Rate the "epic success" of the 2011 Giro d italia.

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

We'll see how you like all those boring mountain stages.

As oppose to those epic sprint stages in the tour? Where - lucky us - get to watch HTC control the race and then -wait for it - set up cavendish to destroy the field. Oh how I love that !!!

The argument that, more mountain stages could lead to some cautious riding is a fair point. However, There will still be the odd rider (not necessarily involved in gc... an example could be cunego) who wants to win these stages. Thus every MTF will get some degree of entertainment (and yes, I prefer this than sprints..) And I guarantee the majority of the MTF stages will have some activity within the GC group. The likes of scarponi and ricco wont risk having nibali in touching distance when the final itt happens.

Even these 'boring MTFs' which I grant, can be disappointing are far more entertaining then leadout trains and 10 seconds of sprinting imo. -- seriously organised sprinting VS chaotic group, every rider wanting to sprint for victory... uphill? (providing the front group goes over the line first, and even if not, we get some good stuff up ahead, and maybe some fireworks behind if any of the gc men are game).

And considering how many climbs there are, it will mean a tired bunch of riders in the last week, which will mean some epic racing. Survival of the strongest.

I repeat, I enjoy these multiple MTFs. And if it means ruining the hopes of less good climbers like evans, I honestly don't care, cause as far as i'm concerned the true champions in the mountains are the deserving winners of the GTs. Would you rather, a rider whom barely hangs on in the mountains and then wins the GT on a ITT (Minutes can be won in this discipline)... or the rider who attacks and wins with pure grit and determination up all those mountains? - on this I will never change my opinion, irregardless of whom I support, and what his strengths are.

@Ferminal -- i'd also like to add rujano to that list, not that I'm jumping on this whole 'columbians are gonna rip every race they ride up bla bla" bandwagon (and yeah I know he is Venezuelan, no need to correct people , similar tho ). I just hold high regard for this guy, and think he could spice things up.
And Scarponi will definitely make the race better, he's the Italian answer to mosq.

 

[BroDeal]

I am picking my man Ricco to win this.

 

[Ferminal]

@Ferminal -- i'd also like to add rujano to that list, not that I'm jumping on this whole 'columbians are gonna rip every race they ride up bla bla" bandwagon (and yeah I know he is Venezuelan, no need to correct people , similar tho ). I just hold high regard for this guy, and think he could spice things up.
And Scarponi will definitely make the race better, he's the Italian answer to mosq.

lol yeh, I'd like to see Rujano too, but didn't add him for that reason.

I was supposed to have Scarponi on the list too.

 

[craig1985]

I would of given the TTT and the MTT a rest, either made the TTT a prolouge or a just road stage with a an uphill finish, and made the MTT a flat/undulating TT. I would of cut back on a couple of MTF's, and try to have a Monte Grappa-type stage. I'm not a fan of the long transfers, but since the peloton couldn't oraginse a drinking session in a brewery, and don't stand up for themselves, they get what they deserve.

Aside from that, it looks absolutely epic from a fan POV, and should be great to watch, I'm loving the fact that they brought Sestrières and the Colle delle Finestre back. It was the stage that made me really love the Giro back in 2005.

 

[Mellow Velo]

I'm looking forward to seeing the Monte Crostis, before the Zoncolan.
14kms of 10% average gradient should warm up the legs nicely!

At least they get to tackle the Giau from the easier side, as they chase the Cima Coppi prize.
Petacchi reckons there are 7 stages he could win, so not quite as sprinter unfriendly as it first appeared.

 

[auscyclefan94]

As oppose to those epic sprint stages in the tour? Where - lucky us - get to watch HTC control the race and then -wait for it - set up cavendish to destroy the field. Oh how I love that !!!

The argument that, more mountain stages could lead to some cautious riding is a fair point. However, There will still be the odd rider (not necessarily involved in gc... an example could be cunego) who wants to win these stages. Thus every MTF will get some degree of entertainment (and yes, I prefer this than sprints..) And I guarantee the majority of the MTF stages will have some activity within the GC group. The likes of scarponi and ricco wont risk having nibali in touching distance when the final itt happens.

