Giro

[Stagger]

1. And the top 10 in the overall standing after stage four:
   1. Luca Paolini (Italy/Katusha) 15:18:51"
   2. Rigoberto Uran (Colombia/Team Sky) +17"
   3. Benat Intxausti (Spain/Movistar) +26"
   4. Vincenzo Nibali (Italy/Astana) +31"
   5. Ryder Hesjedal (Canada/Garmin) +34"
   6. Bradley Wiggins (Britain/Team Sky) SAME TIME
   7. Giampaolo Caruso (Italy/Katusha) +36"
   8. Sergio Henao (Colombia/Team Sky) 37"
   9. Mauro Santambrogio (Italy/ Vini Fantini) +39"
   10. Cadel Evans (Australia/BMC Racing)+42"
   

[Richard Head]

I just wonder is the Brailsford announcement is partly to keep the peace. It would be difficult to back Frome as the Team leader if Wiggins is a minute or more up after the first time trial, which is quite possible.
It will certainly be a test of Wiggins if he works the climbs for Frome, returning last years support and yet can remain competitive.

Dave Brailsford/Sky have always used a scientific approach, I would guess that Wiggins will be tested nearer the time to see how much the Giro has taken out of him before they decide on their leader.

In 2011 Wiggins was due to be tested 10 days after the Tour to see if his recovery would be sufficient to allow him to go for the Tour/Olympic TT double but his broken collar bone ballsed up that plan

[Richard Head]

Thinking about Froome and Wiggins and which team they will be riding for next year I was reminded of the words of Gino Bartali quoted in Maglia Rosa (Herbie Sykes):

Pretendere che due rivali convivano è sempre stato difficile.

I was pondering the Froome/Wiggins situation earlier and they were the exact words that came to my mind

[shaunaneto]

Well, that's any advantage from the ITT gone

[Richard Head]

Wiggins lose time to the other main contenders after crashing on the last wet descent

[shaunaneto]

Great ride by Hansen though.

[Richard Head]

Wiggins seemed to lose confidence completely on the descent after his crash. Looks like he lost over a minute on Nibali, Hesjedal and Evans

[Stagger]

Aye, he has never been good going down and in the wet today really showed him up.
Vincenzo Nibali must be the fav now.

[Stagger]

"Time to see how good Wiggo really is on the climbs. Time to see how good Team Sky really are."

Nibali now in pink.

[Witton Park]

Indeed Trev - looking forward to it. Luck doesn't seem to be with them at the moment. Puncture and bike change today and seemed to be way down in the first half. Great to see a GB 1-2 though, even if that's a bit top patriotic for certain members of the forum
If he turns it around he might well get a bit more recognition from some of the sceptics.