Giro Rest day 2 - Round up

[King Of The Wolds]

I think the course is great. Maybe it won't be like this every year but every few years put in one like this. There is not the same level of anticipation as 2010 which was more competitive. Alberto simply owned this race from the start. But that is ok too, I do like watching him race. Overall grade I give it an A-

Bertie, say what you like about him, has been imperious, whilst still showing he's human. I've loved every second.

Saying that, I also enjoy watching Spartacus TTing his way from a Classics field, or, whisper it quietly, the HTC train in full, well oiled machine, flow. There's definitely something beautiful about watching a master of his craft at work, and Bertie's been that these last 2 weeks.

 

[will10]

But it is an opinion based on what I feel. You have no right to question the way I feel about something. 1 stage doesn't change a race.

ACF you are hilarious. You contradicted yourself and EP called you on it.

 

[Publicus]

Meh, this giro has been quite mundane so far. The only stage I truly enjoyed was when Anton went away and everyone was fighting really hard.

Harder course does not equal more entertaining bike racing. It can = more boring reserved racing.

In other words, No Cadel, plus AC dominating equal mundane. Really sad that you can't see beyond Cadel's chamois.

The Giro has been great so far. I was as disappointed as anyone with the exclusion of the Crostis, but after yesterday's epic battle, I honestly don't know how any mere mortal could have completed the last 3 days if it had been included.

Gadret is riding a great race. I don't know if the effort he is exerting the last few weeks will dramatically affect his ITT, but I suspect it might (certainly compared to last year). Menchov is slowly but surely riding himself closer to podium, but I don't think he will quite make it without an assist from someone else.

Nibbles has ridden with heart, but some of his post-race comments have taken a bit of luster off of his gutsy performance. Scarponi has shown great maturity by not collapsing mentally after being bested by Contador on multiple occasions, so kudos to him. Rujano has been quite the revelation, not quite as dominate has his main supporters have made him out to be, but he certainly has the goods on certain days.

And AC....what can you say, the guy really has demonstrated with his performance so far that he is the best GC rider of this generation.

 

[auscyclefan94]

ACF you are hilarious. You contradicted yourself and EP called you on it.

Uhm, How? I haven't found it very exciting. 1 or 2 stages won't change that for me.

 

[Publicus]

Liquigas 2010 vs. Contador on yesterday's route might have made for a great stage

I would love for a rematch in 2012 or 2013 depending on how things shake out.

 

[movingtarget]

Meh, this giro has been quite mundane so far. The only stage I truly enjoyed was when Anton went away and everyone was fighting really hard.

Harder course does not equal more entertaining bike racing. It can = more boring reserved racing.

I have enjoyed the race and the route but without Contador it could have been a real dogfight. Dunno whether it has been more predictable than last year. Basso looked in control last year as well, especially when Vino and Evans started to struggle. I still tip Nibali for second. So far so good as far as entertainment goes. The problem is Contador rarely has a bad day which is what the other contenders would be hoping for.

 

[auscyclefan94]

In other words, No Cadel, plus AC dominating equal mundane. Really sad that you can't see beyond Cadel's chamois.

The Giro has been great so far. I was as disappointed as anyone with the exclusion of the Crostis, but after yesterday's epic battle, I honestly don't know how any mere mortal could have completed the last 3 days if it had been included.

Gadret is riding a great race. I don't know if the effort he is exerting the last few weeks will dramatically affect his ITT, but I suspect it might (certainly compared to last year). Menchov is slowly but surely riding himself closer to podium, but I don't think he will quite make it without an assist from someone else.

Nibbles has ridden with heart, but some of his post-race comments have taken a bit of luster off of his gutsy performance. Scarponi has shown great maturity by not collapsing mentally after being bested by Contador on multiple occasions, so kudos to him. Rujano has been quite the revelation, not quite as dominate has his main supporters have made him out to be, but he certainly has the goods on certain days.

And AC....what can you say, the guy really has demonstrated with his performance so far that he is the best GC rider of this generation.

