Giro d'Italia *SPOILERS*

[raindog]

i also think we'll see him take another stage victory early in the dolomites to force the hand [feet] of others.

He'll take the Zoncolan I should think.

 

[Keith Oates]

I must admit I was pleased to see Contador take the win and the Pink Jersey. I don't know if he did take dope last year or not but he is still a very good cyclist and I strongly suspect that he's not on any drugs in this race!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Flying_Monkey]

I was surprised to see Scarponi crack so easily. I always thought he was at least as well prepared as Contador.

 

[rich p]

I was surprised to see Scarponi crack so easily. I always thought he was at least as well prepared as Contador.

Quite so - maybe the Italians are runing scared after Mantova and Padua investigations. I can't remember if Scarponi is implicated or not this time!

Incidentally, is the plasticisers test accredited yet? Dirty Bertie didn't get nicked for EPO remember, only for a mismanagement of clenbuterol.

 

[iAmiAdam]

I think the whole of lampre is involved in a doping scandal somehow.

 

[Noodley]

I take no pleasure in seeing a cheat winning.

 

[rustychisel]

Contador was astounding, and when I say 'astounding' I mean, astonishing in a way I've not seen since, oh, Riccardo Ricci...

just sayin'

 

[lilolee]

Irrespective of what did or didn't happen last year, Contador was in another league yesterday. Barring an accident he should have this now.

 

[Crackle]

His attack was good and not from so far out or putting big time gaps in, like we used to see, so a more believable effort. He's a good rider and I'd like to think he's been scared into riding clean and I enjoyed watching the attack.

Scarponi fading was a surprise.

 

[biking_fox]

McEwen's out on the time cut and Cav only just made it in by 30s or so! That was a killer of a mountain stage.

 

[Hont]

I was surprised to see Scarponi crack so easily. I always thought he was at least as well prepared as Contador.

My thoughts exactly. Whatever your view on Bertie, I don't think there were many in the lead group yesterday who are above suspicion and he, at least, has the panache to animate the race - for the second day in a row. Most of the others all looked like they were happy to ride up as a group and then sprint in the last 1km.

 

[gavintc]

Contador was astounding, and when I say 'astounding' I mean, astonishing in a way I've not seen since, oh, Riccardo Ricci...

just sayin'

I had similar thoughts when watching this incredible display of power and stamina. Too impressive by far.

 

[raindog]

Here we go - someone's won a stage, so he's doped. Contador's style was always a sharp burst of acceleration then ease off and repeat. That's what he did yesterday and Rujano stayed with him untill the last attack where he got dropped and finished 3 seconds behind and Garzelli and Nibs came in 50 seconds down - hardly massive margins. He's attacked on two stages now, to try and put a few seconds on his rivals, which, for me, is fantastic to see. Much better to watch good, attacking riding than to see someone waiting for one climb or a TT to win a GT.

 

[rich p]

My thoughts exactly. Whatever your view on Bertie, I don't think there were many in the lead group yesterday who are above suspicion and he, at least, has the panache to animate the race - for the second day in a row. Most of the others all looked like they were happy to ride up as a group and then sprint in the last 1km.

To paraphrase, all the other top riders including the pre-race favourite worked their bollox cleats off and yet Dirty Bertie still took them to the cleaners on a hill that wasn't even steep.

Just saying like!

 

[Hont]

To paraphrase, all the other top riders including the pre-race favourite worked their bollox cleats off and yet Dirty Bertie still took them to the cleaners on a hill that wasn't even steep.

Yes that's it exactly. All those honest riders in the chasing group, like Garzelli, are beacons of virtue and they must have felt cheated as they crossed the line sprinting full gas exhausted having boringly marked each other given everything on the ascent.