Even these 'boring MTFs' which I grant, can be disappointing are far more entertaining then leadout trains and 10 seconds of sprinting imo. -- seriously organised sprinting VS chaotic group, every rider wanting to sprint for victory... uphill? (providing the front group goes over the line first, and even if not, we get some good stuff up ahead, and maybe some fireworks behind if any of the gc men are game).

And considering how many climbs there are, it will mean a tired bunch of riders in the last week, which will mean some epic racing. Survival of the strongest.

I repeat, I enjoy these multiple MTFs. And if it means ruining the hopes of less good climbers like evans, I honestly don't care, cause as far as i'm concerned the true champions in the mountains are the deserving winners of the GTs. Would you rather, a rider whom barely hangs on in the mountains and then wins the GT on a ITT (Minutes can be won in this discipline)... or the rider who attacks and wins with pure grit and determination up all those mountains? - on this I will never change my opinion, irregardless of whom I support, and what his strengths are.

@Ferminal -- i'd also like to add rujano to that list, not that I'm jumping on this whole 'columbians are gonna rip every race they ride up bla bla" bandwagon (and yeah I know he is Venezuelan, no need to correct people , similar tho ). I just hold high regard for this guy, and think he could spice things up.
And Scarponi will definitely make the race better, he's the Italian answer to mosq.

1. Sprinters do deserve their days in the spotlight and you can't have races that are go go go all the time.
2. I do not mind if riders win GT's by hanging on in the mtn stages and winning itt's. If they are the best rider over the whole route on all different disciplines then they deserve it.

The only sprint stages I see are stages 2, maybe 3, 4, 8, 12. Stage 3 is probably streching it. Especially with Ale Jet's capabilities.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Cuddles - He's got to defend the points title! In all seriousness he would win the points classification easy on this course, and should be able to win a couple of stages.

Got to be honest... I'm not seeing this. I can see breakaways being able to disappear and take some of the stages because of the huge number of mountains, so on stages like Macugnaga the GC guys will just let the break go. I'm not convinced Evans will have it in him to gain the same level of points on stages like the Zonc one as this year with the extra climb of the Crostis, unless he's learned to curb his instinct to go too far in the red trying to cling on. Also, this route is totally brutal considering he'll probably have tried to peak for the Ardennes too - and after his failure at the Tour this year (reasons notwithstanding) I'm not convinced he'll want to compete at such a brutal, tiring GT as this, given that we all know Evans isn't really capable of not riding to win as even if he turns up with the sole intention of warming up, if he finds himself in a good GC position he will see the possibility of winning and go for it. I can't see him winning many of the big mountain stages. Maybe he could win the strade bianche stage again, since that looks suited to him - medium mountains and off-road sections - or outsprint the other GC guys on Montevergine (though I still suspect that Cunego would outsprint him). Otherwise I don't see where he'll get a couple of stage wins from.

Other riders we'll probably see at the race who could provide some interest - Arroyo, Sella, Pellizotti, Duarte, Niemiec, Bruseghin, Pozzovivo. Maybe even Rujano though you genuinely have no idea what you're going to get with him these days.

 

[craig1985]

I'm looking forward to seeing the Monte Crostis, before the Zoncolan.
14kms of 10% average gradient should warm up the legs nicely!

At least they get to tackle the Giau from the easier side, as they chase the Cima Coppi prize.
Petacchi reckons there are 7 stages he could win, so not quite as sprinter unfriendly as it first appeared.

Perhaps he will be the only sprinter who will turn up.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

2. I do not mind if riders win GT's by hanging on in the mtn stages and winning itt's.

You could have fooled me!

