Dumoulin v Quintana, time trialist v climber | The Giro d’Italia final week wrap
The idea with these round-ups is that I focus only on those stages that affected the general classification. This policy hasn’t proven especially time-saving on this occasion, as the numerate among you will realise upon…
Has Tom Dumoulin monstered Nairo Quintana enough? | The Giro d’Italia rest day wrap
It’s been an eventful week. But what have those events been? Well I’ll tell you. Let’s take a look at the crucial recent moments in the battle to win this year’s Giro d’Italia. When I…
A Giro d’Italia rest day wrap – Quintana into the lead, Thomas stopped by the fuzz
I’ve had a baby. Well, you know, I contributed to the creation of a baby (Niamh) who this week exited her mother. I’m sure you’ll agree it’s still a pretty big deal though and a…
Tom Dumoulin wins another thing (a time trial, specifically)
Wasn’t even close. Tom Dumoulin finished 1m03s ahead of Chris Froome in second and 1m31s ahead of Nelson Oliveira in third. The gaps stretched out from there. It was Dumoulin’s second stage of the race…
Tom Dumoulin wins something other than a popularity contest
Anyone who watched Tom Dumoulin’s six second advantage over second-placed Fabio Aru transformed into a 4m36s deficit on the final meaningful stage of last year’s Vuelta a Espana will surely have celebrated this win. Dumoulin…
Tim Wellens avoids a compulsive attack by being ahead of everyone
Belgian rider, Tim Wellens, is what you might call a compulsive attacker. If there’s any sort of incline with a handful of kilometres to go, he can’t seem to help himself. He usually makes a…
Diego Ulissi can still do hills – but can he do mountains?
I tipped Diego Ulissi as a rider to watch in 2014. He won a couple of stages of the Giro, but then took three too many puffs on his inhaler and found himself banned for…
Tom Dumoulin isn’t planning on winning the Giro despite being in the lead
That’s what he says anyway. He’s all: “Ooh no, I’m all about the Olympics this year. I haven’t even been to an altitude training camp or anything. No-one needs to worry about me. I’m just…
How do you feel about Fabio Aru?
Last week a reader wrote to me wondering why he couldn’t warm to Fabio Aru. It’s a common feeling. For this reader at least, his cycling played a part. “Aru looks like a spasticated muppet…
A reason to warm to Alejandro Valverde
“There were some unexpected moves by Movistar,” said Tom Dumoulin after the stage. What he meant was there was one unexpected move by Movistar, the team, and then about a billion inexplicable attacks by Alejandro…
