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

Allegretto definitely go and watch. I was on a flat bit when the Tour de France came here a few years back - still very exciting but yes blink and you'll miss it - although the offspring found all the attendant police bikes and team cars very entertaining too.

Well worth going allegretto, it's really exciting.

Go allegretto , you will love it I'm sure. It's a real experience if you do post some pics if that won't out you on here

alleretto they publish timings as well for what time the riders will pass where depending on how fast the race is progressing to give you some idea of when to go and wait but the waiting is part of the fun anyway. Normally a lovely social event, cycling people are the nicest. Well we think so anyway!

Now you're really making me want to go! Just had a look at the timetable though and I can't get back in time for school pick up - how annoying! If I can find someone else to pick up the kids then I will go and post photos.

yes it's an event you'll remember!

The Lipless One did gud but then got caught out in the winds yesterday. Good finish though. Trying to to at least get the highlights in the evening.

and well done MrSlant on the new job! That sort of thing changes everything doesn't it?

I'd keep the kids off school and say sod it to pick up but I may be a terrible example of a parent . It's a once in a lifetime experience to have it pass close to your home.

Yes Pannnn

As I said above I'm only getting bits of the Giro. You had to feel sorry for the poor sod who thought he'd won the stage today but hadn't.

DH is trying to decide whether to upgrade to a carbon fibre bike. He says he'll probably wait until next year as prices will come down, but he's due a small inheritance soon so I'm not hedging my bets. I reckon there'll be another two wheeled beauty joining the stable soon

Oh that poor chap, riding across with his arms in the air, then realising everyone else was still going! How embarrassing.

I know - poor man!

I was watching with the two eldest DS' we had to hide our heads, all just dying for him. Poor man. He'll be having a bad case of the "Oh god"s tonight. Hopefully a good sense of humour tomorrow.

Drama we have the most beautiful Trek Domane carbon bike that now lives mounted on the wall (well when it isn't being ridden/cleaned which is a lot more time than I would like given looming A/S levels) in what was the play room and is now the bike worship room). Thank goodness for 0% finance over two years. If anyone wants to geek out I am happy to play groupset vs good wheels as I am now expert level .

Interesting slow paced GC contest going on. I think they are all saving themselves for the insane meters of climbing in the last week. Time trials should be interesting too.

MrS there's a lot worse your DS could be doing, tbh.

I'm not letting DH near this thread or he'd geek forever about all things technical. He was slightly miffed when I failed to tell him there was a MN Velogames team for the Giro. Apparently I have to let him know in good time for the Tour.

Drama there are SO many worse things he could be doing. He is strong and fit, doesn't party or drink alcohol and will happily discuss/watch any bike race in the world with me. Sample quote from yesterday "do I have time to clean my cycling shoes before the sprint". Plus he's tinkered with my bike so the gear change is so much smoother. No one told me teenagers could be so much fun. Maybe we could create a separate thread for him and your DH to do the geeking out about technical bits and lie and say it was the proper one?

If someone could remind ME to get myself together and do a Velogames team in time for the tour that would be awesome! I'd be doing brilliantly with the Giro so far between Greipel and G. Although I'd probably never have had anyone from Bora so that would have held me back on the first day .

That velogames thing is looking very healthy isn't it?

Had no time to see much action, so weekend might be catch up.

Poor bloke, taking the win too soon! He will never ever not be reminded of that for the rest of his life.

I've watched the higlights on Quest. This is the first time I've watched the giro (or any grand tour for that matter) and I think I get the basics (stop me if I've got anything wrong.) It is annoying that they've not done a 'New to watching professional cycling, here's what you need to do?'

Rider with the lowest overall time retains the pink jersey and the points classification is decided on points awarded where they finish. Each team has a team leader, specialist sprinters, climbers and domestiques who work to further the chances of their leader by drafting them, sheltering them from the wind and whatnot.

However, I don't understand the race tactics! Could anyone talk me through it or point me in the direction?

Tactics, ha! It's all tactics. The tactics are endless. There are 7 races every day, if you think about it.

Today (from last 8km I got to watch) was a sprint finish.
The best sprinters have good teams who are trying to 'control' the race from the front. So they can set up their best sprinter to get a win. Andrei Greipel is a top rider (recognise him by German national colours on jersey) who was jostling by himself for best position (not enough team-mates nearby).

Sky were riding hard today (near front) to keep their leader (Geraint Thomas) so that if there was a crash G. wouldn't get injured or crash out & lose time to rivals.

Every race, esp. major stage race, I have to just sit and watch for 10 minutes before I can begin to figure out what is happening. Gets better with daily / more watching.

ITV4 has some top amateur racing on TV right now.

ps: DH says the Stowe race on ITV4 right now is like B-league pros...

I have been watching for about 30 years and still don't completely get it.

Giro coverage is not as good as the Tour de France coverage.

My team is doing better today (no spoilers but I have today's winner on my team!)

Thanks everyone! Despite my lack of knowledge, I'm enjoying the spectacle and the excitement of all the stage finishes.

Last night two riders from different teams started a breakaway about 20km from the finish. They weren't hoping for the win themselves and were co operating and taking it in turns in the wind. About 10 km from the end they high fives each other as if to say 'job well fine' and then allowed themselves to be caught by the pelaton. What was the point of that breakaway? To force the pace?

If you get in a breakaway you get telly time for your sponsor / team. There are also sometimes points on the way for an intermediate sprint or for a mountain, which breakaway riders will get - sometimes for themselves, and sometimes to stop anyone else getting them on behalf of a team-mate. There is in the TdFrance a prize each day for "most aggressive rider" - not sure if this applies in the Giro as well but this usually goes to someone in the breakaway. And it means aggressive in terms of bike racing not thumping other riders, which is usually frowned upon. I suppose there is always the chance that the breakaway will make it to the end and you don't know unless you try.

Bad crash there. Hope everyone's OK though, poor Landa took a bad fall.

Lands lost 27 minutes according to Cycling News.

Oh no! Just watching now, that was a horrible crash.

Couldn't come on here and post for 48 hours I was too traumatised!

But today? Take that universe, how bloody awesome is G? What a man. He must have put all the pain in a box and just pedalled like crazy. Very pleased for Dumoulin as well.

Not sure where I stand on Movistar attacking so hard after the crash but was happy to see Quintana out of the pink. Possibly because that skinsuit was just hideous.