The Time has come.

[greenedge]

@Tigerion: No GE rider for GC here. Also Kreuziger not Kreuzinger ( like on Eurosport ).

 

[Kokoso]

Roman 9 votes until now, I can't believe my eyes!

 

[will10]

Think we need an advisory post pinned at the top of the forum for the duration of the Giro:

It's Kreuziger, not Kreuzinger, whatever the Eurosport commentators may try to convince you otherwise

 

[Koub3cc]

Roman

After yesterday´s excellent performance in TT after illness(using antibiotics during Romandie) I am fully convinced Roman is the hottest favourite for GIRO!

 

[jens_attacks]

he will get dropped on every single MTF in the last week.he hasn't the engine to fight scarponi-basso-rujano,not even gadret.finestre last year was obvious.entering the top 5 would be a surprise,only if he really improved a lot or if they will go extremely slow on the mountains which i seriously doubt.
i already can see tiralongo dragging kreuziger for hours.

 

[DJ Sprtsch]

The lighter guys could get in trouble in Denmark. Right now the forecast predicts pretty cold weather, 7-9 degrees, but not so windy (Sat-Sun). Still early, but Monday looks pretty bad.
So, a strong team will be important on the first two stages.

 

[PedalCastro]

I know this thread is about the Giro winners but any idea who will be challenging for the red jersey? Or sprinters we can expect to be up there in the flat stages?

 

[Kokoso]

he will get dropped on every single MTF in the last week.he hasn't the engine to fight scarponi-basso-rujano,not even gadret.finestre last year was obvious.entering the top 5 would be a surprise,only if he really improved a lot or if they will go extremely slow on the mountains which i seriously doubt.
i already can see tiralongo dragging kreuziger for hours.

In 24/25 he was fifth in Giro winning white jersey. In this age for instance Nibali's best result was seventh place in TdF yet he has one GT victory in his bag by now and nobody would say that before. As I say, nowadays GC riders mature lately, Scarponi, even Evans... It's to soon to make judgement like this in his age, he still has plenty of years for improvement, even if he fail this year Giro (what I'm afraid of a bit cause he has very form by now so I fear in third weak it'll be over...hope not of course).
And he's much better than Tiralongo, no doubt about that.

 

[Eshnar]

I know this thread is about the Giro winners but any idea who will be challenging for the red jersey? Or sprinters we can expect to be up there in the flat stages?

The real question is who will hold the jersey all the way to Milan. Sprinters will most probably leave after stage 13. After that, the only sprint stage will be stage 18, and I don't know who will have the will to keep fighting in the mountains only to finish the race. Let's say that I expect Cav to wear red until stage 13. After... probly a gc guy will.

 

[PedalCastro]

Pozzovivo is 3rd favorite with Paddy Power, after Scarponi and Basso..? Are his chances that good?

 

[theyoungest]

Pozzovivo is 3rd favorite with Paddy Power, after Scarponi and Basso..? Are his chances that good?

No. He rarely survives the first week, and he was in peak form a little too early.

 

[roundabout]

Pozzovivo is 3rd favorite with Paddy Power, after Scarponi and Basso..? Are his chances that good?

I think people are impressed with his Trentino performance more than anything else.

 

[Caruut]

The real question is who will hold the jersey all the way to Milan. Sprinters will most probably leave after stage 13. After that, the only sprint stage will be stage 18, and I don't know who will have the will to keep fighting in the mountains only to finish the race. Let's say that I expect Cav to wear red until stage 13. After... probly a gc guy will.

I'd like it if he tried to finish the Giro and be the 5th rider to win all 3 points jerseys. Of course he won't, but I can dream

 

[Roude Leiw]

I think it is one of the most open Giros in a long time. Voted for Basso, mainly because he has a lot of experience and a good team to keep him out of trouble in the first weeks. I am curious about Kreuziger.

 

[will10]

I'd like it if he tried to finish the Giro and be the 5th rider to win all 3 points jerseys. Of course he won't, but I can dream

Certainly not this year, too much hangs on July to be trying to do that. Bet it's on his to-do list though.

 

[El Pistolero]

You need to be able to climb to win the points jersey in the Giro.

 

[patrick767]

I'm voting for Scarponi, but I'll be cheering for Frank. I have to consider Frank a long shot given that he's not in peak form and wasn't even planning to ride the Giro until a couple days ago. I'd love to see him pull it off though. His inclusion may give us a more exciting race.

 

[iZnoGouD]

lol @ Scarponi winning a GT

 

[cineteq]

lol @ Scarponi winning a GT

I can't believe he's the lead vote getter. It's as if people check back and read who won the Giro last year and they vote for that rider.

 

[Captain Sensible]

I voted for Basso, but i will be interested in watching Frank Schleck and how he goes without his brother and if he has a few bad days and is out of any chance of winning will he pack in the race to save his self for the tour ?.

 

[will10]

I can't believe he's the lead vote getter. It's as if people check back and read who won the Giro last year and they vote for that rider.

Whatever the books may say, Contador won the Giro last year.

 

[Froome19]

I can't believe he's the lead vote getter. It's as if people check back and read who won the Giro last year and they vote for that rider.

Totally understandable if he was the strongest last year why wouldnt he be the strongest this year?
Its not like the competition has been increased so greatly or there is one stand out competitior and you cant really tell from other races asides from Gts as nothing can compare to a proper GT

 

[Angliru]

Actually i really hope someone hammers the Italians. It's obvious that the organisiers wanted to create a parcours which suits the Italians yet again. Hope they get punished for this.

You mean as opposed to catering to riders that can't climb but can time trial?
Yep, that would really be a parcours for the fans to enjoy.

 

[Angliru]

what i was thinking to, that guy deserves more than only 2 Giros under his belt at the end of his career

Nahh, I wouldn't want him to have more than Simoni.

 

[spalco]

I can't believe he's the lead vote getter. It's as if people check back and read who won the Giro last year and they vote for that rider.

Who was better than him last year except Contador? Now Contador isn't there. Why is it such a stretch to consider him the favourite?