Giro del Trentino

[laurentiu46]

With Ceramica out and Xacebo Galicia in, they're at least not showing any obvious signs of nationalism. Perhaps they think Ezequiel Mosquera can go well in GC.

I think the Fuji team is an interesting addition. If Cobo shows up with the form he had in the tour last year (assuming he was clean), he will do very well. I predict 5. or 6. place.

Well,they have all the reasons in the world to think that Mosquera can be among the best in GC.
5th in the Vuelta 2007,4th in 2008,excellent climber,the Dolomites should suit him if he's in good shape. Remember that stage to Fuentes de Invierno when his hard pace dropped almost everyone including Sastre and Valverde,only to be beaten at the line by Contador and Leipheimer.
Cobo was 2nd at Hautacam last year,behind Piepoli,right? I don't know how clean he was,but he's a good all-rounder anyway.

 

[laurentiu46]

Yes.....I suppose if organisations want to take the bio passport seriously, then there's no reason to exclude Fuji from the Giro.
No Tour for them, with Ricco and Piepoli counting against them, so they can't really argue.
A big field!

On the subject of both Kloden and those bio passports, the rumour mill has him as number 1 in those likely to be named by the UCI, come May 9th.
Personally, I can't see it happening. Don't think Pat McQuaid would want to tread on Lance and Johan's toes, under any circumstances.

Maybe, that's why had such a quick retractment, after their initial statement about "big names" to fall.

Yes,i heard that rumour too,but i don't know,we shall see what happens.
Or maybe the UCI are waiting for the eve of the Tour to name those top riders,just like Puerto in 2006. This would be a big blow for Astana if Kloden really is on that list,but they should study very carefully those blood values before stating that a rider dopes,even if he never had a positive drug test.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Really impressed by Basso here. Not only his performance, but his attitude. For months and months we've all been wondering "what about Basso?" He was the big intangible, the big question mark. Doping or not, he was a great racer before his suspension. But would he have it after coming back? Before this race he didn't show much of anything other than being in a lead group on the Tireno-Adriatico climb. But this race here is showing he may very well be back for real, and that could strike some fear in the hearts of some of his rivals, who were all probably wondering the same thing the last few months we were.

I said about his attitude, what I mean is that he seems to be riding now with the same quiet confidence he had 3-4 years ago when he looked like the best rider in the world. He also commented after Stage 2 that he felt he rode well, but needed longer stages with more mountains to perform better. Considering this isn't an easy race, not too many riders can say such a thing with a straight face and mean it.

 

[astokes]

Good on Robbie Hunter to take out stage 3 against the usual suspects for a bunch finish after a stage with hills, ie Garzelli and DiLuca. Even more so since I'm sure those two were looking to save face after dropping well over a minute on the Pampeago yesterday. The clocks ticking on those guys if they're looking for a high GC at the Giro. Only two weeks to go guys! More so for DiLuca, as I'm sure Garzelli will simply be shooting for stage wins.

Nice for singling out Basso. I think all questions have been answered as to whether he'll be able to contend next month. In my mind, he's got to be the heavy favorite.

Another guy who you just have to give it up for. Andrea Noe, age 40(!), and still able to keep pace in the hills. Front group today, and what, only 2 minutes lost yesterday on the Alpe? Love to see that guy ride into a top 10 finish next month while riding "support" for Krueziger or Nibali. Amazing stuff. Reminds me of a quote from Paul Sherwen describing his performance at the '03 Giro. "He's never out front attacking, but he's always "there".

I too just reached age 40, so I might be a little biased here

 

[jaylew]

Btw,how about Fuji's invitation to the Giro? Juan Cobo is a good rider,capable of making the top 10. .

Yeah, I was pleased to hear that. I've always liked Cobo. He's a strong rider when on form. Looks like Basso fired a warning shot. I wonder if he'll be in the mix at Liege, I think he had a top 10 there a few years back.

 

[BroDeal]

Really impressed by Basso here. Not only his performance, but his attitude. For months and months we've all been wondering "what about Basso?" He was the big intangible, the big question mark. Doping or not, he was a great racer before his suspension. But would he have it after coming back? Before this race he didn't show much of anything other than being in a lead group on the Tireno-Adriatico climb. But this race here is showing he may very well be back for real, and that could strike some fear in the hearts of some of his rivals, who were all probably wondering the same thing the last few months we were.

I said about his attitude, what I mean is that he seems to be riding now with the same quiet confidence he had 3-4 years ago when he looked like the best rider in the world. He also commented after Stage 2 that he felt he rode well, but needed longer stages with more mountains to perform better. Considering this isn't an easy race, not too many riders can say such a thing with a straight face and mean it.

His climbing looks good but the time trial performance is inexplicable. He was time trialing great before he was suspended. Losing three seconds per kilometer on the first stage is worrisome for his Giro chances.

 

[Mellow Velo]

With Bennati unfit to take the Giro start, I expect an even stronger Liquigas line up, built around Basso.
Neither Nibali or Kreuziger are pencilled in for the race, so, I wouldn't be surprised to see either of these guys added to the squadra!

I agree that his flat ITT was sub old Basso, but who can take sufficient advantage from this?
None of the Italians are great in this discipline and it's certainly a one off course.
So who? Menchov? I really don't see Lance figuring at all.
Two very early season warm up races, but now, no pre Giro race, is very unsatisfactory prep.

