1052 replies to this topic Post Order

[Bos]

Cavendish, on 14 May 2012 - 08:33 , said:

Not a Soul

Depends what kind of finish it is.. I love backing the underdogs.. Go Rob (slightly better climber than cav so Im hoping one of the days cav isnt there at the finish and Rob gets a shot.. Same for Impey who might take one of the "classics" like days...

AS for GC.. Its still way early.. Big efforts takes a toll on the legs and I think some of the top climbers are ust keeping out of the sudden accelerations and big efforts whilst keeping an eye on the clock.. 40 sec's is nothing  in a real mountain stage.

I think some of the greats will shine through and show experiance. As for Shleck and Basso, as they both proclaimed before the race they are still coming into form, I think a flat day or two following the initial mountains might give their form a boost and we'll definately see those names on a break on some big hills.

If they have the legs..

[' Dale]

Today's stage is not flat.
Lumpy and with many false flats.

Cav has proven himself on power sprints as well.

Hmmm... let's see.

[chris_w_65]

I see DSTV cocked up again last night. There is some other crap on my PVR recording

[' Dale]

chris_w_65, on 14 May 2012 - 09:25 , said:

I see DSTV cocked up again last night. There is some other crap on my PVR recording

I always record the highlights package as well as the repeats of the highlights package... just in case...

[Cav']

Also hoping Hunter takes a sprint

[' Dale]

Cavendish, on 14 May 2012 - 09:27 , said:

Also hoping Hunter takes a sprint

With Farrar out, he should be nr 1 sprinter, I hope.
He needs a good lead out though 'cos the Sky train is so well organised.

[chris_w_65]

Puncheur, on 14 May 2012 - 09:26 , said:

I always record the highlights package as well as the repeats of the highlights package... just in case...

Me too but it is only at 10:30 so I will watch it then

[Cav']

Puncheur, on 14 May 2012 - 09:28 , said:

With Farrar out, he should be nr 1 sprinter, I hope.
He needs a good lead out though 'cos the Sky train is so well organised.

His best bet is to sit on Cav's wheel and hope a gap opens or Cav falls again...

[Moridin]

Puncheur, on 14 May 2012 - 08:20 , said:

Sprinter's day.
Who can topple the awesome Cavenator?

Maybe Peter Sagan?  But he's not doing the Giro, he is doing the Tour Of Cal like some other TdF hopefulls.  He had a puncture 6kms before the end of the firsts day and still managed to win it.

So we will see come TdF time?

Edited by Moridin, 14 May 2012 - 09:44 .

[nochain]

GrumpyOldGuy, on 13 May 2012 - 10:16 , said:

Indeed, although he hasn't really poked his nose in front yet he looks committed enough. Dont think he has much support structures though, his team have been waving "adios" early on the climbs and by Giro standards these are still bumps in the road. I wonder whats the chances of a surprise winner like say Rujano, he has been up there on all the climbs so far and he should, on paper, be better than many on the really steep long mountain passes in the final week, he just needs one or two good run's and he could put minutes into everyone else, I dont think you will see him again if that happens, it will be over. Unlikely or possible, what do you think.?

Rujano is like the French rugby team in a world cup....Absolutely brilliant on a perfect day and if he stays close until the second last day and he hits that perfect day on the stilvio then I think he just might cause a BIG upset.

The big challenge for him would be to be consistent enough up to that point.

Scarponi I agree is by far the safe money bet at this stage, he has the team and the legs and the experience to do a good Giro.

But I am hoping for a surprise like maybe Kreusiger…not a big surprize but he is also not an outright favourite for the win.

The biggest reason I want Frank to win is because I think it will chance the way they (the brothers) look at grand tours. If Frank wins here without Andy it will most probably be the best thing for them both.

I still think Andy’s best tour was the one where Frank crashed and he was left to do it by himself.
I am hoping for a big battle between the top 5 with all of them being close with 3 days to go...that will be amazing!!

[' Dale]

If Basso doesn't take top spot, then I am torn between staying with another Italian in Scarponi or the once-Leaky Gas rider, Kreuziger.

If I had to choose, I would go with Roman. A fresh face/winner.

Podium:
Basso, Kreuziger, Scarponi, closely followed by Rodriquez, Gadret, Schleck

[nochain]

Cavendish, on 14 May 2012 - 09:27 , said:

Also hoping Hunter takes a sprint

Hoping big time for either Hunter or Impey.....Both very strong at the moment and with the right stage and the right situation they should be able to get us a win. Think Impey needs to try and go into a break on one of the difficult medium mountain days.

[GrumpyOldGuy]

nochain, on 14 May 2012 - 09:58 , said:

Rujano is like the French rugby team in a world cup....Absolutely brilliant on a perfect day and if he stays close until the second last day and he hits that perfect day on the stilvio then I think he just might cause a BIG upset.

The big challenge for him would be to be consistent enough up to that point.

Scarponi I agree is by far the safe money bet at this stage, he has the team and the legs and the experience to do a good Giro.

But I am hoping for a surprise like maybe Kreusiger…not a big surprize but he is also not an outright favourite for the win.

The biggest reason I want Frank to win is because I think it will chance the way they (the brothers) look at grand tours. If Frank wins here without Andy it will most probably be the best thing for them both.

I still think Andy’s best tour was the one where Frank crashed and he was left to do it by himself.
I am hoping for a big battle between the top 5 with all of them being close with 3 days to go...that will be amazing!!

- Excellent analogy No Chain, - just dont let the French rugby team see it.!   

....but yeah, I agree, he blows either very hot or very cold, I just hope he blows towards the warm side on the Stelvio, that will make for a super stage.

Make no mistake I think Frank has all the credentials to win, I am just not sure if his heart is there or not, its probably the first Grand Tour for about 5 years he has done on his own and he may also be thinking ahead to the TDF and hold back a bit too much to save his legs - certainly he will be really tested if he wants to win and then any kind of a place in this years Tour is out the window.

[GrumpyOldGuy]

TMobile, on 14 May 2012 - 07:55 , said:

The Cav in a spot of bother.....
We've all done that before.  In about 2 seconds the dude riding along ever so nonchalantly in front will hear the all to familiar sound of carbon making contact with the turf!

- Ha, Ha, it is a good pic, perfect timing, it looks like he just toppled over on the incline.

But I really think Cav needs to dig out his razor and shave cream, he is starting to look decidedly "Rough".!

[TiBones]

How many did you see toppling over on Chappies during Argus. Feet still in the pedals, just    not enough forward   momentum to    keep     the   bike   u
   p
r
   i
g
    h
   t

[Moridin]

Happened to me.

I saw the pace going slower and slower, so headed for the side (left along that barrier).  As I decided to unclip my legs cramped badly and I could not get my feet twisted.  Damn!  Luckily as I fell over I was able to brace against the barrier and only got a few small scratches.  But I still looked stupid and I felt the complete idiot.

Edited by Moridin, 14 May 2012 - 01:57 .