Simon will lead it for two weeks and then collapse spectacularly to be beaten by the Shark of Messina with his new bionic hand

But in all seriousness, it is crazy hard to predict who will make up the podium of this year's Giro. We should get some great racing

Got your Fantasy team picked out yet?

I need to do this (build a fantasy team around the one week / 10 day stage racing expert Simon Yates).

Weirdly I think that Astana will have a strong race with Vlasvov (spelling might be wrong) and that Sky with a still not fit Bernal will struggle. They seem to be all in for the Tour and seeing the strength of Thomas/Porte/A Yates it wouldn't surprise me if the B team isn't on top form.

Fascinated to see how Remco goes. 

I would put Sivakov in my fantasy team , except he cant seem to stay on the bike ,DQS really playing down Remco , i wouldn't be shocked to see him ride away from everyone 

Now i get to change my fantasy team again 

While it certainly would be exciting to see Remco ride away from everyone.  I'd be pretty concerned if that does transpire. 

Yes JP, it would indeed be a little concerning 

Yeah, Taco wins the day on the bike and with his enthusiasm

THE KID! CYCLOCROSS IS EVERYTHING YOU WANT CYCLING TO BE.

The Babyfaced assassin finally did it.

Watched the stage last night, the full stage was kinda awesome, some great racing! gotta be somewhat cautious just 3 days in, but Bernal and Hugh Carthy looked specially good.

Speaking of impressive; watch carefully and you'll see Sagan ride up the retaining wall and back down again...

https://youtu.be/BxA6xDl-_5E

Is there a reason there aren't headlines about 

Because it’s a little cheesy?😄

I love the addition of gravel but is it just me or did that seem a bit short? 

Jules said:

I love the addition of gravel but is it just me or did that seem a bit short? 

The Montalcino stage will bring full on Strada 

Mark Taylor said:

Because it’s a little cheesy?😄

Cheese is catnip to the cycling press.

That was an interesting sprint. I thought they weren't allowed corners like that in the final 100m?

Mauro Schmid, in post race interview: "I love Strada Bianche; I love the gravel roads." 

Joao Almeida: for a guy who is still looking for a contract that's a helluva way to advertise.

Horner agrees with Jules
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quImIRqO_BI

Hmmm is that a “hotness tag” or am I fucked?  

Ouch.  Horner disses Leipheimer for being a bad teammate to Armstrong.  But doesn't go so far as to dissing Armstrong for his own bad teammate antics.  

I assume DQS told Almeida his job at this Giro was to work for Remco.  It would make sense.

that written, Almeida wore Pink for 14 days last year (a record for a u23 rider) and finished fourth.  Remco hadn't raced since breaking his pelvis, and has never started a Grand Tour before.  Remco might be the chosen talent, but I wonder if DQS picked the wrong horse.  And based on this evidence, methinks Almeida is already set to leave DQS.  

Was kinda surprising to see Remco simply not keeping up with the group in the dirt -- generally, was also surprised he was named as DQS leader from the the start, even feels kinda unfair. 

Remember some articles from a couple of seasons ago that suggested Remco should race cx. Would have paid off yesterday.

Brambilla comments post race were full ugh. He got relegated, btw.

I agree with you on both counts @mugwump; Horner's omissions with regard to Lance seem par for the course at this point. I do think Almeida is at the "fuck it" stage of his contract and just looking to show off in the hopes of a contract where he has more runway. Frankly I'm not sure he's wrong, but the "show" he is putting on is a big "figuaccia" (I'm certain I spelled that wrong).

eloy said:

Brambilla comments post race were full ugh. He got relegated, btw.

I was trying to find the Brambilla move on YouTube and this was one of the first videos that came up. 

Where there is smoke there is usually fire.

Unrelated; I cannot remember a grand tour where the break stuck as often as they have this Giro. It feels like the thin (nonexistent) field for GC is to blame; Sky Ineos doesn't have to chase anything, and nobody can attack.

the last 16ish km of today’s break were full on balls to the wall racing — so good!

How did nobody see this coming?

https://www.velonews.com/events/giro-ditalia/no-hollywood-ending-as-remco-evenepoel-runs-out-of-gas-at-giro-ditalia/