The first of the 3 Grand Tours in 2013 is the Giro D'Italia. It's the 96th edition of Italy's biggest cycling race, and with over 3000 kilometres, the riders will face a real challenge.
History
65 of the previous editions had an Italian winner, with Ivan Basso being the last one in 2010. Alfredo Binda, Fausto Coppi and Eddy Merckx are the record winners, with each 5 wins.
In 2012, the fans saw a fantastic duel between Spanish Igor Antón and Luxembourg Andy Schleck. Schleck was in the maglia rosa, but Antón took over the lead at the slopes of the legendary Passo dello Stalvio in the penultimate stage, winning his first GT just as the first for the Basque Euskaltel team. Michele Scarponi won the battle with Vincenzo Nibali for becoming the best Italian rider in the GC, and took the third place overall.
The route
The Giro starts with a lot of history this year, combining to ancient European civilizations. The start is in Greece, where legendary places as Marathon, Athens and Olympia are visited.
Summary:
- 21 stages.
- A total of 3391 kilometres.
- 117 TT-kilometres, consisiting of 42 TTT, 40 mountain ITT and 35 flat ITT.
- Further 9 flat stages, 3 hilly stages and 6 mountain stages.
- 3 uphill finishes and 4 mountain top finishes.
Stage 1-3
As said before, the Giro starts in Greece with a 42km TTT from Marathon to Athens. Yes, the route and distance that is known for the Marathon! The next day the ride in the surrounding of Athens, with 3 final lap of the '04 Olympic road race circuit. Puncheurs have a chance here, or the sprinter team can let it end in a mass sprint. The 3rd stage from Korinthos to Olympia, the birth place of the Olympic Games, brings an historical end to the 3 days in Greece.
Stage 4-6
The Giro transfers to the heel of Italy and arrives in Lecce. The riders ride to the North-West in stage 4 to the province of Basilicata. After a flat first part, there are some tough hills in the last part, including an uphill finish in the town of Matera. In the 5th stage, the riders go back to the Adriatic coast, with a flat stage towards Bari. We continue riding along the Adiatic shore in stage 6, as we head to the North to the town of Termoli.
Stage 7-9
The next 3 stages are a perfect mix of what this edition of the Giro has to offer. Stage 7 is the first mountain stage in this Giro. It's short, only 118 kilometres, but brings the riders to the Passo della Maielletta, just above Passo Lanciano, in the province of Chieto in the Abruzzo. The riders finish after a 14km climb with an average gradient of 8%.
After hard work in stage 7, an easy day awaits with stage 8, when the riders finish near the Tirrenec sea in Fiumicino and will give the sprinters another chance. Stage 9 is very dangerous for the GC-contenders, as it brings them to Montepulciano in Tuscany and includes 18 kilometres of Strade Bianche and lots of short steep climbs. A taste of the great Vino Nobile-wine awaits the riders at the finish, after a steep uphill last kilometre.
Stage 10-12
We stay in Tuscany in stage 11, with the start in probably the most beautiful city in Tuscany: Siena, with it's Duomo and Il Campo. After a flat stage, the riders finish after 206km in another historical city, namely Firenze with the famous Duomo and Ponte Vecchio. Expect a mass sprint here.
After a short transfer to the North, the riders leave the region of Emilia-Romagna, before they enter the region of Veneto, with a finish in Valdagno. Hilly riders have a chance here, with the summit of the Passo Zovo (max. gradients of 14%) only 7km before the finish. The next day, we stay in Veneto with the 2nd mountain stage from Schio to Asiago. Halfway the stage awaits the Monte Grappa, which means 19 km of climbing at an average gradient of 8%, to an altitude of 1775metres.
Stage 13-15
In stage 13 we visit the regions of Trentino (start) and Lombardia (finish). It features 2 tough climbs, with first the Passo dei Croce Domini, and a finish at the Plan di Montecampione (20km at 7.5%). This stage will for sure shake up the GC!
