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Giro d'Italia
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The Contenders
Start List available
here
General Classification
Nairo Quintana
Started his season in late February taking a stage and the
overall at the Tour de San Luis. Backed that up with 2nd at
Tirreno-Adriatico and 5th at Volta Ciclista a Catalunya.
Hasn't raced since late March after his final warm up race the
Vuelta Asturias was cancelled. Arguably the best pure climber
in the peloton, expect Quintana to be in a league of his own
in the final week. His time trialing has improved but given
the first ITT is undulating and the second almost all uphill
this plays to his advantage anyway. Movistar have improved in
the TTT and they bring a strong team that should see Quintana
pick up a few early seconds over most of his rivals. With the
likes of Andrey Amador, Igor Anton and Gorka Izaquirre he has
strong support on the climbs.
Joaquim Rodríguez
Rodriguez is Mr Consistent in Grand Tours. Has 9 times
finishes in the top 10 and three times on the podium. Since
2012 has ridden 4 and was 2nd at the Giro and 3rd at the
Vuelta in 2012 and 3rd and 4th at the Tour and Vuelta last
year. At 34 time is running out especially with the likes of
Quintana emerging over the past two seasons. Time trials have
normally been his biggest weakness. Will lose time in the
first one but the second is almost all uphill and is much more
suited to him. Has a fast finish uphill and is likely to be
able to pick up bonus seconds. Had some bad luck with crashes
during the Ardennes Classics.
Cadel Evans
At 37 Australia's most successful cyclist is nearing the end
of his career. Has been written off many times in his career
but he always comes back proves those people wrong. Don’t be
surprised to see him do that again. Struggled in 2012 with
illness but has improved since then. Rode the Giro last year
on six weeks notice and finished 3rd overall (might have been
2nd if not for a mechanical issue on the final mountain
stage). With his season built around the Giro expect Evans to
be there. Finished 2nd at the Nationals and 2nd after a stage
win at Down Under. Struggled at Tirreno-Adriatico but returned
to form with 7th at the Vuelta Ciclista al Pais Vasco. Became
the first Australian to win the Giro del Trentino in late
April. With his confidence high expect Evans to step it up
again. Backed by a strong team including Morabito and Sanchez.
His time trialing used to be his biggest strength but has lost
that in recent years on the flat. The hilly or uphill nature
should suit him more though.
Rigoberto Uran
When Wiggins pulled out last year Uran stepped up and
eventually finished 2nd overall. After leaving Sky to assume
leadership duties at Omega Pharma-QuickStep Uran started the
year strongly at Tour of Oman with 3rd overall. Since then has
been much quieter with 31st at Tirreno-Adriatico and 29th at
Volta Ciclista a Catalunya. Improved to take 14th at the Tour
de Romandie but was still far from his best. Very strong on
the climbs and his time trialing has greatly improved as well.
4th on the final stage in Romandie just 15 seconds behind
Froome and 14 behind World Champion Tony Martin. There is
still time for Uran to hit top form so expect to see him at
his best later in the race.
Domenico Pozzovivo
Has ridden eight Grand Tours to date and has finished top 10
in four of those including the last three. His best result was
6th at last years Vuelta and also rounded out the top 10 at
the Giro. Has been top 10 in everything he has ridden this
year starting with 10th at the Tour de San Luis. Followed that
up with 6th Tour of Oman and Tirreno-Adriatico, 8th Volta
Ciclista a Catalunya and most recently 2nd behind Evans at the
Giro del Trentino. Also finished 5th in two one day races -
Roma Maxima and Liège-Bastogne-Liège. Was dropped by Cadel
Evans on the steep final climb on the 3rd stage of the race.
Not great in time trials but again the hilly nature help him.
Will lose quite a lot of time in the opening TTT but expect
him to regain some in the final two weeks.
Rafal Majka
Majka finished 7th overall last year and held the young riders
jersey for a while. After a quiet start to the season finished
4th and the best young rider at Critérium International. 13th
at the Tour de Romandie last week in a sign the form is coming
and is room for improvement. Will lose time in the time trials
but as his form continues throughout the race expect another
good showing by Majka.
Nicholas Roche
The race may finish in Italy but it starts in Ireland giving
it special meaning to Roche. Despite his talent has few wins
to his name and only managed to score his first Grand Tour
stage win at the Vuelta last year. Has only ridden the Giro
once before finishing well down but that was a long time ago.
