Everyone knows that things like “tactics” and “thinking” are for the weak. After all, if you’re strong enough, loud enough, and stubborn enough, you should be able to outlast those pesky details like evidence, facts, or people who can ride their bikes faster than you can.
Ivan Basso knows this, and Ivan Basso believes he falls on the “strong enough” side of the fence. Whether he does or not remains to be seen, but three days from Milan, he is still racing – as he has this entire Giro – like the final Maglia Rosa in Milano has his name stitched into the collar.
In a race punctuated by fantastic rides from all the G.C. contenders, Ivan Basso’s Liquigas team stands out as the team who has taken control of each critical stage. I love seeing a rider toe up to the start line and race like its a foregone conclusion that he will wind up with the prize at the end of the three-week long tunnel that is the Giro. His team has been at the front every day, racing like they have the pink tunic on their leader’s back and haven’t bothered with minor details such as trailing in the standings by almost a minute and a half.
While a clever tactician wins my respect; a rider who races from the front wins my heart. It was good enough for Eddy, so its good enough for Ivan. Bravissimo!
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While I have a grab deal of respect for Basso, I really don't think he can diesel his way up the big one tomorrow, riding guys off his wheel. I hope I'm wrong.
It's too bad that Nibbles isn't here, and has set his sights on the TDF. He could have won this, but there isn't a chance he'll be on the top step in Paris.
Basso, riding on the front from, er, behind.
@scaler911
His only chance now is the Merckxian Hail Mary. But Ryder is the tits for sure. BAD ASS.
@Oli
+1
Seems like Basso has given up already... what a puss.
@brett, @Oli
A reading from the book of Merckx from the 1968 Giro:
Reporter: "Did you have it in mind to go for the win today?"
Prophet: "Why do you ask me that? Why do you think I'm here? To watch others win?"
I hope that link is just mind games. If not, how depressing.
@brett
Pardon me, but what a load. Ryder is a young racer coming in to his own and there's no reason to think he's "second rate". Phinney wins a 10 km time trial and we have to suffer through a week of the American announcers talking about him as though he's the second coming. Ryder puts in three solid weeks and is poised to win the Giro and he's second rate? Puleeze.
Interesting today that Basso not only rode like he forgot to mount a big ring on his bike, but Garmin stuck it like the Giro is their to lose now. Beautiful riding by Twistin Banged and Felled, and Ryder did great to bring De Gendt back into range and contain the others.
Fuckin' cool race.
@Cantona
Amen, brother. I'm loving Tayler as well, but perspective people. He won a prolog and then fell of a bunch.
I know this is late, but I thought it up while on my commute the other day -- this post is a case of "premature bike-adulation."
Basso deserve some attention or even a 'premature bike-adulation'.
He has never been a super-champ, but during his career he did achieve something.
@Pedale.Forchetta
Kudos Basso!