Giro d'Italia 2016 Rumours

[Rollthedice]

Re: Re:

Even if Valverde thinks of himself as the best Spanish rider of his generation, a win in TdF is impossible but that won't prevent him to try until he retires to get on the podium. I'd say 1% that he will do the Giro which is a bit sad.

You know he's got that already?

Sure, but it's an addiction for him. I don't think he can stop.

 

[WheelofGear]

If he rides the Giro, I'm pretty sure he wouldn't go for stage hunting (although he should) and you know that.

 

[yaco]

Profile of the Giro suits Valverde. i expect him to ride the Giro.

 

[Velolover2]

Valverde will definitely ride the Tour next year. But maybe in 2017, he will finally try it.

Movistar have just signed Fantancur (although not announced yet) for the sole purpose of leading the Giro. Or maybe co-leading with Amador after his great ride last year.

 

[damian13ster]

Bold Prediction: Nibali and Froome try to go for the Giro- Tour double in 2017

 

[42x16ss]

Re:

Valverde will definitely ride the Tour next year. But maybe in 2017, he will finally try it.

Movistar have just signed Fantancur (although not announced yet) for the sole purpose of leading the Giro. Or maybe co-leading with Amador after his great ride last year.

I would only sign Betancur as a joint leader. Huge talent but too erratic.

 

[Velolover2]

How many riders are confirmed for the Giro yet?

These seems to go to the Tour: Froome, Quintana, Contador, Porte, Thomas, Aru, Bardet, Barguil, Yates brothers.
These to the Giro: Nibali, Landa, Uran, Hejsedal, Gesink, Kruijswijk, Peraud.

Swing riders: Valverde (Giro debut?), Pozzovivo (Tour debut?), Tejay van Garderen (Tour most likely, but would love to see him in the Giro), Caruso (likely to lead the Giro for BMC), Amador (likely to lead the Giro for Movistar), Betancur (Giro for Movistar?), Dumoulin (Giro likely, but maybe no GT?), Purito (50/50 between Giro and Tour), Mollema (most likely), Dan Martin (maybe no GT?), Rolland (Tour?), Zakarin/Spilak (?), Moreno (maybe workhorse for Valverde/Quintana at the Tour?), Chaves (Giro?) , Majka (maybe only the Vuelta?)..

 

[MatParker117]

Kennaugh is riding as well.

 

[Velolover2]

Re:

Kennaugh is riding as well.

He could be a good helper for Landa, but I think he needs to learn some Spanish.

I'm excepting Sky's Giro team to be 50% Spanish. Landa, Intxausti, Nieve, Lopez and perhaps Zandio.

 

[MatParker117]

Re: Re:

Kennaugh is riding as well.

He could be a good helper for Landa, but I think he needs to learn some Spanish.

I'm excepting Sky's Giro team to be 50% Spanish. Landa, Intxausti, Nieve, Lopez and perhaps Zandio.

Yeah I expect this:

Landa, Intxausti, Nieve, Lopez, Kennaugh, Kiryienka, Zandio, Puccio, Viviani/DVP

 

[Dog]

What about Thomas leading Sky at the Giro?

The time trials will slaughter Landa (well not the MTT).

 

[Velolover2]

What about Thomas leading Sky at the Giro?

The time trials will slaughter Landa (well not the MTT).

Not a chance, he is 100% focusing on the Tour in 2016. He will also be Sky's plan-B if Froome fails. Look at my thread.

Landa should be fine with some help from Brailsford. He is young and can improve his TT-abilities. The MTT, he can win. The long one depends on the profile, I still don't know how hilly it is. It's only the short one that is his problem and it will not create big time gaps.

 

[SafeBet]

Re: Re:

Yeah I expect this:

Landa, Intxausti, Nieve, Lopez, Kennaugh, Kiryienka, Zandio, Puccio, Viviani/DVP

Viviani is 100% riding the Giro. It's gonna be his last goal of the season, before focusing on his prep for the Olympics.

 

[Velolover2]

Re: Re:

Kennaugh is riding as well.

He could be a good helper for Landa, but I think he needs to learn some Spanish.

I'm excepting Sky's Giro team to be 50% Spanish. Landa, Intxausti, Nieve, Lopez and perhaps Zandio.

Yeah I expect this:

Landa, Intxausti, Nieve, Lopez, Kennaugh, Kiryienka, Zandio, Puccio, Viviani/DVP

Seems right. Maybe with Swift instead of Zandio if Viviani wants another lead-out man, but I'm not sure about that.

 

[staubsauger]

Thomas would be able to snatch an anonymous podium spot at best.

Landa is gonna get a podium spot with major stage wins, while conquering the cols and he might win the blue jersey at worst if in shape.

Much better PR for Sky (Italia).

 

[Velolover2]

Sky Italia also depend on Viviani wins. So it's pretty safe to say that he will join Landa.

 

[staubsauger]

Re:

How many riders are confirmed for the Giro yet?

These seems to go to the Tour: Froome, Quintana, Contador, Porte, Thomas, Aru, Bardet, Barguil, Yates brothers.
These to the Giro: Nibali, Landa, Uran, Hejsedal, Gesink, Kruijswijk, Peraud.

