With Mark Cavendish already backed for the points jersey,
Stage 1 of the Giro D’Italia from a betting point of view for us will be all
about finding value for an each/way perspective on the day with three places up
for grabs. With a late route change meaning that the route is not actually 10
laps of Naples, but a four lap circuit with a short climb, this will surely be
a bunch sprint on the wide, flat roads and the extra motivation of the pink
jersey given the time bonuses.
Cavendish, generally acknowledged as the best sprinter in
the world in this situation with 36 grand tour wins already to his name and six
this season, should be extremely hard to beat if his Omega leadout team are
working properly – he’s been left high and dry in some cases, although Romandie
looked to be just an excersise for him – with an unrivalled record.
His main rival well may be Matthew Goss, who was placed so many times in the Tour behind Cavendish last year, but there's young talents a plenty here, and relative youngsters Nacer Bouhanni, Elia Viviani and John Degenkolb are all there with realistic claims of victory.
His main rival well may be Matthew Goss, who was placed so many times in the Tour behind Cavendish last year, but there's young talents a plenty here, and relative youngsters Nacer Bouhanni, Elia Viviani and John Degenkolb are all there with realistic claims of victory.
A superb winner at Paris-Nice before crashing out, he’s now
fully recovered and his second on the opening stage of the Criterium International bodes well for this test, as well as wins in the Val d’Ille
classic and Circuit Cycliste Sarthe. At 15/2 with Betfred he is worth
supporting each/way.
Degenkolb dominated anything flat last year in the Vuelta for Argos Shimano last year and comes here with realistic claims, for all that he’s not been in the best of form so far this year, and stronger claims may be held by home man Elia Viviani, who hasn’t had a realistic chance since the three days
of De Panne for a week but was closely matched with Bouhanni earlier in the
year and has as much ablity as anyone in the Peloton on his day. Betfred will
go 20/1 on him – much too big – and lay 4 places for ¼, which make him the
value.
Advice
1 pt each/way Nacer Bouahanni (15/2 Bet365)
1 pt each/way Elia Viviani (20/1 Betfred, general)
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