We got the course, we got the GC contenders--but who's gonna be out there hunting for less grandiose but still eternal glory? Yes, they overlap considerably with the bandied-about names for GC, mainly because I think it's bull!@#$ to expect some of those favorites to really be called GC contenders at all. So besides Bardet and Dumo--all of whom should be left the hell alone pending the very fine results I do think they'll get--who else is on the prowl? For my money (and fortunately I'm too (1) gutless and (2) cheap to put *actual* money behind this), these guys!
Pello Bilbao. Look, I am incredibly reluctant to suggest anything that could remotely screw Mikel Landa over. And I absolutely will not do that here. But if *after* Mikel's GC is secured (okay, *I* won't feel secure til I see 'im on the top step in Milan), he's got time in the bank to let anyone off the leash as a reward, it would be nice if it were Pello, who has been absolutely smoking in shorter stage races so far this season. And of course Pello, Mikel *just* helped you out, so surely you won't mind having to wait a few stages at the Corsa Rosa for your reward for your presumptively invaluable support. You go Pello--after Mikel though!
Biniam Grmay. C'mon, the guy just triumphed at Ghent-Wevelgem. And now, he's got an entire country--and a good half of everyone else on the planet--freaking out rooting for him here. He's got the confidence, the skill, and the tenacity. Forza Biniam!
Bauke Mollema: we already love him for his (1) amazing breakaway prowess; (2) incredible strength; and (3) highly enjoyable lack of an edit function with the press. It may take him a few cracks, and a bazillion kilometers convincing his compatriots to put their heads down and not give up on the break, but I think it's darn near written in stone. Bauuuuuuuuuuuuuuuke!
Lorenzo Fortunato: he captured the mighty Zoncolan while his rivals weaved (wove?) in agony behind him, and frankly, a guy could do worse than having umpteen-Giro winners Alberto Contador and Ivan Basso around to give you advice and encouragement. He's got Gavazzi with him too, who will have his own goals but is surely generous enough to help. Seriously hoping he can pull this off again to shut down anyone thinking he's a one-hit wonder. We'll find out!
Wilco Keldermann: I know, he's a GC contender, I *know*. But I don't think he is, here, this year. Don't mind if he proves me wrong though!
Like Half of EF: they may not be in GC contention this year, but dang, EF has got a heavy-duty squad. You got Magnus Cort Nielsen with the pornstache, Hugh Carthy, Odd Christian Eiking who held the red jersey at last year's Vuelta for about a week, Merhawi Kudus--no way they're heading home without a bagful of Lupo Wolfie dolls!
Esteban Chaves: besides the fact that he's just adorable as a koala, he's a freakin' perfect climber, he's done this before, and his form, after a disconcerting stalemate, is looking up. Anyhoo, he'll certainly try, whether or not he blows up afterwards. Oh Chavito, no matter what happens, we all love you!
Lilian Calmejane. Right, it's his teammate Vendrame who actually took a Giro stage win, but Calmejane always seems to be up there this year. Gotta pay off sometime!
Mikel Nieve: what the !@#$ do you *mean* he's not here?! What were you thinking letting him go Trek-Segafredo?!
Sprinters: yes, I'm lumping them all together because this is the Giro d'Italia, not the damn Tour de France. To me, this is all Caleb Ewen's show, though with Morkov's incredible synchronicity with Cav, it's hard to imagine Cav won't bag at least one stage as well. Or however many it takes for Lefevere not to totally also-ran him for the Tour. Right, and Demare's there too. Well, that about covers all the Giro sprints...
All right, I'm sure I missed about 15 guys who'll win, because if anything is certain about the Giro d'Italia, it's total chaos. Buona fortuna gentlemen--now let's get this hot-pink show (literally) on the road!
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