May 7-29 The best stage race last year? It looks like they made it even rougher for this year's edition. Stages http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/giro-ditalia-his/stages Streaming info http://www.steephill.tv/giro-d-italia/
I can't believe how disconnected I've been. Work and life have been so ridiculous that I have barely gotten to follow the lead-up to my favorite 3 weeks of the year. On top of that I'll be heading to Italy in about 8 days, but leading a group of college students....so no Giro for me this year. We're even starting in Torino, just like the race. Anyhow, I hope it's just as great as last year, though the difficulty is really something.
Enjoy Italy, HK. ------------- Start list http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/giro-ditalia-his/start-list
Let's hope this year's race is as good as last year's was. To prime the pump, here's some footage from the Zoncolan climb from the 2010 Giro. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-oxwKCpkp0"]Part I[/ame] [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ff02Qp7ZBFM&feature=related"]Part II[/ame] [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIYTEEe5lC0&feature=related"]Part III[/ame] [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eogJkwTT5MI&feature=related"]Part IV[/ame]
TTT 1.HTC-Highroad 20:59 2.RadioShack 21:09 3.Omega Pharma – Lotto 21:21 4.Liquigas – Cannondale 21:21 5.Garmin-Cervelo 21.23 6.Lampre – ISD 21:23 7.Rabobank 21:25 8.Saxo Bank-SunGard 21:29 9.Sky 21:36 10.Vacansoleil-DCM 21:36 11.Movistar 21:37 12.Androni Giocattoli 21:39 13.BMC Racing Team 21:40 14.Leopard Trek 21:41 15.Quick Step 21:41 16.AG2R 21:48 17.Astana 21:49 18.Geox-TMC 21.52 19.Colnago – CSF Inox 22:01 20.Katusha Team 22:03 21.Acqua & Sapone 22:06 22.Farnese Vini – Neri Sottoli 22:06 23.Euskaltel-Euskadi 22:12
In the GC, I like Nibali to win. But, I'd like to see Felliu and Kreuziger to do well also. For Points, I'm all for HTC with Cav and Ren.
I don't see any of the sprinters making it over what may be the steepest Grand Tour ever. I think the points jersey is going to go to a climber.
So Petacchi wins the second stage and poor ol' Cav thinks he was blocking. To be honest I agree with the officials, it was just racing and simple jousting for position, Petacchi didn't exactly cut him off.
You're right. I forgot that the Giro makes that distinction. I'll amend that to say I am cheering for HTC to win all the sprints. We should have like a sprinter pool for the Giro and Tour. I've got Cav. DF has Farrar. Who wants Petacchi?
Petacchi made a very big move to get over in front of Cav. In fact, there were 3 different points where Petacchi tried to block his line. Two of them were just very subtle. I don't see anything wrong with it, because Cav didn't force the issue. If Cav had ridden up Petacchi's backside, I think he might have had a case. But, if he backs off and lets him in front, I don't think he can really complain.
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ByNvVshx2M"]YouTube - giro d'italia 2011 2°tappa - alessandro petacchi - parma.avi[/ame]
Let's hope Wouter Weylandt is alright. I am coming to this late, but it looks like he had a bad crash and was being given cpr/adrenaline/cardiac massage on the ground.
Vicioso (Androni) takes the win today. David Millar (Garmin) takes the maglia rosa. Obviously, the announcers are pretty sedate due to the crash. looks like they also canceled the podium today.
The Leopard-Trek Team has issued a brief statement: Today, our team mate and friend Wouter Weylandt passed away after a crash on the 3rd stage of the Giro d’Italia. The team is left in a state of shock and sadness and we send all our thoughts and deepest condolences to the family and friends of Wouter. This is a difficult day for cycling and for our team, and we should all seek support and strength in the people close to us. Brian Nygaard General Manager
NYT (AP) article on the tragedy: http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2011/05/09/sports/AP-CYC-Giro-Cyclist-Dies.html?_r=1&ref=sports
Apparently stage 4 will be neutralized. I've heard that Leopard-Trek will pull out of the race as well. What an unspeakable tragedy. His wife was expecting. How sad. My thoughts definitely go out to her and his family. Also, I've heard that he was best friends with Tyler Farrar. Unbelievably sad.
It's so tragic, and made worse (if possible) by the ironies and details just mentioned (a child on the way, a victory in this stage last year). One of the reporters on Twitter said he wasn't even supposed to be racing the Giro, but was a last minute replacement for an injured teammate. I think Bike Snob NYC's quick take on how this kind of news sends a chill up and down the spines of us cyclists is right on the mark. I won't be looking for videos of this crash - it's one of those things I don't/won't want to see.
Giro d'Italia director to let peloton decide on stage 4 dynamic http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/video-zomegnan-to-respect-memory-of-weylandt-in-alba
Farrar remembers Weylandt as a 'brother' http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/farrar-remembers-weylandt-as-a-brother
Farrar to leave the Giro d'Italia after stage 4 http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/farrar-to-leave-the-giro-ditalia-after-stage-4 Tyler Farrar will leave the Giro d’Italia after stage 4, a stage neutralized by a common agreement between the riders and the organisation of the race. He was a close friend and neighbour of deceased rider Wouter Weylandt in Ghent.