Giro 2015...Thoughts (assume spoiler info)

firerescuefin · #1 05-26-2015, 08:38 AM

Been following it pretty close. Contador has been impressive and looks like he is poised to step on Aru's neck today. It's easy to get caught up in the moment, but I wouldn't bet against him in July.

soulspinner · #2 05-26-2015, 08:41 AM

Still find it hard to believe he can win the tour right after the Giro......

MattTuck · #3 05-26-2015, 09:08 AM

Well, Contador looks good, even with the shoulder problem (that doesn't seem to have much... though I'm not sure how hard the competition has really pushed him, Porte is gone.

Also, you have the question of how Contador's body will respond in the month of June. Did he come in to the Giro with less form than usual, and is using it to build to the Tour? is he going to try to hold his form all through June to the Tour?

It will be interesting, and I think he could do it.

But I also think it is somewhat uncharted waters in the modern era of training, just how you build a program to accomplish this goal.

firerescuefin · #4 05-26-2015, 09:12 AM

Don't disagree with either of your assessments. His TT the other day is getting overlooked. He crushed it, and that route/distance was brutal. Had he gone out earlier, he would have won...period. He looks like he's toying with those guys in the hills (at this point). If nothing else, it adds more drama/interest to July. Can't wait.

Lewis Moon · #5 05-26-2015, 09:20 AM

The TdF will be a much harder nut to crack.

Quintana with a rested Valverde
Froome with a rested Porte

All props to Contador, but I don't think so.

firerescuefin · #6 05-26-2015, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lewis Moon

The TdF will be a much harder nut to crack.

Quintana with a rested Valverde
Froome with a rested Porte

All props to Contador, but I don't think so.

Tinkoff's A team will be there. Their team will be strong. Quintana can't TT with AC, and Froome...though he has the engine just seems fragile to me.

To be honest, I think you're more apt to be right, but I'd be willing to bet a local micro brew against something you have there. Let me know.

guido · #7 05-26-2015, 09:56 AM

Great comeback from the mechanical on the downhill by Contador. Aru is officially toast. But to see Landa get that big a gap in so little time must be troubling...
Fascinating racing today.

guido · #8 05-26-2015, 10:10 AM

A nice thing to see:

10 Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Cannondale-Garmin Pro Cycling Team 0:12:49

Lewis Moon · #9 05-26-2015, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by firerescuefin

Tinkoff's A team will be there. Their team will be strong. Quintana can't TT with AC, and Froome...though he has the engine just seems fragile to me.

To be honest, I think you're more apt to be right, but I'd be willing to bet a local micro brew against something you have there. Let me know.

I'm not (yet) familiar with this year's TdF course. Are TTs more prominent than when Nairo was 2nd overall?

harlond · #10 05-26-2015, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by firerescuefin

Tinkoff's A team will be there. Their team will be strong.

I would have thought that Kreuziger and Rogers were part of their A team, but they weren't there today. Some of that I think is that Tinkoff Saxo has been riding on the front unnecessarily hard, but to be without teammates from 60K out is not good.

jdp211 · #11 05-26-2015, 10:23 AM

Lewis, if anything this year's TdF course is far less TT heavy. Big steep climbs, a TTT, and a shortish ITT. Definitely plays to Nairo's strengths, I think.

LJohnny · #12 05-26-2015, 10:24 AM

That was indeed an impressive climb of the Mortirolo for Contador. Phew. This stage took a toll on everyone. At least you could see it on Contador's face during the interview and of course, Aru looked pretty sad during the young rider's jersey presentation. That was a tough one

deechee · #13 05-26-2015, 10:28 AM

I can't wait to watch the video re-cap later today. Sounds like an awesome stage and feel for Aru getting dropped by his teammate and possibly team leadership.

firerescuefin · #14 05-26-2015, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harlond

I would have thought that Kreuziger and Rogers were part of their A team, but they weren't there today. Some of that I think is that Tinkoff Saxo has been riding on the front unnecessarily hard, but to be without teammates from 60K out is not good.

Rogers has been there (up front/ridden well) most of the Giro and is sure to figure in July. Astana has been incredibly strong from a team perspective at the Giro. Best team by far. My point to Lewis, was that I don't think their supporting cast will be the make or break against the other top contending teams. Tinkoff will have what they need.

http://www.letour.com/le-tour/2015/u...all-route.html

Lewis, I hadn't looked at the route much. The route is not TT heavy at all, certainly helping Nairo's cause. Hard to see Contador having much of an advantage over 13.8Ks. Not sure what Tinkoff can hope to gain in the TTT.

Contador looked lost in 2013 (the year Quintana came in 2nd). Not really a good comparison, but Quintana is also a stronger rider now.

Like I said, you're probably right, but I'm not betting against Alberto. To me, he looks like he is already riding "hard enough" as he gets a strangle hold on the pink jersey. The romanticist in me is pulling for the double.

firerescuefin · #15 05-26-2015, 10:39 AM

Didn't watch the live feed.

To those that watched, did Astana/Katusha attack the Pink jersey during a mechanical.