cosmo_the_third

Can anybody find anything better than this map?

The web page was apparently up around 1am EST, but they've since taken it down. I hear rumors that the non-Italian teams were all boycotting the presentation because it was "too hard."

gmason

The presentation was typical of the Giro. Old (Gimondi , Fondriest, and Merckx) and new (Cunego, Simoni, Petacchi, Di Luca, and Grillo) riders, films of old races, the obligatory acrobatic performance, etc.

Gigi Sgarbozza did a couple of the climbs, and actually walked the last part of one. Snow buildup on his brakes stopped him, though on the "unpaved" climb, he stopped in the middle - probably for health reasons.

There are lots of climbs, and lots of percentages over 20! There is a TTT, and another "unpaved" climb. Looks like it is tailored to the Italian climbers, and of course, Rujano.

I can't wait for the reprise of Un Grand Bel Giro for real!

Stages here: https://www.gazzetta.it/Ciclismo/GIRO2006/tappe.shtml

Various stats here: https://www.gazzetta.it/Ciclismo/GIRO...uriosita.shtml

wabbit

i'm surprised at the 'semitappa'- split stage. I thought they didn't do that anymore since riders protested years ago at the Tour. Only in shorter stage races like the Criterium international or whatever. Also interesting to see a TTT- very unusual in the Giro. It's not really a TTers race.

I wish I'd been able to see last year's.... no OLN or any coverage at all.

gcasillo

A real fan's Giro. Lots to see. Should be great drama. If anyone from OLN reads this, televise the whole damned thing!

Devil

Looks like an awesome, awesome course. Can't wait to see/read about it.

I saw Elvis

Now thats what I call a great course

gmason

Apparently the UCI complained to the organizers, followed by the rider's association. Obviously to no avail.

There is also a new logo this year. First since 1967 I think they said.

The stage arrangement was interesting when current riders were brought up. Simoni, Bulbarelli (RAI play by play), Cunego, Petacchi, Di luca, Cassani (RAI tech and former rider), and Grillo. Simoni's body language didn't leave much to the imagination vis a vis Cunego.

gmason

The official Giro Web site: https://www.gazzetta.it/Speciali/Giro...res/index.html

gcasillo

Hmmm, looks like backwash from the rear tire splashing the rider's back. Colorful though.

wabbit

They're doing the Mortirolo- narstee! The Cima Pantani. He would have loved this giro, it's a climber's race anyways, but this year you'll need crampons, not a bike. Simoni has a good chance, Salvoldelli, Basso would be good too but he's not doing it.Guys like Rujana and Perez will be vying for KOM. I hope Jan does it,even if he doesn't finish. I think a giro like this would be really crazy to do before the tour, it could really fry you. I can see Jan doing it then abandoning so he doesn't get cooked. It's too bad there isn't more for sprinters, though, Petacchi will probably have to aim for stage wins at the tour.

gmason

ProTour Council rejects Giro half-stages

See Cyclingnews: https://www.cyclingnews.com/news.php?...ov05/nov16news

wabbit

good thing... it's a dumb idea anyways. What are they trying to do, kill these guys?

jpearl

Every Grand Tour needs a "gimmick" to spice it up and make it interesting for the fans, the art is doing it without going overboard. The "split stage" was an interesting thought, but excessive given the brutality of this Giro route. The fact that the Giro has the first four days in Belgium, a TTT, and some exciting mountain stages is enough. Paul Sherwin commented that the split stage was unecessary because with those mountain stages in the Dolomiti, the status of the Maglia Rosa should be well cemented before the final day.

Best to leave the split stages where they work best, in the mini-stage races like Criterium Internacional. Otherwise, likes like an awesome Giro coming up. Many of the teams are now rewriting thier agendas, many riders now thinking thier plans. I only wonder now if guys like Floyd, Petacchi, and Simoni might decide to skip this Giro to save themselves for the Giro.

jpearl

Every Grand Tour needs a "gimmick" to spice it up and make it interesting for the fans, the art is doing it without going overboard. The "split stage" was an interesting thought, but excessive given the brutality of this Giro route. The fact that the Giro has the first four days in Belgium, a TTT, and some exciting mountain stages is enough. Paul Sherwin commented that the split stage was unecessary because with those mountain stages in the Dolomiti, the status of the Maglia Rosa should be well cemented before the final day.

Best to leave the split stages where they work best, in the mini-stage races like Criterium Internacional. Otherwise, likes like an awesome Giro coming up. Many of the teams are now rewriting thier agendas, many riders now thinking thier plans. I only wonder now if guys like Floyd, Petacchi, and Simoni might decide to skip this Giro to save themselves for the Tour.

waltergodefroot

What was the "gimmick" in the 2005 TDF?


Which teams are rewriting thier(sic) agendas?

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Looking at the preview at cyclingnews.com, I noticed that the rest days are heavily weighted to the beginning of the Tour to accomodate the travel day out of Belgium. Both rest days come in the first 10 days of the race, instead of being spaced out over the first two weeks to give the riders a rest later in the tour. This means the riders will have 11 consecutive stages at the end of the tour without a rest day. Could be some tired riders in Milano.

The split stage is only 127kms of racing on the final day. The sprinters won't be riding hard in the time trial, and the GC riders won't be riding hard in the 70 mile criterium, so I don't think this is that big a deal.