Giro d'Italia Prediction Thread

Funkyzeit

Right - 100th Giro Starting Sat - looking at the stage profile should be a cracker..
Lets have your predicitons
Here is current betting:

http://www.sportingbet.com/Cycling;Giro-d-Italia-2009-(9-May---31-May);Outright-Winner/ECMARKET/3/208123/3

Wide open IMO. I think with LA recovering will mean Levi should be Astana top dog and should do well given the 80 odd K's of TT's. If he can limit his losses on the big climbs to some of the goats he'll be in with a right shout.

eggie

Backed Levi at 5/1, seems to be in form at the mo and will be Astana's no.1 for this event.

TinyExplosions

I think it's essentially Leipheimers to lose -he has the strongest team, and I reckon will be de facto team lead on it.

Outside bet on Cunego though -he's not lived up to his earlier promise, but I think he could have a good run this year, some of the stages suit him better.

Dark horse is Vandevelde

eggie

Is this on TV of any description?

zzzzzzzz

It's on Eurosport.

Raam

Sastre says he is going for the podium. I'd like him to do well, but I guess he will be mostly saving himself for the tour.

Caroline_ie

Raam wrote: »

Sastre says he is going for the podium. I'd like him to do well, but I guess he will be mostly saving himself for the tour.

I think Sastre could try for that one. He's been very quiet up till now.

Chips Lovell

My thoughts.

shapez

As much as I dislike Astana, they will be hard to beat. Unless of course a couple of teams join forces and spoil things for them.

1. Levi Leipheimer
2. Carlos Sastre
3. Denis Menchov

Raam

Just read on cycling weekly that samples from the 2008 Giro will be tested for CERA. http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/Giro_dItalia_news_roundup_article_282205.html

Giro d'Italia race director Angelo Zomegnan has announced that tests to detect the new blood boosting drug CERA and for insulin will be carried out during this year's race.

Zomegnan also revealed that Italian police have seized samples taken during the 2008 Giro to test them for CERA. With a worried look on his face, Zomegnan accepted that there could be other positives.

PainIsTemporary

eggie wrote: »

Is this on TV of any description?

aidan.offbeat wrote: »

It's on Eurosport.

Don't have the channels so going to be watchin it on the Eurosport player online. 5 euro well spent. Predictions - One of the feather weight climbers perhaps? Would like to see Sastre or Levi kicking ass. Should be interesting.

Chips Lovell

Raam wrote: »

Just read on cycling weekly that samples from the 2008 Giro will be tested for CERA. http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/Giro_dItalia_news_roundup_article_282205.html

Saw that alright. I'd say there's a few people bricking it.