Giro d'Italia 2017

[FelicityLemon]

It's that time of year again

www.giroditalia.it/eng/

Here's the route

www.giroditalia.it/eng/route/

They will be honouring Michele Scarponi:
The Giro d’Italia can’t forget a great champion, a big friend and a great man who was set to take part in the Corsa Rosa for the twelfth time this year. Therefore, a tribute will be paid to him with one of the iconic climbs of this year’s race dedicated to him: the Mortirolo.

This climb is well known all over the world and universally respected by cyclists. In 2010, it was the springboard to Michele’s last stage victory at the Giro d’Italia, at Aprica, ahead of Ivan Basso and Vincenzo Nibali.

On stage 16 from Rovetta to Bormio, Tuesday 23 May, the King of the Mountains points awarded to the rider who passes the Mortirolo in first position will be doubled compare to what was originally planned in the race regulations. He will also be honoured on stage on the final podium of the Giro in Milan.

Moreover, in Sardinia, Scarponi’s Astana team will be first to be introduced to the crowd on Thursday 4 May at 6.30pm in Alghero, when a special moment will be dedicated to his memory.

The following day, at the start of stage 1, the pink caravan will observe a minute’s silence before the flag off. The Astana team will be on the front line of the bunch for the very first part of the course. The name of Michele Scarponi will thus be associated with the 100th edition of the Giro d’Italia.

Giro d’Italia 2017 stage overview
Stage 1, May 5 Alghero – Olbia (flat) 206km
Stage 2, May 6 Olbia – Tortolì (hills) 221km
Stage 3, May 7 Tortolì – Cagliari (flat) 148km
May 8 Rest day
Stage 4, May 9 Cefalù – Etna (Rifugio Sapienza summit finish) 181km
Stage 5, May 10 Pedara – Messina (hills with flat finish) 159km
Stage 6, May 11 Reggio Calabria – Terme Luigiane (flat) 217km
Stage 7, May 12 Castrovillari – Alberobello (flat) 224km
Stage 8, May 13 Molfetta – Peschici (flat start, hills) 189km
Stage 9, May 14 Montenero di Bisaccia – Blockhaus 149km
May 15 Rest day
Stage 10, May 16 Foligno – Montefalco (ITT) 39.8km
Stage 11, May 17 Ponte a Ema – Bagno di Romagna (hills) 161km
Stage 12, May 18 Forlì – Reggio Emilia (hills, flat finish) 229km
Stage 13, May 19 Reggio Emilia – Tortona (flat) 167km
Stage 14, May 20 Castellania – Santuario di Oropa (summit finish) 131km
Stage 15, May 21 Valdengo – Bergamo (flat start, hills) 199km
May 22 Rest day
Stage 16, May 23 Rovetta – Bormio (mountains) 222km
Stage 17, May 24 Tirano – Canazei (mountains) 219km
Stage 18, May 25 Moena – Ortisei/St. Ulrich (summit finish) 137km
Stage 19, May 26 San Candido – Piancavallo (summit finish) 191km
Stage 20, May 27 Pordenone – Asiago (mountains) 190km
Stage 21, May 28 Monza (Autodromo) – Milan (ITT) 29.3km

Read more at www.cyclingweekly.com/news/racing/giro-ditalia/giro-ditalia-route-192184#T8G1kGUCrYmfcqC7.99


Finally here are the details of the Velogames League

League Details

League Owner: Felicity Lemon
Owner Email: redacted
League Name: Frankje's Mob
League Code: 560220130913

[FelicityLemon]

Oops I forgot the velogames link www.velogames.com/

[DramaAlpaca]

Hi Felicity thanks for starting this. I'll take a look later. The only trouble is I'm going on holiday and will miss the first week. If I'd realised when the Giro was on I'd have booked a different week!

[TheLongRider]

This is my favourite of the Grand Tours. I love Classics season and then the Giro and after that I kind of switch off. The Tour has lost it's appeal for me, too many long flat stages and controlling team tactics.

[justinelibertine]

Oh god! I need to sort my team out. The lusts of the libertine never do very well. I'm def getting lanterne rouge.

