for the simple reason that this is the HUGE goal of the year for Basso and he put all his prep into being on top form at the Giro, Lance is trying to increase his form for July and he will be satisfied with his progression, hell he may even get a top 10 GC placing when the race is done. Plus he is getting the attention he wanted to. Basso has been a disappointment so far and his team’s tactics have failed every time. Not that 5th is a bad placing at this year’s Giro, but he surely expected to do no worse than first.

If Lance is in the Giro to prepare for the Tour, to jump around and have fun, to help Levi whenever he feels like it, then he’s obviously having a better Giro than Basso. Because Basso can fail, while Lance pretty much can not.

If Lance is in the Giro to Help Levi win, then it seems like Lance is having a kind of horrible Giro. And we can discuss who is having the worst Giro, Lance or Ivan?

For Basso to have a successful Giro he needs to win.

For Lance, coming back from a collarbone and so much time off as well as his age, he’s doing okay.

Everybody plays up the fact that Lance broke his collarbone in March but Horner fractured his at Pais Vasco and was still had amazing fitness. Having fitness like Lance did, pre-retirement, and still staying in shape, I expected him to be very good. Basso just needs to race a lot more so he can totally be on top of his game.

Basso didn’t even look winded (great poseur – I am sure he was stuffed)

Your question is difficult as it’s hard to read “the trend”

Armstrong seems pretty amazing given his injury recovery. (and despite me being one of his recent critics: that he is a lousy and selfish super domestique – I am a fanboy).

Basso has looked willing to risk and attack even against the best – surely hope for his supporters. I think he is so elegant as a rider. If he is still improving fitness then watch out.

To answer your question: I think Contador is having a great Giro …. as I still see him as TdF fav).

My 2 francs – but then I have never cracked the top VDS 100 (yet!!!!!)

Because so far his team leader has a 13 second advantage over Armstrong’s.

Franco Pellizotti +3:08
Levi Leipheimer +3:21

Lance looks stronger and stronger as the Giro goes by, he was never going to be a serious candidate for the GC, even if he hadn’t broken his collarbone earlier.
For a 37y, almost 4 years out of the sport, with a bad crash and big surgery 6 weeks ago, I’m impressed how well he is riding.

Wonder if Bert is impressed?

Basso is far from his ET form in 2006, but he has targeted this race for the last 2 years. I do think he will end up on the podium when all is said and done, he looks very good and has the best team around him.

Been wrong many times before though….

but anyone who gets dropped every time in the mountains, cannot be seen as having a good race.

Basso did basically what I was expecting from him. He was never a good TTer, if you don’t count 2006 Giro. and he can’t sprint, that’s his time difference to the Killer and Menchov here. so I’m not disappointed.

Oh and Cunego indeed is having the worst Giro!

Cunego is having the worst Giro. Even if he says that he can’t win the Giro, that’s not what Lampre is hearing. But they aren’t exactly lighting it up as a team either. Basso’s Giro would be good if the fans and press weren’t expecting so much more. LA’s Giro is going good considering there’s no pressure on him. If he does well, he does well. If he doesn’t, he’s not getting paid to ride anyway. For LA, it’s already mission accomplished because of all the press he’s been getting which was the main goal anyways.

But Lance’s goal is BLAH BLAH LIVESTRONG, and he’s sure as hell getting a lot of the attention he wants.