Giro 2012 Field Discussion/Rumours

[Maaaaaaaarten]

Irony, I presume? Well, Henao could do well... and Kessiakoff if he keeps it together.

Well, maybe saying 'lots' was a bit too enthousiastic.

If the field is poor - and it certainly looks like it - I think Henao and Kessiakoff have a good shot at having a decent GC.

Majka's supposed to be Saxo's GC guy for this year's giro and since the field is presumably poor, who knows?

It looks like Slagter's going to be Rabo's man, so again, with a poor field, who knows? He's showed to be a decent/good climber last year while domestiqueing and I assume some growth since he's still young. I've read an interview where he said he sees himself as a future GC contender, so I hope, for my CQ game points, he'll show that this Giro.

 

[Zam_Olyas]

No. I appreciate his courage to fight against the Evil head to head.

Pathetic attempt at trolling???

 

[airstream]

Pathetic attempt at trolling???

OMG, whatever I post - trolling! I didn't know this word when I registered. No, it's absolutely serious opinion!

 

[Zam_Olyas]

OMG, whatever I post - trolling! I didn't know this word when I registered. No, it's absolutely serious opinion!

okay............................

 

[airstream]

I wonder who we can consider serious contenders, at least for top-5. Gadret - I don't think so. Very likely the Giro was a peak of his career. Rujano doesn't inspire trust either. The guy is not accustomed to fighting for GC initially and likes looking for an allowance. Fuglsang can lose 20 min on any stockade mountain stage. In short, all this is very sad... I sincerely hope, Rabobank will see the light, understand there's no chance for TdF and send somebody. I can count only 3 so far.

 

[gregrowlerson]

and the route isn't that mountainous this year

Stages 14, 15, 17, 19 and 20 are all horrendous (if you don't like climbing that is ). All could be termed Queen stages. A rider (no matter how good) could lose this Giro on any one of them.

 

[The Hitch]

Whats Wout Poels doing?
Tour?

I wonder who we can consider serious contenders, at least for top-5. Gadret - I don't think so. Very likely the Giro was a peak of his career..

based on what? GUy was super impressive in mountains in his first Giro.

On Kronplatz 2010, a tt so everyone went full beam, he beat Basso Scarponi Nibali among many many others.

This despite the fact that they had the gc as added motivation.

Gadret is getting older but next year I dont see any reason why he wouldnt be able to bring it again.

 

[gerundium]

I wonder who we can consider serious contenders, at least for top-5. Gadret - I don't think so. Very likely the Giro was a peak of his career. Rujano doesn't inspire trust either. The guy is not accustomed to fighting for GC initially and likes looking for an allowance. Fuglsang can lose 20 min on any stockade mountain stage. In short, all this is very sad... I sincerely hope, Rabobank will see the light, understand there's no chance for TdF and send somebody. I can count only 3 so far.

I think Rabobank will send a GC contender, at least i really hope they do. If all the GC guys want to ride for the tour it's going to be a mess.

 

[Ruudz0r]

Whats Wout Poels doing?
Tour?



based on what? GUy was super impressive in mountains in his first Giro.

On Kronplatz 2010, a tt so everyone went full beam, he beat Basso Scarponi Nibali among many many others.

This despite the fact that they had the gc as added motivation.

Gadret is getting older but next year I dont see any reason why he wouldnt be able to bring it again.

Poels is going to do TA - classics - tour - worlds

 

[Ruudz0r]

Well, maybe saying 'lots' was a bit too enthousiastic.

If the field is poor - and it certainly looks like it - I think Henao and Kessiakoff have a good shot at having a decent GC.

Majka's supposed to be Saxo's GC guy for this year's giro and since the field is presumably poor, who knows?

It looks like Slagter's going to be Rabo's man, so again, with a poor field, who knows? He's showed to be a decent/good climber last year while domestiqueing and I assume some growth since he's still young. I've read an interview where he said he sees himself as a future GC contender, so I hope, for my CQ game points, he'll show that this Giro.

If you still know where you found that interview with Slagter link would be appreciated.

 

[airstream]

based on what? GUy was super impressive in mountains in his first Giro.

Based on my personal observations. Yeah, when the other contenders disappointed, he really could... You may be right though.

If all the GC guys want to ride for the tour it's going to be a mess.

Apparently they are going to occupy the places from 10 to 15, but even it can be a daunting task. I'd lightly send Mollema and Kruijswijk. But probably none of them want to.

 

[Maaaaaaaarten]

If you still know where you found that interview with Slagter link would be appreciated.

