Giro d'Italia 2020

[SafeBet]

I get it's 2020 but I have a hard time seeing anybody but Thomas, Yates, Nibali, Kruijswijk and Fuglsang winning the Giro. Keldermam is the biggest "surprise" I can think of. And it's not gonna happen.

 

[DJ Sprtsch]

Wonder if it's time for Majka to surprise? He looked sharp at Tirreno.

 

[movingtarget]

I get it's 2020 but I have a hard time seeing anybody but Thomas, Yates, Nibali, Kruijswijk and Fuglsang winning the Giro. Keldermam is the biggest "surprise" I can think of. And it's not gonna happen.

I think Kelderman can finish in front of Fuglsang but maybe just behind the podium. The three weeks always tests Fuglsang but this year with the scheduling changes, who knows. Not many people expected Porte to make the Tour podium I am sure but Porte always seemed more convincing than Fuglsang in grand tours until something went wrong.

 

[Oliver]

Kruijswijk still not at his best, his shoulder hurts still a bit. And he lacks race rhythm. I don't think he will podium...

 

[thiscocks]

Personally think its a decent quality field and it's normally a more exciting race than the tour whoever rides it. Just a shame ITV arn't covering it

 

[WKA311]

Hm, lots of uncertainties regarding the GC guys and a very shallow field of competitors to begin with. Calling it now, Rafa Majka to ride an agressive race and finish on the podium.

1. G
2. Yates
3. Majka

Not sure how I feel about Nibs. If he still packs his 3rd week peak from a few years ago he will be on the podium. Especially as he was finally getting the legs to a level where he feels comfortable going into the Giro with. But I'm just not sure about it. And Yates climbs really good and also packs a decent ITT if on super form. With the lockdown and not much racing I feel like the likelihood of him exploding is also lower this year.
I hope Astana is going to ride a really aggressive race. They are probably the only team to do so in the mountains. And if they use Vlasov to go on the attack like Movistar did with Carapaz last year they might get him into prime position to put the pressure on the other teams as Fuglsang is everything but a certainty over 3 weeks and Vlasov himself can still act as a wildcard.

 

[skippo12]

Underrated story of the Giro. Kruijswijk returns to the Agnello. Really hope that he can get a good result on stage 20. Maybe even secure a podium spot.

 

[movingtarget]

Underrated story of the Giro. Kruijswijk returns to the Agnello. Really hope that he can get a good result on stage 20. Maybe even secure a podium spot.

I think he will be the main rival for Thomas. Nibali is past his best but probably gets his last realistic shot at a grand tour here. Yates has the job ahead of him with the TTkms. He has to keep picking up bonuses and making time in the mountains.

 

[Max Rockatansky]

Thomas is looking to be the top threat. However, many young riders are going to be dangerous. Some are not even the GC riders of their team...but still could be threats. Should be a fun race to watch and I'm sure it will have some surprise top 10 riders.

I really don't believe, that any young riders without GC experience and depth will shine here. Sure, they could enter the top 10 or 15, but they will be miles and minutes away from the older and more experienced riders. And they might be around and hunt for stage glory the first ten days. But then...

This looks to be one of the hardest GT's in modern cycling and it will take a lot from everybody to win this. This will wore out young riders and we will see a lot of drama like we did before with Cadel Evans in 2002 or Simon Yates in 2018.

If they can ride all the stages, as they are designed, this will be one for the ages. Gavia 88 stuff.

 

[search]

As for Gregaard; the only thing that was reported - though his messages to the Danish commentators - was that he hadn't started, and was on his way to another race.

there'a an article about him and his journey to Palermo on TV2 now (google translate will do the job). He doesn't even have a time trial suit

Dansk Giro-debutant fortæller om karrierens mærkeligste dag

Jonas Gregaard blev pillet ud af Flèche Wallone-feltet få minutter før løbets start. Derefter blev han sendt til Giro d’Italia.

sport.tv2.dk

 

[RedheadDane]

there'a an article about him and his journey to Palermo on TV2 now (google translate will do the job). He doesn't even have a time trial suit

Now for the big question; what's the story for Contreras?
Does he have a TT suit?

 

[KZD]

I will have to go with Thomas regarding the GC.
He was climbing well in the Tirreno and his TT performance in the Worlds was amazing and considering that there are 65km of mostly flat time trial in the race he will have a clear advantage in the race even if his support doesn't look that good (I find it a shame that Sosa won't go). However that may not be that important because I fear that some of the biggest climbs may be cancelled due to the weather.

His main rivals will probably be Yates and Nibali, the first was flying in the Tirreno but could suffer in the time-trials and the second is a big champion that already won the Giro twice even if it was already a couple of years ago. Astana may also cause havoc with their trio, I am not convinced about Lopez but Fuglsang and Vlasov can do a lot of damage and I will not be surprised if Vlasov ends up on the podium.

Regarding sprinters, I don't expect to see a dominant rider but Matthews will probably take the points jersey and several stages if he climbs as well as in the Worlds. Sagan will probably work for Ackermann on the flat stages and try his luck in the hilly stages.

