2012 Grand Tours

[anonymous-user]

Giro D'Italia Start list
http://www.cyclingnews.com/giro-ditalia/start-list
and Stage guide
http://www.cyclingnews.com/giro-ditalia/stages
Those last two days are going to be hellish!

[itsnotarace]

Stelvio is high, but not that steep. Should be good to watch and keep things interesting into the final days.

Have managed to time my summer hols so I can be at 2 stages of the TDF this year, Cap'D Adge and Limoux to Foix

[okgo]

Stelvio is bloody long though. That will hurt when the pace goes up.

[Highway Star]

It'll sort out the men from the boys, the third week looks brutal.

The race won't really get started until the middle of next week what with 3 stages in Denmark and then a rest day.

Got Sky HD box being connected this week, can't wait for the Eurosport coverage!

Wide open this year, Cunego has been looking pretty good, certainly better than Scarponi in the Giro del Trentino. Basso and Schleck (F) have done nothing and Cunego is a better TTer than the tiny climbers such as Rujano or Pozzovivo.

[The Stiglet]

I've got my £3.99 Eurosport Player subscription ready for this moment! Can't wait.

[Robsti]

I prefer the stages in the Giro to the tour to be honest!

[Rocksteadyeddie]

Can't help but think that Nibali is the man to beat. He's had a very strong classics season and I suspect he has the beating of Scarponi this year.

Re the stage to the Stelvio, it comes after the Mortirolo. Nasty stage that.

[mcelliott]

Wasn't aware that Nibali was even down to ride - I thought he was concentrating on the Tour. Agree with the previous posts about the Giro being a better spectacle to watch than the Tour. I've always found the Giro to have more aggressive racing without the circus that follows it. Not to mention the fantastic scenery. Can't wait for it to start.

[Rocksteadyeddie]

That could result in him getting beaten of course.

Kreutzinger also worth watching I think.

[Highway Star]

Nibali is targeting the Tour, so Basso is the Liquigas leader, but on recent form they should let Szymd have a free hand.

I too prefer the Giro to the Tour, some of the Giro stages have been the most epic in recent grand tours, especially thinking of the Strade Bianche stage in 2009 (2010?).

[okgo]

I like the Giro, but its a shame that all the ones I want to see don't tend to ride it.

[Robsti]

okgo said:

I like the Giro, but its a shame that all the ones I want to see don't tend to ride it.

Because it's to tough!

[anonymous-user]

okgo said:

I like the Giro, but its a shame that all the ones I want to see don't tend to ride it.

'fes up, who do you fancy?

[okgo]

Robsti said:

Because it's to tough!

Because its not important. The TDF is the only thing that matters to anyone who's anyone (outside of the classics and the worlds) so you miss all those contenders because they can't really do both. As Contador proved.

[Robsti]

okgo said:

Robsti said:

Because it's to tough!

Because its not important. The TDF is the only thing that matters to anyone who's anyone (outside of the classics and the worlds) so you miss all those contenders because they can't really do both. As Contador proved.

As I said "it's to tough" ! and Contador did not have a strong enough team to protect him in the tour and along with the fact of the crash at the beginning which he never really recovered .

Edited by Robsti on Wednesday 2nd May 13:03

[okgo]

Robsti said:

As I said "it's to tough" ! and Contador did not have a strong enough team to protect him in the tour and along with the fact of the crash at the beginning which he never really recovered from time wise!

Whatever the outcome, it means there's a fairly average startlist to what should be an amazing race. I'll watch it obviously, but would just like to see more of the big names give it a shot.

[The Stiglet]

okgo said:

Whatever the outcome, it means there's a fairly average startlist to what should be an amazing race. I'll watch it obviously, but would just like to see more of the big names give it a shot.

Well they managed it in the good old days. And the Worlds. And the Tour. And the Classics. Some even won them all in the same year.

Bunch of wets now

Edited by The Stiglet on Thursday 3rd May 00:08

[Robsti]

Contador rates Giro the best Of the Grand Tours!

[Jimbo.]

Wasn't expecting yesterday's TT result!

[mcelliott]

Jimbo. said:

Wasn't expecting yesterday's TT result!

Not sure what part of the result you weren't expecting, but as regards the winner Taylor Phinney is up there with the very best when it comes to short time trials, especially now he's sorted out certain lifestyle issues.