After 2 tough stages, the riders get some rest. First, we enter Switzerland and finish in Lugano, and the next day we go back to Italy to the town of Varese. That stage, stage 15, is the longest of this Giro with 247 kilometres. In Varese, the city that hosted the 2008 World Championships with Alessandro Ballan winning the RR, the last 2.5km are uphill, so expect a difficult finish before the 2nd rest day.
Stage 16-18
During the rest day, the riders transfer to the West to the region of Piemonte. In stage 16, only 40 kilometres are waiting for the riders. But in these 40km, 1907 height metres await at an average gradient of 4.7% and the finish at an altitude of 2520 metres. Mountain ITT!
The next day awaits the queen's stage and for the 3rd time this Giro, we are outside Italy. Riding the Colle d'Agnello, we enter France, were the Col d'Izoard and the Col du Lauteret bring the riders to Bourg d'Oisans, and the famous Alpe d'Huez awaits, and the finish after 209km.
Stage 18 is another tough mountain stage, with first the Col de Vars and the Col de Larche. Back in Italy, 2 very difficult climbs await, the Colle della Fauniera (22km at 7.1%) and the Colle di Sampeyre (15.6km at 8.5%). A 34 kilometre descend brings the riders to the finish in Dronero.
Stage 19-21
After these 3 horrible stages, the GC-contenders face 2 tough challenges. First a 34km ITT to Savigliano, with most of the route slightly going downhill. Stage 20 will decide the GC, with first the Colle delle Sestriere and then the Colle delle Finestre and the gravel roads to the Colle della Assietta, before the uphill finish to Grand Puy, just outside Pragelato.
Stage 21 is the last stage and is a 105km criterium in Torino. Qustion is if any sprinters is still present here.
Igor Antón
The 2012 winner is here to defend his title. Euskaltels Igor Antón has has a busy season so far, with already 39 racedays. Can he take his great form from the Vuelta a País Vasco from early April to the Giro? The amount of mountain stages will suit him, just as the MITT. Question is if the TTT and the finale ITT will cost him too much time?
Prediction: 2nd place
Robert Gesink
The 2011 winner is back in the Giro to reclaim his title. Robert Gesink has focussed on this Giro, with only 17 race days so far and no results to mention. The combination of being the best climber and time trialist of the GC-contenders, and riding in the strongest team present (also for the TTT!) make him THE favourite to win his 2nd Giro.
Prediction: Overall winner.
Michele Scarponi
Michele Scarponi is still aiming for the Giro-win, but it'll be tough for him to do so. His 2 biggest disadvantages are his fairly weak ITT and the weak Nespresso-team for the TTT. Nevertheless, in the mountains he can hurt everyone.
Prediction: Top 3.
Cadel Evans
Just as last year, Cadel Evans will do the Giro-Tour double. He has the abilities to win this Giro, but the question is if he will start with the goal to win, or just to prepare for the Tour.
Prediction: Top 5.
Ivan Basso
The 2010 Giro-champion Ivan Basso has switched teams again last winter. He now rides for Team Sky, and at the age of 35, it's probably his last chance to get a podiumspot. But then he has to prevent loosing a lot of time in the first week, just as the last 2 years.
Prediction: Top 10.
Wilco Kelderman
Being the main contender to win the U25-ranking, young Dutch Wilco Kelderman is also a contender for the top 5 in the GC. Question is if he gets a free role, or has to help his leader Robert Gesink. Time will tell. His season so far was great with winning the GC of the Tour of Oman and the Volta a Catalunya, and a 2nd place in Tirreno - Adriatico.
Prediction: Top 10.
Ryder Hesjedal
Canadian Ryder Hesjedal has had a pretty disappointing season so far, and is looking for a Top 5 in the Giro. His allround abilities should bring him to that result.
Prediction: Top 5.
After 21 stages, this awaits for the winner: the trophy and the kisses! Edited by dienblad on 23-06-2012 15:01
Of course, the 7 GC-favourites are the main contenders to win the KOTM-jersey, the maglia azzurra. But there are some other great climbers that are capable of winning it.
