Enough politics. Serious stuff - the Giro! - VeloNation - Cycling Forums, Bicycle Forums, Community Forums

Posts:3180

05/05/2022 01:20 PM
The season begins! Where 200 lucky ones get fully paid 3 week bike tours around scenic Europe. Accommodations in a different hotel each night. Meals provided. Fully supports to the max. They do not have to do anything but ride, What a life! And people line up by the hundreds and thousands just to see these lucky suckers. So, who ya go? (I'm remiss, I haven't scanned the start lists yet and barely the course profiles.)

Posts:3180

05/05/2022 01:42 PM
Just went to CN. (Thanks OC. I can now read those articles!) Girmay. Gotta root for him! Second year pro, 22 years old, this is completely new territory for him so I won't hold my breath. But - could he become the first Black to ever win a GT stage? Can he finish a very mountainous Giro? Can he make this (and can it play out to be) a positive experience he can build from. I'd love to see the range of kit colors in the pro peloton reflected in the skin colors of the riders. (Well, I'll accept passing on the greens and blues - until the aliens show their worth.) So Africans who make it to the big dance can have mentors and not have to be a pioneer, each and every one of them.

Posts:4499

05/05/2022 02:48 PM
A Girmay/Valverde/VDP battle on Stage 1 for that first pink would be epic. All three are gunning for it but finish may not be hard enough to distance sprinters. VDP even spent some rare time on a TT bike this week so as to stay in contention for early pink; a radical departure from his recent training which have been epic gravel rides in Spain. As with Girmay, this will also be VDPs first GT that he'll try to finish; they can hold hands. The old fox meanwhile is hoping for one final pass at glory. As to overall, haven't really looked into it and Giro tends to surprise anyway. Mostly still wondering if Dumoulin still has what it takes. He is wondering too.

Posts:2881

05/05/2022 11:38 PM
Fast forward crystal ball post. Pick or shut up: Cav vs. that younger dude. Forced choice.

Posts:2881

05/05/2022 11:41 PM
Self response to own post, apologies: Nearly a coin toss for me. My team "old and crafty" does not always beat young, fearless and fast. In this Giro, the rare bunch sprint stages may be a side note, at least short term. But this forumite rejoices in the upcoming Giro.

Posts:4499

05/06/2022 12:22 AM
I’m thinking Caleb tomorrow.

Posts:4209

05/06/2022 08:28 AM
I’m thinking Caleb tomorrow. I think you mean Sunday...tomorrow is the 9k TT. Girmay is a good pick for today, but I also think Valverde is relishing the opportunity to grab the maglia rosa at the end of the day.

Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!

Posts:4209

05/06/2022 08:31 AM
Mostly still wondering if Dumoulin still has what it takes. He is wondering too Yeah, he is already questioning himself, which is never good for a guy who, IMO, suffers from mental struggles. And the reality is that this is not a parcours for him in the slightest....55K feet of climbing. Even though there is very little high altitude stuff, there just aren't enough TT miles to offset what he will lose in the hills.

Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!

Posts:4499

05/06/2022 09:07 AM
Posted By Cosmic Kid on 05/06/2022 08:28 AM I’m thinking Caleb tomorrow. I think you mean Sunday...tomorrow is the 9k TT. No I meant today he can survive the hill possibly. I posted this yesterday. As to Dumoulin, it’s not questioning himself although it may come across as such in translation, it’s self reflection he’s always done at. He’s in a good mental spot right now but it’s been two years.

Posts:4209

05/06/2022 09:09 AM
I posted this yesterday. Hah...must be a time zone issue. I see 5/6 as the date stamp on your post.

Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!

Posts:4499

05/06/2022 10:27 AM
Pink > Moss Green. He’s become really patient in putting out efforts and chose the right wheel.

