geneman

"On the inevitable comparison between Basso and Italy's other rising star, Damiano Cunego, Peron said: "I believe it's harder to finish third in the Tour than to win the Giro."




Peron and Basso are both on CSC, so clearly Peron's opinion is tainted ... but, does anybody believe this? I don't.

-mark

don d.

I agree. I would go further though and say it is harder to finish in the top ten in the TDF than it is to win the Giro. I think Peron was being diplomatic.

Jaco

How do you figure?

don d.

The Giro is a fundamentally different race than the TDF. There is little emphasis placed on time trials and there are no real "high" mountains as in the TDF. So the TDF demands more from it's victor than the Giro. To win the TDF, you must be a good time trialer and climber, a more rounded rider. Some would cite exceptions like Pantani, but many questions surround his performances. Look at Simoni, Garzelli, Gotti, Hampsten, Salvodelli, Casagrande, Bugno, on and on. Look at the top three in the Giro and analyze where they finish in the TDF. Generally, they are nowhere. Sure there are exceptions but they are exceptions, not the rule.

It would be interesting to do an analysis of some top ten finishers in the Giro and see where they finished in the TDF in years they did not ride the Giro.

brent_dube

Another fact is the pace of the race.
In comparison to the Giro, the Tour is much more flat out, every hour, every stage. The cumulative effect of all that riding makes a big difference.

Even without analyzing riders performances and the actual shape of the race, it would be easy to assume that the Tour competition level is much higher, knowing how much bigger of an event (in viewing, sponsorship, etc...).

I don't think any rider that knew they could podium in the Tour would commit to the Giro.

Devil

I agree with Don and Brent on all counts. That isn't to say, however, that Basso will definitely beat Cunego.

But we will see.

MacMan

I agree with Peron and I think Cunego would too based on his comment after the Giro that he didn't know if he was "ready" to ride Le Tour in 2005 - an implicit admission that it is raced at another level. Which is to take nothing away from winning the Giro - something we only do in our dreams!

ed073

Moreno Argentin said "The Giro is kindergarten compared to the university that is the Tour de France."

He'd know.

geneman

So it was almost bad for Cunego that he won it. Meaning that he'll be expected to show up at the Giro every year to compete and win. The effort required will essentially make it more difficult for him to place well in the TdF. Catch 22

-mark

don d.

Italians would love to see an Italian win the TDF. They grit their collective teeth in anger at their consistent poor showing in the race. That is why so much was made of Pantani.

But...Cunego has a long way to go before he wins in Paris. I would not bet on him to finish in the top ten in his first, but who knows.

brent_dube

Especially from being on an Italian team.
Like how Simoni was expected to show up and win.
I can't see an Italian on an Italian team winning the TDF in a long time, because of this. I guess it's understandable for the team (their sponsors), seeing how popular the Giro is in Italy.

Gustaf

Peron has a point - Serguei Gonchar finished second this year at the Giro

ed073

He probably did the whole race on a 55-ring!