The 2010 Cycling Thread!

[Titleist]

Re: The 2010 Cycling Thread!

Last update I was was that the Italian Highway people game the Giro permission to run the stage as designed. Obviously they as still expecting "interesting" weather on the stage, but Zomengen seems like he really wants it. Of course the report I saw was calling for rain and even thunderstorms in the late PM, which could be interesting for Basso and the parachute that he seems to descend with.

The Giro people say the final decision will be made at 10:30 CET.

 

[Titleist]

Re: The 2010 Cycling Thread!

And the Gavia it is...

Sastre, Cunego, Pinotti, and Simoni are away already! Vino trying to counter.

 

[sagard]

Re: The 2010 Cycling Thread!

Nice effort by Evans today. Couldn't quite get the win, but gives himself an outside chance at gaining the podium.

Arroyo should be able to muster enough of an effort tomorrow to stay in second.

 

[Titleist]

Re: The 2010 Cycling Thread!

I want to smack Tschopp in the head. I know that the Cima Coppi is worth a significant amount of money (50000 Euro), but he has to let Simoni win that sprint especially after he tried AND FAILED to drop him on the climb.

 

[sagard]

Re: The 2010 Cycling Thread!

I want to smack Tschopp in the head. I know that the Cima Coppi is worth a significant amount of money (50000 Euro), but he has to let Simoni win that sprint especially after he tried AND FAILED to drop him on the climb.

I thought it was 5000E, for 50,000 he has to take the money. If it were 5000E he and Simoni should have been able to work something out.

If Simoni offered some prize money, Tshopp should have backed off.

 

[rufus]

Re: The 2010 Cycling Thread!

Wasn't the Gavia just absolutely gorgeous?

And yes, Tshopp should have let Simoni have that honor, and then ride away on the descent, as he did anyway.

Might have an outside shot at taking out Brian for the top spot. Need Nibali to finish high in the TT, and keep his podium spot. Some help from Pinotti would be nice as well.

 

[Titleist]

Re: The 2010 Cycling Thread!

Gibo wore a pink tie during the ITT, thats great!

 

[rufus]

Re: The 2010 Cycling Thread!

Always liked the Lampre colors, just never cared much for the designs of their jerseys. But last year, they finally came out with a great looking jersey, and me being an Italo-phile, and seeing Cinego and his team in the Giro, I went and got one.

This year's jersey is a bit different, but also looks good, so sorta in honor of Simoni, I've got one of these on the way as well.

May go after a long sleeve one as well.

 

[Titleist]

Re: The 2010 Cycling Thread!

You should get the black version that Gibo wore under his skinsuit today. It goes well with a pink tie!

'Grats to Basso and Zomengan on a tremendous Giro! A week to the Dauphine then Suisse and Le Tour.

 

[Probert]

Re: The 2010 Cycling Thread!

Pretty uneventful ending to a fabulous Giro. Scarponi put a bit of a scare into Nibali but that was about it. probably kicking himself that he didn't attack earlier yesterday

Interesting make up with Basso going to the Tour provided Pellizotti's passport is in order who does Liquigas take? Also who will be the leader with Pellizotti, Basso, Nibali? and Kreuziger plus Szymd to ride tempo in the mountains they could be tough. Also does Evans showing guarantee or solidify BMC a spot in the Tour? While Evans hung tough the rest of the team pretty much did nothing.

 

[brianvf]

Re: The 2010 Cycling Thread!

Also does Evans showing guarantee or solidify BMC a spot in the Tour? While Evans hung tough the rest of the team pretty much did nothing.

I would guess that BMC will get an invite to the Tour.
If you put Hincapie and Ballan on the Tour team, they'll at least have a bit more firepower to go with Evans, although they won't be able to hang with the likes of Liquigas, Saxo, Radioshack, etc.

 

[Titleist]

Re: The 2010 Cycling Thread!

Ballan and Hincapie definately strengthen the BMC squad, but realistically, what can Evans do at the Tour? He has essentially held great form since the Ardennes Classics, through Romandie, and through the Giro. Plus this was a particularly grueling Giro. Obviously if they get the invite he has to ride. But would he not be better served NOT riding and focusing on the Vuelta?

 

[pardonme]

Re: The 2010 Cycling Thread!

Do you guys think AC is going to have a much harder time of it this tour? His team is not as strong this year, so can he hold his own without all the help from the team?

 

[rufus]

Re: The 2010 Cycling Thread!

You should get the black version that Gibo wore under his skinsuit today. It goes well with a pink tie!

'Grats to Basso and Zomengan on a tremendous Giro! A week to the Dauphine then Suisse and Le Tour.

I might if Prendas will stock it. I've already got a black Italian National Champ Pozzatto jersey ordered.

 

[Probert]

Re: The 2010 Cycling Thread!

Taylor Phinney wins the U-23 Paris-Roubaix for the second year in a row.

http://velonews.competitor.com/2010/05/news/taylor-phinney-makes-it-two-in-a-row-at-u23-paris-roubaix_119247

 

[sagard]

Re: The 2010 Cycling Thread!

Do you guys think AC is going to have a much harder time of it this tour? His team is not as strong this year, so can he hold his own without all the help from the team?

The only way he struggles is if Bruneel and Lance really did have a unique medical program that he was a part of. I suspect they aren't doing anything differently than the rest of the field and AC will continue to dominate in the mountains and the time trials.

 

[brianvf]

Re: The 2010 Cycling Thread!

Plus, the Tour doesn't have a TTT this year which might have exposed Astana's weakness as a team compared to Saxo, RS, and Liquigas.
It should be an interesting Tour, but I would think it's a safe bet that AC wins it.

 

[Titleist]

Re: The 2010 Cycling Thread!

The only way he struggles is if Bruneel and Lance really did have a unique medical program that he was a part of. I suspect they aren't doing anything differently than the rest of the field and AC will continue to dominate in the mountains and the time trials.

I didn't say this! (though I do agree)...

Plus, the Tour doesn't have a TTT this year which might have exposed Astana's weakness as a team compared to Saxo, RS, and Liquigas.
It should be an interesting Tour, but I would think it's a safe bet that AC wins it.

Very true plus keep in mind that Astana is bringing 2 other grand tour winners to TDF. Vino and Pereiro. And although Vino didn't set the word on fire at the Giro remember he doesn't fair well on the steep (read: Giro style) climbs. He does better on the longer, less steep Tour style climbs. Astana is far stronger than people give them credit for. Plus AC is still the best in the business. Shlecklette didn't look strong at ToC (take that for what its worth), Wiggo is a pretender in my opinion, no Valverde, Vande Velde is, in my opinion a pretender, Sastre can't TT well enough, Sanchez can't climb quite enough. Menchov will crash and Kreutzinger is a little too young.

And brian, do you mean Tour-interesting or Giro-interesting?

 

[brianvf]

Re: The 2010 Cycling Thread!

And brian, do you mean Tour-interesting or Giro-interesting?

I don't think the Tour will be nearly as exciting as the Giro this year!
I was more thinking along the lines of the normal Tour drama...more Lance vs AC drama, maybe some AC vs Vino drama, etc. If the Tour can be half as exciting as the Giro this year, we're in for a good race.

Agreed that AC is the clear favorite. Basso might creep into that discussion a bit now after his Giro win. ASchleck...not sure what happened to him at the ToC.

Valverde's ban is now official...he's out for 2 years.

 

[Flashy Man]

Re: The 2010 Cycling Thread!

So I'm getting ready to commit to doing an endurance road race next year from the Wyoming/South Dakota border to the South Dakota/Minnesota border, in which you have 48 hours to complete it.

I'm still working out how to train for it.