Mikel Nieve
Spanish Mikel Nieve is one of the better climbers of the peloton, but has a pretty weak TT. The Astana-rider probably focusses at the KOTM-ranking instead, and probably entering the GC top 10.
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha's Joaquím Rodríguez is the best hilly rider in this Giro, and prooved it with winning the Amstel Gold Race and a 3rd in Liège - Bastogne - Liège. But as he's getting older (34 years), his climbing abilities start to deteriorate.
Pierre Rolland
Another rider who rides the Giro probably as a preparation for Le Tour. French Pierre Rolland is developing into one of the world's best climbers and will probably have a shot at a stage win and the KOTM-jersey.
José Rujano
Venezuelas José Rujano has a good chance in finishing inside the Top 5 of the GC, just like he did in 2011 with the 3rd place and the 5th in 2012. But then he must prevent loosing time in the TTT and the ITT, as well as in the many flast stages, as that are his weak points. His strongest point his his climbing ability.
Simon Spilak
Last year, Lampres Simon Spilak finished in the 6th place in the GC. This year, he'll be helped by Samuel Sánchez to help him entering the top 5. He has the abilities to do this.
We take a look back at the 5 best sprinters in this Giro. Will one of them win the maglia rosso, are will that jersey go to a GC-contender again?
Tyler Farrar
With 3 stage wins in 2011, and 5 stage wins in the Tour of 2012, Omega Pharma's Tyler Farrar is probably the best sprinter present. He's able to go over smaller hills with the peloton, so has more chances than his sprint-opponnents.
Matthew Goss
Australian Matthew Goss has a pretty disappointing season so far, without any win. But wins he's in form at the right moment, he can beat them all.
Andrea Guardini
Italy's fastest sprinter Andrea Guardini has to do it all by himself, has his Farnese Vini-team isn't strong enough to set up a good sprint train. But when chosen the right wheel, Guardini is capable of winning one of the mass sprints.
Marcel Kittel
Monster Energy's Marcel Kittel is the sprinter with the highest top speed, but has 2 minor things: a team that will be formed to win the GC with Gesink, and a DS who tends to screw mass sprints. Nevertheless, expect at least one 1 from him!
Alessandro Petacchi
The old fox is looking for one more trick! Alessandro Petacchi is already 39 years old, but still fast. Will it be enough to put one more win at his enormous palmares?
Maglia bianca
***Wilco Kelderman ** Diego Ulissi (Liquigas) * Mikel Landa (Euskaltel), Enrique Sanz (Movistar).
Edited by dienblad on 23-06-2012 14:59
sutty68 wrote: @dienblad,really like the jersey reports, very nice
Thank you! I've tried to make something of it. And @ all: thanks. I can already tell you that we had a "pretty" good start in the TTT. Report probably later tonight.
sutty68 wrote: @dienblad,really like the jersey reports, very nice
Thank you! I've tried to make something of it. And @ all: thanks. I can already tell you that we had a "pretty" good start in the TTT. Report probably later tonight.
The 96th edition of the Giro d'Italia starts in Greece with a Team Time Trial. The riders face 42 kilometres between Marathon and Athens, a distance that was used for the marathon. The first half of the route is pretty flat, whereas in the second part, the riders face a long climb with low gradients. The last 10km are downhil a bit towards Athens.
Team Sky, with GC-contender Ivan Basso in the ranks, is one of the first teams to start the TTT and they set the best time so far, the first to go under 1 hour, in 59'51.
That time won't last long, as Radio Shack - Nissan are 14 seconds faster. With good time trialists as Janez Brajkovic, Christian Vande Velde, Jens Voigt and Thiago Machado, they need 59'37 for the 42 kilometres.
The question is how much time Igor Antón and the Euskaltel - Euskadi team will loose today. But when they are riding their 42 kilometres, the question switches into how much time they will gain. Euskaltel finishes in the same time as Radio Shack, and take the lead!