Posts:3180

05/06/2022 10:43 AM
Posted By Orange Crush on 05/05/2022 02:48 PM A Girmay/Valverde/VDP battle on Stage 1 for that first pink would be epic. All three are gunning for it but finish may not be hard enough to distance sprinters. VDP even spent some rare time on a TT bike this week so as to stay in contention for early pink; a radical departure from his recent training which have been epic gravel rides in Spain. As with Girmay, this will also be VDPs first GT that he'll try to finish; they can hold hands. The old fox meanwhile is hoping for one final pass at glory. As to overall, haven't really looked into it and Giro tends to surprise anyway. Mostly still wondering if Dumoulin still has what it takes. He is wondering too. Settle for 2/3s? Girmay continues to look like the real deal. Yes, that finish is to his liking, but it also took race smarts and toughness to be there after the hairpin bottleneck. So, for now we have MVdP as MVP (to inject some Americanism into the GIRO). Boo ...

Posts:4209

05/06/2022 10:57 AM
MVP was impressive....thought he was out of it a few times, but he clawed back each time. Bummer for Ewan, but that was 100% on him....and he was out of it by then anyway. Looking forward to Girmay getting his first stage win sometime this race.

Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!

Posts:4499

05/06/2022 10:59 AM
VDP wasn’t feeling super his morning so good on him. And Caleb’s fate is pretty much Lotto this year. So close but it took so much out of him to be there he crashed himself.

Habanero

Posts:257

05/06/2022 11:55 AM
I am following Girmay closely as I wonder how long he will go in his first GT. 2nd place today was a great result and showed his chops for knowing when and where to be. He is wicked fun to watch and has all the right stuff to be a hero if he isn't already!

Posts:4499

05/06/2022 01:31 PM
How deep this guy goes to make these wins happen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TDbK5aVCbE&t=40s About halfway in he points to someone and says "morgen" (tomorrow). That's to Dumoulin. They made a bet. I wonder what Girmay's iTT chops are.

Posts:4209

05/06/2022 02:31 PM
About halfway in he points to someone and says "morgen" (tomorrow). That's to Dumoulin Did a quick scan of the start list and there is no one with any kind of decetn TT chops outside of Dumoulin in the field....yeah, Dowsett and Castroviejo are both there, but they each lost chunks of time today. Maybe they were saving their legs for tomorrow, but it is clearly on between Dumoulin and MVP for pink tomorrow!!!

Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!

Posts:4499

05/06/2022 03:54 PM
you missed Kelderman then. He's decent enough and could factor doing well today. Somehow I am thinking Wout is gritting his teeth today. He's awesome and wins a lot but tends to miss out on the really big targets (like wearing yellow). Matje meanwhile has worn yellow and pink. He picks major goals and makes them happen. Except of course that MTB tumble LOL. That was comedy gold. Too much nerves for that one. As the coach said, I was talking about the plank but he wasn't listening, it didn't sink in. That opportunity may never return, there is some apprehension now about doing too many things at once.

Posts:4209

05/06/2022 08:28 PM
you missed Kelderman then. He's decent enough and could factor doing well today No, I saw him....he is a fine TT rider for GC, but I don't think he'll come close to contesting the stage tomorrow.

Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!

Posts:4499

05/07/2022 08:39 AM
This is brilliant https://mobile.twitter.com/outofcycling/status/1522597457741373441

Posts:1767

05/07/2022 09:20 AM
What the heck?

Habanero

Posts:257

05/07/2022 12:51 PM
Someone asked what Elisa Longo Borghini's reaction would be - LOL!!

Posts:4499

05/07/2022 02:47 PM
CK was Yates on your list?

6ix

Posts:485

05/07/2022 05:14 PM
Ya know, seeing how deep MVdP goes in order to win (and having done so on many, many occasions now,) one has to wonder what the long-term impact will be to his cardiovascular system. I mean, he is going HARD. Kinda hitting the point of human potential there at times. I hope his heart doesn't just explode.

Posts:4209

05/07/2022 06:44 PM
CK was Yates on your list? I did not have Yates winning a GT TT on my 2022 Hellscape Bingo card!! Damn, what an impressive ride. Helluva ride from MVP, as well….bummed for Dumoulin.

Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!

Posts:4209

05/07/2022 10:45 PM
Side note….good day for Giant’s TT street cred today. Yates win the TT in the Giro and Blummenthal wins the IM Worlds on the new Giant Tri bike (ugly).

Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!

Posts:4499

05/08/2022 11:17 AM
Old man Cavendish still has what it takes even though he hit front way too early. Impressive. Eekhoorn going on escape in final was no coincidence after he spent entire race chatting w VDP (and both ragging Dumoulin). Another bet I’m sure.

