• The Cycling News forum is still looking to add volunteer moderators with. If you're interested in helping keep our discussions on track, send a direct message to @SHaines here on the forum, or use the Contact Us form to message the Community Team.

    In the meanwhile, please use the Report option if you see a post that doesn't fit within the forum rules.

    Thanks!

  • We hope all of you have a great holiday season and an incredible New Year. Thanks so much for being part of the Cycling News community!

Giulio Ciccone thread

Page 5 - Get up to date with the latest news, scores & standings from the Cycling News Community.
Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
Red Rick

Red Rick

Feb 20, 2012
48,914
34,993
28,180
Visit site
Mayomaniac said:
Yeah, I kinda get your point, the Tour route would suit him a lot more with the lack of many kms of ITT and not hectic flat stages in Northern France. That said, I can see why one wouldn't throw him straight at the Tour to ride for the gc.
I guess the initial idea was stagehunting at the Giro and GC at the Vuelta, but his current shape surpasses the expectations.
Click to expand...
Stagehunting while skipping the extra step of losing time in GC?
 
staubsauger

staubsauger

Jul 27, 2009
6,453
2,308
20,680
Visit site
Should forget about the Giro d'Italia now. Rest properly. Build up again towards the Tour de France and re-entree in Switzerland.

Polka dots jersey at the Tour de France if his shape is back up again. Next year try for a podium spot at the Giro d'Italia and aim for the polka dots jersey at the Vuelta a Espana as well.
 
L

laarsland

Dec 23, 2015
629
591
11,580
Visit site
I’ve had high hopes for so many years for Ciccone now, and this patch of high end stability is probably his most consistent spell ever.

As far as the future goes, perhaps he would be able to Haig a GT podium if the starts align. I would rather see him still riding with panache (ie. headless futility) than energy conserving and losing 1-2kg and explosiveness to ride for anonymous 5th-6ths to maybe luck a podium.
 
  • Like
Reactions: staubsauger
Mayomaniac

Mayomaniac

Apr 10, 2019
10,841
13,814
23,180
Visit site
staubsauger said:
Should forget about the Giro d'Italia now. Rest properly. Build up again towards the Tour de France and re-entree in Switzerland.

Polka dots jersey at the Tour de France if his shape is back up again. Next year try for a podium spot at the Giro d'Italia and aim for the polka dots jersey at the Vuelta a Espana as well.
Click to expand...
KoM/stagehunting at the Tour and gc at the Vuelta wouldn't be a bad option, the initial plan was stagehunting at the Giro and gc at the Vuelta. The last 2 seasons he messed up by rushing back from sickness/injuries too early. Last spring he was on antibiotics for 15 days and still rode the Giro, despite the messed up preparation. He got a stage win, but afterwards the wheels came off and he wasn't competitive. He was decent in the final week of the Tour, but still below his best. I fear that Segafreddo is really pushing for him to ride the Giro anyway.

Mollema, Pedersen and Tesfatsion are riding the Giro anyway, so they still have a nice block of stagehunters.
 
staubsauger

staubsauger

Jul 27, 2009
6,453
2,308
20,680
Visit site
Mayomaniac said:
KoM/stagehunting at the Tour and gc at the Vuelta wouldn't be a bad option, the initial plan was stagehunting at the Giro and gc at the Vuelta. The last 2 seasons he messed up by rushing back from sickness/injuries too early. Last spring he was on antibiotics for 15 days and still rode the Giro, despite the messed up preparation. He got a stage win, but afterwards the wheels came off and he wasn't competitive. He was decent in the final week of the Tour, but still below his best. I fear that Segafreddo is really pushing for him to ride the Giro anyway.

Mollema, Pedersen and Tesfatsion are riding the Giro anyway, so they still have a nice block of stagehunters.
Click to expand...
This is mainly why I said he should forget about the Giro d'Italia.
He might win a stage, but we saw last year already that he couldn't go deep then afterwards. Also it's dangerous for your health to strain yourself that shortly after a Covid-19 infection.

I just wouldn't do it and risk the consequences if it backfires.

Even if he just can't go deep that soon already. That exclatant enough already.
Why ride a mediocre Giro d'Italia shortly after being ill when you can skip it and ride a proper Tour de France instead.
 
tobydawq

tobydawq

Nov 16, 2013
24,419
24,190
28,180
Visit site
staubsauger said:
This is mainly why I said he should forget about the Giro d'Italia.
He might win a stage, but we saw last year already that he couldn't go deep then afterwards. Also it's dangerous for your health to strain yourself that shortly after a Covid-19 infection.

I just wouldn't do it and risk the consequences if it backfires.

Even if he just can't go deep that soon already. That exclatant enough already.
Why ride a mediocre Giro d'Italia shortly after being ill when you can skip it and ride a proper Tour de France instead.
Click to expand...

Wouldn't that only be if the infection affected you hard? And how exactly would it be dangerous?
 
Mayomaniac

Mayomaniac

Apr 10, 2019
10,841
13,814
23,180
Visit site
I'm happy for him, but things like sitting up early on Col de la Looze to safe energy (when you have an easy stage one day later) instead of trying to fight for points even on that climb kinda made me cheer more for the other 2 contenders for the jersey who were still in contention. A KoM jersey without stage wins feels kinda meh.
 
Red Rick

Red Rick

Feb 20, 2012
48,914
34,993
28,180
Visit site
Mayomaniac said:
I'm happy for him, but things like sitting up early on Col de la Looze to safe energy (when you have an easy stage one day later) instead of trying to fight for points even on that climb kinda made me cheer more for the other 2 contenders for the jersey who were still in contention. A KoM jersey without stage wins feels kinda meh.
Click to expand...
Ciccone never even gave me the impression he was in top form tbh.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Sandisfan
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom