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HuwB

Giro Route 2010

Zoncolan is back!
Bartali

Good ... but on the down side I think a third of the race is in Holland!
Biosphere

Bartali wrote:
Good ... but on the down side I think a third of the race is in Holland!


Isn't it the Tour's turn next year?
MS

Hate to be a downer, but I didn't find either Zoncolan stage particularly exciting, except for the resurgent Pantani angle in the 2003 stage. And I'm a big Simoni fan.

I'd much rather they revisit Finestre.
maffy

Biosphere wrote:
Bartali wrote:
Good ... but on the down side I think a third of the race is in Holland!


Isn't it the Tour's turn next year?


both, but longer for the giro
Beasley

Well, I think everyone knows how I feel.

It's their race, ultimately, but the pantomime gradients aren't particularly conducive to good racing, in my book.
HuwB

Well, if this is right, better give this edition a miss, Mr B:

Quote:
On the subject of cruelty, rumors are a-swirl that next year’s Giro course will involve some silly hard climbing. The Zoncolan and the Plan de Corones have sent their acceptance for next year’s May party. Reportedly, the Giro will climb the Zoncolan from the Ovaro side. A new climb will provide a zesty antipasto to the Zoncolan, and the stage will likely start in Mestre. It’s not clear when exactly the Zoncolan will show up, but late in the second week sounds most likely. The Plan de Corones, meanwhile, will host a cronoscalata on Tuesday of the final week on 25 May. The stage will follow the same course as the last edition, which Franco Pellizotti won.

A stage running from Brunico to Pejo Fonti may follow the cronoscalata and could include the Passo de Mendola. A finish in Pejo Fonti sounds relatively definite, at least as definite as course rumors ever are. Stage 17 also romps around Trentino. Rumor claims the Giro will race over the Gavia and the Mortirolo. An early rumor put a stage finish on the Gavia, but the lack of stage finish sort of infrastructure makes this idea unlikely. Anyway, the Gavia pairs with the Mortirolo like a nice Brunello and a plate of Penne alla Puttanesca. A press release from the province of Sondrio suggests a stage between Aprica and Bormio is in the works, a route that would almost certainly include the Gavia Pass.

If these third week rumors are correct, the Giro will arrive at its climbing finale in the Northern mountains and the Lombardia region. This pattern narrows the final stage possibilities, since a repeat of last year’s Roma finish would require a massive transfer over half the length of Italia. Cue rider protest in 3... 2... Of course, it wouldn’t be Giro without transfers, and rumor suggests that the Terminillo will also grace next year’s edition of the Giro. The Terminillo is in the Appennino in the Abruzzo region. If the rumored final week in Trentino is correct, the Terminillo would have to appear early in the second week to allow time for the Giro to make its way back up to Mestre for the suffering on the Zoncolan.

What about the first week, you ask? Yes, we are doing this backwards. The Session shows her caprice.

The Giro heads to the Netherlands for the start on 8 May. All the rage lately, these Netherlands. After three stages with Dutch people, the Giro returns to Italy. Two stages in Piedmont follow, including a tribute to Fausto Coppi which will visit Novi Liguri. The other Piedmont stage is rumored to visit Fossano. The rumor mill doesn’t seem to know what happens next, though a southward course seems likely from Piedmont, especially if the Giro truly intends to visit the Terminillo in Abruzzo.

Back of the envelope sketch: Three stages in the Netherlands, followed by a transfer/rest day. Two stages in Piedmont. Some stages south, perhaps along the Ligurian Coast before turning inland to arrive in Abruzzo for a hot date with the Terminillo by no later than midway through the second week. Perhaps second mountain stage in Abruzzo, since all good things come in pairs. A turn back northwards, with a transfer/rest day for good measure. Late in the second week, a visit to the Zoncolan with a start in Mestre, which is not far from Venezia. Then, a difficult and mountainous third week jaunt including the cronoscalata on the Plan de Corones and two mountain stages, with the Gavia and Mortirolo providing the climbing finale. A time trial has to fit in there somewhere, of course. Last, a finish in Milano, which is conveniently located near the northern mountains.

The official announcement comes on 24 October, and we can trust Zomegnan to have a surprise or two on the day. Why be predictable? Fickle, all the rage.