 

[auscyclefan94]

Got to be honest... I'm not seeing this. I can see breakaways being able to disappear and take some of the stages because of the huge number of mountains, so on stages like Macugnaga the GC guys will just let the break go. I'm not convinced Evans will have it in him to gain the same level of points on stages like the Zonc one as this year with the extra climb of the Crostis, unless he's learned to curb his instinct to go too far in the red trying to cling on. Also, this route is totally brutal considering he'll probably have tried to peak for the Ardennes too - and after his failure at the Tour this year (reasons notwithstanding) I'm not convinced he'll want to compete at such a brutal, tiring GT as this, given that we all know Evans isn't really capable of not riding to win as even if he turns up with the sole intention of warming up, if he finds himself in a good GC position he will see the possibility of winning and go for it. I can't see him winning many of the big mountain stages. Maybe he could win the strade bianche stage again, since that looks suited to him - medium mountains and off-road sections - or outsprint the other GC guys on Montevergine (though I still suspect that Cunego would outsprint him). Otherwise I don't see where he'll get a couple of stage wins from.

Other riders we'll probably see at the race who could provide some interest - Arroyo, Sella, Pellizotti, Duarte, Niemiec, Bruseghin, Pozzovivo. Maybe even Rujano though you genuinely have no idea what you're going to get with him these days.

The fact that he went to the tdf presentation says his focus is back on the tdf and he has hinted that also. I think he could win this giro but because of his focus on the classics, it would make it harder for him to hold the form.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

I don't think he could win this Giro. Partly because of the form factor, but partly because there is absolutely nowhere for him to take major time. He can be there or thereabouts in all the mountain stages but likely not beat the goats in any of them, and unless he can gain minutes on the strade bianche again then he will not have an advantage he can hold on the leaders.

And if you're starting to lose form as he likely would be in week 3 - we often see it with Cuddles anyway regardless that he'd have been working his backside off in the Ardennes before the race starts - there is so, so, so much time that could be lost on Finestre.

 

[auscyclefan94]

I don't think he could win this Giro. Partly because of the form factor, but partly because there is absolutely nowhere for him to take major time. He can be there or thereabouts in all the mountain stages but likely not beat the goats in any of them, and unless he can gain minutes on the strade bianche again then he will not have an advantage he can hold on the leaders.

And if you're starting to lose form as he likely would be in week 3 - we often see it with Cuddles anyway regardless that he'd have been working his backside off in the Ardennes before the race starts - there is so, so, so much time that could be lost on Finestre.

Which is what I said, he would need to skp the classics and not go into the giro at top form to win it. It has been his problem in the past.

 

[Ferminal]

Got to be honest... I'm not seeing this. I can see breakaways being able to disappear and take some of the stages because of the huge number of mountains, so on stages like Macugnaga the GC guys will just let the break go. I'm not convinced Evans will have it in him to gain the same level of points on stages like the Zonc one as this year with the extra climb of the Crostis, unless he's learned to curb his instinct to go too far in the red trying to cling on. Also, this route is totally brutal considering he'll probably have tried to peak for the Ardennes too - and after his failure at the Tour this year (reasons notwithstanding) I'm not convinced he'll want to compete at such a brutal, tiring GT as this, given that we all know Evans isn't really capable of not riding to win as even if he turns up with the sole intention of warming up, if he finds himself in a good GC position he will see the possibility of winning and go for it. I can't see him winning many of the big mountain stages. Maybe he could win the strade bianche stage again, since that looks suited to him - medium mountains and off-road sections - or outsprint the other GC guys on Montevergine (though I still suspect that Cunego would outsprint him). Otherwise I don't see where he'll get a couple of stage wins from.

Other riders we'll probably see at the race who could provide some interest - Arroyo, Sella, Pellizotti, Duarte, Niemiec, Bruseghin, Pozzovivo. Maybe even Rujano though you genuinely have no idea what you're going to get with him these days.

Oh there's virtually no chance he will race it. Although it would be interesting if he did half, try and win some stages but not kill yourself in the mountains. Pull out at Glossglockner and then have time off until the TdS. He would have a minor chance in 3, a strong chance stage 5, stage 6 is a lottery and 11 is ideal.

Ale's 7 stages would be:

2 - Definitely a sprint
3 - A chance of a sprint but more likely a break or a group of puncheurs at the end
4 - Sprint
6 - I personally think this looks beyond a sprint, but a strong team might be able to control it
8 - Sprint
10 - Sprint on a 1.5% false flat.
12 - Sprint

So that's the 7, if I wanted to guess I'd say that 5 will be genuine bunch sprints.

