kicking off saturday for 3 weeks of fun and frolics… an early thread start given news that the DQS wunderkind Evenepoel is riding….

Yates vs Bernal vs Gallopin vs Vlasov vs Landa vs Evenepoel vs Martin vs Bennett vs Soler vs Hindley vs Formolo vs Nibali (a few random team leaders)

with Sagan going for the chiclamino vs Ewan, Viviani and back from his ban Groengenen + others

Should be good fun, any TV highlights progs, always seems better when it’s on the real tellybox

think that maybe the downside of gcn+…. no Giro Highlights on ITV4 🙁

Yeah I thought so, what was that random channel that had it last year. Started with a Q?

Wonder what Remco will do, seems crazy to start on the back of no racing!!

think that maybe the downside of gcn+…. no Giro Highlights on ITV4 🙁

It’s on Quest

Quest have highlights every evening at 7pm by the looks of it. And it is also on Eurosport every evening at 8pm. Not sure what subscription service etc you need for Quest but we appear to have it.

Yeah might be squeaky bum time if Nibbles decides to push it on a wet and greasy descent.

Not sure what subscription service etc you need for Quest

None

None

Can anyone remember what app you needed to download to watch it on an Amazon stick? I seem to remember Quest was part of a random collection of other channels on one.

Will the route be like some of the week long stage races this year with shorter distances and laps of section?

If so how will that affect the racing and winners?

Weather has been a bit cooler and wetter this year so this could also be a decider.

looks pretty typical

Funny how different people view the same word in a completely different context?

I read Giro and as i am from the grim North i think “got your Giro yet?”

I’ve created a fantasy league for anyone interested as I couldn’t see one.

https://www.velogames.com/
League Name: STW Giro 2021
League Code: 512041813

Cheers Swavis, hadn’t got round to it. thanks for stepping up

Thanks Swavis, joined so that’s jinxed 9 unfortunate riders.

Yep, that’s me jinxed another 9 unfortunate souls too 👍😀

team run downs

You can watch every stage live on S4C (download the app) and there will be highlights too.

inrng have their first look at the contenders up. Looking at the sprinters this time:

https://inrng.com/2021/05/giro-sprinters-points-competition/

Looking forward to this. I think my money is on Evenpoel.

I wonder if the crowds will still be non-existent or if maybe a few more spectators this time compared to back in October (or whenever it was).

Looking forward to this. Hope we have some coverage here on Spanish TV!

Just a wee reminder that Team EF will need to do a special non-pink kit for their jersey. Last years was interesting – any predictions what they’ll do this year?

Can anyone remember what app you needed to download to watch it on an Amazon stick?

Quest stuff is on DPlay.

If, like me you’re struggling to choose a team leader for Velogames you can use this useful tool:

Giro Wheel of Fortune 🔄

Pause to pick a winner 🏆
(The Favourites Edition) pic.twitter.com/XNsEf2qbgv

— Pro Cycling Trumps (@procycletrumps) May 6, 2021

GC is a hard one to call, should be a really open race!

I would back Bernal, but feel like his back could make him crumble at any point.

Not sure Sivakov won’t lose time in the bigger mountain stages – stage 16 with 5700m of climbing in particular I feel could be his undoing (although he is particularly fond of climbing in training according to The Cycling Podcast!).

Almeida likely to come out on top of GC guys on TTs but if Remco is going well I feel it will tip quickstep to support him as it seems Almeida is off after this season. Can’t believe Remco has a chance though – first grand tour without having raced, nah.

Yates – in good form, bit worried the form might be too good and he won’t last into week 3. TT also difficult for him.

Bennett generally has an off day and not strong in TT

Vlasov and Bilbao look good outside bets. Might have a bit of money on Bilbao finishing on podium.

Funny how different people view the same word in a completely different context?

I read Giro and as i am from the grim North i think “got your Giro yet?”