Lance Armstrong has also decided to play the unpredictable card. Rumors are flying that the American may ride the Giro d’Italia instead of the Tour of California. The two races run concurrently next season. I blame El Niño. In any case, Armstrong may skip the American race in favor of the Italian party. No doubt appearance fees will decide the deal. Last year, the Giro offered 2 million euro for Armstrong’s presence, but it’s not certain they will repeat such generosity this year. Armstrong to Tour of California: Don’t take me for granted. Me, I expect this story to play out until the last possible moment, generating constant stream of headlines and raising Armstrong’s asking price. He does like his headlines. I’ll be surprised to see Armstrong in Italy, but Fate does like to have her fun.


http://www.podiumcafe.com/2009/10/1/...nesday-session

The Zoncolan climb is the harder one used in 2007, not the "easy" 9.5% average climb used in 2003. The stage will likely be 233 kms long and the hardest side of the Monte Crostis climb should precede the Zoncolan.
The TT is also rumoured to be in Lecco.
Beasley

They've made a brute.

Unfortunately, with that route, brutality is the only thing they can guarantee...

We'll see; to their credit, they've made it notable and gave we viewers something to ponder over the winter.

As for the dutch experiment, probable depend whether they go Amstel Gold rather than ENECO. It's a money spinner; didn't the Vuelta generate a few million euros? Saying that, with the Classics just over, maybe it won't have the same impact.
HuwB

I tend to agree with Beasley and MS regarding the Zoncolan, although, we have only 2 editions to compare.
2003 was a good stage, but ridden from the easier side.
2007 was a one attack procession....or survival, depending how you look at it.

I don't think it's steep gradient alone, that nulifies a race, on the contrary, it's when coupled with length.

The recent Tour of Spain's highlights were Cati, the Monachil and Pandera.
All carry major gradients, but these stretches are not majorly long.
All broke up the usually omnipresent train.

That's why I like the stages where they have a short, sharp ramp, a few kms from the finish. Guarranteed excitement.

I'm amazed, that 5 years on from it's epic inclusion, Finestre appears to be absent again.
Superbagneres

I would prefer it if the Netherlands starts were restricted to races where they would be likely to enhance the race - e.g. Tour Down Under and the Tour of Qatar
Bartali

I disagree re the 2007 Zoncolon.  Anything could have happened .... and nearly did.  It was nothing like (say) Ventoux this year ... in fact it was more like the day Bertie and the Schleks rode away from Kloden.  Just because Simoni couldn't get away.  Just because DDL limited his losses and used Cunego as a yard stick ... it was not IMO a boring stage.
Mrs John Murphy

As long as it is not as ridiculously TT heavy I don't care.

Although I think the RR type TT this year was good and I would rather see a TT like that than the shit the TDF served up this year.
HuwB

Just a bump, with this:
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/g...an-de-corones-gavia-verona-finale
kathy

HuwB wrote:
Just a bump, with this:
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/g...an-de-corones-gavia-verona-finale


I thought for a minute it was implying a TTT up the Mortirolo - now that would be fun Laughing  Laughing  Laughing
kathy

Bump
kathy

For the first time in 21 years, the Giro will not visit Milan.
Me, a fan?

4 TT's for the price of one. (3 totalling 48K, 1 TTT 30K).  I'm not sure what to think of that.  Sounds like Alberto's staying at Astana so Garmin will keep Wiggins and target the Giro.

Of course this isn't official yet.
MS

No Lance at the 2010 Giro.

Hallelujah.
HuwB

MS wrote:
No Lance at the 2010 Giro.

Hallelujah.


Absolutely, but what does this mean in terms of US Giro coverage?

Anyhow, the route will be out tomorrow, around 5-6pmish, CET and it's on RAITRE live. Smile
Mrs John Murphy

It means that they will be covering the far more important TOC and sucking Lance off at every opportunity.

TOC sponsored by Zimmer and Ferrari.
thunderthighs

zoncoln will b egood..but will prove jack shit..
cuz they will not attack on in.. just grind up...

rode it in italy... thsi year...wow...

ciao
MAILLOT JAUNE

bump
kathy

Just caught the second half of the Giro Presentation.

The third week looks very tasty.

