Or maybe Basso just isn't as strong as the guys before him (Contador, Schleck, Sanchez, Gesink, Menchov). I can't see him dropping someone like Gesink, who is basically the same rider--both of them like to ride a fast steady tempo on a climb. Right now Gesink is just a little faster, as he was last year in the Vuelta.Climbing said:Vincenzo Nibali will make the podium.
No, really I believe many in this list could crack completely, so it is hard to predict.
I mean I see VDB, Luis Leon Sanchez, Rodriguez, Gesink all blowing lots of time somewhere in the third week.
Samuel Sanchez is riding very well, I hope he can continue on this level in third week (not an easy task).
Menchov is running like Basso (without losing time on cobblestones) with the great advantage of his good TT skill, so he must be the best bet for podium.
Basso lost too much time, so his third week will not be enough to recover the time lost (I expected him much more, but I suppose the Giro has been felt in this first week).
I voted Sanchez, BTW. I don't think he's at his peak yet, and with some dangerous descents and steep climbs to look forward to he seems an obvious pick.