Posts:4209

05/08/2022 11:44 AM
Yeah, when Cav launched, my first reaction was “nope….WAY too early”. That was impressive.

Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!

Posts:4499

05/08/2022 12:37 PM
And another old man scores some points for Lotto at Four Days. Nice farewell win by Gilbert. First podiums since 2019.

Posts:2881

05/08/2022 07:09 PM
What a train, and what a finish! Begs the question what might have been at the Tour last summer if Cav had not been taken out early by Demolition Derby Caleb.

Posts:4499

05/08/2022 07:23 PM
Hahaha https://mobile.twitter.com/yorbenvt/status/1522889562988720130

Posts:3180

05/09/2022 04:36 PM
So - bets on tomorrow's volcanic romp? I'm going negative. Yates isn't going to do it. Alisdair Fotheringham has jinxed him with an article CN titled "'Multiple ways it can pan out' on Etna as Yates poised to take pink". I'll also predict that he who wins tomorrow won't be wearing pink in three weeks; even that the eventual winner will deliberately leave a little in the tank tomorrow.

Posts:4209

05/09/2022 06:33 PM
I'm going with a breakaway getting to the finish tomorrow....

Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!

Posts:4499

05/09/2022 09:46 PM
Ineos, Carapaz have some work to do. A few others as well. Isn’t the shark Sicilian? I’d also be unsurprised if VDP stays in contention. The hill is long but never very steep. Hard to make something stick and relatively easy to tag along. But he may just let it run favouring the stage hunt game.

Posts:3180

05/09/2022 10:24 PM
Now if Nibali takes it tomorrow, I'll root for him going all the way despite my prediction above. What a way to go out!

Posts:1767

05/10/2022 05:19 AM
A breakaway with that group not containing the eventual GC winner. Whoever that is will be back a bit biding his time.

Posts:4499

05/10/2022 12:10 PM
Not to be for Nibali. Too bad, he looked good on Stage 1 and in iTT. Bad day for JV as well, Foss, Oomen but mostly Dumoulin shed a whole bunch of time. Other than that not much happened.

Posts:3180

05/11/2022 11:46 AM
Helicopter view of the Messina finish. Girmay fighting to stay off the barriers and upright. Shades of Cavendish and Sagan except - Girmay pushed the other rider over; something Cavendish couldn't do to Sagan and it appeared that Girmay then hit the barriers and pushed off. If so, good work, UCI and Giro org. for making contact with the barriers not a guaranteed crash. Takes me to my early Cat 3,4 criterium in a park. Finish. Wide, flat road. Perfect pavement, curbs. I was on the right, following a rider who was moving up nicely. I wasn't going to win but in the money looked pretty certain. A rider on our left moved over toward my pace. He in turn moved right to avoid contact - and brushed the curb solidly. His scream as I rode by still haunts me. I have feared curbs to this day and will fight tooth and nail with anyone beside me to stay off them. (And to this day thank the club vets who taught me the "safe places" to ride next to folk from which you can push with leverage and move them. Regularly feel nervous riding in crowds that clearly never got those lessons.) Watching Girmay - he pushed the guy his right early and hard. Had the presence to fend off the barrier on the rebound. (And again, thank you, organizers, for making that do-able.) I like this guy's riding. He could be around a while.

Posts:4499

05/12/2022 09:50 AM
So everyone is wondering about Cavendish. Normally always willing to talk to press he now has Markov doing that. Giro di Silenzio.

Posts:3180

05/12/2022 10:11 AM
Slumberfest. A rolling rest day. Diego Rosa's been out there all day but staying 2-3 minutes up has taken little effort. If I did my math right, they are on track to finish 55 minutes down on the slowest expected time. Organizers will be rather upset!

Posts:4499

05/13/2022 10:16 PM
Today was nice. When Dumoulin went to Columbia for training camp this year he got to pick one guy to join him. Which was Bouwman. The two connected and today paid off.

Posts:4499

05/15/2022 12:35 PM
Yates blames the heat. Now I don't care about Yates and his excuses but I do care about it apparently being toasty in Italy. We’re still riding about 5 below average and wet here. Worst spring since 2007.