This might be a surprise to you but I do have some sort of interest in cycling other than as a sport. Don't assume that everyone has to like the giro including myself. I haven't found it great. I found la vuelta great last year and cadel wasn't in it. Don't be a ****.

 

[c&cfan]

But it is an opinion based on what I feel. You have no right to question the way I feel about something. 1 stage doesn't change a race.

yes he can when it is perfectly clear that the only reason that is making you not loving this race is: alberto, and it isn't because of the clen, it is because your fav cyclist can't do nothing against him in stage races, has made it impossible for cadel to win the race he dreams.

if you are not one of those clinic hypocrites you have to respect and admire contador and what he does, even if he isn't your fav cyclist. thism isn't a matter of taste for one rider but a matter of taste for cycling as a sport. without conti i am sure that they would be always looking at each other... with conti they have to give it all. this giro has been amazing.

and alberto has been putting an hell of a show. I really want to see the best stage racer ever doing the tour this year, even if he loses it. he has already done enough (if he wins the giro)...

 

[auscyclefan94]

yes he can when it is perfectly clear that the only reason that is making you not loving this race is: alberto, and it isn't because of the clen, it is because your fav cyclist can't do nothing against him in stage races, has made it impossible for cadel to win the race he dreams.

if you are not one of those clinic hypocrites you have to respect and admire contador and what he does, even if he isn't your fav cyclist. thism isn't a matter of taste for one rider but a matter of taste for cycling as a sport. without conti i am sure that they would be always looking at each other... with conti they have to give it all. this giro has been amazing.

and alberto has been putting an hell of a show. I really want to see the best stage racer ever doing the tour this year, even if he loses it. he has already done enough (if he wins the giro)...

Perfectly clear? It isn't no matter how many times I have to tell you all that I haven't enjoyed it. It has nothing to do with AC's clen charges but firstly I have struggled to get into it after Wouter's death and secondly I haven't found many of the stages entertaining. You can have your own conspiracy theories on why I haven't enjoted it but the reasons are not to do with my own likes and dislikes of riders. Many friends on twitter have sad similar things to what I've said.

 

[Publicus]

This might be a surprise to you but I do have some sort of interest in cycling other than as a sport. Don't assume that everyone has to like the giro including myself. I haven't found it great. I found la vuelta great last year and cadel wasn't in it. Don't be a ****.

I see my comment drew the expected response. Sorry Cuddles Jr. we know you quite well after 11,000+ posts, so there is very little assumption involved here. Embrace who you are.


EDIT: Regarding your post above, if those reasons are why you've found it hard to get into this Giro, then why didn't you say that initially? Your initial post was that the RACING was mundane outside of one stage. That a harder course doesn't translate into a better race. Nothing about what you mention above--which in my estimation wouldn't make the race mundane so much as it would make the race seem trivial in the grand scheme of things (IMO).

Anyway, this thread isn't about you. This will be my last comment directed to your odd post regarding the race being mundane.

 

[auscyclefan94]

meh, I couldn't be bothered to argue with some people. They complain that I refer to CE too much and when I post about something nothing to do with him they just say it has something to do with it.

EDIT: Wouter passing away still isn't my only reason though you seem to accept that more now that it is less of a reference to AC.

 

[just some guy]

and back to the Giro

Sastre it really is all over - Should he retire ?

and another Pity is that Szmyd has been sick I guess Ivan hope he is up and running again for July.

 

[Publicus]

meh, I couldn't be bothered to argue with some people. They complain that I refer to CE too much and when I post about something nothing to do with him they just say it has something to do with it.

EDIT: Wouter passing away still isn't my only reason though you seem to accept that more now that it is less of a reference to AC.

Not. At. All.

and back to the Giro

Sastre it really is all over - Should he retire ?

and another Pity is that Szmyd has been sick I guess Ivan hope he is up and running again for July.

For Sastre, it's long been over. He might make a decent coach at some point, but I think it is time to hang up the bibs.

And I get the impression that Szmyd isn't sick, but saving himself for the Tour. If he was as sick as they say, he should have dropped out a week ago.

 

[oronet commander]

Sastre it really is all over - Should he retire ?

