Editors’ Picks: We (try to) predict the Giro podium

Here are our rapid-fire predictions for the top-three overall at the Giro d’Italia. The VeloNews editorial staff will make predictions for major races throughout the season.

John Bradley, editor in chief Picks: 1. Vincenzo Nibali 2. Mikel Landa 3. Alejandro Valverde

Nibali is the clear favorite, and for good reason. He’s simply at different level from everyone else in the race. This is also his first tilt at his home grand tour since 2013. He won it that year, and he’s finished on the podium the past three times he’s raced the Giro. (Of course, it’s rare in recent years for him to finish off the podium in a grand tour.)

Landa showed last year that he can threaten in this race, and this season he’s coming off a strong spring that included a GC win in the recently concluded Giro del Trentino. He should be fine in the uphill TT in stage 15, but he’ll need to limit his losses in the other 50 kilometers of time trialing in store. In the end, that’s probably what will keep him off the top step.

How is Valverde going to fare in his first Giro? Much like he did in last year’s Tour. He won’t attack on the big climbs, and he may not even win a stage, but he’ll stay near the front, be solid in the TTs, and arrive at the finish in third place.

Spencer Powlison, news director Picks: 1. Vincenzo Nibali 2. Rigoberto Uran 3. Ryder Hesjedal

With three time trial stages, this Giro is a little different than others in recent memory, and I think that will play in Nibali’s favor. Plus, he’s got a killer Astana team. Uran’s Cannondale outfit is not as battle-proven, but he’ll do well against the clock. With five hard mountain stages stacked in the final week, I think Hesjedal will battle onto the podium, like he almost did last year.

Chris Case, managing editor Picks: 1. Vincenzo Nibali 2. Rigoberto Uran 3. Mikel Landa

Nibali has that special quality to pull something off even though he might not be in perfect …

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