His best overall result in a Grand Tour also came at the
Vuelta last year where he took 5th overall. Struggled a bit
with the weather and that could prove another obstacle for
him. Was off the pace at the Tour de Romandie but there is
still time to improve.
Robert Kiserlovski
Was a big part of Chris Horner's overall win at the Vuelta
last year. Kiserlovski was usually the last teammate with
Horner on the climbs and took 17th overall himself. His best
results in Grand Tours have come at the Giro with 10th in 2010
and 15th last year. Only 21 days of racing this year and while
has been relatively under the radar has had strong results.
Finished 7th at Tirreno-Adriatico, 10th Volta Ciclista a
Catalunya and 16th at Vuelta Ciclista al Pais Vasco. Hasn't
raced in over a month so his form is unknown. Expect a strong
ride after being given support by his Trek squad.
Michele Scarponi
The winner of the Giro in 2011 and has finished 4th on three
occasions including last year. Moved to Astana after three
years with Lampre-Merida and has had solid results this
season. Scarponi finished 9th at Vuelta a Andalucia and
Tirreno-Adriatico. In a sign his preparation for the Giro is
going well finished 8th at Giro del Trentino. A podium finish
is probably unlikely but could finish in the top 10.
Fabio Aru
One of the rising talents of Italian cycling. Was a key helper
to Vincenzo Nibali last year and this year could get an
opportunity for himself. Astana has Scarponi but Aru is at the
start of his career and on the rise. Just 13 racing days this
year, taking 20th at Volta Ciclista a Catalunya and 7th at
Giro del Trentino where he finished ahead of Scarponi.
Franco Pellizotti
3rd in 2009 and 4th in 2008. His best result in a Grand Tour
since his return from suspension was 11th last year. Finished
6th at Coppi e Bartali and 9th at Giro del Trentino showing he
is on decent form. His best days are behind him, a top 10 is
possible but there is greater competition than last year.
Wilco Kelderman
The 23 year old Dutchman has a promising future ahead of him.
After finishing 17th last year Kelderman is looking to improve
on that this year. Started the year with 5th in Volta ao
Algarve and 12th and 13th at Volta Ciclista a Catalunya and
Paris-Nice respectively. Other than two one day races hasn't
ridden in over a month. A strong climber but the first TT is
where he should gain some time on rivals.
Ivan Basso
Basso has won the Giro twice in 2006 and 2010. Missed the race
last year with injury and has not been on great form this
year. At 36 he doesn't have many years left. Basso finished
24th at Tirreno-Adriatico and 25th at Giro del Trentino.
Finished a disappointing 41st at Tour de Romandie.
Fabio Duarte
Has ridden three Grand Tours with his best finish 28 here last
year. A lot has been expected of Duarte but he hasn't lived up
to expectations. Started the year slowly but has bee in good
form the past couple of months. 10th at Critérium
International and more recently 4th at Giro del Trentino.
Doesn't have the strongest team behind him but if there is a
time to step up it is now.
Ryder Hesjedal
Hesjedal was a bit of a surprise winner in 2012 and has not
done a lot since and has been relatively quiet this year as
well. Only 20 race days in his legs this year with his best
stage race result 15th at Volta Ciclista a Catalunya. Strong
on the climbs but if he wants to be in with a shot at the
podium will need to gain time in the time trials.
Daniel Martin
Martin's best result in a Grand Tour is 13th at the 2011
Vuelta. Another rider with few race days in his legs this
season, with just 18. Took 2nd at Flèche Wallonne and looked
set to stand on the podium at Liège-Bastogne-Liège but a crash
in the final corner took him out of contention. With the start
in Ireland expect extra motivation from Marin for a strong
showing. Will lose time in the time trials so will need to
make it up on climbs.
Damiano Cunego
Cunego was the winner back in 2004 but it is unlikely he will
ever return to that level. A solid season to date including
11th at Vuelta Ciclista al Pais Vasco but the level of
competition here will be much higher. Finished 11th at the end
of April at Liège-Bastogne-Liège.
Przemyslaw Niemiec
Took his best ever Grand Tour result here last year with a 6th
place finish. Was quiet in the early part of the season but
stepped up at the Giro del Trentino. Second on stage 2 from a
chase group of 3 that included overall winner Cadel Evans.
Ended just off the podium in 4th overall. Strong on the climbs
and with his form likely to have improved could again be
fighting for a strong finish.