Posts:2881

05/15/2022 07:29 PM
When was the last unfragile GT contender?

Posts:2881

05/15/2022 07:39 PM
Froome?

Posts:2881

05/15/2022 07:40 PM
If the answer is Lance, then crap.

Posts:4499

05/15/2022 09:50 PM
Pog. Right here right now.

Posts:4499

05/17/2022 10:16 AM
Another awesome head to head. Girmay had advantage of team mates. Wanty looking strong.

Posts:4499

05/17/2022 10:49 AM
Oh hell, Girmay taken to hospital. He got champagne cork in his eye.

Posts:4209

05/17/2022 11:46 AM
Girmay had advantage of team mates. Yeah, but only POzzovivo did anything to help him...looked like 3 Wanty guys in the group, but they were spread all out. Pozzovivo finally opened up the sprint, which got Girmay loose ebcause he was pinned against the barrier. But damn that was a LOOOONNNNGGGG sprint....MVP looked like he was gonna come around, but Girmay simply faded less than MVP in the last 50M. Class act by MVP to give him the tumbs up as Girmay crossed the line. Hopefully Girmay is OK.

Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!

Posts:3180

05/17/2022 12:59 PM
Posted By Cosmic Kid on 05/17/2022 11:46 AM Girmay had advantage of team mates. Yeah, but only POzzovivo did anything to help him...looked like 3 Wanty guys in the group, but they were spread all out. Pozzovivo finally opened up the sprint, which got Girmay loose ebcause he was pinned against the barrier. But damn that was a LOOOONNNNGGGG sprint....MVP looked like he was gonna come around, but Girmay simply faded less than MVP in the last 50M. Class act by MVP to give him the tumbs up as Girmay crossed the line. Hopefully Girmay is OK. CN reports that Van de Poel gave Girmay a hug after the finish. Class. This made my day! Jackie Robinson's first home run in the major leagues. And like Robinson, he's not just there, happening to be at the right place and right time. He rode that stage like a pro who expected to; if not win, certainly be there and have to be dealt with. Screwing up that late turn? Well, that wasn't in the game plan but there's still a race to be won. Sprinted early-ish in a "see if you can catch me" with one of the world's best on his wheel. We're going to see the reverberations from today. Bike racing is going to change. 10 years from now, I'll predict we see 1 in 20, maybe 1 in 10 African faces in the peloton. It will just grow from there. And interest in African countries will up. Probably not on a commercial/governmental/military basis; the colony mindset in western countries is way too deep. But interest by the sports, media, arts, etc. will increase to the point that at least the vast commercial interests will have to adjust their exploitation. Yes, grand predictions. The timeline will be slow. I should live to see the 5-10% non-white peloton, maybe a small slice of the change in attitude toward Africa but probably not more. What happened today is a very small but real start. (And that hug? That might be just as big. Every rider in the peloton saw it or otherwise knows. They may not like it, but MVP is the future. Everyone knows it. He is probably the single most visible rider in the world. (Yes, Van Aert and Pogacar wear bigger crowns but they don't put themselves out there, in person or on the bike like VDP does.)

Posts:3180

05/17/2022 01:07 PM
And fingers crossed for Girmay. Here's hoping it's just a black eye he can wear with pride. My brother put a letter opener into his eye as a kid, went for the same hospital visit, recovered and has trouble with bright sun to this day. One thing he has going for him if I read him at all correctly. The guy's tough. He has that intangible spirit. Huge plus after accidents and medical issues. Here's hoping he can continue on the bike and win a lot more races!

Posts:2881

05/17/2022 01:41 PM
Even a minor injury like scratched cornea hinders vision for a day or so, and can be painful, too.

Posts:4209

05/17/2022 02:58 PM
Official decision in the AM, but I would doubt he starts tomorrow....

Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!

Posts:4499

05/17/2022 03:32 PM
He had bleeding in eye so definite wait and see. That'd be a major shame. There was promise of couple more great battles, at least two more opportunities. VDP said he misjudged that descent, on veloviewer it seemed more technical than it was else he'd kept his powder dry. Pozzovivo as lead out man was brilliant, that team has great synergy and they're getting a lot out of a small budget.

