Giro 2011 Sprints

[Tornadin]

Everyone's talking about all the tough mountain stages in this years Giro that nobody seems to notice anymore that there are also some stages at the beginning of the stage race that could well end in a bigger or smaller bunch sprint.

Who do you guys think are the best sprinters who will feature in those sprints?

Who will do well not only in the first few stages but also in tougher stages like stage 6 or 7?

Who will consistently feature in the top 10 of the sprint stages?


This is not only about the best like Cavendish, Farrar and Petacchi, but also about the second tier sprinter that will do well.

So what do you guys think?

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Everyone's talking about all the tough mountain stages in this years Giro that nobody seems to notice anymore that there are also some stages at the beginning of the stage race that could well end in a bigger or smaller bunch sprint.

There are some stages that could well end in a bunch sprint? Man, Zomegnan's let me down AGAIN.

 

[zapata]

I'm hoping Chicchi can win a stage. I'm guessing he'll be the main sprinter for Quickstep, even though Ciolek's there? Too bad if he has to be a leadout when he finally gets to start the Giro. Also interested to see what sabatini can do.

 

[Tornadin]

what about Ferrari from Androni?
Judging by his name, he should be pretty fast =)

but seriously, will he get some top 10 finishes?

 

[roundabout]

He should in theory be able to survive the more undulating stages

 

[greenedge]

The sprints might not be as exciting. There are only a few, and they shall want to conserve energy. Some sprinters are not there either. No breaks shall also be allowed to go. Also we have no idea who will win the intermediates as no one will contest them whereas in the tour the new format has same amount of points as the end of the stage.

 

[Mambo95]

Petacchi will win the first one, then Cavendish will win all the rest. A familiar pattern.

 

[taiwan]

Cav, Farrar, Petacchi, blah. I reckon Belletti will be the best of the second tier sprinters. He won that stage in Turkey an then retired as if "Yup, form`s good.". I would really really like to see Chicchi win a stage as he doesn`t appear that often.

 

[will10]

Cav, Farrar, Petacchi, blah. I reckon Belletti will be the best of the second tier sprinters. He won that stage in Turkey an then retired as if "Yup, form`s good.". I would really really like to see Chicchi win a stage as he doesn`t appear that often.

I thought Belletti fell in Turkey?

 

[Tornadin]

I thought Belletti fell in Turkey?

he did crash in Turkey and thats one of the reasons modolo might take the sprints for his team.

 

[taiwan]

Oh right, I didn`t catch that. I thought he just left to save himself for the Giro once his objective had been met. That sucks.

 

[Anonymous]

Im going left field with Ventoso

 

[Tornadin]

what about lottos young gun adam blythe?

can he feature in the sprints? it's not like the team has so much else to go for...

 

[Jamsque]

I'd like to see Modolo win a stage, he was really impressive at Milan - San Remo last year but I haven't seen a lot of since.

 

[Eric8-A]

I want to see Chicchi come away with a stage.

Ferrari has also been good this year and will be looking for him to either land a top 5 or a stage.

 

[MADRAZO]

Chicchi, Ferrari and Ventoso seems the most interesting sprinters besides Cavendish and Farrar/Petacchi. I doubt Chicchi will be involved in many sprints but if he is he is one of the few that could win.

Otherwice Gatto seems a lot stronger this season and should do well, he should also be a bit inspired by his old u23-rival Goss, and ofcourse teammate Guardini, this season, but he is propably not fast enough to win.

Belletti will also be very interesting if he is fit again, and hopefully Modolo too, especially on the not completely flat stages. Sabatini should also do well there.

McEwan, Bozic, Napolitano, Brown, Kristof, Blythe, Ciolek, Weylandt and Vigano etc. could also be in the mix in the flat stages, but propably not win.

 

[blaxland]

I would like to see A.Kristoff up their for some sprint stages.Top 10?

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Im going left field with Ventoso

yeah he is pretty underrated, and will likely be there on some of the stages the others cant make. Pettachi too will be up there.

 

[jonjungel]

I would like to see A.Kristoff up their for some sprint stages.Top 10?

I read an interview with Kristoff in one of his hometown newspapers. If I recall correctly, he said he would try to go for breakaways and sprints from a smallish group. He acknowledged that he lacks the top speed of the best.

 

[greenedge]

I think Robbie could get one for RS. He is eperienced. Yeah i can just forsee him getting one stage.

 

[PedalCastro]

Sabatini could get a few top 10's, maybe a podium?

 

[ergmonkey]

Some possibilities:

Bozic, Blyth, Napolitano for a surprise win.

Ciolek on a stage where the top sprinters get dropped and 35-50 riders make it to the line.

Renshaw on a day when Cavendish has bad luck.

 

[auscyclefan94]

It is The Great Alexander Kristoff's time to shine!

 

[maltiv]

Alexander Kristoff recently said that he didn't think he would even be able to sprint in more than 2 stages (stage 2 and stage 12 I think), in the others he reckons he will be dropped before the sprint. He won't be able to do anything anyway, he needs some sort of leadout since his position is crap, and that probably won't happen...

 

[auscyclefan94]

Alexander Kristoff recently said that he didn't think he would even be able to sprint in more than 2 stages (stage 2 and stage 12 I think), in the others he reckons he will be dropped before the sprint. He won't be able to do anything anyway, he needs some sort of leadout since his position is crap, and that probably won't happen...

He doesn't know his potential. He needs ACF as his life coach so he can realise his potential.