If you enter Paris-Roubaix you know that Arenberg is coming. If you’re racing a crit, dead tired already from 8 previous stages of pounding, you do NOT expect a Fiat to materialize out of the ass of the rider in front of you.

I’m all for tough stages, steep climbs, technical descents, etc. But some danger is gratuitous.

I recall reading a TdF history that said that Henri Desgrange’s plan for that race was to have it be so hard that only one rider finished. Even DesGrange, sadist that he was, never proposed turning fire hoses on the riders or dropping 1 ton anvils on their heads.

The press coverage has definitely been in overdrive. I think Cav’s Slipstream comments and Cancellara’s TT comments were blown way out of proportion.

Yes,if the TT had suited Cancellara, he probably would have rode it, and then dropped out. Did it resemble a cycle-sportif route rather than a typical TT in a modern Grand Tour? Absolutely. But there’s no way he was going to finish the Giro with the season he’s had thus far.

The Milan course sounded like a joke. Giro organizers have been known to half-ass logistics. Organizers need to have some foresight, neutralize the race and enjoy a couple of sprints. The ‘protest’ was a bit over the top, but could have been avoided.

Entertaining races are hard on the racers, but it’s a hell of a lot more fun than watching cookie-cutter TdF stages.

Next stop,BLOCKHAUS!!!