2009 Giro d'Italia Pre-Race Euro Peloton Predictions and Ponderings

The year's first grand tour, and my favorite of the three, the 100th Giro d'Italia, kicks off in Venice tomorrow with a team time trial. On the eve of this great event, EuroPeloton offers a few thoughts to ponder before the race action commences.

Ivan Basso has staked his entire season on the Giro. He has previewed all of the key stages of the event, and has his heart set on a second overall title. Anything less than the top spot on the GC podium will be viewed as a failure for the Italian. He is under huge pressure to have a great ride in his home tour for several reasons. Not only does he want to show that he is still the best Italian stage racer in the world, but he also wants to show that he can be as dominant as he was in 2006. Remember, he never admitted to doping, only attempting to do so. To back up the veracity of his claim he'll need a win at the Giro, nothing less.

Despite what some sites say, Stefano Garzelli has ZERO chance of winning the overall. He'll be lucky to win a stage.

Levi Leipheimer has yet to prove that he can lead a team to a grand tour victory. His form is great, his team is strong and his mind seems right. It's now or never for the Santa Rosa resident. He'll likely never get another chance to lead a team in a grand tour unless he can win this Giro.

Lance Armstrong, as he always does, is playing down his own chances in a grand tour. I think he'll be much better than he is saying, possibly even stealing leadership away from Leipheimer before all is said and done.

Mauricio Soler has been MIA over the past calendar year. He needs at least one good day in the high mountians to build his confidence ahead of the Tour de France.

Tyler Farrar is a tough, powerful rider who has the strength to get over the high mountains ahead of the other sprinters. With a bit of luck, he could take the points title at the Giro.

If Damiano Cunego doesn't manage a podium spot on the GC at the end of the Giro, his days trying to contend in the grand tours will be over. He can say he wants to contend all he wants, but until he actually does it he'll remain a one day/small stage race specialist only.

Franco Pellizotti is good enough a rider to be the team leader for Liquigas despite Ivan Basso. It will be very interesting to see if the "Dolphin" is willing to bow to Ivan from the gun or whether he'll conserve his energy and take a wait and see approach.

Danilo Di Luca, like Garzelli, has ZERO chance at the overall. He should concentrate on taking a mountain stage and the climber's jersey, far more attainable goals for the aging Italian star.

This will be Gilberto Simoni's last year as a professional bike racer. Hopefully he can wring one more stage win out of his home tour before he rides off into the sunset, or the mountians on his mountain bike!

Denis Menchov is the most dangerous rider in the Giro. No one is talking about him despite top five finishes in both the Giro and Tour last year. Sure his team is not the strongest, but it wasn't last year either. He'll go top three overall, at a minimum.

Mark Cavendish will win at least two stages in the Giro, and he'll do so loudly and with great personal fan fare, telling everyone who will listen that he is the best sprinter in the world. He'll win double that amount at the Tour in two months time.

Filippo Pozzato won't manage a single stage win. He'll come close, but with the sprinters assembled he'll be overmatched on the flats. His best chance at a win is out of a breakaway, which nevertheless is highly unlikely.

Fabian Cancellara must have a good time trial ride at the Giro in order to build his confidence for the Tour. He'll be fully focused for most of the Giro, and he'll likely capture a stage win as well.

Cancellara's teammate Lars Bak is a rider to watch for the GC. Although young and unproven, he is waaaay under the radar and will come to the Giro with no pressure. Under Bjarne Riis' tutelage, expect the youngster to put in a decent ride over the next three weeks.

Quick Step's Allan Davis, freed from the shackles of teammate Tom Boonen, will contend and possibly win one stage at the Giro. He is a strong sprinter riding for a team with low expectations for the Giro. He'll have his shot at glory, and history suggests that he'll make good on the opportunity.

The centenary edition of the Giro d'Italia promises to be one of the most exciting in recent years. From top-flight sprinters to International GC contenders, the tifosi in Italy and fans worldwide are sure to be entertained and on the edge of their seat of the next three weeks. Viva Italia!