Italian Ivan Basso is one of the favourites to win the overall event, having won the Giro in 2006 and 2010, while potential challengers include compatriots Michele Scarponi and Damiano Cunego.
For their part, Israel's Jews increasingly regard Arab compatriots as a potential fifth column, after the convictions of a small number for aiding Palestinian terrorism.
Víctor Valdés, the No2, is yet to make his debut and so the 33-year-old former Barcelona goalkeeper is unproven as a potential replacement for his younger compatriot.
There were plenty, in the cities, mainly, who rejoiced in the liberating sense of possibility — the open borders, the cultural ferment, the democratic potential — but for many millions of their compatriots, Putin among them, the collapse launched a decade of humiliation, marked by geopolitical, economic, and cultural disarray.
At once bemused and indignant, the potential first lady of Turkey demands that her compatriots stop judging her, and her spouse, on the basis of her appearance.
The Mexico coach Javier Aguirre said his team's "boys" had the potential to finally bring joy to his success-starved compatriots after his country's all too familiar World Cup exit in the second round.
People were discussing his potential impact in the same sentences as they remembered the effect his legendary compatriot Diego Maradona had on the club in the 1980s.
The worry for Leeds is potential weakness out wide following the loss of their Australian wing Scott Donald and centre and compatriot Brett Delaney rushing back from a knee injury.
"I apologise to my Jewish compatriots for my equivocal statement," he said.Either way, Jobbik is out of tune with its potential allies across Europe.
The American, champion here in 2003 before the Swiss began his five-year unbeaten run, moved a step closer to a potential semi-final date with Federer by blasting Frenchman Marc Gicquel away 6-1 6-4 6-4 and he will next face unseeded compatriot John Isner.