S15 - Zoncolan

S16 - Plan de Corones

S19   includes the Mortirolo and finishes at Aprica

S20 - includes the Gavia and finishes at Bormeo

S21 - 15km TT in Verona - the 2004 W. Ch course in reverse, with a nasty 4% climb in the middle.

From what I understood, 3 more TT's (one of them a TTT), and a total distance of under 2000km (?) - so short and snappy.

My FP - Pellizotti - the man who comes good in the third week  - you heard it here first! Laughing
Mrs John Murphy

Would appear to favour a climbing TTer - Super-Climbing Wiggins.

Ironically, the rider who would it would favour the most won't be riding. Namely the Dwarf.
maffy

here be graphics





heavily backloaded
HuwB

Awesome final week.
Definitely not one for a TTer, as it's one TTT, one ITT up Corones and just a final 15km finish, with a climb.

If a climber can't win this one.....
Mrs John Murphy

HuwB wrote:
Awesome final week.
Definitely not one for a TTer, as it's one TTT, one ITT up Corones and just a final 15km finish, with a climb.

If a climber can't win this one.....


It depends who the climber is. If it were Andy Schleck then maybe, or an attacking climber but those are very thin on the ground.

The reality is that the backloading means that as long as the TTer is a strong enough climber to wheelsuck ie Dwarf, Cuddles

Unless Dertie fancies a Giro-Tour double to stick two fingers up at Sir Lie-a-lot I am not sure who 'the climber' would be.
kathy

Mrs John Murphy wrote:


Unless Dertie fancies a Giro-Tour double to stick two fingers up at Sir Lie-a-lot I am not sure who 'the climber' would be.


From his interview on As, I think he might fancy a Tour/Vuelta double next year.
fede40

Zoncolan has to be one of the most boring climbs I've ever seen on telly (despite the huge crowd)...

it's just too much... 22%??? what's the point?!?!?!?!?


very happy about Mortirolo though, easily my favourite climb in the world!

I'm just keeping fingers crossed for a competitive and international field.
HuwB

Contador making all the right noises.....
Meanwhile, Menchov to dump the Tour?

Menchov finished third in the 2008 Tour de France and he may return to win it next year. He will decide in the next month if he will race both the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France, or the Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a España.

Leaving Bobby Gesink to challenge at the Tour.
Dennis has realised his potential limitations. Now, if only Cuddles could do the same.....

Yes, Fede, The Mortirolo is a piece of cake, compared to the Zoncolan! Laughing  Wink
fede40

HuwB wrote:
Contador making all the right noises.....
Meanwhile, Menchov to dump the Tour?

Menchov finished third in the 2008 Tour de France and he may return to win it next year. He will decide in the next month if he will race both the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France, or the Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a España.

Leaving Bobby Gesink to challenge at the Tour.
Dennis has realised his potential limitations. Now, if only Cuddles could do the same.....

Yes, Fede, The Mortirolo is a piece of cake, compared to the Zoncolan! Laughing  Wink


didn't mean Mortirolo is a piece of cake, but we have seen riders attacking on Mortirolo in the past, it has often provided with plenty of action.

Zoncolan had a great crowd all along the climb, but not much action...
Bartali

I really don't agree re the Zoncolan.  It split the race apart in 2007 - just didn't dethrone DDL.
HuwB

Anyhow Giro fans. Gazetta now have Angelo Zomegnan presenting ALL the stages, in detail and in full screen mode, here:-
http://www.gazzetta.it/Speciali/Giroditalia/2010/it/
Something to brighten up GMT. Wink
Bartali

Lovely .... Smile Smile
HuwB

On the wildcard front.
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/m...es-start-in-mountainous-2010-giro
Will they get a card, this year, after last year's misfortune with Mosquera?
Surely, BMC, with Ballan and their other high profile signings, must be top of the foreign list?
kathy

I hope Xacobeo get a wildcard, because Mosquera enlivens any race he rides in.  On top form (which he wasn't in this year's Vuelta), he could win the Giro.  That said, Mosquera on top form, to me, brings back memories of a certain Emanuele Sella.........
Nolte

HuwB wrote:
On the wildcard front.
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/m...es-start-in-mountainous-2010-giro
Will they get a card, this year, after last year's misfortune with Mosquera?


i heard as part of mosquera's preparation this year, he's moving to a bungalow Very Happy
thunderthighs

all smoke and no fire...

ciao

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