 

[laurentiu46]

With Bennati unfit to take the Giro start, I expect an even stronger Liquigas line up, built around Basso.
Neither Nibali or Kreuziger are pencilled in for the race, so, I wouldn't be surprised to see either of these guys added to the squadra!

I agree that his flat ITT was sub old Basso, but who can take sufficient advantage from this?
None of the Italians are great in this discipline and it's certainly a one off course.
So who? Menchov? I really don't see Lance figuring at all.
Two very early season warm up races, but now, no pre Giro race, is very unsatisfactory prep.

If Bennati is out of the Giro,then the Manxman will have less opponents for the sprints. I think Petacchi is the only one who could challenge Cavendish.
McEwen,Hunter,Allan Davis and Graeme Brown are unlikely to beat him.
Maybe Tyler Farrar,who overtook Cavendish in a Tirreno Adriatico sprint in march.
Speaking of Robbie Hunter,his stage victory yesterday seems a bit surprising,looking at the profile of the stage,with Passo Sella and Passo Gardena,both well over 2000m,i didn't think he will make it with the front group,and have enough energy to be in the mix for the win.
But a few years ago it seems to me that he won a stage in the Tour of Switzerland,in the ski resort of Adelboden after a breakaway,but still
Today,the last stage.A 9km final climb with a 4% average grade. Not too difficult,i think Garzelli and Di Luca will battle it out for the win,from a small group of favourites arriving together.
If Basso will not want to drop everyone off his wheel and win the overall,Jani Brajkovic should be able to keep the fucsia jersey.

 

[Mellow Velo]

Another tough, uphill finish.
Di Luca takes the stage, after Pozzovivo attacks the leading group.
Liquigas power Basso into the ascent, Brajkovic is dropped, gets back on, but is immediately dropped again when the Navigare man, explodes up the hill.
Di Luca is happy for his moral.
Basso is pretty in dark pink.

 

[laurentiu46]

Looks like after all,the Trentino was a good race for the italian favourites.
They all showed good things,with Basso one step above everyone.
Simoni was among the best in the mountain stages,Garzelli takes 2 stage podium spots,Di Luca wins one.
Pozzovivo would have done a great Giro and probably improved his 9th place of 2008,if Navigare were invited,but thanks to Sella,who flew over the Dolomites and the Mortirolo last year,they will watch the race on TV.

You say Basso looks pretty in dark pink? Can't wait to see him in THE PINK.

 

[Zoncolan]

Glad to see Basso is back to his winning ways. A bit dissapointed with his TT result. Barely beat Gibo, and left for dead by Garzelli.

Should be a good Giro, all those mountain stages and the likes of Soler, Sastre, Basso, Di Luca, Simoni, LA & LL, Cunego, Menchov, Mozquera, also Lovkvist should be strong in the climbs.
I have a feeling Bruseghin and Pelizzotti won't climb nearly as good as last year, they'll probably be too depressed Ricco and Sella aren't there to keep them company

 

[jaylew]

Well,they have all the reasons in the world to think that Mosquera can be among the best in GC.

Sounds like Mosquera's out of the Giro now with an injury.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Great win for Basso. I too wonder how we'll he'll TT in the Giro.

He appears somewhat like the rider we saw in 2005. Pretty fast and dominant on the climbs, but not that great of a time trialist. You'd think if in 2006 when he dominated the Giro and was a heavy favorite for the Tour before OP knocked him out, if he was hopped up then, and isn't now, there's no reason to think he wouldn't TT at the same level as his climbing? No? So either his riding against the clock will improve some, or his climbing will drop off a little? I guess we'll find out.

Good also to see DiLuca get a win today. He'd been showing his face here and there through the season, but no real results to show he was ready for the Giro. This I think does. He probably rode a better Giro in 2005 than 2007, with three stage wins and some assertive riding. In 2007 he won, but seemed to follow the right wheels and the right breaks as much as anything.

 

[180mmCrank]

I'd expect Basso to be good in the mountains and IMHO his experience and maturity will mean he is competitive in the ITT.

It's great that these guys are comming to form...the classics have been exciting because we've had good riders riding well.

It will be awsome to see a peleton full of contenders .... a dozen or so duking it out on the big climbs...it'll be worth getting up at 5am to watch - well if you live in Vancouver that is!

 

[Bartoli]

I have a feeling Bruseghin and Pelizzotti won't climb nearly as good as last year, they'll probably be too depressed Ricco and Sella aren't there to keep them company

100% agree with you. Besides that they both got to ride for a greater rider. Shame Knauf isn't selected for the giro, Samoilau could've done some nice things there.

Di Luca keeps saying he's good, i really doubt it. Don't see him beat Basso or Cunego. Braijkovic was dissapointing yesterday. Don't know if he still can improve in the next weeks to the Giro, he'll need to, to be a contender. He can win the tt around Cinque Terre though. Simoni is going good. He's going to finish 3rd, 4th or 5th this Giro. Maybe second if Cunego fails. Curious to see Menchov, he'll probably be top 5.

 

[laurentiu46]

Sounds like Mosquera's out of the Giro now with an injury.

Yes,the Xacobeo said that he's almost 100% out. There's a little hope he'll be in Venice,but i doubt it.
Man,what a stupid injury.He was walking up the stairs while holding the computer,then he fell and he injured his arm by putting his arm between the comp and the ground,so that the comp doesn't fall that bad.
What was he thinking? It was just a bloody PC,now he's missing the Giro because of that. Absolutely stupid.
Regarding Basso,i am not so worried about how he'll TT,because he will beat his rivals in the mountains.