Notes from Europe

Updates:

Injuries: Cancellara has another crash, still not quite right. Greipel still hurting from Down Under. Same for Steven De Jongh.

Giro note: one surprise today: Basso and Pellizotti will be co-captains for Liquigas. On the one hand this is well-deserved for Pellizotti, who has shown great talent. Hard to believe he's good enough to win the Giro, but he has come a long way. However, it is also an indication that the team doesn't see Basso as fully ready yet. Is he missing something from his blood? Is he still finding form? We don't know. So far, we haven't seen any sign that Basso, once the heir to Armstrong, is anywhere near his former self.

Jürgen Roelandts is not on form yet (61st in KBK), but don't forget about him as the spring goes on. The man is a real rider. If he continues to grow this year, he will bag a big one.

Lorenzetto has put up some nice results so far, but something tells me it's too early and the competition was too weak. Still, this man is coming along nicely. Some have him tipped for success in the Milan SanRemo. I think he'll find that's another universe of competition. The same is true for the likes of Wouter Weylandt, who just took home the Le Samyn. It's a nice win, but when the classics kick in, Wouter will get woofed.