McEwen is the only top tier sprinter there, there was only ever 2 and Petacchi got injured. For McEwen, hes no doubt in good shape but winning Giro stages are what hes paid to do. So he really should be in top form. He's by far the best sprinter left in the race and it was realistically only ever going to be between him and Petacchi. He has had it over Ale jet for the past year or so too. Except for Boonen hes probably going to beat all the other sprinters anyway, cept maybe Hushovd who might of gone up a level this year.

Cooke might of ridden had Unibet got an invite and he wont ride a GT all year. Other sprinters are doing the right thing and watching the Giro at home. Good reason too. Just one look at the parcours and you see why. Its intimidating even for the climbers and theres not many stages for sprinters. Even Petacchi had to be talked into riding it and was planning to quit early. A deal had to be struck to exclude a climb in MSR for him show up. Poor bugger, didnt get his MSR win and now badly injury in the Giro.