Posts:1767

05/17/2022 07:06 PM
We're seeing an Arthur Ashe event in real time, not long ago history. Way cool to see this. In other news, this debacle would never happen at the Indy 500. #gotmilk (google it if you don't get the humor)

Posts:2881

05/17/2022 11:46 PM
Red Ryder presecco, and, well, you know.

Posts:2881

05/21/2022 07:54 PM
Epic stage today. Bora really made it happen

Posts:2881

05/21/2022 08:34 PM
But Carapaz wins bigger

Posts:4209

05/22/2022 04:04 PM
Me, watching today’s stage…

Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!

Posts:4499

05/22/2022 07:46 PM
After the pasta ketchup incident now there’s the pineapple pizza incident. Haven’t been able to watch much of racing but Carapaz yesterday sounded good.

Posts:2881

05/22/2022 08:51 PM
If today's stage started 80 km later, there would have been more racing. Stage racing has long been an ultramarathon event, which made sense when the GTs were tours around pretty large countries and transfers were not easy. That's all irrelevant now beyond "we've always done it this way". What if by reg the average stage had length had to be, say 125km? Answer: Fireworks almost every day.

Posts:4499

05/23/2022 01:00 AM
Lots of tired legs from previous day. Boras commentary on CN says it all.

Posts:1767

05/24/2022 07:50 AM
What if by reg the average stage had length had to be, say 125km? Answer: Fireworks almost every day. I've had that opinion for years. After a stage was substantially shortened due to weather back in the Indurain days it was a full on race from the drop of the flag. Loads more exciting than usual.

Posts:4209

05/24/2022 09:44 AM
It baffles me that race organizers can't get past the idea of long, monstrous stages. History over the last 10-20 years has shown that shorter stages, with smaller, more frequent climbs leads to more exciting racing. I honestly don't care who the "strongest" rider is....I want to see good racing. If a more tactical / strategic rider can then capitalize on it, I'm fine with that.

Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!

6ix

Posts:485

05/24/2022 09:59 AM
Second that, Dale! Agree with CK about shortening the stages in order to increase excitement. Let's face it, for the most part the first 3-4 hours of a Grand tour stage is a snoozefest. I distinctly recall that stage Dale was talking about. Believe it was 1996 when Berzin was wearing yellow and the stage was shortened to something like 50km due to snow. This being a mountain stage, it was like a Pro/1 criterium right from the gun. Riis blew them all away, thus ending Indurain's quest of 6 straight wins. Honestly, kinda a sad day to see him struggling at the back with Zulle in tow.

Posts:3180

05/24/2022 10:34 AM
The classic aged Italian cheeses sitting in GC 5th and 10th. Nibali and Valverde. As much as you guys like the shorter, faster, more exciting stages, I like the length and really hard ones that allow great older riders to show their strength. (That said, I'll be glad when the last of the EPO riders is retired. I still wonder how much EPO permanently boosted the capacities of those who used more than small amounts of it.)

smokey52

Posts:493

05/24/2022 10:47 PM
Similar to other sports. In the NBA, the deciding plays are usually in the last two minutes which last an hour and a half with the ridiculous times-out and intentional fouls.

Posts:3180

05/24/2022 11:01 PM
Posted By smokey 52 on 05/24/2022 10:47 PM Similar to other sports. In the NBA, the deciding plays are usually in the last two minutes which last an hour and a half with the ridiculous times-out and intentional fouls. Pro basketball - 5 quarters. The first 4 and the last two minutes. (Now the game that just happened only went 4 quarters but they did have a rain delay.)

Posts:3180

05/25/2022 09:42 AM
Someone needs to tell Van de Poel he's not a climber. Seems he forgot that this morning.

Posts:4499

05/25/2022 09:51 AM
The Giro social media team is getting scared LOL. Is there pineapple pizza in their future? Maybe not. Leemreize not only put VDP under pressure in descending now also uphill. Head is going down. That’s it for show I think. Meanwhile with Almeida dropped podium seems set. Just which order.

Posts:4499

05/25/2022 10:45 AM
Looks like it will be Equador versus Australia for top step. That's pretty genius.

Posts:2881

05/25/2022 07:15 PM
Broken record here. B O R I N G Shorten the stages!

