Giro 2008

RdBiker

So they did know the talks were on but it's unclear if they would have trained for the Giro. Also, if this is true then Klöden is clearly going to be the Astana number one man for the Giro:

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jcjordan

I just can believe that so many of you are going for Kloden, I just can see him doing it.
I know he is a good strong rider but he just does not have that winning fire to take risks and push on. Podium for sure, but to much of a follower and not a doer

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micron

Kloeden has had 17 victories in 11 seasons as a pro - and the only win of any note was Paris-Nice. It's amazing that riders with average to poor palmares are being touted as GT favourites. The post Armstrong era must be the weakest ever in terms of quality riders.

Eldrack

He's finished second in the TdF twice, and one of those was behind Armstrong. His other wins aren't exactly ground breaking, but he did spend most of 2001-2003 injured. He's done reasonably well in the short tours as well, he's won Paris-Nice, Tirreno-Addriatico, Romandie, Vuelta Pays Vasco so really I can't see why you don't consider him a contender, especially since the Romandie win was last week.

micron

Sorry, guess I started following the sport when the top GC riders had won Classics and GTs as well as a bunch of one week races. That 1 Tour of Romandie win suddenly signifies top contender status just makes me lament the state of the sport.

classic1

Romandie used to be considered a good pointer to Giro form or an ideal final tune up for the Giro until Manolo Saiz invented the 'active rest/bulk up on dope away from the testers' training camp in the early-mid 90's.

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Jan the man

In Kloeden's favour:

1 x Paris Nice
1 x Pais Vasco
1 x Tirreno-Adriatico
1 x Tour of Romandie

2 x 2nd in Le Tour

Chief Lieutenant for Ullrich in Tour 2001, 2005
Chief Lieutenant for Vino in Tour 2007

He has a pretty impressive stage race palmares.

micron

No, these are impressive stage race palmares http://velopalmares.free.fr/rominger.htm
as are these
http://velopalmares.free.fr/zulle.htm
and especially these
http://velopalmares.free.fr/ljalabert.htm

None of these riders are that long retired either. Now wouldn't you rather see riders of that calibre square off against each other than some riders who've managed 17 victories in 11 seasons?

RdBiker

Yes but Klöden is up against none of those riders in this Giro. Who he is against is:
Soler, can climb but his TT is not exceptional - has a chance though
Contador, one TdF win, not in top form
Leipheimer, 3rd at TdF, also not on top form
Di Luca, Giro win, shorter stage races and classic wins - probably the most impressive palmares
Karpets, Tuor de Suisse
Menchov, Vuelta win, good performances in TdF - is just racing for the Tour in July
Simoni, good performances at the Giro - getting a bit old though

Then we also have guys like Ricco and Nibali who have a shot at the podium but compared to his competition Klöden doesn't in my opinion look like such a bad choice for the win...

Klöden has ridden extremely well for many years but he has just lacked that something to take the wins. Then he has also many times been in a situation where he has had to ride for others, like last year and the Ullrich years.

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It never gets easier, you just go faster
Oton ATK Sandisk Mp3-soittimet ja Koss kuulokkeet

Eldrack

Pellizotti has chance? I'd rate him for a top 10 showing. I'd say the same for Siutsou or however you spell his name.

jcjordan

Soler & Ricco- Most of the TT's are uphill which should go in their favor
Contador and Leipheimer - Both will be wanting to show the TDF that they failed to let the best team ride (not my opinion but you get my meaning)
Di Luca - I think he will definitely podium, if not win, just to get the monkey of his back in relation to Liquigas dropping him
Karpets - like Kloden does not have that killer streak to win a grand tour
Menchov - good point, but I would still like to see him win
Simoni - the fire is there, but not sure about the legs

Interesting no one has mentioned anyone from Tinkoff. Don't know the riders very well but they did put out a nice performance in the TTT considering most of the others in the top 10 don't even have a chance in the GC

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"Pain does not last, bones heal and chicks dig scars"

El Loto

Kloeden isn't about winning smaller races. Pure and simply they are form builders for the GTs. Remember he won a bronze at the Sydney 2000 RR.

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wicklow200

I think Simoni is already out of it. Top 3 maybe, but 1 min + down on Di Luca already.Setting itself up as a repeat of last year where he lost more ground in ITT and Di Luca even pulled out time on the 'easier' mt top finishes

I would like to see Simoni being in the mix on the earlier stages where Di Luca and other challengers are looking to take time.

Crankyfeet

I hear you... but when Armstrong was racing in the TdF... wasn't he the only favorite? How many GT's did his biggest challenger... Jan, win? Two? Who were the other great (doped) riders in the other GT's during Armstrong's tenure that dwarf today's riders? A younger Simoni? Salvodelli? Heras? Basso?

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