With Petacchi unfortunately out of the Giro due to illness the Giro is without its dominant sprint finisher. Sure, the Milram train may attempt something for Zabel, but I think McEwan may be feeling a little bit cockier than usual lining up this week without Petacchi to worry about. (And Hushovd, though less of a threat, is also not riding.)

Of the flat stages, I think on on-form McEwan will bag at least three stages before he bows out at his usual point after the first week, Benatti at least two stage wins, and I'll give Cavendish two, also. I'll wager a bit less on Julian Dean for one as well.

What say you?

Oh. When I read this thread, "No Giro for Petacchi", I thought that he didn't want to wear Giro helmets.

Daniele Bennati will win three stages and take the sprinter's jersey.

Danielle Benatti should do well. He dominated the uphill sprint into Lausanne at Romandie with no help at all, after a week with lots of mountains.

If Cavendish is actually riding (haven't checked start list), then I'd bet he will win the most sprint stages.

Do you think anyone, other than the Milram heads of state, will miss Ale-jet? I won't.

my favourites are McEwan and Bennati.... maybe Zabel???

I'm not sure you will have eight sprint finishes.

If Cavendish is actually riding (haven't checked start list), then I'd bet he will win the most sprint stages.

Cavendish looked bad at the end of Romandie. He fell back from his own leadout train. I think he may have a tough time after the 1st few days.

Cavendish looked bad at the end of Romandie. He fell back from his own leadout train. I think he may have a tough time after the 1st few days.
That's too bad. He was lightning in a bottle at the Tour of California.

He was doing a leadout from about 800 meters out on stage 2 when he completely dropped his man. He went to pull off and discovered he was the only guy on the front! Sonofagun if he didn't fire it up again and almost took the stage, placing fourth. And he seems to be totally fearless.

I was starting to warm up this guy. He may not be the most disciplined rider in the peleton, but he is seriously fast.

JSR

Definite fan of McEwan's...although I think Bennati is coming into top form.

"Can't beat me"

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No doubt Cavendish is fast. Maybe he was just really tired. He's got plenty of time to recoup.

When does the race start again? Erm.... McEwen I guess.

Notch stage win #1 for Bennati. Erik Zabel, tried as he could, just doesn't have the legs anymore, and Bennati clearly started his sprint maybe 50 meters too early.