94th Giro d'Italia May 7 - 29

[Duartista]

Rodriguez is better than Anton.

Rodriguez has shown he is. Anton has not.

Rodriguez is the third best climber in the world and will soon overtake Andy Schleck.

I guarantee that a lot of the MTF's in this years Giro will be Contador/Rodriguez in no particular order.

I like Rodriguez far more than I like Schleck. But how on earth is Purito going to overtake Andy? He must be around 6 years older. Plus, if you watched the Vuelta last year you should know that Anton was looking much stronger than Purito before the crash.

 

[hfer07]

15 days left and counting..........

 

[airstream]

Sometimes it seems Purito loves only steep climbs. There're really a lot of guys who is not weaker than him on usual climbs with av. gradient 6-7%. To compare climbers on TdF and on Giro, Vuelta is a little bit incorrect.

 

[Duartista]

I would love to see Rujano find his 2005 legs again, but I just don't think it's very likely. Over the last five years, Menchovs climbing palmares is clearly superior to Rujanos.

The last sentence is obviously true, but Rujano has been in good form the last couple of years. In 2009 especially, he was very strong. It's not like he's spent five years doing a Cobo.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Last years Tour I would put Contador and Schleck as the two best (probably on the same level), Samuel Sanchez behind that, and Menchov after that.

I would love to see Rujano find his 2005 legs again, but I just don't think it's very likely. Over the last five years, Menchovs climbing palmares is clearly superior to Rujanos.

Rodriguez is a wild card. He seems to have a great shape maybe a bit too early, but he should still be fresh because he hasn't shown much before this week. The part of the Cauberg where he attacked is about 12% btw. But the Zoncolan, Grossglockner and Finestre should suit him very well.

If everyone arrives in shape, this could be one of the most hotly contested Giro's in ages, I really can't wait. The only potential to spoil the party is a too dominant Contador.

you won't see the rujano of 2005. you will see the rujano of 2009(or 2011) the guy was 23 in 2005. he's way better now. the guy had 21 wins in last 2 seasons. and he's not even a sprinter.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

The last sentence is obviously true, but Rujano has been in good form the last couple of years. In 2009 especially, he was very strong. It's not like he's spent five years doing a Cobo.

thank you.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

you won't see the rujano of 2005. you will see the rujano of 2009(or 2011) the guy was 23 in 2005. he's way better now. the guy had 21 wins in 2 seasons. and he's not even a sprinter.

yep. btw how many in europe?

--

anyway I think Rujano will be good, I don't think he will podium, but only time will tell. I suspect 5th-7th

 

[Mellow Velo]

you won't see the rujano of 2005. you will see the rujano of 2009(or 2011) the guy was 23 in 2005. he's way better now. the guy had 21 wins in last 2 seasons. and he's not even a sprinter.

I think it's time you dropped half the gamer username. Ryo Rujano has a nice ring to it and sums you up nicely.

 

[airstream]

Rujano won't be in top-10 even using blood tranfusions. Sorry.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

My list:

Obvious favourite: Contador

Next level down: Nibali Anton Scarponi Menchov

Also contenders: Rujano Pozzovivo Purito

Outsiders: Duarte Machado Serpa Kiserlovski Kreuziger Sastre.

I'd maybe change add jrod to the 2nd list, and nibali down.. maybe.
But otherwise can't really complain.
Will sella ride in service or himself?

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

yep. btw how many in europe?

what does that matter?

you think duarte is a great rider right??

check this out from vuelta colombia 2010. rujano kills duarte by nearly 2 minutes in one mountain and the others as well(or more) except henao who finishes 1.30

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6H6pRSgFc6Y&feature=player_embedded

check from 6 minutes on. this man is out of this world in mountains.

 

[Duartista]

yep. btw how many in europe?

--

anyway I think Rujano will be good, I don't think he will podium, but only time will tell. I suspect 5th-7th

He only rode a couple of races in Europe last year, preparing for a race he wasn't invited to. It is obviously difficult to compare Colombian and European races, but you can't just dismiss the former as worthless. IMO

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

I think it's time you dropped half the gamer username. Ryo Rujano has a nice ring to it and sums you up nicely.

I may love shenmue even more than rujano

 

[Lanark]

you won't see the rujano of 2005. you will see the rujano of 2009(or 2011) the guy was 23 in 2005. he's way better now. the guy had 21 wins in last 2 seasons. and he's not even a sprinter.

There is not a single result to show he is better now, in fact, everything points the other way. Age can be a good indicator, but it's far from the the only factor. Otherwise Cunego and Popovych would be the big favorites for this Giro. Personally, I think it's more likely Yu Suzuki will make Shenmue 3 than that Rujano will find his 2005 legs in this Giro

 

[Duartista]

I'd maybe change add jrod to the 2nd list, and nibali down.. maybe.
But otherwise can't really complain.
Will sella ride in service or himself?

I think Sella will have a free role, but he will just be going for stage wins. That's only a guess though, maybe I am underestimating him.

 

[Ferminal]

I'd maybe change add jrod to the 2nd list, and nibali down.. maybe.
But otherwise can't really complain.
Will sella ride in service or himself?

Yeh it's a good ranking, and those two changes were the only ones I would have really thought of

Need to withhold my top10 for now. But I think those would be in my top8.

 

[Duartista]

Rujano won't be in top-10 even using blood tranfusions. Sorry.

