It seems a disservice to start the Women’s Giro right before the Tour de France. Even at Velominati’s main bunker HQ, the new TdF VSP sponsorship excitement has overshadowed this race. But at least it is starting (the race and the VSP), nine stages, a time trial, some sprinting, some climbing and some serious transfers. The race starts in Napoli, the next day Roma, the next day Toscana, you get the idea. It could have started in Denmark so this is better, transfer-wise. Women racing through Italy, what’s not to like?
Judith Arndt (Orica-AIS) appears to be a juggernaut of pain dispensing femininity. She gets to wear her national champion kit for both the road races and the time trial. Evelyn Stevens (Specialized-Lululemon) has been training with the big boys in Boulder, Colorado. Marianne Vos (Rabobank) is back, healed and ready to defend. She might be just off her form enough to make this all very interesting. This Giro seems like ideal preparation for the Olympic road race and there is no good reason not to go full gas. There is plenty of time to recover, unlike the TdF, so the women can hold nothing back here and be ready to rock in London.
The start list here, time is short so make your picks right now. This race starts on Friday. Daily coverage will be available via raisports for those who either need even more cycling in their daily lives or who find men in lycra riding around France and Belgium distasteful.
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View Comments
@meursault
noooo, your picks look great
that wasn't directed at you
VSP PICKS:
1. Arndt
2. Johansson
3. Vos
4. Pooley
5. Hausler
@noiyce
Ok no worries, I did reread my post as I thought it may have been unintentionally sexist. It's more I just don't know what I am doing.
VSP PICKS:
1. Arndt
2. Vos
3. Pooley
4. Stevens
5. Gunnewijk
A Cippo's girl has to top 5!
VSP PICKS:
1. Judith Arndt
2. Marianne Vos
3. Emma Pooley
4. Evelyn Stevens
5. Tatiana Guderzo
I'm guessing Emma Pooley will be saving some matches for the Olympics.
(Picks didn't post last time?...)
VSP PICKS:
1. Nicole Cooke
2. Judith Arndt
3. Marianne Vos
4. Evelyn Stevens
5. Katrien Van Looy
VSP PICKS:
1. Bronzini
2. Hausler
3. Vos
4. Arndt
5. Pooley
VSP PICKS:
1. Pooley
2. Cooke
3. Stevens
4. Arndt
5. Van Looy
Other than the Olympics, this could be the race to see the ladies going full gas in top form. I'd love to be standing on the side of some lovely road in Italy sipping grappa as they come flying past. Merckx knows standing on the side of the Kwaremont in Belgium sipping Malteni as they rode past was invigorating to see. It's really too bad Armstrong won't be in the mix.
VSP PICKS:
1. Vos
2. Hausler
3. Arndt
4. Cooke
5. Pooley