The Official TFK Giro D'Italia 2013

The Giro starts tomorrow with a fairly decent field of riders in action.

The fancied:
Bradley Wiggins (Team Sky) 10/11
Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) 2/1
Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin-Sharp) 7/1
Samuel Sanchez (Euskaltel) 18/1
Michele Scarponi (Lampre-Merida) 33/1
Robert Gesink (Blanco Team) 33/1
Cadel Evans (BMC Racing Team) 33/1

Ivan Basso (Cannondale) - pulled out because of a cyst on his back

There are two individual time trials of 55km and 20km which will suit Wiggins, but there are also seven mountain top finishes and with time bonuses on every stage it makes for a very interesting race. Garmin-Sharp and Sky appear to have the strongest teams so I’d expect Wiggins and last years winner Hesjedal ro be battling it out but as Wiggins and the exciting Nibali’s odds aren’t worth a bet I’ve put my money on Samuel Sanchez.

Stage by Stage guide

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cycling/22249563

It’s probably not going to really kick off till about stage 10. Nibali, Sanchez and Co will have to put time into Wiggins in the mountains.

As expected, although not as easily as was thought, Cavendish wins today’s first stage in a sprint finish.

Some crashes today. Wet weather playing havoc.

Nibali attacked peloton today only to crash with 9km to go. He was lucky to finish in peloton at finish.

Not so lucky was Wiggins who crashed with 5km to go and drops out of top 20

Token reply for you Scrunch

[quote=“Scrunchie, post: 770699, member: 1408”]Some crashes today. Wet weather playing havoc.

Nibali attacked peloton today only to crash with 9km to go. He was lucky to finish in peloton at finish.

Not so lucky was Wiggins who crashed with 5km to go and drops out of top 20[/quote]

By “crash” do you mean come down?

When Ray Crotty resolves his Cambodia flag situation I’m sure he’ll be all over this thread.

Fair play to Nibail for going on the attack today. Really exciting rider to watch and seems to be going well. Disagree with you on Wiggins Scrunchie. He was to blame for going down and his positioning meant if he fell, then he would lost time. What would worry me most if I were a Wiggins fan is that I didn’t think he looked comfortable on the climbs at all today. His confidence seems low. Sky don’t seem able to suffocate race either which makes for a pleasant change.
Tomorrow will tell alot. Wiggins will take time out of all other GC guys tomorrow if he is in decent condition. Hesjedal is going well too so fascinating to see how he does. A GC win for him or Nibali and I’d be pleased!

It’s a great race. That was the third time Wiggins crashed this week. His and Sky’s roadcraft is poor, they are manufactured riders not natural racers. A good rider gets positioned well up the bunch by his team and stays out of trouble.

Assuming Wiggins does not win the Giro but gets a high GC placing he will go to the Tour in very good form and motivated. There will be war with him and Froome. Can’t wait.

I think Heysdal will retain his title.

[quote=“balbec, post: 770721, member: 193”]It’s a great race. That was the third time Wiggins crashed this week. His and Sky’s roadcraft is poor, they are manufactured riders not natural racers. A good rider gets positioned well up the bunch by his team and stays out of trouble.

Assuming Wiggins does not win the Giro but gets a high GC placing he will go to the Tour in very good form and motivated. There will be war with him and Froome. Can’t wait.

I think Heysdal will retain his title.[/quote]
Tension is certainly there between Froome and Wiggins all right. Hesjedal certainly done everything right so fair. Has managed to get back some of time Garmin lost on ttt. Great to see someone you can have total trust in doing well.

Wiggins was afraid of his shite descending alright - reminded me of the Schlek’s.

Samuel Sanchez is well placed in 11th. Needs a decent TT tho

[quote=“Scrunchie, post: 770739, member: 1408”]

Samuel Sanchez is well placed in 11th. Needs a decent TT tho[/quote]

It’s a big if, though.

Haven’t really gotten onto this years race yet. I have the days racing taped but just look at the last 5km usually.

If SBW can haul himself back into contention after today you’d respect him. But early doors yet.

Wiggins suffering in the time trial. Doesn’t bode well for him.

Time checks are terrible

Wiggins was well down on first split but could win this yet. Finishing very well

Wiggins finishes 10" behind Alex Dowsett (GBR) of Movistar.

Wow! Nibali fastest after halfway split.

Who’s the Irish lad commentating on Eurosport?

Nibali takes the pink jersey and leads from Evans (2nd) and Gesink (3rd)

SBW punctured and lost time. Some steep finish to the TT