[justinelibertine]

No sexy Ashley on TV this year either.

[Pannnn]

Crumbs this has come round quickly.

Will have to get team sorted in next couple of days. Seem to remember I did really well for Giro last year and then bombed for the rest of the season.

Thanks Felicity.

[FelicityLemon]

I finally have a team. I'm not sure its a winning one after my fantastic showing in the Vuelta last year, but as usual its a hedge against any disappointing display by Quickstep Floors I shall, if they do badly, have people to root for.

[misforme]

Come on Boys from Bora Hansgrohe!
Love Giro

[EndoplasmicReticulum]

Hello, just noticed Velogames had the Giro open for team picking.
Have even managed to work out how to get Quest (Freeview Channel, showing highlights at 10pm) - as otherwise wouldn't be able to watch.

[Pannnn]

Team M's People sorted and in the league.

[FelicityLemon]

Excellent! Remember you have until noon today, don't miss out!

[DramaAlpaca]

Drat, didn't realise deadline was noon today! I'm not going to get a team sorted this year. I completely forgot about it & I'm up to my eyes at work because I'm going on hols next week. Good luck to you all

[Pannnn]

I think CET means 11am for BST, n'est-ce pas?

[SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius]

Thanks for starting this thread, Felicity. I've already set up to record the Giro - can't wait!

[EndoplasmicReticulum]

There's a Giro Google thingy on Google today.

do we have a pink ?

[EndoplasmicReticulum]

Bet nobody had that guy in their team. Who he?

[SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius]

Do you think he thought he was leading someone more important out, and then won by accident?

[EndoplasmicReticulum]

Possibly? If the person you are leading out can't keep up with you perhaps you're in the wrong job!

[FelicityLemon]

Good old Andre, at least I have some points now! The view yesterday were just gorgeous I wish I had the ability to ride a bike up a mountain.

In other news I still have no idea what the Quickstep team selection is about, I can see they want to try out Gaviria on a 3 week tour. Bob Jungels did well last year, but no Brambilla or Trentin?

In yet other news, Pirazzi and Ruffoni of Bardiani CSF have cast a bit of a shadow but I'm determined to enjoy the race regardless.

[FelicityLemon]

Can I just say I know jack about team selection and shall quit being an armchair DS (for at least a couple of stages )

[MrSlant]

Hello! I forgot how to find cycling and I got a new job and the DS' have been doing WAY too much sport but I'm here now .

So happy that my big mouth frog got to wear the maglia rosa. Loved that young lad on stage one that just rode away. His face when he realised what he'd done! No idea what happened yesterday due to stupid fucking swimming gala ( what ridiculous and long winded affairs they are) but tomorrow we climb a volcano. Can't wait to see what that does to the pack.

[DramaAlpaca]

I'm also sad I didn't get to pick a team.

And I'm sad that I'm missing all the coverage. I'm on holiday in Spain and I can't get near the TV as my dear old dad has permanent control of the zapper. It appears to be stuck on cricket, which ordinarily I wouldn't mind, but obviously I'd much prefer to watch the Giro. We couldn't even record it, because when we tried it sent the Sky box into meltdown and it took ages to reset. Which meant DF missed some of the cricket which made him grumpy & in need of .

What's this about a new job MrS? Many congrats to you!

[allegretto]

Is it worth going to see it in person if you live close by? I am intrigued but don't know much about it!

[MrSlant]

Totally new direction Drama, I'm really excited and a bit nervous but it's the first work I've had this year and with a company I'm really excited about. Steep learning curve commencing!

allegretto if you get the chance to go and watch because it's nearby you must. Try and find a section on a decent uphill gradient though otherwise the majority will pass you in 15 seconds. It will be a noisy and exciting 15 seconds though! Any questions and you'll find a wealth of knowledge here I think most of us have at least seen one stage of a grand tour. It's fascinating stuff when you get stuck into it because it's impossible to just plain be the fastest individual with the distances involved. Tactics, team and loyalties are key. Plus being the hardest working athletes on the planet.

[allegretto]

Thanks. It passes about 5km from me but on a flat bit!