Giro 2011 Review

[JohnNordin]

I don't think it is Contador's problem that others declined to show up. Nor is it his fault that he is a complete rider. I know what point you are trying to make, and I don't see you as trashing him, yet, it just seems unfair.

I'd also point out that it didn't appear like he had a lot of team support on the final climbs. Not like the TDF where Navarro was pacing him all the time. He was often alone on those climbs, even more impressive.

Armstrong never tried for anything but the TDF, either did he? If Contador is trying all three this year, you have to respect that.

Again, I'm not hearing you as making an anti-Contador point.

 

[Chef_Vodnik]

I don't think it is Contador's problem that others declined to show up. Nor is it his fault that he is a complete rider. I know what point you are trying to make, and I don't see you as trashing him, yet, it just seems unfair.

Yeah. He's very complete and just might be the best stage race rider we've had for ages. It just sort of takes the buzz of the race away for me, in a certain way. In another way, though, he makes it interesting because he is so exciting to watch in and by himself

.

Armstrong never tried for anything but the TDF, either did he? If Contador is trying all three this year, you have to respect that.

I do, I really do, and I look forward to witnessing it Because that's what it's all about, witnessing enormous performances

Again, I'm not hearing you as making an anti-Contador point.

I wasn't, thanks =)

The"Giro would have been better with Contador" idea is one that has been promoted by many of us before during and after the Giro.

From the moment the route was announced, I was salivating at the idea of Anton vs Ricco vs Scarponi vs Nibali vs Rujano. Of those riders most are equally matched, and they have only 1 grand tour between them and no Giros.

The idea that they would fight it out for a Giro title on that course was fascinating.

Moreover, there would be no favourite. In a poll, people were undecided as to who would win ( I passionately argued Scarponi would beat Nibali)

The Giro stage was perfectly set for that battle.

Of course it wasnt just Contador that ruined it. Firstly one of the protagonists was withdrawn not just from the Giro but likely from cycling. Then Menchov was forced in by the Tour invites meaning that the field would have a former winner, while the previously expected battle had guaranteed a maiden victor.

Finally Contador joined and, imo neutralised the brilliance of the course.

He brought with him other advantages. Cyclings biggest name at what is for many fans their favourite race.
Pride at the fact that the face of cycling cares so much and gives so much respect to the Giro which had been so pathetically lacking during the Armstrong years.
A better TDF perhaps, with questions as to whether he can recover.
The sight of Contador fighting the brutal mountains and of course riding away from some of the best GT riders around.

But personally I would have preferred the every man for himself battle. People going for riskier attacks as they would be fighting for an overall not for second. The intrigue as to who would win. Nibali actually able to use descents as a weapon rather than a way of getting Contador angry. Constant looking forward to the Milan tt wondering who would gain time and how much.

All on one of the most difficult courses ever designed. Unfortunately, Zoncolan, Etna, Grossglockner, the 5 muscuteers of stage 15 and Finestre didnt get to host a gt showdown and it will be a while before we see such a course again.

Yeah, that was my impression as well - good to see I'm not the only one presented with a problem

To be fair though, I thought that Bertie looked "Weak" on Stage 15 but the passiveness of other teams (Bar Nibali) and the eagerness to look for their own benefit allowed him to stay in the game. Might just have been me, though

 

[El Pistolero]

Contador looked weak on stage 15 yet finished minutes in front of them all except Scarponi? What passiveness of other teams? All the GC boys were isolated when Contador counter-attacked at 50km to go.

Seriously now...
I'm 100% sure that without Contador this race would have been the biggest snorefest ever. Scarponi and Nibali never attacked each other even though a second place was up for stakes(and best Italian+ perhaps a win later when someone gets DQ)

Even when Nibali got dropped in mountains Scarponi did NOTHING and vice versa.

Contador did nothing but follow on the last mountain stage. So Nibali and Scarponi shouldn't have been afraid to attack. But they didn't because they're boring. Well, Nibali didn't have the legs anymore on the last mountain stage though. That's why Scarponi needed to at least attack.

 

[craig1985]

See this post gives me the ****s big time. Craig, please tell me how the UCI and GT policy is relevant to reviewing the Giro? BMC weren't expected to do much and were described as the "worst team" in the giro yet you still mention them just to crap on about UCI policy. What a joke! You are generally a very good poster but this is an example of a blatant cheap shot. There were some other teams who did **** all.

Jesus Christ, in my view BMC shouldn't of been invited to the Giro, but hey Quick Step did sweet FA as well in the Giro as well. Last year BMC had a half decent team and Cadel rode well and truly represented the Rainbow Jersey and got a stage win, as well as wearing Pink for a day, so yes they did justify their wildcard.

But this year I don't think BMC should of received an invite seeing as though there was no Cadel, Hincapie, or Ballan. That's not crapping on them. If Contador had decided not to ride the Giro then Saxo Bank would of had a pretty mediocre squad.

 

[Captain_Cavman]

...

Seriously now...
I'm 100% sure that without Contador this race would have been the biggest snorefest ever. Scarponi and Nibali never attacked each other even though a second place was up for stakes(and best Italian+ perhaps a win later when someone gets DQ)

Even when Nibali got dropped in mountains Scarponi did NOTHING and vice versa.

