- May 9, 2010
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It's here. The long awaited first Grand Tour of the year. The long awaited Giro d'Italia.
After two amazing editions, the 2012 Giro d'Italia has a lot to live up to, and starting in Denmark this year, my home country will do its utmost to make sure the Giro gets an unforgetable start.
With 46.873 inhabitants, Herning is the 11th largest city in Denmark. In cycling circles "the capitol of the heath", as the city is called, is best known for being hometown of one of the greatest Danish cyclists ever, Bjarne Riis whose nickname was "the eagle from Herning".
Outside of cycling circles, Herning is mainly known because of its production of textiles and, in the latter years, as a city with a vivid cultural life. The municipalitys great focus on culture has meant that Herning has become a very popular city and also a city of growth and with the Giros visit to the city, Herning has gotten an amazing opportunity to show off the city from it's most beautiful side as TV cammeras follow the riders on their bikes through the streets.
8.7 kilometres against the clock is what the riders will have to overcome on this first stage. 8.7 kilometres of adrenaline flowing through the body, 8.7 kilometres of blood taste in the mouth. 8.7 kilometres of pride in the form of cheering from the many thousands spectators along the route.
The time trial itself is quite traditional as the lenght indicates as well. It's pretty technical with approximately 15 90-degree bends which gives an edge to the explosive riders and not just the time trial specialists capable of powering out a constant high number of watts. Typical of the Danish country is the route very flat with only a 14 meter rise from 45 to 59 meters above sea level and not many hills.
The favorites
The riders will for sure do anything within their power to be able to wear the Maglia Rosa on stage 2. However, some probably have the better skills needed for a time trial like this.
One of the major favorites have to be Geraint Thomas of Team Sky who convincingly won the prologue in Romandie recently.
The Italian Daniele Bennati will also be one to watch as he would love to pull the pink jersey over his shoulders after the first stage, and he has previously shown that he's a good prologue rider, especially on technical courses. Most recently did he finish second in the 9.3 kilometre time trial in Tirreno - Adriatico, only beaten by Fabian Cancellara.
Another rider to whom it would mean a whole lot to win the opening stage is the home soil favorite Alex Rasmussen who on several occasions has shown his skills in the fight against the clock.
Also among the favorites are a bunch of young riders: Taylor Phinney of BMC, Michal Kwiatkowski and Julien Vermote of Omega Pharma-QuickStep, Jesse Sergent of Radioshack-Nissan-Trek, Jack Bobridge of GreenEdge and the new kid on the block, Manuele Baoro of the Danish team SaxoBank.
Last we have to mention the tall Swede, Gustav Erik Larsson, who has done some good time trials already this year.
The maps
http://www.freeimagehosting.net/mtr3a
http://www.freeimagehosting.net/79o3n
http://www.freeimagehosting.net/b9xh7
(Please note that the last picture, the route elevation chart, is home made but should be pretty precise)
After two amazing editions, the 2012 Giro d'Italia has a lot to live up to, and starting in Denmark this year, my home country will do its utmost to make sure the Giro gets an unforgetable start.
With 46.873 inhabitants, Herning is the 11th largest city in Denmark. In cycling circles "the capitol of the heath", as the city is called, is best known for being hometown of one of the greatest Danish cyclists ever, Bjarne Riis whose nickname was "the eagle from Herning".
Outside of cycling circles, Herning is mainly known because of its production of textiles and, in the latter years, as a city with a vivid cultural life. The municipalitys great focus on culture has meant that Herning has become a very popular city and also a city of growth and with the Giros visit to the city, Herning has gotten an amazing opportunity to show off the city from it's most beautiful side as TV cammeras follow the riders on their bikes through the streets.
8.7 kilometres against the clock is what the riders will have to overcome on this first stage. 8.7 kilometres of adrenaline flowing through the body, 8.7 kilometres of blood taste in the mouth. 8.7 kilometres of pride in the form of cheering from the many thousands spectators along the route.
The time trial itself is quite traditional as the lenght indicates as well. It's pretty technical with approximately 15 90-degree bends which gives an edge to the explosive riders and not just the time trial specialists capable of powering out a constant high number of watts. Typical of the Danish country is the route very flat with only a 14 meter rise from 45 to 59 meters above sea level and not many hills.
The favorites
The riders will for sure do anything within their power to be able to wear the Maglia Rosa on stage 2. However, some probably have the better skills needed for a time trial like this.
One of the major favorites have to be Geraint Thomas of Team Sky who convincingly won the prologue in Romandie recently.
The Italian Daniele Bennati will also be one to watch as he would love to pull the pink jersey over his shoulders after the first stage, and he has previously shown that he's a good prologue rider, especially on technical courses. Most recently did he finish second in the 9.3 kilometre time trial in Tirreno - Adriatico, only beaten by Fabian Cancellara.
Another rider to whom it would mean a whole lot to win the opening stage is the home soil favorite Alex Rasmussen who on several occasions has shown his skills in the fight against the clock.
Also among the favorites are a bunch of young riders: Taylor Phinney of BMC, Michal Kwiatkowski and Julien Vermote of Omega Pharma-QuickStep, Jesse Sergent of Radioshack-Nissan-Trek, Jack Bobridge of GreenEdge and the new kid on the block, Manuele Baoro of the Danish team SaxoBank.
Last we have to mention the tall Swede, Gustav Erik Larsson, who has done some good time trials already this year.
The maps
http://www.freeimagehosting.net/mtr3a
http://www.freeimagehosting.net/79o3n
http://www.freeimagehosting.net/b9xh7
(Please note that the last picture, the route elevation chart, is home made but should be pretty precise)
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