Velochimp: Astrochimp on Cycling

Sure the Classics are really ramping up with the Tour of Flanders next week, but this past week was big for Giro D’Italia contenders. Ivan Basso and Damiano Cunego came out to play and they may be sparking a reinterest in hype for a Cunego Basso Duel in the Giro. The two hyped contenders of the 2005 Giro may be setting themselves up for the match that everyone expected last year.

Damiano Cunego wrapped up the overall victory in the Settimana Internazionale Ciclistica Coppi e Bartali. The win came about from a decisive road stage win. The sprint that Cunego unleashed was enough to give him a gap of a few bike lengths. That was a sure sign that Cunego is back on form. This year the Lampre squad is working entirely for Cunego, no more Simoni split. Plus is Cunego can stay healthy and injury free to the Giro run up he should come in as a top favorite.

Ever since Ivan Basso’s season started at Milano Torino, he has not been far from the lead group. A strong showing in Milano Torino was followed up a good showing in Tirreno Adriatico. Now comes an impressive early season victory at Criterium International, a race that CSC has owned in the last few years. The two day three stage race saw Basso place second twice and first once. It was a perfect test for a major stage race compressed into one weekend. The Saturday road race does not usually expect to see a move for overall victory, but this Saturday’s race was blown apart by crosswinds. CSC was only too eager to take adantage of the situation. Basso came in amoung some riders that should be far ahead in their fitness since their major season goals are only a few days away. Erik Dekker and Igor Astarloa are prepping themselves for the Classics, so it is only natural that they see the front of the group. The site of Basso on form so early may be a surprise since most major Tour contenders would prefer to remain low key at this time of year.

So in the Basso Cunego duel, who was more impressive this past week? They each won their respective races by goin to their strengths. Cunego took over the lead by winning a stage. Basso remained at the top of the standing and won a brutal hill stage and followed up with a very strong second place in the Time Trial. He only lost by one second, but was very happy with the result anyway.

Basso looked comfortable in the leading role and it is probably a good test to get a feel for wearing a yellow jersey and starting a time trial last.

The edge in the Basso Cunego Duel will have to go to Ivan Basso at the moment. He was able to take out most of the field at the Criterium International with his second stage victory and showed great Time Trialing form. Time Trials will be critical for the Giro this year and with the reintroduction of the Team Time Trial, CSC will surely be licking their lips, they did win the Stage 2 TTT at Coppi and Bartali.

Anyway, it is still March and some of the Giro contenders have already flashed their form. There are still five or six weeks to go until the Corsa Rosa begins, so we will have to keep looking at how the Cunego v Basso Duel shapes up.