Giro d'Italia 2016 ***spoilers***

[Pro Tour Punditry]

(Note, any comment I make about racing is likely to be cobblers. This is no exception).

You'll fit in well here

 

[Crackle]

My impression has been that the Giro (and the Vuelta) points comps are much less "sprinters competitions" than the TdF, witness Cav being edged out by ... er ... I've forgotten who in ... 2012 or something like that.

The green jersey in the TdF is, of course traditionally always won by a rider with a name that rhymes with Neter Nagan.

(Note, any comment I make about racing is likely to be cobblers. This is no exception).

Most of the GT's, the TdF especially, have changed the sprinters competition around according to the riders of the day, it's always been something of a moveable feast, there just seem to be a lot more specialist sprinters around today. Less Sagans, more Kittels.

 

[mjr]

He's cranked it up to full nae teeth level

Crikey, he's having a bad reaction to the pink giro-branded gels, isn't he?

 

[brommers]

Despite the stage being 170km the start and finish towns are only 20 odd km apart. I suppose they would be staying at the same gaffes as yesterday.
Beat that for a boring post

 

[HF2300]

...Beat that for a boring post

Tour of California.

Done.

 

[Flying_Monkey]

This is great today... much less conservative than I was expecting.

 

[Flying_Monkey]

And I'd actually considered all of Visconti, Nieve and Dombrowski for my pundit picks yesterday and went for Scarponi, Roche and Nibali instead...

 

[Flying_Monkey]

Excellent stage. Good win for Nieve. Not sure what Visconti was doing - whether Movistar really thought he could take Nieve or whether he was just ignoring team orders (as usual). Amador did really well to get back on the chasing group on the descent to take the pink, although it's a shame for Jungels.

 

[smutchin]

And I'd actually considered all of Visconti, Nieve and Dombrowski for my pundit picks yesterday and went for Scarponi, Roche and Nibali instead...

I thought about Scarponi but ultimately didn't think the break would succeed. Surprised so many people picked Roche though - Nieve and Henao always looked more likely for this stage, surely?

Anyway, great ride by Nieve - played it perfectly.

 

[BSRU]

Can someone inform the TV director that this is not the 1970's

 

[Crackle]

I saw a tweet that the Giro Mascot would not go to France and didn't really take it seriously but apparently, it's no joke

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/may/20/giro-d-italia-mascot-wolf-banned-farmers

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

I saw a tweet that the Giro Mascot would not go to France and didn't really take it seriously but apparently, it's no joke

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/may/20/giro-d-italia-mascot-wolf-banned-farmers

You don't have to be a mentalist to be a French farmer, but it helps...

 

[400bhp]

How good is Amador at going downhill. There were points when Nibali went on the front on the drop to the last climb to slow things down.

But...he did get dropped twice on uphills, as did Zacharin.

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

But...he did get dropped twice on uphills, as did Zacharin.

The sugar substitute.

 

[brommers]

Can someone inform the TV director that this is not the 1970's

You're lost me there