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

[Beebo]

Defending champion Ryder Hesjedal has also abandoned the race. The Canadian had been lying 38th, more than 32 minutes adrift of the lead.
He said: "I have tried my best to honor the number one bib number, my team and fans. It is devastating to leave this way."

 

[jdtate101]

I also agree with the above. Froome is on a roll right now and despite Brad being the defending champion, what's right for the TEAM should come first. The greatest chance of victory lies with Froome as the course is better suited to him. I would hope Brad would see it this way too and not let ego or other concerns get the better of him. If he rides the TdF in support of Froome it will go a long way to endeer him to those people now questioning his attitude.

 

[beastie]

I think a lot of people don't understand depression and mental issues in general. Especially in a tough and sometimes overly macho sport like cycling, people are too ready just to point and laugh and see it as 'weakness'.

In a sporting context, it IS a weakness. Or it certainly might appear as one, with the impression giving added motivation to ones rivals.

 

[thom]

The Tre Cuni is 10 km at 5%, Cat 3 and if that don't shed sprinters, they still have 35km to the finish to get back on. There are 2 bump 100m climbs in the last 15km but it is flat with 6km to go.

So I reckon Cav can do this one personally - it is sometimes easy to discount how motivated he can be, in particular to beat ex-team mates like Goss - it will be fun to see how that plays out.

 

[thom]

To be honest, with Brad's attitude, I have less of an issue with him now at the point of withdrawal than I did beforehand when he was appearing exceedingly cocky.
I do believe his underlying form is very strong, so he should just get well and find some stage races to go and win.

 

[Buddfox]

I hope Cav does it again. I don't think OPQS would have caught the breakaway yesterday if they'd been left on their own to chase it down, it was only once the other teams took it up (to put the hammer into Wiggo?) that the gap really started to come down. My main concern would be a breakaway just getting too far ahead and holding on. Loved yesterday's finish though, Cav won because he just wanted it that little bit more - all the sprinters seemed shagged from the effort of catching the breakaway!

 

[Buddfox]

To be honest, with Brad's attitude, I have less of an issue with him now at the point of withdrawal than I did beforehand when he was appearing exceedingly cocky.
I do believe his underlying form is very strong, so he should just get well and find some stage races to go and win.

Agree with this - I'm a bit gutted about the illness because I think this was a real opportunity for him to enhance his credentials even further as a Grand Tour rider. I believe Sky will stick with Froome as priority no.1 at the TdF (he has earned that after all), but one typical alternative of Wiggo now targetting the Vuelta doesn't really work as it doesn't suit him.

 

[Radchenister]

Depression, how did we get onto that!?!

Actually, can't be @rsed to trawl over the issues, it's supposed to be entertaining and fun this sport thing isn't it or are we all more into car crash media these days?

Rhetorical questions .

Right, come on Rigo and Evans, give Nibbles a run for his money!

 

[Buddfox]

In many ways, Uran represents a more entertaining card for Sky to play. I'm not sure he's got what it takes to best Evans or Nibali, but given his relative weakness in the time trial, he's going to have to go hell for leather in a couple of the big mountain stages. Possibly not this weekend, but in the final few mountain stages he ought to be able to put some time into Evans at least. And he'll never be more motivated, he's got a nails-on team to support him, and he's probably riding for a big contract at another team for next year. Looking forward to the fireworks!

 

[Dave Davenport]

In many ways, Uran represents a more entertaining card for Sky to play. I'm not sure he's got what it takes to best Evans or Nibali, but given his relative weakness in the time trial, he's going to have to go hell for leather in a couple of the big mountain stages. Possibly not this weekend, but in the final few mountain stages he ought to be able to put some time into Evans at least. And he'll never be more motivated, he's got a nails-on team to support him, and he's probably riding for a big contract at another team for next year. Looking forward to the fireworks!

Given the profile of the final TT I don't think they'll be much in it between Nibali, Evans and Uran.

 

[smutchin]

Given the profile of the final TT I don't think they'll be much in it between Nibali, Evans and Uran.

I have a sneaking feeling Gesink could be in the mix as well. I've been harsh on him in the past for not delivering on his promise but he's looking good so far - and it wouldn't be the first time I've been proved wrong...

 

[smutchin]

I don't think OPQS would have caught the breakaway yesterday if they'd been left on their own to chase it down, it was only once the other teams took it up (to put the hammer into Wiggo?) that the gap really started to come down. My main concern would be a breakaway just getting too far ahead and holding on.

Can't see many teams putting in a lot of effort to chase down any breaks today, given what's in store in the next two stages. That could work against Cav and the other pure sprinters today, although if Goss is targeting the stage, the Greenedge boys might just pull it all together before the finish - as long as they don't get lost...

 

[laurence]

Defending champion Ryder Hesjedal has also abandoned the race. The Canadian had been lying 38th, more than 32 minutes adrift of the lead.
He said: "I have tried my best to honor the number one bib number, my team and fans. It is devastating to leave this way."

sad to see Ryder go, he did honour the jersey and my estimation of him has risen for that.

 

[Flying_Monkey]

Depression, how did we get onto that!?!

Actually, can't be @rsed to trawl over the issues, it's supposed to be entertaining and fun this sport thing isn't it or are we all more into car crash media these days?

Cycling is a mind game as well as a physical one. I would have thought that this was pretty obvious.

 

[Radchenister]

Yes of course but the step up from someone feeling a bit under the weather to someone being depressed belittles those with real depression issues.