Ivan Basso Discussion Thread

[Zam_Olyas]

Tomm i think it will be ss.

 

[Zam_Olyas]

ivanbasso 197 km stage race on 16th T 5h 49 256 KJ WM 5424 .

 

[maxmartin]

I hope he keeps this up tomorrow.

I love what I seeing today, stupid Porte was trying to get aheard, Basso was like getting the f*** out of my way

 

[ilmaffe]

big surprise today. if he keeps this up tomorrow we will see a great show

 

[Zam_Olyas]

Bump because i can

 

[Forunculo]

Bump because i can

What a great picture, now he is bald

 

[Ruudz0r]

Awesome picture indeed, looks a bit like Ivans face is photoshopped in a childs picture .

He didnt change much in the face.

 

[Zam_Olyas]

trainingdata 17 02 2013 Km 180 T 7 h 03 WM 215 FCM 147 KJ 5500 Elevation 4512 FCmax196

 

[Zam_Olyas]

Mods,admins the poll should be modified as this was for last year.

 

[gregrowlerson]

Disappointing for Ivan that he can't compete in his favourite race this year. Though it could have been a blessing in disguise.

If he would focus on the Vuelta.

I don't understand why Basso's immediate reaction to being forced out of the Giro is to declare his ambition to race the TDF? Here is why he should put all his energies into the Vuelta in 2013.

1) Competition: Froome, Contador, Rodriguez. These are the three top riders who are focusing their energies on the TDF. Anton, F. Schleck, Nibali (the main top Giro rider I see focusing on the Vuelta). The three who are possible top candidates in Spain. Hardly comparable. Basso cannot expect to be competitive against the competition in France.

2) Parcours: It's not a time trial heavy Tour this year (65 km ITT), but still better suited to an all rounder than the Vuelta, which has eleven uphill finishers, making the 40 or so kms of ITT virtually irrelevent. Ivan has always been more pure climber than all rounder. In Spain, many stages have just the one climb, but the stage in the French Pyrenees of over 230 kms is perfectly suited to his diesel engine, and the kinda stage where in form, he could win the race overall, or at least claim a place on the podium.

3) Time/Date: I felt that Basso could have done a little better in the TDF of 2011 with a better preparation. Then he finished 7th. Already he is behind the eight ball this year with this cyst issue, only two months out from the start. Coming six or so weeks later, Basso has more time to get himself into shape for the Tour of Spain. Perhaps he should ride the TDF, but for me if he did, it ought to be strictly as training.

 

[Zam_Olyas]

I think we won't see him again at our beloved ll Giro..real shame.

 

[jens_attacks]

he said he will target vuelta a espana big time this year
pretty clear than ivan basso is not done yet

 

[Afrank]

In a mini-interview in a recent edition of Road Bike Action he said "I expect to be going into the Giro and Vuelta with a shot at the podium." So going to the Vuelta after Giro was the plan. Hopefully he sticks to it and doesn't decided to go to the Tour now, as he's got a much better shot at doing well in the Vuelta.

 

[Afrank]

5th place for Basso in the first big GC stage of the race, finally showing some good form. Just how far can he go this Vuelta? Personally I'm hoping he can get a top 5, that would be cool to see.

 

[Cyivel]

he said he will target vuelta a espana big time this year
pretty clear than ivan basso is not done yet

Wise words

 

[roundabout]

I think he can do very well on Monday. But looking very good so far. The form is there.

Bah, he is still behind Santaromita on GC though. The crappy TTT might harm his chances

 

[jens_attacks]

he wil annihilate the other contenders. this was not a climb for him and he's better in the third week. on angliru we'll see the best basso _O_ it was awesome today to see him again giving them pain galore

 

[SafeBet]

he wil annihilate the other contenders. this was not a climb for him and he's better in the third week. on angliru we'll see the best basso _O_ it was awesome today to see him again giving them pain galore

He looks amazing. Still, the lack of team support will hurt him. He needs somebody to up the pace earlier to really make a difference

 

[trevim]

he wil annihilate the other contenders. this was not a climb for him and he's better in the third week. on angliru we'll see the best basso _O_ it was awesome today to see him again giving them pain galore

I'm pretty sure it's gonna be Zoncolan 2.0 - no breathing, just sitting and smiling.

 

[HCl+HN03]

I supsect Basso will not have the lead before Angliru because of the TTT and uppcoming ITT. Which means a weak team wont hurt him to much. However on Angliru we will see a Cobo or a new Zoncolan. I think it will be enough to win overall. Specially since the big 3 doesnt look that good. For the moment the biggest threats looks to be Moreno, Roche, Horner and Zubeldia.

 

[Zam_Olyas]

he wil annihilate the other contenders. this was not a climb for him and he's better in the third week. on angliru we'll see the best basso _O_ it was awesome today to see him again giving them pain galore

Better than that of many many moons ago

 

[jens_attacks]

nah not that good i fear but good enough to beat horner i guess
nibali is the biggest question mark for me. maybe in the third week he will fly i have no idea

 

[movingtarget]

Basso showing signs of life. Good to see him on the front again.

 

[mewmewmew13]

IVAN IVAN!! happy to see him roll so well...let's see some smiling attacks in the third week

 

[Pippo_San]

just tell me...HOW FRACKIN AWESOME WAS IVAN IN THIS STAGE????

Told you RoboBasso's reign just started, and he's gonna trash everyone and everything.
The real duel of the old guns, the true grit of Ivan Basso vs the total beetroot-crazyness of Papy Horner.

This can turn into the best Vuelta ever!