Yes, he should. If he doesn't make a show in the last stages, his Giro will be pathetic, with only the Vuelta to redeem him at the end of the season before retiring with dignity.

 

[Eyeballs Out]

and back to the Giro

Sastre it really is all over - Should he retire ?

He should ride a lot more, not less

I don't see how he can expect to do well in GTs when he rarely races anything that isn't a GT

 

[No_Balls]

I'm glad AC was also suffering at the end, yesterday.
Until that, it looked like they had put a Pro rider in a U23 race...

It is quite scary knowing how much it takes to make him suffer though. Remember he was alone in 50 k and doing some attacks and counterattacks all that distance and yet come up before the rivals (that is not Nieve and Garzelli).

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

All the others were alone too...

 

[Archibald]

But it is an opinion based on what I feel. You have no right to question the way I feel about something. 1 stage doesn't change a race.

he has every right to question what you've said here - that's the basis of dicussion/debate: a differing of opinions and/or conclusions whereby you (and he) must back up your statements...
this is a forum, and isn't discussion the basis of that?
anyone can question anything anyone says on here - if we all agreed, then this would be one seriously boring place to frequent

I've enjoyed watching what bits of this race I've seen - the scenery, the battle for seconds, and regardless of my opinion of contador, he's been puting on quite a masterclass. I doubt he can keep this up, and if he falters and it brings some of the others back into it (a-la Nibbles catching up to him twice on saturday), then bring it on

 

[The Hitch]

Giro second week roundup live now (in Spanish)

http://www.veo.es/veo7/directo.html

 

[CatsNK]

On the hardest stage, they started racing from 50km till the finish.

I agree that yesterday was quite exciting. I was on the edge of my seat for the last 50K - fun stuff.

I thought Kreuziger looked impressive yesterday, I'd been a bit worried on Zoncalon when he didn't look so great. I'm hoping he can move up a bit this week.

AC looks amazing, IMO. The only question for me is how is he going to look in July in France. I'm looking forward to seeing him stacked up against top riders who did NOT ride Giro.

 

[Climbing]

I agree that yesterday was quite exciting. I was on the edge of my seat for the last 50K - fun stuff.

I thought Kreuziger looked impressive yesterday, I'd been a bit worried on Zoncalon when he didn't look so great. I'm hoping he can move up a bit this week.

AC looks amazing, IMO. The only question for me is how is he going to look in July in France. I'm looking forward to seeing him stacked up against top riders who did NOT ride Giro.

I don't think you're gonna see that.

 

[Angliru]

Following on from rest day 1 round up.





Contador is going to win by minutes unless something like a crash occurs ( Ryo)

Who will win the battle for second with the MTT does Scarponi have enough left to put more time into Nibali.

Gadret having a great ride.

Will Menchov get to 4th or higher ?

Le Mével gutsy ride to get Pink.

Now we have finished the 3 days in Hell - was it too hard

I also bet we see the Crostis in next years Giro.

Thoughts ?

I don't think the "3 days in Hell" were too hard. I think they have to continue to create these challenging courses to keep the races interesting. Just as MSR, FW and LBL have been altered to make the races less of a predictable outcome and create a selection, I think the Giro is at the forefront of the stage races in creating parcours that stimulate the fans and challenge the participants.

Of course I'm not the one that has to ride these courses so it's easy for me to minimize the difficulty.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

I don't think you're gonna see that.

Why do you think that the other top riders won't be going to the TDF?

 

[Angliru]

Meh, this giro has been quite mundane so far. The only stage I truly enjoyed was when Anton went away.
Harder course does not equal more entertaining bike racing. It can = more boring reserved racing.

Well I find it a tad more exciting than TDU or watching Cadel wrestle with his bike on a climb, so I'm personally quite entertained and pleased. I'm sure your tune would change if BMC could get a stage win or anything resembling their having done more than signed in at the start of each stage.

 

[Angliru]

ACF you are hilarious. You contradicted yourself and EP called you on it.

Be gentle or he'll take his bike and ride home promising to never return again.