I didn't see him in either of the two sprints so far for this Giro, I've heard he's over weight and not looking the best? Will he even make it to the end of the Giro, is he just using the Giro as a tune up for July? Will he even contend the sprints in the Giro? Other than McEwen and Pettacchi who else is there to fight it out for the sprint?

He hasn't race much lately and well, that's him after stage 3:

http://www.velonews.com/images/int/12251.18579.f.jpg

I didn't see him in either of the two sprints so far for this Giro, I've heard he's over weight and not looking the best? Will he even make it to the end of the Giro, is he just using the Giro as a tune up for July? Will he even contend the sprints in the Giro? Other than McEwen and Pettacchi who else is there to fight it out for the sprint?

He got dropped on the 2nd stage but there was some decent climbing (some other sprinters also were dropped:e.g., Haedo, Brown). He was there yesterday but was in the crash coming to the finish line.

Still some decent 2nd tier sprinters in the race (Brown dropped out sick); Napolitano, Foster, Richeze has been good so far, Bettini can do well when motivated and the right kind of course, Gasparotto can sprint. People were really hyping Haedo before the race but he hasn't been in the picture at all.

He was up there on stage 3 but took a nasty crash. Got dropped in stage 2 but so did quite a few riders. I'd say he's well off top form and won't be in Milan in a few weeks...

He was up there on stage 3 but took a nasty crash. Got dropped in stage 2 but so did quite a few riders. I'd say he's well off top form and won't be in Milan in a few weeks...
His excuse has been lots of base up to Giro so he has no speed in the legs.

I suspect he wants the Green in July, so that's where we'll see him in Top Form.

Since Thor appears to have no shot at winning the Giro's sprinters' jeresy, CA will likely have him abandon once the major climbing begins in the Giro. Predictor-Lotto may do the same with McEwen since he'll also be gunning for the Green at the TdF. There's nothing unusual about that regarding how teams use their sprinters in Grand Tours.

McEwen already said he wouldn't do the whole Giro and I would be surprised to see Petacchi still riding in Milano...

McEwen already said he wouldn't do the whole Giro and I would be surprised to see Petacchi still riding in Milano...

Since Ale-Jet is an Italian on an Italian licensed team, the Giro's sprint jersey might hold some meaning to him and Team Milram. Whether or not he can get to Milan in one piece is another matter (crash, missed time cut, etc)...

I thought I saw that he was recovering from an earlier injury most of the spring, therefore hadn't been racing. I think it was on cyclingnews.com after the TTT on Sat., when he was asked about getting dropped there..

Thor gets dropped on stages with hills when he is in great shape. I'm sure getting dropped on uphills doesn't concern him.

he hasn't had his medical consultation with dr. fuentes yet. just wait...

Thor gets dropped on stages with hills when he is in great shape. I'm sure getting dropped on uphills doesn't concern him.

Not disagreeing with you, but I remember in last year's tour Thor would keep going on these breakaways or attacking on hilly stages. I always thought it was funny because a climber he isn't. I think he was trying to gather points for the Green.

Man, I'd hate to be in as poor shape as Thor is :D

Man, I'd hate to be in as poor shape as Thor is :D

Yeah, I would hate to be in such poor shape that I would come in second on Stage 5 of the Giro.

Yeah, I would hate to be in such poor shape that I would come in second on Stage 5 of the Giro.


I know, its not like its the Tour Da France... aren't most of the guys in the Giro semi-pro's like AA baseball or something?? :wink: