Who's going to wear the pink leader's jersey on the podium in Milan at the close of this year's Giro d'Italia? It's anybody's guess.
Defending champion Ivan Basso was a sure favorite until he dropped out, and American Tyler Hamilton (Tinkoff) wanted to make a strong try for it until he was yanked out.
What's left are the winners from 2000 through 2005, and a host of young talent. The race begins Saturday and runs through June 3.
Among the remaining favorites is two-time winner Gilberto Simoni (2001 and 2003) who is riding for Saunier Duval – Prodir. VeloNews is touting Simoni (who recently raced in the 2007 Tour de Georgia) as a likely winner, given that he's finished no lower than third in seven of his last eight Giro bike races.
Among the other favorites are former winners Paolo Savoldelli (2002 and 2005) racing for Astana and Damiano Cunego (2004), riding for Lampre. Another former winner is Stefano Garzelli (2000), who suiting up to lead the Acqua Sapone team.
One this all these former winners have in common is that they are Italians. The Giro has been won by Italians every year since Ivan Gotti started the run in 1997. Also in the hunt for Italians will be Danilo DiLuca on Liquigas.
Mentioned among the possible favorites this year is Discovery Channel's Yaroslav Popovych of the Ukraine, who finished third in the Giro in 2003.
Americans
The only American to win the race was Andy Hampsten in 1988, riding for the 7-Eleven cycling team.
There are three US riders in this year's race. Discovery Channel's George Hincapie (left, last year's US road race champion) is competing in his first Giro. The US time trial champion Dave Zabriskie is riding for Team CSC and Aaron Olsen will ride for T-Mobile.
Also from North America, Canada's Michael Barry is riding for T-Mobile and Julio Alberto Perez Cuapio of Mexico will ride for Camerica Panaria.
Writers at CyclingNews and VeloNews have written about their favorites.
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