"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Who's excited about the Giro!

I can't wait for the Giro to start! Even if Basso's out, I think it'll be super exciting. They've set up a really cool race this year and it looks much tougher than the TDF. I think, for me, Cunego's the favorite (assuming no Basso). Discovery's out with Popyvich their Basso replacement. While Cunego does have to deal with two former two-time Giro winners (Simoni and Savoldelli), both are 34 yrs old and 36 and I think Cunego has a better support team. Plus Cunego won at age 22 and is now, at 25, entering his prime.

The stage I'm most excited about will be stage 17, where they hit the Zoncolan! Check out this profile:
http://giroditalia2007.gazzetta.it/clists/cimgs/3/Tappa17_Salita_1.jpg

TWO gradients above 20% and three of 18% or higher! That mountain's going to knock out a lot of riders.

Jesus christ, now thats a climb that will make you passout.

Definatly going to blow the field to pieces.

Christ. 15% average over 6km?

That's brutal.

That's just unreal!

Even worse, they're hitting that thing after 135km of racing :eek:

That's just unreal!

Even worse, they're hitting that thing after 135km of racing :eek:

After a good blood transfusion that'll feel like a warmup to those guys;)

even though this isn't the last climb of the day, i'm curious to see how fast the pros go up this

http://giroditalia2007.gazzetta.it/clists/cimgs/3/Tappa15_Salita_2.jpg

to give you an idea as to how fast a disgraced, former pro went up it: raimundas rumsas climbed it in just over 33 minutes last year, where as a mortal such as myself needed 57 minutes to climb it (fwiw i wasn't racing, rumsas was ;)).

even though this isn't the last climb of the day, i'm curious to see how fast the pros go up this

http://giroditalia2007.gazzetta.it/clists/cimgs/3/Tappa15_Salita_2.jpg

to give you an idea as to how fast a disgraced, former pro went up it: raimundas rumsas climbed it in just over 33 minutes last year, where as a mortal such as myself needed 57 minutes to climb it (fwiw i wasn't racing, rumsas was ;)).
57 minutes? :eek: I'd need two days and bottled oxygen.

57 minutes? :eek: I'd need two days and bottled oxygen.

i doubt it. i'm far, far, far from the best climber in the world.

Christ. 15% average over 6km?

That's brutal.
Yeah, but seeing that those numbers are in kilometers, when you convert it to U.S. measurments, it's only 3.6 miles and about a 10% grade... tough but still manageable. ;)

There's a climb around here that's 2 miles at 12.5%, pretty ridiculous...I can't even imagine 15% for nearly twice as long.

i doubt it. i'm far, far, far from the best climber in the world.
Well maybe not two days, but I don't exacly dance on the pedals or climb like an angel either. The problem is that there's nothing around here to compare it to. So I have no idea.

Yeah, but seeing that those numbers are in kilometers, when you convert it to U.S. measurments, it's only 3.6 miles and about a 10% grade... tough but still manageable. ;)

Actually it's a 10.1K climb at an average of 12%. A mile is .62137 kilometers, so at 10.1 K, that's basically 6.2 miles.

A 6.2 mile, 12% climb is brutal by itself but after riding 135 kilometers (84 miles), it's a killer.

NOTE TO BOTTO: Are you sure you didn't climb the other side of Zoncolan? Still tough but not quite this crazy. I'm just surprised if you can go up this thing at 6.3 mph for the entire 6.27 miles with sections at 20%+ and an avg. of 12%. If so, you ARE an incredible cyclist.

Yeah, but seeing that those numbers are in kilometers, when you convert it to U.S. measurments, it's only 3.6 miles and about a 10% grade... tough but still manageable. ;)

:roflmao:

Kilometers to miles gradient conversion - PRICELESS!

On a side note, Ill be in stockholm late may, and my roomates are studying in rome throughout the summer. Plan is to fly to rome hang out with my roomates then see the final stage of the giro. June 3rd.

Giro is my favorite GT, cant wait! The Zoncolan climb looks ridiculous, almost too much so to be appropriate for a race - I'll bet the peleton is hoping for a snow day to cancel that climb. I think the smart money is on Cunego, but then again, I'm a fan so I'm biased. I loved watching him ride away from Gibo a few years ago.

On a side note, Ill be in stockholm late may, and my roomates are studying in rome throughout the summer. Plan is to fly to rome hang out with my roomates then see the final stage of the giro. June 3rd.

