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

[yello]

I was about to post the same link FM. It's well worth a read.

This Giro d' Italia is not really bike racing any more, it's become survival training. When it ought to be about who has the physical ability to still race after a fortnight, on the road the cold and the rain have turned proceedings into a bit of a farce. And I can't imagine anyone connected to the race is finding it funny or remotely enjoyable.

 

[beastie]

If the weather doesn't pick up then mr Nibbles will win, he rode the Galibier yesterday with total composure. If the weather picks up for the Dolomites then Cadel and Uran may be more inclined to give it a go. They both need to make up time on thu(TT) to boost morale for the monstrous two stages that follow. If anyone is gonna attack then the Friday is the obvious stage, like the short stage to the Alp in 2011 le tour. A hard pace from early on then full gas attack over the Stelvio, then best man wins on the final climb. ..... Which will probably be Nibali anyway

 

[Beebo]

Good blog from Robert Millar.
It's good to know that even the no-expense-spared pro kit is neither wind or water proof in that kind of weather.
It makes me feel less bothered about the cheapo stuff I use.

 

[Flying_Monkey]

Calling all Colombians!

 

[Dave Davenport]

Calling all Colombians!

Slightly OT, but I wouldn't mind seeing the TdF go back to national teams now we could put together a good one

 

[Flying_Monkey]

Slightly OT, but I wouldn't mind seeing the TdF go back to national teams now we could put together a good one

There was a serious suggestion made along these lines to ASO not long ago - they shot it down. But there is always a certain amount of cooperation between teams on different grounds, including nationality - It's clear the smaller Italian teams have been working together a bit in the Giro, for example.

 

[Boris Bajic]

That's the second day off these boys have had since they started!

Hardest endurance sport, my arse!

Why, my youngest could keep up with them on a fixie with flat tyres on buckled rims.

They pamper them; that's what they do. They pamper them.

 

[Pedrosanchezo]

That's the second day off these boys have had since they started!

Hardest endurance sport, my arse!

Why, my youngest could keep up with them on a fixie with flat tyres on buckled rims.

They pamper them; that's what they do. They pamper them.

They don't make em like they used to! Wont be long now before they get a scraped knee and start rolling about tapping the ground in seeming agony - only to then get back up and be all smiles 2 minutes later. Divas. I blame football culture, aka diving culture.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Quite by chance, I was in the valley next to the Galibier as it happened (just over in Switzerland to nominate PMcQ - hard work but someone has to do it) and I'd just like to say this weather's all wrong.

 

[beastie]

Weather forecast is shoot for the weekend. Possible route changes etc. Rain with a temp in Bormio (1800 metres) approx 4C which means freezing on the stelvio etc. This Giro was really interesting for the first week, now it may just end up being a bore. #anticlimax

 

[RoyPSB]

Weather forecast is s*** for the weekend. Possible route changes etc. Rain with a temp in Bormio (1800 metres) approx 4C which means freezing on the stelvio etc. This Giro was really interesting for the first week, now it may just end up being a bore. #anticlimax

Have to agree with you. The awful weather and the lack of competition for Nibali is making this a very boring Giro.

 

[Pedrosanchezo]

You could argue it lacks two ingredients.

A challenge from Team Sky & Peter Sagan.

Both Nibali and Cav have little in the way of competition.

​

 

[grumpyoldgit]

That's the second day off these boys have had since they started!

Hardest endurance sport, my arse!

Why, my youngest could keep up with them on a fixie with flat tyres on buckled rims.

They pamper them; that's what they do. They pamper them.

Fourteen of us livin int shoe box int middle oft road.....

 

[Radchenister]

Will reserve judgement for a while but have been drifting away from it; can't help but wonder if the time bonuses are also anti competitive in the circumstances. On the one hand you might imagine that it would make for competitive finishes but all it appears to do is result in a leader's perk.

 

[The Couch]

Will reserve judgement for a while but have been drifting away from it; can't help but wonder if the time bonuses are also anti competitive in the circumstances. On the one hand you might imagine that it would make for competitive finishes but all it appears to do is result in a leader's perk.

Well... if we would have had better-than-Nibali timetrialists standing in front of NIbali (Wiggins, Evans, Gesink ??) then the time bonusses would be the extra push for Nibali (and the other climbers) to go for them. However - against what everyone was thinking before the start - after the first week we had (one of) the best climber already in the Pink Jersey, so it might have worked a bit counterproductive in this second week - since nobody wanted to burn too much energy with still another week to go (and most likely just end up being countered by Nibali and actually loosing more time) -.
Then again I do believe that in the 3rd week it should work as a stimulant again... it's money time and whatever gap you still have to make up (whether it is vs. 1st, 2nd, 3rd place or even white jersey) the bonus time at the finish line will be too appealing for all.