 

[BlueRoads]

I will have to go with Thomas regarding the GC.
He was climbing well in the Tirreno and his TT performance in the Worlds was amazing and considering that there are 65km of mostly flat time trial in the race he will have a clear advantage in the race even if his support doesn't look that good (I find it a shame that Sosa won't go). However that may not be that important because I fear that some of the biggest climbs may be cancelled due to the weather.

His main rivals will probably be Yates and Nibali, the first was flying in the Tirreno but could suffer in the time-trials and the second is a big champion that already won the Giro twice even if it was already a couple of years ago. Astana may also cause havoc with their trio, I am not convinced about Lopez but Fuglsang and Vlasov can do a lot of damage and I will not be surprised if Vlasov ends up on the podium.

Regarding sprinters, I don't expect to see a dominant rider but Matthews will probably take the points jersey and several stages if he climbs as well as in the Worlds. Sagan will probably work for Ackermann on the flat stages and try his luck in the hilly stages.

Ackermann?

 

[Samu Cuenca]

They'll have to work to control Ackermann, otherwise he'll even start his sprint too early in races he isn't doing

 

[gregrowlerson]

Bump.

Because it's Giro time!

 

[gregrowlerson]

Hm, lots of uncertainties regarding the GC guys and a very shallow field of competitors to begin with. Calling it now, Rafa Majka to ride an aggressive race and finish on the podium.

1. G
2. Yates
3. Majka

Not sure how I feel about Nibs. If he still packs his 3rd week peak from a few years ago he will be on the podium. Especially as he was finally getting the legs to a level where he feels comfortable going into the Giro with. But I'm just not sure about it. And Yates climbs really good and also packs a decent ITT if on super form. With the lockdown and not much racing I feel like the likelihood of him exploding is also lower this year.
I hope Astana is going to ride a really aggressive race. They are probably the only team to do so in the mountains. And if they use Vlasov to go on the attack like Movistar did with Carapaz last year they might get him into prime position to put the pressure on the other teams as Fuglsang is everything but a certainty over 3 weeks and Vlasov himself can still act as a wildcard.

You were going well, but this is where you lost me.

 

[tobydawq]

Underrated story of the Giro. Kruijswijk returns to the Agnello. Really hope that he can get a good result on stage 20. Maybe even secure a podium spot.

Zakarin does too.

 

[tobydawq]

I will have to go with Thomas regarding the GC.
He was climbing well in the Tirreno and his TT performance in the Worlds was amazing and considering that there are 65km of mostly flat time trial in the race he will have a clear advantage in the race even if his support doesn't look that good (I find it a shame that Sosa won't go). However that may not be that important because I fear that some of the biggest climbs may be cancelled due to the weather.

His main rivals will probably be Yates and Nibali, the first was flying in the Tirreno but could suffer in the time-trials and the second is a big champion that already won the Giro twice even if it was already a couple of years ago. Astana may also cause havoc with their trio, I am not convinced about Lopez but Fuglsang and Vlasov can do a lot of damage and I will not be surprised if Vlasov ends up on the podium.

Regarding sprinters, I don't expect to see a dominant rider but Matthews will probably take the points jersey and several stages if he climbs as well as in the Worlds. Sagan will probably work for Ackermann on the flat stages and try his luck in the hilly stages.

Sharp theory about Sagan and Ackermann..

Are there three flat stages in the entire race? Three phantom chances for Ackermann to battle with Démare, Gaviria, phantom Ewan and phantom Bennett.

 

[Red Rick]

Kelderman says he might surprise and podium.

Who's gonna tell him?

 

[WKA311]

You were going well, but this is where you lost me.

It's 2020 after all and a bit of wishful thinking has to be allowed.

 

[WKA311]

Kelderman says he might surprise and podium.

Who's gonna tell him?

I mean he himself probably knows that he'll crash out anyway so the excuse is secure. Might as well talk himself up before the race.

 

[md1975]

I really don't believe, that any young riders without GC experience and depth will shine here. Sure, they could enter the top 10 or 15, but they will be miles and minutes away from the older and more experienced riders. And they might be around and hunt for stage glory the first ten days. But then...

This looks to be one of the hardest GT's in modern cycling and it will take a lot from everybody to win this. This will wore out young riders and we will see a lot of drama like we did before with Cadel Evans in 2002 or Simon Yates in 2018.

If they can ride all the stages, as they are designed, this will be one for the ages. Gavia 88 stuff.

After today with the exception of riders like Nibli. I saw a lot of younger riders going very good. I agree experience and fitness is going to play a big role. However, the TdF showed us the younger generation is cabable compared to the past generation that took top 10's or so for the first 2-3 tries before being listed as top threats.

Curious if Ineos goes with a different rider for GC after GT lost 12min. They have 2 younger guys who could be top 10 or better if allowed to ride for themselves with team backing.

 

[del1962]

Kelderman says he might surprise and podium.

Who's gonna tell him?

You should

 

[RedheadDane]

You should

He's busy looking for that delete button.

 

[gregrowlerson]

He's busy looking for that delete button.

Your reply came to someone with a name beginning with del...

What a coincidence!

By the way, I do not have any conclusive evidence, but there was some suggestion that Red Rick found his button at a bus stop at the beginning of stage 19.