This Giro
Why is there a giant schlong wearing a bandit mask who is prodding G Thomas with a stick?
He's a Primoz Leipheimer fanboy, he loves to watch paint dry and grass grow.
These are definitely the best hobbies. I fully recommend both.
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This Giro
He's a Primoz Leipheimer fanboy, he loves to watch paint dry and grass grow.
I went for ZZZZZ
So there will be four crucial stages in the next five. No more hiding, no more saving energy. The race will absolutely detonate on Monte Bondone, where 17 years ago Robo Basso (while smiling) made Simoni and co look like amateurs. After it there's an easier day and then a triptich of hard stages ending with a brutal TT (which will undoubtedly be won by the strongest climber with the best recovery capabilities). Rogla is the favourite and my prediction here. I do think that Almeida will turn out to be his closest rival (it doesn't have to be close though). Let's hope for great GC racing (finally!).
I heard from someone who said they're apparently climbing Monte Bondone from the other side compared to Robo Basso in 2006 (which I'd already watched again to refresh my memory). The side they're going up is apparently more uneven.
It's a ridiculously long climb though.
A lot of the fault for the slow and boring racing comes from the route design. When you draw up a race where attacking like crazy, being extra good in the TTs and being in great shape the first two weeks might get you a one minute gap... and then you have 4(!) stages in the last week when you can gain or lose a minute in a span of 5km... then something is wrong. Everyone knows that any time that might be gained in the first two weeks can be lost in one single climb in week three. So they decided that it is wiser to save energy for stages when the differences will be huge. Smart decision but unfortunatelly it leads to boring racing. They are doing what they think is the best way to win on a route that was presented to them.
Yes, my issue is that a team that has the fire power (Ineos, JV) should at least test the other guys in one of the stages. But they decided against it. I am assuming JVs tactic changed as soon Remco and Tao were out of the race. Because I think they believe Roglič will wipe the floor with everyone when the real climbs start. Then there are the other teams, but I think they (except perhaps Ineos) would already be satisfied with a podium. So they all believe in their strenghts.
So, basically. Don't put 4 hardest stages in a GT in the last week. Simple as that. Plus, as soon as Remco was out the TTs were basically irelevant since the main three guys are very much equal. This route might have worked if you had two guys who can TT (Roglič, Thomas) vs GC contenders who cannot (Mas, O'Connor, Gaudu, Landa, Hindley to an extent, Carapaz). But since this year Tour has almost no TTs al those guys skipped the Giro so you are left just with guys who can TT. Which in turn makes all the TTing useless.
Just can't shake the feeling that Roglic and Jumbo have Thomas exactly where they want him.
Almeida has a 4 year history of huge consistency that is consistently not good enough to win GTs. Thomas has a pretty hard cap to his level as well
No, they won't, and no he wouldn't.I voted Remco because when all is set and done everyone will be saying that he would have won by a mile if it wasn't for covid.
No, he wasn't.Voted Remco. IMHO he was the overwhelming favorite going in and I've seen nothing to change my mind.
I could agree with the second part, but as for the first part of the sentence, are you kidding me? they will for sure.No, they won't, and no he wouldn't.
Well, obviously his army of fans will, I agree on that,I could agree with the second part, but as for the first part of the sentence, are you kidding me? they will for sure.
Interesting. I thought he looked fine today. I also am staying with him as the winner.Sticking with Roglic even though I think he's hiding a bigger injury than we know about.