I don’t enjoy the races in February on the Arabian Peninsula because I like watching other people ride in the sun while I spend my afternoons looking for a sliver of daylight that coincides with some fragment of my day where I don’t also need to work or engage in some other activity. I also don’t enjoy them because I think corners are overrated, nor because I like watching stock-bike time trials, nor because I believe wind is a suitable substitute for mountains.
No, I enjoy the February races on the Arabian Peninsula because it’s the first sign of life we get from the hardmen who will be bending, breaking, and smashing their way over the cobblestones this Spring in snow, rain, or suffocating dust.
Not a bad way to start things, Tomeke.
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Thought Nibali was pencilled in as lead for the Giro? He did awesome work for Basso last year, I'd like to see him get a shot this time.
@Joe
He probably is, i just don't want another two horse race like last year. Last years vuelta was more exiting because there was nibali, gilbert (for a while) rodriguez and that fella from Xacobeo Galicia, who's name slips my mind. But i'd prefer Nibali as he has been untainted by the juice
In my opinion, A. Schleck (and perhaps Basso) is the man to beat the next Tour, but Gesink can get a top-5 and perhaps even a podium. Nibali will probably get a shot at either the Giro or the Vuelta, as Basso is still the #1 for Liquigas.
Is everyone out of his mind? Hennie Kuiper, 1975 world champion, states Gesink will at least be along the best 3.
10-to-1 he will end up falling down in one of the first rides, again crushing my hopes...
@Netraam
Awwwww....so harsh, so sad, so true. I guess I fail to see how winning a one-week race in the desert in February sets the stage for a three week race in July, but those guys certainly have a place in this sport that I don't.
I'd love to see Gesink win, but isn't he a more likely candidate to win the Dotty Jumper? A chronic crasher, I just don't see him staying at the front during the first week.
Yup, all hopes flushed down the Ge-sink in the first week. (Probably after tripping over Banged'n'Felled)
Looks like the Giro could rule in general this year - 7 mountain top finishes, including Etna with Grossglockner and Zoncolan, back to back....oooh. Might be interesting to see if 'Innocent' Bertie will contest it with his new vegetarian super powers in case the appeal rules him out of the Tour.
@Joe
For me, the Giro rules. The TdF has lost its mind. The Vuelta has lost its relevance.
@Joe
Absolutely. The Giro will be amazing this year. What's up with the ToC trying to draw riders away and not all the great contenders going for it in Italy? Even as an American I do not give two shits about the ToC, except that it draws away from the Giro.
@frank
I don't think he'll be a real contender for that. The Dotty Jumper is for people who actually go for the mountain points, and Gesink (along with other contenders) probably goes for stage wins. Stage wins do not provide enough mountain points to be a real contender for the Dotty Jumper.