I'd better be careful - I don't make too many of those.

He says to concentrate on the Olympics but........does this mean they can focus the team around someone who has been tipped as an outside bet for the tour? Das Panzerwagon?'"

With only 5 stages to go (and 4 crucial ones for GC) what are your predictions for the winner?

It really could be anyone from anywhere within the top 15 I would say. With one eye on the final time trial I think a good outside bet would be De Gendt. I had £2 on Hesjedal from the start but een I think he might falter in the high mountains.

With Rodriguez winning today, he might have done enough

J Rod though If I remember correctly is a bloody crap TT'er. Saying that is it another mountain TT like last year? In which case a uphill TT on normal road bike could be a bit of an evener.

I have to say this years Giro has been pretty boring upto now. I think the lack of GC class has really affected the make up of the race and subdued the mountain battles somewhat. Especially the way the breakaways have been allowed to win.

J Rod is a crap TT'er and whilst pretty good in the high mountains he's not exactly a mountain goat. But then again those who are mountain goats are not exactly known for their TT ability.

I do expect Pozzavivo to try something on stage 19 or 20. The way Scarponi recovered from cramp on the descent yesterday makes me see just how much he wants it. Can Hesjadal TT?

This years TT is described as fast and technical. I expect De Gendt to make up a lot of time. And with Hesjadal being a Garmin rider I would expect he can TT. Maybe my few little bets might come off!

It will all become clearer after stage 19 and 20.

Well that was a nice little earner with bets on Hesjadal to win and De Gendt to finish in the top 3.

What have we learnt from the Giro? For me as follows:

1. Basso is a spent force. Wheras Scarponi tried to do something Basso showed no intent other than sending his team to the front to ride for him.

2. Hesjadal showed that his good placing in the Tdf 2 years ago was no fluke. Very impressed with how he stayed with good climbers in the last week of the Giro.

3. De Gendt is more than a one trick pony (that trick previously being to stay hidden for 2 weeks and then win a stage). He has changed the trick now to stay in contention before launching an attack. If he is riding the Tdf and can maintain his form then he could be an interesting proposition.

4. Cav........his Giro would have to be described as unfinished. Could so very nearly have won the red jersey but not quite to be (by 1 point!!). His crash with Ferrari would not have happened had he been in a better position. His loss to Guardini was down to his lazyness (his words). It all comes down to what his aim for the Giro was.....was it to win the red jersey or to get some climbing miles into his legs? If it was the latter then it was a triumph.

So now it's a month of the Dauphine and Tour De Suisse before the Tdf. Got to say I'm very excited about what we could potentially witness here.

I don't think we'll see De Gendt as a force in the TDF this year. It's very rare that riders can keep in condition for 2 grand tours. Hence I would expect him to maybe look at the vuleta latter in the year followed by the worlds (maybe) and then aim to have him as VS's team leader at next years TDF.

Interesting convo on BR about Cav following his Giro and whether we could have the legs to do a full TDF followed by what could be potentially a very tough olympic road race for him. Some are wondering if the Giro was his GT jersey aim followed by winning a few races at TDF. Then bailing out at the first rest day in order to recover in time for the olympics.

Looking forward to the Dauphine just to see if Wiggo is in the form we're all hoping for. Will he go to win it or just use it as a conditioning excercise. Be interesting to see how Cadel rides as well following his early season illness.

Oh good call on the betting front. I'm glad i never bothered as I'd have took crappy odds early on for J Rod.

Schleck, A awarded the 2010 TdF yellow jersey

De Gendt isn't riding the TdF this year as he's getting married just before it starts.

First of all - the only time he'll ever win the Tdf. A bold prediction but not without proper consideration.

Secondly - Is there a more lacklustre way you can be handed what is considered to be the greatest prize in cycling?

Finally. I can't stand doping but I'm not a big fan of histiry being re-written like this. There is talk of some re testing of some of Armstrongs samples. If he is finally proven to have doped then who do we award those titles to? Ulrich? Pantani? Really?