That's a bit of a cheap shot. You could make similar comments about almost any of the contenders.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

what does that matter?

you think duarte is a great rider right??

check this out from vuelta colombia 2010. rujano kills duarte by nearly 2 minutes in one mountain and the others as well(or more) except henao who finishes 1.30

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6H6pRSgFc6Y&feature=player_embedded

check from 6 minutes on. this man is out of this world in mountains.

different level of riding in europe. Not just the mountains.
Surely you can agree there is a difference in tempo.

2010 VaC... Is that the race the mighty oscar sevilla also took 3rd.. I mean that guy totally owned everyone here in europe... oh wait.

And although I think duarte is a very good young rider, he hasn't blown my mind. Rather he has impressed me like so many youngster have in the past.
Do I think AC and others here are capable of taking 2 mins from duarte in a climb?? yes I do (Maybe I am wrong with this, if so apologies, but I remember the VaC thread some posters with race knowledge expressing duarte wasn't super there?)

Again comparing s/american racing to europe racing isn't fair. Not saying Rujano and more of your colombian friends can't succeed here, of course they can, and some might do very well. But the racing is different. Higher level.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

There is not a single result to show he is better now, in fact, everything points the other way. Age can be a good indicator, but it's far from the the only factor. Otherwise Cunego and Popovych would be the big favorites for this Giro. Personally, I think it's more likely Yu Suzuki will make Shenmue 3 than that Rujano will find his 2005 legs in this Giro

hard to say if I wished that was true, but in reality no way. shenmue 3 will never happen and rujano will be way better than in 2005.

rujano isn;t exatcly like karpets, kreuziger of other east europeans a guy who had physically matured at an early age.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

different level of riding in europe. Not just the mountains.
Surely you can agree there is a difference in tempo.

2010 VaC... Is that the race the mighty oscar sevilla also took 3rd.. I mean that guy totally owned everyone here in europe... oh wait.

And although I think duarte is a very good young rider, he hasn't blown my mind. Rather he has impressed me like so many youngster have in the past.
Do I think AC and others here are capable of taking 2 mins from duarte in a climb?? yes I do (Maybe I am wrong with this, if so apologies, but I remember the VaC thread some posters with race knowledge expressing duarte wasn't super there?)

Again comparing s/american racing to europe racing isn't fair. Not saying Rujano and more of your colombian friends can't succeed here, of course they can, and some might do very well. But the racing is different. Higher level.

sevilla was doped during that vuelta and besides he's definetely the best he;s even been living in colombia for a number of years now. it's funny that you say the level of racing is higher here while all the colombian riders actually say something else. they say the level is high in flat races but in the mountains pace is higher in colombia. now rujano happens to be a specialist in mountains and he isn't a rider who drops in the flat either as he holds tremendous power.

 

[Duartista]

different level of riding in europe. Not just the mountains.
Surely you can agree there is a difference in tempo.

2010 VaC... Is that the race the mighty oscar sevilla also took 3rd.. I mean that guy totally owned everyone here in europe... oh wait.

And although I think duarte is a very good young rider, he hasn't blown my mind. Rather he has impressed me like so many youngster have in the past.
Do I think AC and others here are capable of taking 2 mins from duarte in a climb?? yes I do (Maybe I am wrong with this, if so apologies, but I remember the VaC thread some posters with race knowledge expressing duarte wasn't super there?)

Again comparing s/american racing to europe racing isn't fair. Not saying Rujano and more of your colombian friends can't succeed here, of course they can, and some might do very well. But the racing is different. Higher level.

I think you can make comparisons, you just have to be a bit careful.

Duarte is an interesting case. His results in Europe have actually been much better than his results in Colombia over the past couple of years.

 

[El Pistolero]

The level in mountains is also way higher in Europe than in Columbia.

These Colombians are getting fooled if they think races like the Vuelta a Castilla y Leon or the Volta a Catalunya are raced the same way as races like the Giro d'Italia.

Alberto Contador, without any bad luck, would drop Rujano like a stone on any mountain stage. I think the Colombians are ready for a big surprise when Contador eats them alive on Monte Zoncolan or Sestriere.

And he'll crush them as well in the mountain time trial.

 

[hrotha]

Regardless, I think a healthy dose of scepticism regarding Rujano is in order. I wouldn't be surprised if he did well (and that includes winning the KOM and a stage, being top 5 or even on the podium), but he's blown many chances before, and not so long ago. He may have been stronger than ever in South America, but that's different from European cycling if only because of Rujano's own state of mind.

 

[Eshnar]

Last kms of each stage uploaded on the official site! Finally!
Edit: And the mountains details too

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

sevilla was doped during that vuelta and besides he's definetely the best he;s even been living in colombia for a number of years now. it's funny that you say the level of racing is higher here while all the colombian riders actually say something else. they say the level is high in flat races but in the mountains pace is higher in colombia. now rujano happens to be a specialist in mountains and he isn't a rider who drops in the flat either as he holds tremendous power.

From what I have seen Colombians just go all out in the mountains (understandable why you love them so). Not sure this is structured riding, maybe they make it more difficult the way they ride, but I highly doubt there is a higher tempo. Excuse me if I am skeptical with their claims

Anyway only time will tell.

As for the sevilla doping. Not relevant. I am sure he wasn't doping in Europe ey And yeah him being the best he has ever been because you say so, hardly convinces me. Maybe he has just found easier competition