General Race Thread 2023 **spoilers**

odyssey06

Today's stage in the Tour of Romandie - does it suit Eddie? Or what day is his best bet?

Macy0161

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120529883#Comment_120529883

I've given up on that podcast because of the hate of EF. Like I get he doesn't like JV, but can't give them any credit at all.

mewso

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120531037#Comment_120531037

His TT record isn't great. That said he did a solid Prologue the other day so who knows. Maybe he has been working on it. Sobrero is a better TTer on paper. Tomorrow is the interesting one (I mistakenly thought today was the mountain stage in my post earlier) for him really as he looks based on yesterday to be in decent shape but today is also interesting as we'll get an idea if he has been concentrating on TTs. Ultimately I don't know what he wants to be himself. He was always touted as a future GC man and Team Jayco certainly talked him up that way saying he would be leader (co?) in the Giro.

While I'm posting in case nobody saw the Netflix documentary has a date (8th June) and it's not called Ride to Survive.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4HadbaMF8w&t=70s&ab_channel=Netflix

retalivity

Remember Tiberi who was suspended by Trek for shooting the cat of San Marino's minister for tourism? He's been sacked completely now.

https://twitter.com/TrekSegafredo/status/1651950015646924801

happytramp

Don't f**k with cats.

Squidgy Black

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120522441#Comment_120522441

Turns out it actually was the mechanics fault, I’d say that was a fun debrief

https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/wrong-chainring-bolts-the-cause-of-rui-costas-tour-de-romandie-mechanical/

dastardly00

The riders are just starting the final climb in the queen stage of the Tour de Romandie.

retalivity

decent finish for dunbar, jayco were pulling at the front for him for a good while further down the climb

eagle eye

Ugh

mewso

Sam dropped in Eschborn-Frankfurt but not that surprising. A tougher profile this year.

dastardly00

Sam is back in the peloton. Looks like he has at least three team mates with him

dastardly00

Final climb done... Sam was right at the back of the peloton in an absolute world of pain. He should get back up to the front of the peloton. But it doesn't look like Bora are properly supporting him 🤔

Dodge

Jayco say Eddie heads their GC ambitions (Matthews is leader)

“Fresh from his recent top-10 finish overall at a hard edition of the Tour of Romandie, Dunbar is in high spirits for the Italian Grand Tour and the Irishman will have a strong support group around him, in the shape of experienced road captain Alessandro De Marchi, and the young and motivated Italian champion Filippo Zana. 

Australia’s Callum Scotson, who is quickly becoming one of the most valued support riders on the squad, will also be a key asset for Dunbar in the crucial third and final week, which is full of challenging alpine climbs set to determine the overall standings”

breezy1985

Would be great if at some stage in this Giro the 2 lads get up the road alone.

Kirby can scream to his hearts content about "Irish raiding parties"

eagle eye

The last week is brutal. I can't see Remco beating Primo on those climbs.

It's all about how he does in the time trials. If he can build up a big lead then he has a very good chance.

Thing is, one of those time trials is insane. It's the penultimate stage. It's a short stage, I think it's only 18km but about eight of it is uphill and the first 5km of it are at 15%.

Of course we've seen too many things happen to Roglic in grand tours but I think if he finishes it he wins because I think theres too many climbs where Primo has an advantage. Having Kuss there is a massive help too.

retalivity

I watched the Lanterne Rouge preview earlier, I hadn't looked at the route for the Giro in a few months, forgot/didn't realise how insane it is. Some mental climbs, particularly in the last week. Remco is probably rightly favourite, but not at the ridiculous 8/11 that he currently is. Don't think he had as tough a profile in the Vuelta last year, and the one thing that him (and Roglic) are not fond of or excel in is bad weather, which the Giro is expected to have in spades.

Could honestly see someone like TGH, Almeida or Caruso winning it, purely by grinding it out and not losing major time on a given day. Look at these 3 stages, any GC guys on an off-day could lose 5mins plus. Or if its lashing rain and cold, could see Remco and Rog suffering going up and down the climbs.

breezy1985

Some good news for Ben Healy.

EF and POC have developed a non Space Balls looking TT helmet.

retalivity

Foss and Gesink out with covid for Jumbo. Replaced by Dennis and Van Emden

https://twitter.com/JumboVismaRoad/status/1653479764395474949

eagle eye

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120547939#Comment_120547939

Yeah it's so mental anything could happen. The first person that came to my mind when I seen the vicious climbs was Hugh Carthy. He's a real grinder.

I still can't see past the too two though and Roglic for me should be the favourite. He's shown great form already this year too.

Brian?

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120547807#Comment_120547807

The last TT is murderously tough. The route is designed purely to take back the mantle of most exciting GT from the Vuelta. I am quite happy with it, despite there being no Mortirolo, Stelvio or Zoncolan.

Macy0161

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120548114#Comment_120548114

Rog tends to fade a bit in the third week though. I really wouldn't be surprised by a wildcard win. Carthy a good shout as he's not rubbish at a TT for a climber.

I'm surprised at all the covid positives (although heard of a lot around here as well the last week or so) - are they still doing the routine tests or are they testing symptomatic riders?

Mefistofelino

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120549423#Comment_120549423

There are no more UCI-mandated compulsory tests or vaccination passports for races since about the start of the year. Any testing is down to teams or individuals.

Brian?

Velogames Giro League, all are welcome:

411270829

https://www.velogames.com/italy/2023/

CantGetNoSleep

I guess teams are testing to avoid running the risk of someone with an infection ruling out the whole team once the race starts. Losing a few solid domestiques is probably the better option in that case. You'd wonder what shape replacements are in though, must be tough to be called up to race for three weeks on a tough route in potentially miserable weather with three or four days notice

Brian?

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120550067#Comment_120550067

They can ride their way into shape for the last week. It's not like 30 years ago when everyone went clubbing and got fat over the winter (I'm looking at you Jan), they maintain a relatively high level all year round.

Mefistofelino

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120550067#Comment_120550067

One year in the TdF, a rider crashed (over a TV cable, IIRC) while warming up for the prologue and they drafted in a replacement with 1-2 hours notice.

Dodge

PCS are suggesting that Healy could podium in the Giro

https://www.procyclingstats.com/article/giro-2023-ben-healy-can-finish-on-the-podium-in-rome

Uran is listed as leader for them and he’s a better bet. Looking at their team, it looks like Ben and Magnus Cort will be giving free roles effectively

breezy1985

I would be a bit weary of any English language publications bigging Healy up for the Giro. They have a habit of pandering to their audience a little.

Dodge

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120553890#Comment_120553890

Sure, just passing it on in case anyone didn’t see it.

Brian?

Lads,

The league is looking a little small, can you send on to your mates if you're playing. I won't feel anywhere near as proud when I win a small league.