Next to start is Monster Energy - Subway. As we have selected many good time trialists (Kelderman, Gesink, De Gendt and Bobridge all even TT 78!), we are faster at the 2nd split (1st sector '30 behind Euskaltel, but '27 faster at the 2nd split time). Arriving in Athens, we can see Euskaltel riding in front of us and finish in an astonishing fast time of 57'56, with an average speed of 43.5km/h. 1'41 faster than Euskaltel...
Lampre - Generali, with Italian TT-champ Adriano Malori, and decent timetrialists as Samuel Sanchez and Simon Spilak in the team, disappoint being 2'18 slower than us.
Ryder Hesjedal and his team Garmin - Barracuda do a great job, finishing in 59'18, setting the 2nd best time so far. Nevertheless, Hesjedal already looses 1'22 to Gesink!
Team Katusha with GC-contenders Cadel Evans and Joaquím Rodríguez, manage to minimize the damage, loosing a little bit less than 2 minutes (+ 1'50).
Michele Scarponi knows that he will loose a lot of time today. In te end, he and the Nespresso - Algarve team finish 2'36 behind Monster Energy - Subway.
1st split time (10km):
1. Euskaltel 14'10; 2. Lampre +3; 3. Radio Shack +4; 4. Garmin +6; 5. Katusha +7; 18. Monster Energy +30.
2nd split time (25km):
1. Monster Energy 35'40; 2. Garmin +21; 3. Euskaltel +27; 4. Radio Shack +28; 5. FDJ +42.
Finish:
1
Monster Energy - Subway
57'56
2
Garmin - Barracuda
+ 1'22
3
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 1'41
4
Radio Shack - Nissan
s.t.
5
FDJ
+ 1'47
6
Katusha Team
+ 1'50
7
Movistar Team
s.t.
8
Sky ProCycling
+ 1'55
9
Pro Team Astana
+ 2'08
10
Sony Ericsson
+ 2'11
11
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 2'12
12
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 2'13
13
Lampre - Generali
+ 2'19
14
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
+ 2'24
15
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 2'25
16
Lotto - Belisol
+ 2'31
17
Androni Giocattoli
+ 2'36
18
Nespresso - Algarve
s.t.
19
Qantas Airways
+ 2'42
20
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
21
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
+ 2'55
22
Acqua & Sapone
+ 3'01
GC
Wilco Kelderman is the first rider from the Monster Energy - team, so becomes the first GC-leader in this Giro.
1
Wilco Kelderman
Monster Energy - Subway
57'56
2
Marc De Maar
Monster Energy - Subway
s.t.
3
Thomas De Gendt
Monster Energy - Subway
s.t.
4
Robert Gesink
Monster Energy - Subway
s.t.
5
Marcel Kittel
Monster Energy - Subway
s.t.
6
Francis De Greef
Monster Energy - Subway
+ 2
7
Jack Bobridge
Monster Energy - Subway
+ 5
8
Romain Zingle
Monster Energy - Subway
+ 6
9
Theo Bos
Monster Energy - Subway
+ 57
10
Jimmy Engoulvent
Garmin - Barracuda
+ 1'22
U25
1
Wilco Kelderman
Monster Energy - Subway
57'56
2
Marcel Kittel
Monster Energy - Subway
s.t.
3
Jack Bobridge
Monster Energy - Subway
+ 5
4
Omar Fraile
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 1'44
5
Daniel Teklehaimanot
FDJ
+ 1'47
Word from the DS
We expected to do well here, considering the TT-strength in the team. But this strong?? Wow, amazing!
Time gaps to the GC-oppponents: Hesjedal +1'24, Anton & Brajkovic +1'41, Evans & Rodríguez +1'49, Basso +1'55, Nieve + 2'09, Taaramäe +2'11, Sánchez & Spilak +2'18, Rujano & Scarponi +2'36.
A better way to start this Giro wasn't possible!
And for those who wonder: yes, it was on extreme! I started with all riders on 85, and only Bos and Zingle could rest in the back. After the first split, I went to 90, and after the 2nd split to 95. Many riders had energy left!