No, that’s because you’re ancient enough to remember what a giro was.. 😀

EF Nippo and Israel Startup Nation both have “away” kits for the Giro

What do you think? 😍
____
🇮🇹 #Giro pic.twitter.com/uyeiiyIhD0

— Israel – Premier Tech (@IsraelPremTech) May 6, 2021

There’s one rule that must be honored by all teams at the Giro: don’t wear pink. We’re happy to oblige.

See you this Saturday for the start of the Giro d'Italia — our @rapha kaleidoscopic look makes us hard to miss.

More here on our euphoric kit: https://t.co/OqpdAYjbSe pic.twitter.com/MTrpXlZf5x

— EF Pro Cycling (@EFprocycling) May 6, 2021

https://www.efprocycling.com/efs-2021-giro-switch-out-kit-unveiled/

Wow, Hugh is looking “race ready” as Cav would put it

https://twitter.com/alexdowsett/status/1390343976524386305

Thanks Swavis – Team Beaver is go.

Like both the EF and ISN kit!

More giro previewing from inrng here:

https://inrng.com/2021/05/giro-d-italia-2021-preview/

Looks like a potentially exciting mix of racers. I’m hoping for an exciting stage win from someone like Bardet.

Remco looks well

Yates seems the likeliest candidate with Hugh Carthy and Evenpoel being the other contenders, but the time trialling is the key especially that last day. Vlasov could be an outside pick

must be 1kg in that stem!!!!

big expectations for the boy and girls from down under.

italian porn

stage 1 Torino ITT

the Contenders

Remco Evenepoel – much has been said and written about the youngster racing the Giro, believe me, he’s not here to make up the numbers. Yes, he hasn’t raced since crashing in August, but with a large training block under his belt he’ll be ready to battle with the best. Remember that Remco isn’t just a brilliant climber, he’s also exceptional on his TT bike. In 2020 he raced in two TTs, winning both. Despite his lack of racing, this is a massive chance to claim a stage win in his very first grand tour outing, that would be pretty special.

Rémi Cavagna – the form pick. After second places in Paris-Nice and Catalunya, he eventually got his first big TT win in Romandie. The Frenchman is currently enjoying a purple period, and form counts for an awful lot in this sport. It wouldn’t surprise me to see him in pink at the end of the day.

Pippo Ganna – what’s going on with the big man? He ended 2020 in sensational form on his TT bike, he then started 2021 in a similar vein. It looked like we were all set for a long period of domination, but suddenly, he’s had a crisis of confidence and form. He was 3rd in Tirreno, beaten by Van Aert and Küng, but we put that down to a bad day. He was then 9th in the prologue in Romandie, but there was a tough climb in that one. Then he was 10th in the final TT, even though he had a dry run. No more excuses for Ganna, the signs are there for all to see. How does someone go from being untouchable to easily beaten in just a couple of months? Form is everything, and he doesn’t have it just now.

Paddy Bevin – always there or there abouts, he really is Mr Consistent on his TT bike. He’ll finish in the top 10, maybe the top 5 on a really good day.

João Almeida – can I call him the dark horse for the stage? Probably not considering he was 2nd in the opening TT last year and he’s finished in the top 10 in his last six TTs. He can really shift on his TT bike, but can he beat his teammates?

Victor Campenaerts – 2021 has seen him looking to try his hand in the classics, that experiment didn’t go too well. On his day he’s one of the best TT riders in the world, but that day seems to come around as often as a leap year.

Jan Tratnik – another solid top 10 candidate.

Edoardo Affini – if you are looking for an upset, look no further. The Italian has always been a very strong TT rider, and now he’s with one of the best teams in the world. Jumbo-Visma’s move to Cervélo bikes has been successful, the new bike looks fast. Affini can surprise, you have been warned.

who wants to be in pink the most

I’ll take Ganna today please.

do rim brake TT bikes have a marginal aero advantage over discs ?