Should be about time, no?

A few more weeks, but yes we'll need to get that going again this year.

Velogames hasn't updated for the Giro yet, but stay tuned.

I have this week's paper copy of La Guzzetta dello Sport in my nightstand!

I'll see what I can do about offering one of these up for the winner of the Giro challenge. Might try to do it for all the grand tours.

Swag!

Is Barloworld racing?

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/117318-2009-giro-ditalia-teams-announced

You're all toast.

Crap! Misread. Barloworld didn't make the cut.

It appears the Italians are not a fan of being awesome.

You really need to find a new team, Scriffer. I'd suggest Festina, Kelme or Mercetone Uno.

too bad i suck at fantasy cycling almost as much as I do real cycling...i'd sport the hat.

So the winner gets one of your sweat stained hats?

Oh, Dave. Don't be mad because Barloworld dominates EVERYBODY.

Next time I'm down for a ride in CS, I might just go with a full team kit. Gotta find the shorts, but I have the jersey and hat. It will blow your mind as I blow away the competition.

quote:

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So the winner gets one of your sweat stained hats?

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If y'all could only be so lucky.

quote:

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Other teams that missed the original list include Pro-Tour teams Cofidis, Euskaltel-Euskadi, Française des Jeux, Fuji-Servetto as well as Pro Continental Team Barloworld.

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Wow.
Those two?

Spanish and French teams. Not shocking the Italians snubbed them. I'm sure we'll see some Italian teams snubbed for TdF and Vuelta.

Velogames said entries could be made on Monday.
I really like that KirkLee cap!

.

Hmmm...

The GC hopefuls presents an interesting list, especially since there will be no Contador:

Rider Team Cost
Ivan BASSO Liquigas 26
Lance ARMSTRONG Astana 18
Damiano CUNEGO Lampre 18
Denis MENCHOV Rabobank 18
Levi LEIPHEIMER Astana 18
Danilo DI LUCA LPR Brakes - Farnese Vini 16
Franco PELLIZOTTI Liquigas 14
Michael ROGERS Team Columbia - High Road 14
Stefano GARZELLI Acqua e Sapone - Caffé Mokambo 12
Michele SCARPONI Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni - Androni Giacattoli 12
Alexander EFIMKIN AG2R La Mondiale 10
Yaroslav POPOVYCH Astana 10
Juan José COBO Fuji - Servetto 10
Marzio BRUSEGHIN Lampre 10
Pablo LASTRAS Caisse d'Epargne 8
Christian VANDEVELDE Garmin - Slipstream 8
Thomas LÖVKVIST Team Columbia - High Road 8
Markus FOTHEN Team Milram 8

Although you need to look at some of the "Climbers" as well for GC.

Definitely another wide open Giro this year with Contador sitting out.

How is it wide open. Only maybe a handful of people are looking to be going for it. Basso and Levi. You could get some random Italian guy coming out of nowhere like when DiLuca won it, but that doesn't seem likely. The time trial sort of takes that element out of it.

Last year was fairly wide open with the rampant use of CERA, but with the test in place now you maybe, just maybe have caught these guys between drugs for once.

It's wide open in the sense that there isn't a clear favorite, ie. Contador. Wide open for grand tours is usually only a small handful of riders.

The Fantasy Giro is now open. Be sure to sign up and join our mini-league.

League Name: TexAgs.com
League Code: 06110759

Team BarloFestiCofidiPhonak is registered and ready to dominate.

And so is Mauricio Soler's Dance Crew.

Allsome!

Dork Disk Demolishers are entered. My entire team depends on 3 riders. I probably screwed myself...

I'd think most teams depend on their GC choices. The key is to find that darkhorse low-point rider that does well in the GC or takes an early lead.

Pirates of the Mediterranean.

If you take any garmin-slipstream riders you are all but certain of getting the 15 points for winning the first stage. Get the right guy from that team and you'll have the first pink jersey for awhile as well.

If any of you are relatively new to bike racing and think grand tours are all about Lance and France, please take a moment to read this amazing article about Andy Hampsten and the day the strong men cried. It still ranks as the most amazing cycling victory for an American. Enjoy!

http://www.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=/riders/2008/interviews/giro_hampsten08

this one, too, while you're at it:
http://www.hampsten.com/Bikes/ClassicRoad/5June.pdf

I'd never heard that story. Pretty wild stuff... can't imagine descending that mountain in a practically frozen 53x14 gear with a sheet of ice on my leg.

Pros are pros for a reason.

I count three reasons in no particular order..

Near superhuman determination, natural physical aptitude, and a big fat dose of self-hatred. It's the only explanation.

Or drugs. Lots of them.

Rollin' With Bobke is ready.

It was hard to choose a team. This year seems kind of a weak year. A few notables and a whole bunch of guys in the middle.