Posts:4499

05/26/2022 09:36 AM
Yesterday was awesome. The action was quite descent and a number of cyclists were photographed being handed pineapples by chefs and the general public.

Posts:4499

05/26/2022 10:30 AM
Third win by DAF. Only one by VDP. Good team showing in Giro.

Posts:3180

05/26/2022 10:58 AM
I was rooting for Affini but De Bondt deserved it Think some teams are going to hear about not bringing that pesky little 4 man break back?

Posts:4209

05/26/2022 12:14 PM
I woulda bet a large amount of money that it would have been a sprint today....now Cav, Demare and others have spent the last few days hauling their carcasses over hill and dale for absolutely no reason. (OK, Demare needs to finish to win the points jersey, but you get the point)

Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!

Posts:4499

05/26/2022 12:21 PM
The name is Bondt. Dries de Bondt. Those DAF Guys are having too much fun.

Posts:2881

05/26/2022 08:11 PM
Ha! that's funny But what happened? Very tired legs. Or maybe the peloton split subtracted too many motors? In normal times, the bunch can make up 10 secs/km. Did not happen today. Which is kinda cool, not the same old same old.

Posts:1767

05/26/2022 09:09 PM
Sounds like there was a pact in the break to stay together, not playing games or skipping pulls. That they waited for one of the fast finishers spoke to their determination to make it to the end.

Posts:3180

05/26/2022 10:59 PM
Posted By Dale Dale on 05/26/2022 09:09 PM Sounds like there was a pact in the break to stay together, not playing games or skipping pulls. That they waited for one of the fast finishers spoke to their determination to make it to the end. So they should be DSQ'd. Collaboration with another team? Strictly forbidden! (What was that race a few years ago where this became a big deal. (Probably until someone pointed out this has been happening for a hundred years.)

Posts:3180

05/26/2022 11:10 PM
Posted By Frederick Jones on 05/26/2022 08:11 PM Ha! that's funny But what happened? Very tired legs. Or maybe the peloton split subtracted too many motors? In normal times, the bunch can make up 10 secs/km. Did not happen today. Which is kinda cool, not the same old same old. The CN lived update announcer suggested that Van de Poel's accelerating of the peloton mid race might have been to disrupt the chase and tire legs to protect the break with his teammate. The announcer also talked at the time of the break deliberately slowing after that fast stretch; gambling quite successfully that the peloton would slow to maintain the gap. (So, the break slows to hand the race to the sprinters. Sprinters "Forget it. We don't need no catch!")

Posts:4499

05/28/2022 10:16 AM
Looks like we’ll have an Aussie winner.

Posts:4209

05/28/2022 10:29 AM
Wow….Carapaz cracks in the final KM’s and loses the Giro. Thiught he would have the advantage today due to the altitude. And how about Bora….correctly let Sagan go (such a smart move) and then retool around GC riders. They then win the Giro straight away by smart tactical riding as a team. Well done.

Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!

Posts:1767

05/28/2022 12:52 PM
Sagan will be doing Unbound Gravel, the 100 mile route. Bunch of us were doing a post-ride (50 mile mixed gravel/ pavement 3400' climb) BS session and I saw that on my phone. One of the women on the ride is doing UG so we told her to tell Sagan 'Hey' for us.

Posts:3180

05/29/2022 04:24 PM
So no final TT fireworks. Nibali finishes 49th and moves up to 4th on GC. Respectable finish of the last Tour of his homeland. (Valverde finished 96th, 11th on GC and I believe no change. Nibali was cheered by hundreds of fans. Valverde will have to wait for that; if he rides the Vuelta. Now we twiddle out thumbs for 5 weeks, watch meaningless 6-10 day stage races and speculate ad infinitum. Or go for rides. Do that yard. I'm going to glue on the 2nd tubbie right now. The Mooney's going for 50 or so tomorrow on them. (Scratches head) - still not sure the elegant way to hang a spare under my tool bag and have access to the Pedros Trixie for quick wheel flips. And where do you find those metal tubbie patch kits with needle and thread? I"m thinking starting with two spares. One under the seat; the other worn like a backwards sports bra (the old way!). The Rally; my "official" spare and an elegant, fine fabric Corsa. (Two spares should keep Murphy at bay.) Glued and rolled around the block. Both wheels now, the full Monte! Yup, naked as a jay bird. None of that cloth concealing those nipples. (The rimstrip.)

