Vincenzo Nibali won the Giro going downhill.
I spy with my little eye a certain Michele Scarponi, who sadly lost his life while out training near his home two weeks ago, in there amongst his teammates after his captain, Nibbles, won the race. I’m torn about a death like Michele’s – we subject ourselves to similar risks every time we climb aboard our bikes and we accept it as part and parcel of our craft. Yet, while every day members of our tribe lose their lives to their trade, it takes a high profile rider to remind us how real that risk is.
But onto lighter topics, Nibali won the Giro last year going downhill, and it happened on the one stage I managed to sleep through which is another way of saying I missed it. But I love waking up to a that WTF feeling only a reshuffled GS can give you.
The race starts Friday morning, which is sooner than I expected, so I’ll stop typing so you can start picking. Get them in by the time the clock goes to zero, and remember that our Grand Tour scoring rules are a little different than the smaller events. So jump on that start list and get prognosticating!
Good luck!
[vsp_results id=”104353″/]
I know as well as any of you that I've been checked out lately, kind…
Peter Sagan has undergone quite the transformation over the years; starting as a brash and…
The Women's road race has to be my favorite one-day road race after Paris-Roubaix and…
Holy fuckballs. I've never been this late ever on a VSP. I mean, I've missed…
This week we are currently in is the most boring week of the year. After…
I have memories of my life before Cycling, but as the years wear slowly on…
View Comments
@Frank, little help?
I love the big names, the big hype, and the big fanfare of Le Tour. I love the scenery of more southern climes, the chance to watch future grand tour stars, and the overall vibe of La Vuelta. But, for me, nothing is as thoroughly enjoyable as the Giro. It's a proper tour this year, too, with both the big islands and a route most of the way from south to north. The list of potential GC podium finishers is long, too. Fingers crossed for a great 100th.
The selections machinery being down just gives me more time to change my mind another 10 times about the 3-5 slots...
@stooge
I keep tossing up where I'll put Yates and Kruiswijk in my 5... I just want to lock it in!
@Phillip Mercer
The Yates thing has me, too. I'd like Landa, Yates, Kruijswijk, and Zakarin in my 3-5.
@stooge
yup .. only the #1 is more or less obvious ..
@stooge
DAMN, I'd forgotten about Zakarin!
@Phillip Mercer
Zakarin has been really impressive, barring that bad crash, in the last couple of editions. I think he's a good chance for a top 5.
Sky seem to be going with Landa as plan B to Thomas. Weird, given Landa's 3 week record and that there doesn't seem to be that much separating them on form. Bummer for Viviani too miss out because of it. Landa seems like a safer bet than Thomas, but gee whiz, who knows.
What to make of Pinot's chances? It's a good field. Can't wait.
Just taking a closer look at the stages. Stage 16 is hilarious. The Mortirolo looks like a warm up climb in profile.
1. Quintano 2 Nibbles 3 DuMoulin 4 Kruijswijk 5 Thomas
@stooge
They're going the easy way up Mortirolo from Monno...12k at around 7.5%
The Pantani route from Mazzo is 11.5k at 11%.
But I take your point. Warm up for a double Stelvio! Pozzovivo FTW.