Swing riders: Valverde (Giro debut?), Pozzovivo (Tour debut?), Tejay van Garderen (Tour most likely, but would love to see him in the Giro), Caruso (likely to lead the Giro for BMC), Amador (likely to lead the Giro for Movistar), Betancur (Giro for Movistar?), Dumoulin (Giro likely, but maybe no GT?), Purito (50/50 between Giro and Tour), Mollema (most likely), Dan Martin (maybe no GT?), Rolland (Tour?), Zakarin/Spilak (?), Moreno (maybe workhorse for Valverde/Quintana at the Tour?), Chaves (Giro?) , Majka (maybe only the Vuelta?)..

I expect something like:
Nibali, Landa, Pinot, Valverde or Purito, Uran
Pozzovivo, Dumoulin, Gesink, Hesjedal, Cunego
Hirt, Chaves, Betancur, Kruijswijk


Although, until the ( hopefully tt-miles loaded) Tour route ain't been presented, I still got some hope left that Astana changes it's mind and sends Aru to the Giro. So I might get my epic “New kids on the block“ - showdown : Aru versus Landa versus Pinot.

 

[DBotero]

No way that Valverde will ride this.Thomas is TDF plan B so maybe Sky will send Konig as a back up for Landa.I think J.Rod will go for TDF as it wasn't a bad one this year despite the GC failure.I don't see Porte/TVG showing up and even Uran might skip it as he wasn't too keen even last year about the Giro.
Maybe Spilak should get a chance as he likes this type of weather.
I'm confused about Pinot.Why would he want to ride Giro considering that he's FDJ only asset in TDF.

 

[staubsauger]

Pinot seems to prefer the Italian cols and the character of the Giro!

 

[staubsauger]

Re:

Sky Italia also depend on Viviani wins. So it's pretty safe to say that he will join Landa.

Sky's Giro team might be Landa, Intxausti, Nieve, Kennaugh, maybe one Henao, Kyrienka as locomotive, Puccio as waterboy, Viviani as sprinter, plus one for him, maybe Moscon?

Swift will be at Yorkshire I guess.

 

[yaco]

Re:

How many riders are confirmed for the Giro yet?

These seems to go to the Tour: Froome, Quintana, Contador, Porte, Thomas, Aru, Bardet, Barguil, Yates brothers.
These to the Giro: Nibali, Landa, Uran, Hejsedal, Gesink, Kruijswijk, Peraud.

Swing riders: Valverde (Giro debut?), Pozzovivo (Tour debut?), Tejay van Garderen (Tour most likely, but would love to see him in the Giro), Caruso (likely to lead the Giro for BMC), Amador (likely to lead the Giro for Movistar), Betancur (Giro for Movistar?), Dumoulin (Giro likely, but maybe no GT?), Purito (50/50 between Giro and Tour), Mollema (most likely), Dan Martin (maybe no GT?), Rolland (Tour?), Zakarin/Spilak (?), Moreno (maybe workhorse for Valverde/Quintana at the Tour?), Chaves (Giro?) , Majka (maybe only the Vuelta?)..

OGE is targetting GC so you'd expect Chavez to do the TDF - Also 3 TT's doesn't suit Chavez - Yates boys can stage hunt at the Giro and Vuelta. Landa has no hope in the Giro with 3 TT's - He could be saved for the Vuelta - Valverde would be crazy not to ride the Giro - The Olympic Games will mess around with schedules.

 

[yaco]

Re:

Pinot seems to prefer the Italian cols and the character of the Giro!

Pinot is well suited to the Giro - But being French means the TDF - It also means you don't reach your full potential.

 

[staubsauger]

Ain't there a longer col of 15 kilometers to Seiser Alm that starts from Waidbruck!?

Edith says that's the farm road via Torggler Brücke which likely ain't passable for the large Giro caravan.

 

[huge]

Re: Re:

OGE is targetting GC so you'd expect Chavez to do the TDF - Also 3 TT's doesn't suit Chavez - Yates boys can stage hunt at the Giro and Vuelta. Landa has no hope in the Giro with 3 TT's - He could be saved for the Vuelta - Valverde would be crazy not to ride the Giro - The Olympic Games will mess around with schedules.

Chavez has confirmed that he aims at a top 5 finish in the 2016 Giro. No TdF for him. Vuelta at the end of the season instead.

The Giro is getting some pretty strong young climbers with Chavez and Landa. It's gonna be interesting to watch.

 

[Velolover2]

Pinot is now confirmed for the Tour. Same with the Yates bros. And Valverde I think.

But Chaves and Majka is riding the Giro so the battle for GC looks ok-ish. But Nibali and Landa are still the favorites. I see Pozzovivo, Chaves, Majka and Uran as about equal and a level below "The Big 2".

If Dumoulin joins them, he would be the biggest threat. Having Van Garderen and Rui Costa there could be interesting. With few uphill finishes, lots of TT'ing and no bonus seconds (?), I'm not sure Dan Martin or Purito will be there.

Guys like Hejsedal, Peraud and Betancur are jokers. It really depends on their form.