I wish. Could you cover my airfare? :D

I wish. Could you cover my airfare? :D

I'll cover your airfare if you cover my new BMC Time Machine

I'll cover your airfare if you cover my new BMC Time Machine

Sure. What would you like it covered with? newspaper, wrapping paper...? :D

Sure. What would you like it covered with? newspaper, wrapping paper...? :D

Diamonds.

:roflmao:

Kilometers to miles gradient conversion - PRICELESS!

I'm so glad somebody else noticed that!

Diamonds.

LMAO, didn't see that one coming! Nicely played.

So how will you be following the giro this year (since the adobe tracker won't be)?

Lots o' switchbacks, too. These guys definitely have snazzy topo software. ;)

http://giroditalia2007.gazzetta.it/clists/cimgs/3/Tappa17_Plan3D_1.jpg

So at the risk of making my knees ache even more.... What kind of gearing are those guys likely to use for a stage like that?

What kind of gearing are those guys likely to use for a stage like that?
That all depends on which of the Compact v Triple threads they've been following in the Roadie forum...

Actually it's a 10.1K climb at an average of 12%. A mile is .62137 kilometers, so at 10.1 K, that's basically 6.2 miles.

A 6.2 mile, 12% climb is brutal by itself but after riding 135 kilometers (84 miles), it's a killer.

NOTE TO BOTTO: Are you sure you didn't climb the other side of Zoncolan? Still tough but not quite this crazy. I'm just surprised if you can go up this thing at 6.3 mph for the entire 6.27 miles with sections at 20%+ and an avg. of 12%. If so, you ARE an incredible cyclist.

i'm referring to the Giau, not the Zoncolan.

Diamonds.


Make sure there's at least one in there at 2C for your fiancee so she can have one
bigger than what all her friends have

Make sure there's at least one in there at 2C for your fiancee so she can have one
bigger than what all her friends have

Since they're carbon-based, can't I just heat up and smash a bunch of small ones together to make one big one?

:roflmao:

Kilometers to miles gradient conversion - PRICELESS!
I'll take that climb on ... in furlongs please! :p :D

I'll take that climb on ... in furlongs please! :p :D

Since a furlong is about .2 kilometers, doesn't that make the gradient about 45%. :rolleyes: Man, you are a BEAST! :eek: I think that you need to measure the climb in lightyears, in which case it is as flat a pool table.:)

I will be in Brescia, near Verona at the end of May, I am missing the Lavaredo stage so I might check the time trial or go to Vestone for the start of the last stage.
Ciao
Paolo

I will be in Brescia, near Verona at the end of May, I am missing the Lavaredo stage so I might check the time trial or go to Vestone for the start of the last stage.
Ciao
Paolo

Any idea when/where they release the actual stage routes (i.e. the roads)?

Any idea when/where they release the actual stage routes (i.e. the roads)?

usually not until VERY late in the game.

even though this isn't the last climb of the day, i'm curious to see how fast the pros go up this

http://giroditalia2007.gazzetta.it/clists/cimgs/3/Tappa15_Salita_2.jpg

to give you an idea as to how fast a disgraced, former pro went up it: raimundas rumsas climbed it in just over 33 minutes last year, where as a mortal such as myself needed 57 minutes to climb it (fwiw i wasn't racing, rumsas was ;)).

Were the authorities after him again? Or was his wife in the car behind him?

;)

I love the Giro. It's the only place in the world where a guy looks great in pink.

Since a furlong is about .2 kilometers, doesn't that make the gradient about 45%. :rolleyes: Man, you are a BEAST! :eek: I think that you need to measure the climb in lightyears, in which case it is as flat a pool table.:)

Oops - I think I meant leagues. :o

im very excited for this race but im excited for just about any race.

Were the authorities after him again? Or was his wife in the car behind him?

;)
I thought his wife was in jail, or was it her mother for taking all that stuff. :D

So, I know I'm coming in late here, but did Disco really confirm that they are going with Popo as team leader for the Giro? Who else is in the lineup?

They said that it'd be Basso and Popovych as the two GC guys. Levi won't be there.

This i from before Basso got grounded, but Bruyneel said:

"We'll go with the two big guys -- Basso and Popovych. Popovych is also looking for a strong overall placing..."

So with Basso out, it's popo.

Thanks donhummy.

I was pretty excited about it before Basso got suspended. I still think it will be exciting. However, I think you're looking at domination by Cunego. He is in great form and has prepared specifically this year to minimise the damage in the TT. I really think he will ride away with it. The sprint competition will be the most interesting part of the Giro this year.

I am certainly excited for the Giro.

Forza Cunego!