Damiano has won stage 1 and 2 in the Giro Del Trentino... Not against the most stacked field but still, he should do better in the Giro this year than last year. :thumbsup:

He must be tickled pink about Basso.

He must be tickled pink about Basso.
At least it wont be a race with Basso outclimbing everyone with a smile, his fingers up his nose and packs of blood in his room. It's going to be 2004 again, he against Simoni... but at least this time, it's going to be clear they are against each other.

Other than Cunego and Simoni, who will be the contenders now that Basso is out?

I imagine Savoldelli is still focusing on the Giro.

Savoldelli yes, he's going to be Astana's Giro guy for sure. DiLuca said he would go for GC in the Giro but I doubt he can make it on the final podium...

Geez. Any non-Italians in the mix? It's hard to take the Giro (or the Vuelta for that matter) too seriously when only hometown boys show up.

Geez. Any non-Italians in the mix? It's hard to take the Giro (or the Vuelta for that matter) too seriously when only hometown boys show up.

I can't remember for sure, but I think Bobby Julich last year remarked something along the lines of the Giro being just a warm-up race for the Tour and that only GC Italian riders care about the GC.

I don't put much stock in Cunego who wins two stages in Trentino Tour (and I'm a big Cunego fan) -- he had something like six victories heading into L-B-L in 2006, podiumed in L-B-L, and then largely fizzled in the 2006 Giro on the climbs (although you could argue he really finished second if you were to rule out Basso and Il Buffalo). Cunego's DS Giuseppi Martinelli got a lot of flak from the Italian media after the end of the 2006 Giro for putting Cunego in a lot of these non-Pro Tour Italian races, claiming Cunego had ridden too much.

Still, the Giro is often way more fun to follow than the Tour de France.

Geez. Any non-Italians in the mix? It's hard to take the Giro (or the Vuelta for that matter) too seriously when only hometown boys show up.
When was the last time that Italy wasn't ranked world's best country in cycling?

I know they have been the last few years, any thoughts?

I can't remember for sure, but I think Bobby Julich last year remarked something along the lines of the Giro being just a warm-up race for the Tour and that only GC Italian riders care about the GC.


It's annoying when riders talk about races as warm up events for one single event: the TdF. The whole season seems to come down to three weeks in the summer. Sure, it's the nature of the sport that riders can only "peak" several times a year, but as a spectator I don't want to hear about excuses. The Giro is always an exciting and beautiful race. May the best man win.

Btw, you ought make sure before attribute a negative statement to a rider's name.

Don't get me wrong. I love the Giro more than the Tour. It's my favorite Grand Tour. And Italy's only real rival for top cycling nation is Belgium. Nevertheless, it's just such an all-Italian affair that sometimes long for something slightly different. It's probably just because Italians see it as the most important and thus invest themselves in it way more.

I'm pulling for Cunego this year.

This race is being shown on "RAI SPORT SATELLITE" (in Italy). I've watched the race.....Cunego has looked very impressive.

Still to early to pick darkhorses when as far as I know, no official start lists are available.

I have to think that Simoni is just too old to beat everyone. Cunego has to be the odds on favorite, especially with his improved TTing.

It could be the year for one of the Spanish riders.

Btw, you ought make sure before attribute a negative statement to a rider's name.

Ok, mom, thanks for straightening me out.