Giro Stage 14 Preview

Saturday, 18 May 2013

The Giro heads into the Alps and crosses the threshold of 2,000 metres above sea level for the first time. Round numbers aside, it means the race is heading to high altitude which brings new challenges as well as the potential for bad weather as snow is forecast.

A finish on steep slopes offers another mountain showdown as part of the weekend’s festival of climbing.

Update: snow and bad weather means the climb to Sestriere is off the route. Instead the race will be diverted north via the Val di Susa, a long valley road that drags up to Oulx where the race will rejoin the planned route. If the climb to Sestriere was fast, this route is faster with no major climb before the final ascension of the Jafferau.

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Thanks to Velo Veneto

Friday, 17 May 2013

Every sponsor of this site gets a note of thanks and it’s now time to say thanks to travel company Velo Veneto who are here for May. The company offers a range of trips to Italy and beyond with a focus on the Dolomites.

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Giro Stage 13 Preview

Friday, 17 May 2013

The longest stage of the Giro, today has a few hills and steep, twisting descents packed into the end to disrupt the sprinters and make the TV more lively.

Despite the flat profile, today’s stage is a historical, gastronomical and cultural route where Coppi and Bartali, truffles and Nutella, Verdi and Conte can be found.

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Giro Stage 12 Preview

May 16, 2013

Three sharp climbs are like hurdles on an athletics track, they shouldn’t stop the sprinters but somebody could still trip up along the way. But the real obstacles lie closer to the finish, including a narrow bridge in the final kilometre.

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Ag2r out of Dauphiné and Tour de Suisse?

May 15, 2013

Lampre-Merida too? One year ago Ag2r’s Sylvain Georges stood on the podium in California, this morning he quit the Giro after an “Adverse Analytical Finding” for Heptaminol, a banned substance. It’s curious to see the UCI announce the news after the A-sample only has been tested and, because it’s a “specified substance,” Georges could get [...]

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Giro Stage 11 Preview

May 15, 2013

An uphill finish but one that avoids many of the tough climbs in the region. Today’s stage will almost feel flat after yesterday, at least there are two regular climbs to roll up rather than winch up. With the climbers having their chance yesterday and tomorrow looking like a sprint finish, here’s a chance for [...]

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Roy de la Montagne

May 14, 2013

Last week FDJ riders Jérémy Roy, Thibaut Pinot and Alexandre Geniez went to Mont Ventoux and the Alps to check out the route of several crucial Tour de France stages. Jérémy Roy kept a diary and you can read about the training camp below which covers the technical aspects such as bike choice for the [...]

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Giro Stage 10 Preview

May 14, 2013

The first summit finish of the race. It’s not the high Alps but what this stage lacks in high altitude it makes up for in vicious vertical gain on the final climb where 20% slopes await. Do we get a showdown amongst the GC candidates or will they sit tight? Normally a grand tour prompts [...]

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Giro Rest Day Wrap

May 13, 2013

Enjoyed the first week? Vincenzo Nibali’s had a great time but everyone else watching as well should have found this a great start to the race. Sometimes rest days are impatient moments but this time it feels like it’s worth having a break before the race starts again tomorrow with a severe summit finish.

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Sunday Shorts

May 12, 2013

Nibali’s Aero Gains – Spanish Mussels – Oval Chainrings: Froome vs Wiggins – World Team Time Trial Championships FAQ – Uran’s Monaco move – Wiggins Descending Vincenzo Nibali’s time trial surprised many but he’s been working hard on his time trial skills. The photo above shows him in the Montechiari velodrome and look and you [...]

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