Giro Rain

The weather sure playing an important role in this years edition of the Girod'Italia with less than a week to go. The top two expected protagonists, 2012 Tour de France champion Bradley Wiggins and Giro defending champion, Ryder Hesjedal, both pulled out last week, with the weather obsiously playing a factor.

Wiggin's team SKY said that chest infection was the culprit but it was very clear that the recently knighted MBE was uncomfortable in the wet downhills. In fact, he crashed and lost minutes in the first week of the race. Not a good start for a serious contender.

Hesjedal, on the other hand, was looking good early in the first week, making a serious attack during stage 3 but he then wilted in the first individual time trial, losing more than 2min17sec. From that point on, it was getting bad for the Canadian.

Another contender, 2011 Tour de France champion Cadel Evans, looked good at the start, but he is far from the form that took him to Paris in yellow. He was always at the front but not really showing his face that much. I don't think he'll win the Giro though but if this is his preparation for the Tour this July, it's a good gauge. However, his good form will become a problem with his team this July who I believe will be behind Tejay van Garderen, the American who's on the verge of winning the Tour of California. Team BMC will have a big headache if Cadels form holds up.

But of all the Giro contenders, no one could get to the level of consistency of Italian Vincenzo Nibali. Nibali is stereotypical stage race specialist. He is not a sprinter, not a roleur, not an exceptional rider against the clock and can't even be considered as a top climber. But because he can't do all of these things exceptionally well, he can do it better than than some of the grand tour specialists. And that's why he is here. His only skill that the other Giro contenders don't have is his ability to descend well. He is fearless in the dry and in the wet.

The weather not only affecting the racing but also affecting the race route. Last Saturday's monster climb to Sestriere, was cancelled due to snow and rerouted. In fact, TV coverage started only in the last 500 meters. Nibali didn't disappoint, as he crossed the line with the winner, Mauro Santambrogio and padding his lead as he did. Cadel Evans is now second @1.26min, Wiggins teammate RigobertoUran @2.46 at third and the surprising Santabrogio at 4th. With less than a week to go, I think its Nibali'sGiro to lose but then again, this is a bike race and anything can happen.

Finally, congratulations to my teammate at Cebu Cycling, Francis "Kiko" Lim for placing third in the ITT of the just concluded Tour of Subic……Butuan rocks! I would like to thank my good friends in Butuan, Dr. Cecille Plaza and Dr. Ann Montilla-Espiritu for being such a good host! The folks at Red Palm Suites, were also very nice and accommodating. They should get a raise now!