Giro Rest Day: Ricco Hot Topic on Giro Rest Day

Riccardo Ricco is one of the hot topics at the Giro, according to Podium Cafe. Ricco, already having earned the nickname "The Ego" from the Podium Cafe fanbase, is being called out by his fellow countrymen as well, including defending Giro champion Danilo Di Luca. "The Killer" seems to feel that Ricco will lose significant time in the uphill time trial to Astana's Andreas Kloden, who has been quiet thus far in the Giro. However, Di Luca too has a good chance on the course, and should contend, as well as several others.

"Il Falco" Paolo Salvodelli will be one of the favorites in the Giro's first time trial

Even Ricco himself isn't conviced of his chances in the time trial, saying "If I lose two minutes, that would be good. I’ve worked a lot on the time trial over the winter, so I am anxious to see how I will do . . . riders such as Savoldelli, Contador, Menchov and Leipheimer will take time on the climbers; there will be other stages to recuperate the lost time."

Don't be so sure, Ricky.

Simoni will find the going tough in the individual time trial

Of the four names mentioned, Contador, Menchov, and Leipheimer are legitimate climbers capable of defending in the high mountains. Contador will be battling through a small fracture on his arm, which could hamper hisability to maintain an aerodynamic position, but Menchov and Leipheimer are at 100%, and will be ready to ride. Ricco should be careful what he claims, as the brash Italian's statements may one day soon fall on deaf ears.

Kloden knows how to suffer in the time trial discipline

In all liklihood, the upcoming time trial will eliminate several GC riders, leaving them too far from the lead to come back. Expect Simoni, Ricco, Karpets, and Nibali to take significant losses on the time trial, while Salvodelli, Di Luca, Leipheimer, Pellizotti, and Vande Velde should have decent rides. Even if Kloden or someone else wins by a significant margin, there is still plenty of racing---and climbing---left in the 2008 Giro d'Italia.

Astana Giro Bound After Late Invite Comes Through

Trek bikes will once again be at a grand tour, as will Levi, Alberto, and Andreas

RCS Sport, organizers of the Giro d'Italia, have reportedly extended a last minute invite to the Astana team for the upcoming Giro d'Italia. Astana, although not ideally prepared, will still be a great addition to the race. Alberto Contador, Levi Leipheimer, and recent Tour of Romandy winner Andreas Kloden will all be in Italy for the start, to contest the three week grand tour.

Of the three big guns on Astana that will be racing in Italy, Kloden is probably on the best form currently. But expect Johan Bruyneel's team to keep all of their options open, until one of thier star riders definitively shows they are the best for the overall. Kloden will be motivated and confident after his Romandy win, while Leipheimer and Contador will no doubt ride into form during the race.

The introduction of the Kazakstani team creates an entirely new dynamic for the Giro, as race tactics will change drastically with their inclusion. The peloton will have to mark each Astana rider closely, as all three of their team leaders are capable of changing a race on one stage. When the road tilts upward, it will be a real chore for the other teams to control the race, as Contador, Leipheimer and Kloden are all explosive talents. Each will be able to play their own hands on the high mountains, to the peril of the other teams.

So the only remaining question is why did RCS change their minds and suddenly invite Astana? Could this have to do with the UCI's recent announcement that a 'top rider' failed the biological passport program? Could the rider in question be one of the protagonists for the Giro? And if so, will one of the teams invited to the Giro be suddenly uninvited? The next few days should answer most of these questions, as the year's first grand tour prepares to commence this coming weekend.

2006 T-Mobile Rider Sinkewitz Names Kloden as Blood Doper; Astana, High Road Futures in Jeopardy?

Kloden in the 2006 Tour de France?

German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung has reported that Patrick Sinkewitz, formerly of the mighty magenta T-Mobile squad, has revealed to authorities that Andreas Kloden, currently riding for Astana and formerly of the T-Mobile team, was present at the Freiburg University clinic ahead of the 2006 Tour de France the day that Sinkewitz blood-doped ahead of the 2006 Tour.

Sinkewitz is the first rider ever to break the peloton omerta

Sinkewitz's lawyer wouldn't reveal specifics, but did inform the press "that Mr. Sinkewitz gave names, but for reasons related to the case, I can neither confirm nor deny the names circulating." In what could be a huge blow to the Astana and High Road squads, Sinkewitz's testimony could pave the way for new sanctions against both Pro Tour teams.

Kloden's past at T-Mobile could haunt his future at Astana

Already booted from all ASO-sponsored events for 2008, the Astana squad is battling to get out from under the cloud of suspicion created by the previous Astana regime, lead by Mark Biver. If Kloden is found guilty of doping, it would be another log on an already huge fire around the Astana team. Not only would ASO be justified in keeping the team from participating in their events for 2008, but they could then decide to ban the team from all events for 2009 as well.

Skeletor: Biver will forever be remembered as a cheater and a liar

For High Road, the implications aren't good either. With this new revelation, ASO may turn it's cannons on Bob Stapleton's revamped team, claiming that they have not been fully transparent regarding former members of their team. Astana General manager Johan Bruyneel has enough problems cleaning up his team's image, the last things he and Astana need is one more scandal. As things stand, Sinkewitz's claims bring only bad publicity to both High Road and Astana. Sad times for cycling, as more doping-related news hits the streets.

Not happy: Sinkewitz's testimony could have far reaching consequences for Bruyneel's Astana squad