Posts:4209

05/30/2022 08:01 AM
Sagan will be doing Unbound Gravel, the 100 mile route The stench of desperation for relevance is overwhelming. 🥴 This is a great PR move for Specialized, but let’s face it…his no longer a top-level WT rider. But he has the skills and more importantly the appeal to make a HUGE impact in gravel. And with a 10 year deal w/ Sportful, I’d be shocked if they aren’t pushing for this, and I’m sure Specialized would love it, too.

Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!

6ix

Posts:485

05/30/2022 04:27 PM
It's funny. When I saw that article yesterday about Sagan, first thing I wondered was what hotel in Emporia freakin' Kansas will a 3x World Champion stay at? My guess is a posh Provost RV right at the start line downtown. I don't know...haven't been back to Emporia since I moved away in 2004. I'm sure it's quite different and yet still much the same.

Posts:4209

05/30/2022 05:43 PM
I’m sure Specialized has a house in town for him…..

Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!

Posts:4499

05/31/2022 09:08 AM
And his brother. Saw a photo of the two mountain biking in Utah the other week. Nice life.

Posts:1767

05/31/2022 08:06 PM
Don't know that it's necessarily the stench of desperation for relevance as much as it is he, and his sponsors, know his market value. Why be a cog in the Euro race machine when you can live a semi-retired life messing around gravel and such where he is hugely popular? Jen did that at the tail end of his career, lived the life of a rock star for a couple years before heading home into permanent retirement.

Posts:4499

06/01/2022 08:26 AM
Oh yeah fully agreed. Market value doesn’t necessarily correlate with racing in this day and age. VDP got a ton of coverage out of wheelies, pineapple pizza and ketchup pasta. Sagans value still is up there.

Posts:4209

06/01/2022 09:13 AM
Don't know that it's necessarily the stench of desperation for relevance as much as it is he, and his sponsors, know his market value. Agreed....I was really referring to his relevance as a road racer. He is done and has been for some time. I said awhile ago that he was likely to be the first really big euro pro to move to gravel. And it would be a perfect match....he'll get tons of exposure and likely a fair number of results. The problem is that TE came and threw a crapton of money at him and he can't replicate that on the gravel scene. So he is kinda stuck for now.

Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!

Posts:3180

06/01/2022 10:19 AM
Back to the Giro. (Sorry guys but that was this thread!) I liked it. Strongest man won but you had to watch the full three weeks to know who that was. I wish the points had been a little closer but I guess we cannot expect Cavendish to go forever and this was not an easy ride for sprinters. Demare acquitted himself well. A team reconfigured to be a real grand tour contender and give Ineos something to think about. Can they (Bora) bring it to the big dance or was this their glory for this year? And they spent time in the high mountains - in scenery that was drop dead gorgeous and spectacular.

thinline

Posts:323

06/01/2022 01:38 PM
Kind of off and on topic. If all goes well, and after two COVID-based postponements, my wife and I will be pedaling across Italy this September, from Rimini to Porto Santo Stefano. Should be a blast. We are heading over a week early, flying into Milan. From there we head to Bologna where we have an awesome Air BnB apartment for several nights and plan on hopping trains to various spots throughout the week. Then two nights in Rimini and onto the bikes for five days of pedaling followed by a few more days of meandering back to Milan to fly home. Any insights or suggestions are welcome! Our bike days are all planned but the week before and few days after are open.

Posts:4499

06/01/2022 11:34 PM
Posted By Cosmic Kid on 06/01/2022 09:13 AM I said awhile ago that he was likely to be the first really big euro pro to move to gravel. Isn’t that Ten Dam and his sidekick Thomas Dekker lol?!

Posts:4209

06/02/2022 07:19 AM
Nah…they weren’t on Sagan’s level. 😉

Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!

Posts:2881

06/02/2022 04:46 PM
Cav was done and dusted for a few years. Due to nagging illness. Nice comeback. Sagan is down and maybe done and dusted, due to long Covid. Or not.