Giro D'Italia 2016

I hate to say it but I reckon Kittel will win more TdF stages than Cav eventually, he's so utterly dominant, at least as dominant as Cav was in his pomp. Cav's dominance was also a reflection of the incredible strength and honing of the HTC-Highroad sprint train, while with Kittel its just get him somewhere near the front and drop him off and he'll blow everyones wheels off.

Plus hair. Such lovely hair.

I think Cavendish's longevity is fairly unique, but it'll be interesting to see how Kittel does over the next 18 months or so. He looks so dominant at the moment, but I wonder if his lack of racing last year will have an effect on the second half of his season. Pure speculation, but he raced so little last year that I think he'll be missing some endurance come July.

But to beat Cavendish, he's basically going to have to win 4 stages a year for the next 5 years. Which is a big ask. He's 28 later this week, so isn't getting any younger. I think there's always a dominant sprinter, but any period of dominance tends to be 3-4 years max before either someone else comes along who's stronger or they start to lose their edge. We'll see.

But his hair is lovely. Cavendish never had good hair.

Sort of semi-related, I watched 'Clean Spirit' on netflix one night whilst rather bored. It followed the Argos-Shimano team at the TdF and although a bit of a puff piece, I felt Kittel and Degenkolb came across as rather nice, likeable people. Moreso (dare I say it) than Cavendish.

It was also interesting that the team doctor showed the daily vitamins, caffeine pills etc that he gives to all the riders but mentioned that Kittel refused to take any of them.

Anyway, can't remember what my point was. Thus far though, Kittel looks absolutely unstoppable - just so incredibly powerful compared to the other sprinters, it'll be interesting to see how long he can keep that up for.

A week until he retires.

So, as soon as it goes uphill?

Why knacker him out before the Tour? EQS will have stage winning options at the Tour, but Kittel will be their best bet.

Diego Ulissi doing the business for me today! Good stage, thought it would be a procession but it's a GC day.

I've got the Salbutomol Kid too. Go on Diego.

I think he might have this. Yyyyeeeesss boy.

Classy win.

And well done Tom D. Good job.

Hesjedal fucked up there.

When does he not?

First hilly day, Hesjedal dropped and chasing. Just like old times.

Your man on Eurosport just said "this is already turning out to be a classic".

Yeah alright mate calm down.

Think I'll regret not putting Kruijswijk in my team. Thought he'd struggle in the first week but think he'll be right up there.

Valverde is lurking already.

Landa...lol

He was so far off the pace in the ITT.

Sky either brought him into the race to fatigued, or he's ill.
He could be resting up over the first week and become real strong into the 3rd.
Be interesting to see.

He can't TT for toffee. Sky might improve that over time, but it's a medium to long term project rather than a short term one.

He was by far and away the strongest rider in the last week a year ago, and would've challenged Contador if he'd not had to ride in support of Aru. If he's close to that form this year then he'll be in contention again. He'll still lose at least 2 minutes to the likes of Nibali, Dumoulin, Valverde et al in the TT on Sunday, but will have ample opportunity to get some of that time, if not all of it, back in the following two weeks.

Forgot/didn't know he was just a crap tter.

Will be intersting to see how he comes in the end of the race. Could really light it up.

Keen to see how Dumoulin fares, I like him. I think he's honest. And it's a good thing for cycling for a new, honest rider to be leading races.

Man I am nailed to the bottom of the standings. Over 1000 points behind the leader. Come on lads sort it out.

After a strong start, I'm slipping down the rankings to my natural position. Dead last.

Exactly what you want early in a GT - long a lumpy. I reckon a couple of teams might try and make this really hard today. Astana seem to like doing that.

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I could be wrong, but a lot of the climbs in the Appeninnes have steady gradients, so aren't suited to ambush tactics. Yesterday was definitely the harder of the two stages.