Giro d'Italia 2013, 4th-26th May - [Spoilers]

[thom]

A preview :

 

[Radchenister]

I was wondering who was going to set this thread up - pointless comment I know, just sticking my flag in for updates .

 

[smutchin]

If thom hadn't done it, I would have - just because Giro talk has started creeping into other threads. The sense of anticipation is palpable.

 

[raindog]

Just when you're wondering how to survive without a couple of northern classics every week, up pops a three week GT.
Isn't it great?

 

[Crackle]

I was wondering who was going to set this thread up - pointless comment I know, just sticking my flag in for updates .

You know you can just click, watch thread

 

[Radchenister]

I do but really I wanted to show interest, as the other thread was asking for this one to kick off properly.

 

[smutchin]

So, who do we fancy? Are there any other genuine contenders outside of Wiggo, Nibali and Hesjedal? I'd like to count Rodriguez as a hopeful, and he is in good form, but I fear he's destined to be the bridesmaid again. Scarponi and Gesink likewise. And Pozzovivo too? I'd kind of like to see Valverde do reasonably well, just because every panto needs a villain. As long as he doesn't win.

 

[raindog]

Are Talansky and Tejay VG riding?

 

[rich p]

http://sports.ladbrokes.com/en-gb/Cycling-c110000020
I know it's a 3 week race and anything can happen but barring mechnicals and injuries it's really difficult to see past the first three in the betting.

 

[rich p]

Cross posted with Smutch but pretty much the same conclusion!

 

[thom]

Aye, I think Nibali, Wiggins, Hesjedal in that order, with a couple others in between somewhere hopefully to liven it up.

 

[Radchenister]

Line-up confirmed at Sky: http://www.teamsky.com/article/0,27290,17553_8668798,00.html

 

[Buddfox]

Sky team:

http://www.teamsky.com/article/0,27290,17546_8668798,00.html

Apologies if I missed it, but I don't think this had previously been announced. It's fair to say that's a pretty strong line up. Obv Porte is being saved for the Tour, and Puccio is wet behind the ears, so it's not their strongest possible squad. But Wiggo will have quite some support in the mountains.

 

[Radchenister]

Snap!

 

[smutchin]

Are Talansky and Tejay VG riding?

I forgot about them. Presumably Talansky will be riding for Hesjedal - but if things don't work out for Hesjedal, he and Martin are pretty good backup options.

And Tejay will probably be riding for Evans as nominal team leader, won't he? At least until the first mountain stage when Evans inevitably blows up...