Well, during the Tour last year, on the rabobank site they made some talents reflect on the tour or something, including Slagter, in one of these interviews Slagter said he sees himself as a GC contender. Looking through the archives of the Rabobank site, I found it here

http://rabosport.nl/q:tour de france/nieuws/archief?start=20

It's the one entitled 'Tom-Jelte Slagter: 'Rabo moet zich nu richten op dagsucces''

In which he says, reflecting on the Tourmalet stage: "Ik zie mezelf als een klassementsrenner en bergop sta ik ook mijn mannetje. Op de Tourmalet zijn schitterende gevechten uitgevochten in het verleden. Een Tour rijden is in mijn ogen het hoogst haalbare als renner. Het is de belangrijkste koers van het jaar. Ik heb de Tourmalet nog nooit beklommen, maar wat mij betreft komt daar in de toekomst snel verandering in. Alleen is het daar nu de tijd nog niet voor. Ik wil graag meer ervaring opdoen en dan zien we in de toekomst wel verder."

Which is Dutch for, 'I see myself as a GC contender bla bla bla'

 

[Dutchsmurf]

Apparently they are going to occupy the places from 10 to 15, but even it can be a daunting task. I'd lightly send Mollema and Kruijswijk. But probably none of them want to.

Problem is both the Giro and the Vuelta aren't rated highly in the Netherlands. Poels, just because he was the highest ranking Dutch rider, got more attention in the Tour than Kruijswijk in the Giro. And if Mollema hadn't won that jersey, he wouldn't have gotten much attention either. Dutch television isn't showing the Giro and Vuelta either, but luckily we got our Belgium friends. From a marketing perspective (both for the team and the individual rider) fighting for a top 10 in the Tour will bring them more than fighting for top 5 in the Giro.

That said, as cycling fan I think they should send either Mollema or Kruijswijk to the Giro.

 

[theyoungest]

Problem is both the Giro and the Vuelta aren't rated highly in the Netherlands. Poels, just because he was the highest ranking Dutch rider, got more attention in the Tour than Kruijswijk in the Giro. And if Mollema hadn't won that jersey, he wouldn't have gotten much attention either. Dutch television isn't showing the Giro and Vuelta either, but luckily we got our Belgium friends. From a marketing perspective (both for the team and the individual rider) fighting for a top 10 in the Tour will bring them more than fighting for top 5 in the Giro.

That said, as cycling fan I think they should send either Mollema or Kruijswijk to the Giro.

You mean Ruijgh. Yeah, the guy has become way overrated in Holland, whereas elsewhere I doubt anyone has noticed him.

 

[janraaskalt]

Gianni Meersman is riding the Giro, he tell us in http://www.focus-wtv.tv/programma/sport-west/wielrennen-lotto-belisol-klaar-voor-het-nieuwe-seizoen

 

[Eshnar]

Gianni Meersman is riding the Giro, he tell us in http://www.focus-wtv.tv/programma/sport-west/wielrennen-lotto-belisol-klaar-voor-het-nieuwe-seizoen

Thanks . List updated.

 

[The Hitch]

Problem is both the Giro and the Vuelta aren't rated highly in the Netherlands. Poels, just because he was the highest ranking Dutch rider, got more attention in the Tour than Kruijswijk in the Giro. And if Mollema hadn't won that jersey, he wouldn't have gotten much attention either. Dutch television isn't showing the Giro and Vuelta either, but luckily we got our Belgium friends. From a marketing perspective (both for the team and the individual rider) fighting for a top 10 in the Tour will bring them more than fighting for top 5 in the Giro.

That said, as cycling fan I think they should send either Mollema or Kruijswijk to the Giro.

I hear you, but theres more to look to than what Dutch people think.

They wont be fighting for top 10 anyway. Gesink might, but Mollema and Kruiswick, I really dont see it. Meanwhile in Giro they could get top 5 or stage wins.

A few less dutch people in July will see them, then forget about them anyway. Meanwhile their palmares would be all the better for it and among cycling fans, small community though we may be, they would be far far bigger.

 

[Froome19]

I hear you, but theres more to look to than what Dutch people think.

They wont be fighting for top 10 anyway. Gesink might, but Mollema and Kruiswick, I really dont see it. Meanwhile in Giro they could get top 5 or stage wins.

A few less dutch people in July will see them, then forget about them anyway. Meanwhile their palmares would be all the better for it and among cycling fans, small community though we may be, they would be far far bigger.

He certainly can based on last season and the fact that he is still improving a 4th in the vuelta where he was consistently one of the best climbers with him being able to handle short steep climbs as
was fourth on stage 5, 3rd in stage 8, 3rd on pena carnegna and then second on stage 9 (longer), + top tens on stages3 and 14, angliriu + stage 19
he's also not a bad tt's with 25 in the tt only around 1 and a half min's behind guys like cancellara and he will certainly improve his tt by next years tour and can definitely get a top ten ahead of guys like peraud or even possibly danielson. Kruisiwijik also has the potential too (see his stage win in tds) the only hurdle for them especially mollema is gesink and the fact that they have to support him.