Contador did nothing but follow on the last mountain stage. So Nibali and Scarponi shouldn't have been afraid to attack. But they didn't because they're boring. Well, Nibali didn't have the legs anymore on the last mountain stage though. That's why Scarponi needed to at least attack.

Are you sure you didn't mean to start this passage, 'jokingly now'?

Scarponi could barely hold on to the group. He had second place (and possibly the title in due course) assured as long as he didn't blow up. All he had to do was stay level with Nibali. He had lost time early in the race by trying to go with Contador rather than staying with his peers.

It would have been the most stupid move imaginable for Scarponi to attack.

 

[El Pistolero]

Are you sure you didn't mean to start this passage, 'jokingly now'?

Scarponi could barely hold on to the group. He had second place (and possibly the title in due course) assured as long as he didn't blow up. All he had to do was stay level with Nibali. He had lost time early in the race by trying to go with Contador rather than staying with his peers.

It would have been the most stupid move imaginable for Scarponi to attack.

With the time trial coming he should have taken more time out of him. Of course in hindsight you can say there wasn't much time difference between them in the TT, but better safe than sorry.

There were moments when Nibali, the second or third in GC, got dropped and nobody did anything thus he could always return. I'm sorry, but even in the Tour that rarely happens. Besides Contador and Rujano most of them rode a very passive race.

 

[The Hitch]

Pisti. You act as if without Contador everyone would have ridden the same.

You should know better. Had there been a gt at stake they would have ridden it totaly differently than they did when riding for second.

Everyone. From Nibali and Scarponi at the top to people like Rodriguez and Rujano minutes down.

 

[El Pistolero]

Pisti. You act as if without Contador everyone would have ridden the same.

You should know better. Had there been a gt at stake they would have ridden it totaly differently than they did when riding for second.

Everyone. From Nibali and Scarponi at the top to people like Rodriguez and Rujano minutes down.

Who says there wasn't a GC at stake?

I'm just saying, Contador was being passive at the last mountain stage, so Contador was of no factor there. And guess what, it was more boring than Petacchi's stage win.

Rodriguez, Gadret and Rujano at least did attacks, so I won't say much bad about them. Nibali and Scarponi however. No, not a fan of how they have ridden this Giro.

Of course it would have been ridden differently w/o Contador. But Rodriguez, Gadret and Rujano rode a much more interesting race than Nibali and Scarponi. Although both did have there moments(like Scarponi on Etna and stage 15) and Nibali with his descends on stage 5 and 15. I still find these 2 one of the biggest disappointments of the Giro. In terms of their racing style that is.

 

[The Hitch]

Who says there wasn't a GC at stake?

I'm just saying, Contador was being passive at the last mountain stage, so Contador was of no factor there. And guess what, it was more boring than Petacchi's stage win.

Yes he was a factor. He was wearing the pink jersey. He had the red jersey wrapped up too.

 

[El Pistolero]

Yes he was a factor. He was wearing the pink jersey. He had the red jersey wrapped up too.

Was of no factor to the battle for second. That might as well be the battle for first in due time.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Pisti. You act as if without Contador everyone would have ridden the same.

You should know better. Had there been a gt at stake they would have ridden it totaly differently than they did when riding for second.

Everyone. From Nibali and Scarponi at the top to people like Rodriguez and Rujano minutes down.

The entire race would have been different without AC.

The standings would have been different also I'm sure (I very highly doubt that the standings would be the same -ac). And thus different scenarios would have occurred

 

[guncha]

Moment of the giro? AC attack on Etna

Best win of the Giro? Stage 9

Best Stage of the Giro? Stage 9

Quote of the Giro... None

Disappointment of the Giro? Nibali and Scarponi

Surprise of the Giro? Gadaret

What are you looking forward to in the 2012 Giro? More flat ITT, less brutal mountains

Who did you expect more of? Nibali and Scarponi

Which riders performed beyond expectations? Nibali and Scarponi

Should there have been more pan flat stages? Yes

Was the tragedy handled correctly? Yes

Should Crostis have been included? No

Overall, did the organizers do a good job? No

Do you expect the other grand tours of 2011 to be better? Yes

Did the awesomness of the 2010 Giro dampen this one a bit? 2010 was better for sure

 

[Captain_Cavman]

Who says there wasn't a GC at stake?

I'm just saying, Contador was being passive at the last mountain stage, so Contador was of no factor there. And guess what, it was more boring than Petacchi's stage win.

Rodriguez, Gadret and Rujano at least did attacks, so I won't say much bad about them. Nibali and Scarponi however. No, not a fan of how they have ridden this Giro.

Of course it would have been ridden differently w/o Contador. But Rodriguez, Gadret and Rujano rode a much more interesting race than Nibali and Scarponi. Although both did have there moments(like Scarponi on Etna and stage 15) and Nibali with his descends on stage 5 and 15. I still find these 2 one of the biggest disappointments of the Giro. In terms of their racing style that is.

But that's just the nature of Scarponi/Nibali as riders as against Gadret and Rujano. If you are a steady diesel with a decent TT, then that is how you race. It is up to the other climbers who lack a TT to attack you. Why should Scarponi race aggressively? The occasions when he did attack early on were the times when he almost lost the (possible) Giro.

What you've said in effect is that Nibali an Scarponi disappointed you by riding like Nibali/Scarponi. Despite the fact that they beat everyone bar Contador by doing so.

 

[El Pistolero]

Nah, these 2 just never tested each other.