2014 Giro D'Italia, stage 1: Belfast › Belfast, 21.7 km (TTT)

[Kwibus]

Is this normal weather in Ireland?

I mean it's quite bad here, but at least I know what the sun looks like.

Well we had quite a lot of great weather here last 1-2 months, but right now it's raining cats and dogs and weather for the weekend isn't looking great either.

So probably just bad weather over north/west europe I guess.

 

[cycladianpirate]

May is generally the sunniest and driest month of the year in Ireland, although the weather is always unpredictable. Here are some graphs that have actually made me pretty depressed I'm not in California any more, now that I look at them.

To be fair, Emerald Isles need a fair bit of watering.

Surprised that the forum is so quiet on the eve of a Giro. I'm looking forward to a (virtually) Sky-free GT and tons of competition. Bring it on!!!

 

[gmedina]

well, besides rain, what about the wind condition? it seems that wind will pick up a bit...not sure from what direction and who is going to affect.

 

[jsem94]

11m/s from WSW for tomorrow afternoon, 6m/s for the evening. Saturday looks like 5-6m/s from the South.

 

[Kwibus]

well, besides rain, what about the wind condition? it seems that wind will pick up a bit...not sure from what direction and who is going to affect.

According to Pozzovivo's forecast (it's his hobby, see newsitem at CN.com) tomorrowevening will be dry and fairly safe. He expects rain during the entire day of saturday with wind playing a role as well.

 

[manafana]

Had great day so far in Belfast posted few pictures on twitter here:

I will be out early tomorrow following the race, movistar to push orica close

 

[luckyboy]

BMC and Movistar looking the best of the GC guys for this. Greenedge obvious winners.

Couple of teams could lose big time on those long straights if the wind picks up.

 

[vedrafjord]

well, besides rain, what about the wind condition? it seems that wind will pick up a bit...not sure from what direction and who is going to affect.

Wind in Ireland is almost always from west or southwest. Last Google weather screenshot I post, honest, but possibly looking good for crosswinds for Sunday - very noticeable cycling round here over the last two days. Much of stage 3 is a lot nearer to the coast than Dublin airport where the predictions below are from, so should possibly have higher winds.

 

[manafana]

all ok so far for the Orica Bus

 

[Sciatic]

all ok so far for the Orica Bus

Ha! Good one

 

[gerundium]

Friend told me that the TTT passes stormont hill. This is the traditional prologue of the tour of the north. It looks like a very small bump in the road and for these pros it might be, but it is a pretty steep pitch so it could disprupt some teams rythm i think.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Carried or walking? Can't tell.

Many more pictures from the team pres here: http://www.steephill.tv/2014/giro-d-italia/pre-race-photos/page-03/

 

[jens_attacks]

cool photo:

can't believe giro is upon us _O_

 

[Bavarianrider]

What about Shimano today?
Do you think they can have a decent result so that Kittel might have a shot at the leader's jersey the next couple of days?

 

[darwin553]

Orica will cruise this in but hope I BMC does well.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

What about Shimano today?
Do you think they can have a decent result so that Kittel might have a shot at the leader's jersey the next couple of days?

They probably need to get within 20s of Orica to give Kittel a solid chance of pink. Doubt they can do it, but they will be motivated for sure.

 

[cycladianpirate]

They probably need to get within 20s of Orica to give Kittel a solid chance of pink. Doubt they can do it, but they will be motivated for sure.

20s = 2 x 10s bonifications for winning the next two stages right?

Forecast is for lots of rain (surprise, surprise) and some wind with moderate gusts. I'm guessing there's going to be a high degree of edginess in the peloton and that in and of itself can lead to.....

 

[eric_vv]

Belkin?

I know Belkin usually do ok, but not great in TTT's, but this line up seems really suited for a short/ medium length TTT. They have a lot of riders who can do a good prologue/ short TT. There should be enough speed in the team, although they could use a strong sprinter in the mix.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

20s = 2 x 10s bonifications for winning the next two stages right?

snipped..

yep, of course Matthews could grab a few bonus secs as well.

In any case an interesting battle.

 

[auscyclefan94]

What are Orica-Greenedge going to do for the rest of the Giro? Seriously? Their team is here for the first stage and nothing else. Rather pathetic for a Grand Tour tbh.

 

[senatorrick]

What are Orica-Greenedge going to do for the rest of the Giro? Seriously? There team is for the first stage and nothing else. Rather pathetic for a Grand Tour tbh.

Could not agree more!!

 

[fowlyetti]

BMC already crashed

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKLG9GG96N0

 

[darwin553]

BMC already crashed

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKLG9GG96N0

Thanks for that - you want to put that it occurred in practice next time.

 

[b3n3v3nt3]

Wow, who was? And how the hell didn't he noticed that?

 

[Carols]

Wow, who was? And how the hell didn't he noticed that?

Trying to be Froome and looking at his stem?