Maxime Monfort
Monfort has long been a strong performer at Grand Tours often
finishing just outside the top 10, with his best result 6th at
the 2011 Vuelta. His consistency has been on show with him
taking 22nd at Vuelta a Andalucia, Paris-Nice and Vuelta
Ciclista al Pais Vasco. Managed only 27th at the recent Tour
de Romandie in a sign his form is not what it needs to be.
Pierre Rolland
After his top 10 finishes at the 2011 and 2012 Tour de France
a lot was expected of Rolland but he has been unable to find
that form since. A strong climber but struggles in time
trials. The final uphill TT is more suited to him but is still
likely to lose time. Finished 26th at both Tirreno-Adriatico
and Vuelta Ciclista al Pais Vasco. In a sign Rolland is coming
in to form took 23rd at Liège-Bastogne-Liège.
Other names to watch: Mikel Landa, Diego Rosa, Mickel Landa,
Steven Kruijswijk. Ivan Santaromita, and Dario Cataldo.
Sprinters
Marcel Kittel
Kittel is currently the fastest sprinter in the World. Won
four stages of the Tour de France last year and has already
taken four wins this year. Won Scheldeprijs for the third time
in a row. Wasn't in contention at the Tour de Romandie due to
the nature of the course but his 3rd in the prologue shows
Kittel is on good form. Probably wont finish all of the race
but with a number of sprint finishes in the opening week
expect to see Kittel there.
Elia Viviani
A quick finisher Viviani is yet to take his first Grand Tour
win but was close at the Giro last year with 2nd on the first
stage behind Mark Cavendish. Comes in to the race with a high
level of confidence after beating Mark Cavendish twice to take
two stage wins at the Tour of Turkey. Will probably be the
biggest threat to Kittel in pure sprint finishes.
Michael Matthews
After five second places in the first part of 2013 Matthews
took two stages at the Tour of Utah last year. Then made his
Grand Tour debut at the Vuelta and won two stages and wore the
points jersey. Two wins so far this year at Vuelta Ciclista a
La Rioja and a stage of Pais Vasco. Not a pure sprinter but
will be in the mix especially on days that have been harder.
Support from his main leadout man last year Mitch Docker and
the experienced Brett Lancaster who was top 5 on a number of
stages last year
Ben Swift
After a hard season with injury Swift is back and on good form
in 2014. Seven podium finishes so far this year including two
wins at Coppi e Bartali and Pais Vasco. More impressive was
his 3rd place at Milano-Sanremo. With Sky coming to the race
without a big GC contender they will be chasing stages. Strong
support from Chris Sutton and Edvald Boasson Hagen in the
sprints.
Nacer Bouhanni
Bouhanni has already taken five wins this year, all coming in
France including the first stage of Paris-Nice. Has never won
a stage in a Grand Tour, and has never finished a three week
race. Has finished second on stages of the Tour and Vuelta
over the past 2 years. Has a strong team behind him.
Tyler Farrar
Hasn't won a Grand Tour stage since the 2011 Tour de France.
Had a hard couple of years but finally picked up two wins last
year at the Tour of California and Tour de l'Eurométropole.
Not as fast as he once was but had a strong classics season.
2nd at Dwars door Vlaanderen (won the bunch sprint), 8th E3
Harelbeke and 2nd Scheldeprijs.
Alessandro Petacchi
Joined Omega Pharma-QuickStep to form part of Mark Cavendish's
leadout train. With Cavendish opting to ride the Tour of
California Petacchi gets his chance in his home Grand Tour.
His last Grand Tour stage win came at the 2011 Giro. While no
longer as fast as he was, should still be competitive.
Giacomo Nizzolo
A fast finisher but not in that top tier of sprinters. At his
best after a hard stage or on a slightly uphill finish. Won a
stage of the Tour de San Luis in January and was 2nd on stage
1 of Circuit Cycliste Sarthe. Showed good form at Tour de
Romandie with 3rd on stage 1.
Jetse Bol
Not a pure sprinter but is a fast finisher. Yet to take his
first professional victory but has been close a number of
times. After a run of bad luck Bol showed good form taking 6th
on stage 4 of the Tour of Turkey.
Other names to watch: Davide Appollonio, Manuel Belletti,
Edwin Avila, Roberto Ferrari, Kenny Dehaes, Francesco Chicchi,
Francisco Ventoso, Luka Mezgec, Edvald Boasson Hagen, Chris
Sutton and Boy van Poppel. |
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