 

[theyoungest]

He certainly can based on last season and the fact that he is still improving a 4th in the vuelta where he was consistently one of the best climbers with him being able to handle short steep climbs as
was fourth on stage 5, 3rd in stage 8, 3rd on pena carnegna and then second on stage 9 (longer), + top tens on stages3 and 14, angliriu + stage 19
he's also not a bad tt's with 25 in the tt only around 1 and a half min's behind guys like cancellara and he will certainly improve his tt by next years tour and can definitely get a top ten ahead of guys like peraud or even possibly danielson. Kruisiwijik also has the potential too (see his stage win in tds) the only hurdle for them especially mollema is gesink and the fact that they have to support him.

No they don't, equal leadership roles for the three of them in next year's Tour. At least at the beginning.

Neither Mollema nor Kruijswijk are at Gesink's level yet though.

 

[Ryaguas]

Nibali will be at the tour and so will Scarponi. Rujano can't really be considered a GC threat when he will lose minutes in the TTT and the ITT therefore it is open to some lesser names to the podium.

Last year Androni didnt do too bad in the TTTs They even won 1! was it that one in the Settimana lombarda? meh I dont remember which was it =(

You state that as a fact but last year's TT result over 26km

1. MILLAR David GRM 30'13" 70
2. RASMUSSEN Alex THR 07" 40
3. CONTADOR VELASCO Alberto SBS 36" 25
11. NIBALI Vincenzo LIQ 01'18" 0
16. KREUZIGER Roman AST 01'26" 0
17. SCARPONI Michele LAM 01'28" 0
46. RUJANO GUILLEN Jose Humberto AND 02'25" 0

2012 total TTing is 40km. And Basso has hardly set the world alight in TTs since 2006. Rujano is no Purito; ruling him out from a podium finish based on ITTs is foolhardy.

I must remember to all of you that there was an strong head wind in the 2nd part of the last ITT and Rujano being so little and lightweight He suffered a lot as we see it in his result...

I'm afraid that the field will be weakest from 2004. There's the hope that possibly Kreuziger will be able to meet long-term expectations and show himself as a real climber, because Basso vs Scarponi is a very dull duel.

mmmmm I wouldnt count Roman as a real climber... He is like Il Squalo...

 

[Froome19]

No they don't, equal leadership roles for the three of them in next year's Tour. At least at the beginning.

Neither Mollema nor Kruijswijk are at Gesink's level yet though.

Yes, exactly i'm not expecting them to surpass gesink (I believe he can do a top 5 easily at next years tour if he works well on tt)
so they will be required to put in some work for him probably along the way and of course if either one of them start doing really well, gesink and the other will be required to help

 

[The Hitch]

He certainly can based on last season and the fact that he is still improving a 4th in the vuelta where he was consistently one of the best climbers with him being able to handle short steep climbs as
was fourth on stage 5, 3rd in stage 8, 3rd on pena carnegna and then second on stage 9 (longer), + top tens on stages3 and 14, angliriu + stage 19
he's also not a bad tt's with 25 in the tt only around 1 and a half min's behind guys like cancellara and he will certainly improve his tt by next years tour and can definitely get a top ten ahead of guys like peraud or even possibly danielson. Kruisiwijik also has the potential too (see his stage win in tds) the only hurdle for them especially mollema is gesink and the fact that they have to support him.

Im afraid though that this result say more about Mollemas chances for a top 10 at next years Tour, than any of the ones you mention.

http://www.cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=21293

 

[theyoungest]

Im afraid though that this result say more about Mollemas chances for a top 10 at next years Tour, than any of the ones you mention.

http://www.cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=21293

He mentioned that result...

 

[Froome19]

He certainly can based on last season and the fact that he is still improving a 4th in the vuelta where he was consistently one of the best climbers with him being able to handle short steep climbs as
was fourth on stage 5, 3rd in stage 8, 3rd on pena carnegna and then second on stage 9 (longer), + top tens on stages3 and 14, angliriu + stage 19
he's also not a bad tt's with 25 in the tt only around 1 and a half min's behind guys like cancellara and he will certainly improve his tt by next years tour and can definitely get a top ten ahead of guys like peraud or even possibly danielson. Kruisiwijik also has the potential too (see his stage win in tds) the only hurdle for them especially mollema is gesink and the fact that they have to support him.

Im afraid though that this result say more about Mollemas chances for a top 10 at next years Tour, than any of the ones you mention.

http://www.cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=21293

I have already mentioned that one and do not believe that if mollema continues to show his climbing form he has already shown that it will be that much of a problem.
any way van den broeck finished 14 places behind mollema and so if he can challenge for a top ten then so can mollema

 

[The Hitch]

He mentioned that result...

lol epic fail from me