages.

No unfortunately it seems likely that it will be an absolute borefest with one or two riders (can Roglic stay on the bike) riding 10 minutes in front of the field with everyone else fighting closely which could have been exciting if it wasn't for 3rd place. Two months ago or so it still seemed plausible that Vine could be on par with the best climbers and a big threat + there could have been the potential for Almeida and Thomas to stay close in GC so that Remco and Roglic had to ride all the time without an off-day.

Think you are to pessimistic.
If there are 2 major contestants, it is also an opportunity for the others. Both of them will look at eachother a lot and that might give opportunities to others. Especially if Remco starts to poker with Roglic as well. (long shot , but its the hope).

But I think if it is up to SQS to control the race, we will have a lot of breaks succeeding which can also be good to watch. This might give a drive for lots of teams to be in the break and give another dynamic to the race.

 

[Netserk]

When the route and contenders became clear I hoped that it would be an exciting race with multiple teams trying to overcome a deficit to the good TTers on really brutal and great mountain stages.

No unfortunately it seems likely that it will be an absolute borefest with one or two riders (can Roglic stay on the bike) riding 10 minutes in front of the field with everyone else fighting closely which could have been exciting if it wasn't for 3rd place. Two months ago or so it still seemed plausible that Vine could be on par with the best climbers and a big threat + there could have been the potential for Almeida and Thomas to stay close in GC so that Remco and Roglic had to ride all the time without an off-day.

Where does that leave the field? Tao could have his Jai moment at the Giro but I'm still not a believer tbh and it's a few weeks till the serious slopes start at the Giro so topform in ToA could be a bit early. I wouldn't be surprised if the timing on the form is better for a Thomas or a Vlasov.

So what to watch out for if the GC battle is decided early on? Kaden Groves had a great season and would be my pick for the ciclamino. Can Mathews, Pedersen or Cort mount a challenge or is it too important to be the best bunch sprinter in the field. When it comes to guys maybe finding their GC footing I'm looking out for Buitrago, Kämna and Gall maybe competing for a surprising Top 7 or so. Besides Buitrago guys that should be on for stage win include Ciccone, Konrad, Lafay and of course Ben Healy. I'm a bit worries that there won't be that much left for the break, but I hope I'm wrong.

When it comes to predictions everything else then Remco with a medium advantages of 1-3 minutes seem unlogical to me. Roglic won Catalunya yes but he will loose the time trials with a deficit so that he has to drop Remco and I don't know if anyone right now can do that. I would guess Remco is the strongest in the mountains as well.

We saw last year the race without anyone "10 minutes" ahead of the field. It was godawful.

 

[Berniece]

Think you are to pessimistic.
If there are 2 major contestants, it is also an opportunity for the others. Both of them will look at eachother a lot and that might give opportunities to others.

indeed. I still feel that’s how Carapaz won his Giro. Because the two main contenders were looking at each other

 

[Andy schleck]

Mcnulty is really going to the giro?

 

[Skijumper Roglic fan]

I think Remco will win this Giro…

Primoz, I have the feeling, will probably have to leave the race, after a crash. He normally has bad luck in Grand Tours…

 

[rallybanana]

Heart says Hart. Head says Hart.

 

[Bonimenier]

Heart says Hart. Head says Hart.

Hearts says head.

 

[Filippo_3467]

We saw last year the race without anyone "10 minutes" ahead of the field. It was godawful.

I disagree. I loved that Giro. Of course the clash of the titans at the Tour was better, but I enjoyed the Giro. Can't understand how people dismiss a head-to-head race until the last day with a big upset. Of course there were better GTS like the Giro 2018 but I really enjoy races like the Tour 2019 or the Giro 2019 where the level isn't as high but there are a handful of contenders and great storylines throughout the race. If you watch at the TV what different does it makes if the cyclist push 6.5 w/kg or 6.2 w/kg? If Remco or Roglic destroys the field it's boring and I forget about it like with all the really boring Froome or Armstrong wins. But moments like Pinot having to give up in the form of his life, Alaphilippe fighting in yellow, Hindley breaking Carapaz on Marmolada or yes Pogacar's upset of Roglic at PdBF are why I watch cycling.It could be that we have three weeks of racing and there will be never a real race this year. Remco destroying the field in the TTs and the first mountain stage and from that moment on you can hope that there's a break fighting for the stage wins because if not you will see what godawful relly means.

I know it can be different for other people and it's not that I dislike the people dominating the sport, but I can't wrap my head around it how people can enjoy something like L-B-L e.g. where Remco is doing a training ride and puts 2 minutes into the field. For me thats basically the point where I think hard about watching cycling on a sunday when there is no thrill in watching the race and the rest of the field/teams gets degraded to a joke. The race would have been much more enjoyable with Remco not being there (after Pogi crashed of course) and thats why I fear the Giro will be a bummer because I don't see Roglic being close to that Remco level.

 

[42x16ss]

Also, that Bahrain team looks stacked. Haig, Caruso, Mäder & Santi Buitrago.

Haig and Hindley (if racing) have potential to shake this up if they have form. Not sure they can really contend for the win but could see one of them making a move that helps decide final GC if they get the green light

 

[42x16ss]

A bit off topic but UAE are sending some decent riders here that could’ve been good domestiques at the Tour. I would’ve expected Ayuso to get sent here and Vuelta, is he maybe going to the Tour, or still dealing with some sort of injury/illness?

Yeah but their roster is so deep now they have to have serious shot here as well. They have the riders to do it.