 

[Ferminal]

Ale's 7 stages would be:

2 - Definitely a sprint
3 - A chance of a sprint but more likely a break or a group of puncheurs at the end
4 - Sprint
6 - I personally think this looks beyond a sprint, but a strong team might be able to control it
8 - Sprint
10 - Sprint on a 1.5% false flat.
12 - Sprint

So that's the 7, if I wanted to guess I'd say that 5 will be genuine bunch sprints.

 

[The Hitch]

Which is what I said, he would need to skp the classics and not go into the giro at top form to win it. It has been his problem in the past.

Cuddles should do Tour Vuelta. First give it one last shot at the big time at the Tour. If hes on top form A Schleck should beat him but you never know. He will hopefully gain time in itt and maybe if he tries, 1 or 2 other stages.

If hes down significantly from the start, pull out and focus 100% on la vuelta.

I say do Tour Vuelta because he had no real problem doing the Vuelta after the Tour in 09, and i doubt the competition will be as good as it was then. Probably would have to face Nibali and Anton, but well see how it goes.

I say screw Ardennes classics other than LBL. Go into LBL, hope you get into a lucky break. If it doesnt work out, oh well havent lost much.

Skip Giro.

Go into TDS as warm up.

Do tdf.

Do Vuelta.

 

[JRTinMA]

5. Great race for the fans and I love a lot of climbing but I fear some big names will see the course as too difficult with the tour so close after. Good for ToC I guess.

 

[zapata]

I vote eight. Unsure if the race will play out like zomegnan intends, and agree that there should probably be more flat TT. I personally find timetrials boring, and will rarely watch them, but ability against the clock is and should be a part of a GT. But with all these marvellous mountains, I can't possibly go below eight. Very glad to see Finestre back!

 

[Libertine Seguros]

I say screw Ardennes classics other than LBL. Go into LBL, hope you get into a lucky break. If it doesnt work out, oh well havent lost much.

You wouldn't defend Flèche?

 

[The Hitch]

You wouldn't defend Flèche?

Is Basso defending the Giro? Sure, you can ride Fleche, but if he is to make the mother of all efforts at the Tour, i dont know if its wise to go all out to defend a non monument classic. To win Fleche you need to be strongest on the Muur. To be strongest on the Muur you need to prepare, have form. I dont think its worth preparing for it. Hes won it already, he has unchecked items on his list.

 

[Mellow Velo]

I'm afraid it doesn't matter what programme Evans follows.
He's a busted flush in terms of winning a GT.
Amazing to think that he blew his best chance back in 2002.
That'll be 9 seasons ago, by the time another one comes around.

 

[The Hitch]

I'm afraid it doesn't matter what programme Evans follows.
He's a busted flush in terms of winning a GT.
Amazing to think that he blew his best chance back in 2002.
That'll be 9 seasons ago, by the time another one comes around.

You think 02 was a better chance than Tour 07 Tour 08 and Vuelta 09?

 

[roundabout]

In 2002 Evans was in pink by 16 seconds (and 48 over the eventual winner with one mountain stage and one TT to go)

 

[Mellow Velo]

You think 02 was a better chance than Tour 07 Tour 08 and Vuelta 09?

Yes, as roundabout points out.
He was actually just three-quarters of one mountain away from a Giro win.
Inexperience cost him that GT.
The others he lost because someone was always better.

 

[The Hitch]

Yes, as roundabout points out.
He was actually just three-quarters of one mountain away from a Giro win.
Inexperience cost him that GT.
The others he lost because someone was always better.

What happened? How did he end up losing 15 minutes?

 

[Runitout]

What happened? How did he end up losing 15 minutes?

He didn't eat, and the man with the hammer came knocking. If Evans had been able to last that day, his entire career would look very different indeed.

On Madeleine this year, I saw the same thing again. When he blows up, he blows up in a massive way.