2015 Giro d'Italia, stage 1: S.Lorenzo al Mare – Sanremo TTT

[greenedge]

OGE probably have the strongest TTT team here, while also possesing good technical/ explosive riders in Matthews, Clarke and Gerrans. I'd be disappointed if they don't win, but SKy, EQS and TCS can all challenge.

 

[BigMac]

Lampre and Southeast to fight for the exquisite penultimate place.

 

[Jspear]

The safest pick would be Orica, but it would be pretty cool to see Tinkov take the win.

 

[cineteq]

Re: 2015 Giro d'Italia, stage 1: S.Lorenzo al Mare – Sanremo

Sky knows very well they need to nail both TTs in order for Porte to win the Giro.

1. Sky
2. Orica
3. Astana

 

[Velolover2]

Good thing for Tinkoff-Saxo is that they are one of the last teams to start. They will probably try to beat Sky's time in order to get a little ahead of them. Orica will win it, though.

 

[SafeBet]

What a day here in San Lorenzo.
I did a recon of the stage this morning and most teams were on the track at the same time. I saw LottoNL, Movistar, Astana, Tinkoff, Lampre, Ag2r, BMC and many more. Most of them were kinda relaxed, practising turns at 40 km/h, but Tinkoff were going almost full gas and it was unbelievable, guys. UNBELIEVABLE. 55 km/h at literally 30cm from me! I guess Oleg was in the front car cause he was driving like a madman and scaring all the old ladies on their cute bikes.

Anyway, as all of you know the track is completely flat. There are a few minor bumps along the way but they will barely notice at that speed.
The first km should be without wind, then there's a long tunnel (1.5km), that has normally a few dark spots but in perfect Italian fashion they fixed all the broken lamps in the past couple of days. The following part is slightly downhill and should have tailwind, so they'll easily hit 60km/h there. After 5 km there are two quick left and right bends, then it goes slightly uphill until Arma di Taggia. After 10 km they leave the bike track for a brief stint on normal roads. Originally I thought they would stay out of the track for around 2 km but it's actually much shorter, maybe 500 mt. The crucial part is right after reentering the bike track. The wind picks up a bit and it was a headwind both yesterday and today. There are four short tunnels, the third of which is a bit tricky, and dark. Then it's very easy to the finish.

 

[Taxus4a]

Tinkoff
Astana
Sky
Movistar
Orica
Ettixx

 

[Jspear]

Re:

What a day here in San Lorenzo.
I did a recon of the stage this morning and most teams were on the track at the same time. I saw LottoNL, Movistar, Astana, Tinkoff, Lampre, Ag2r, BMC and many more. Most of them were kinda relaxed, practising turns at 40 km/h, but Tinkoff were going almost full gas and it was unbelievable, guys. UNBELIEVABLE. 55 km/h at literally 30cm from me! I guess Oleg was in the front car cause he was driving like a madman and scaring all the old ladies on their cute bikes.

Anyway, as all of you know the track is completely flat. There are a few minor bumps along the way but they will barely notice at that speed.
The first km should be without wind, then there's a long tunnel (1.5km), that has normally a few dark spots but in perfect Italian fashion they fixed all the broken lamps in the past couple of days. The following part is slightly downhill and should have tailwind, so they'll easily hit 60km/h there. After 5 km there are two quick left and right bends, then it goes slightly uphill until Arma di Taggia. After 10 km they leave the bike track for a brief stint on normal roads. Originally I thought they would stay out of the track for around 2 km but it's actually much shorter, maybe 500 mt. The crucial part is right after reentering the bike track. The wind picks up a bit and it was a headwind both yesterday and today. There are four short tunnels, the third of which is a bit tricky, and dark. Then it's very easy to the finish.

Excellent post. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Taxus4a]

Re:

What a day here in San Lorenzo.
I did a recon of the stage this morning and most teams were on the track at the same time. I saw LottoNL, Movistar, Astana, Tinkoff, Lampre, Ag2r, BMC and many more. Most of them were kinda relaxed, practising turns at 40 km/h, but Tinkoff were going almost full gas and it was unbelievable, guys. UNBELIEVABLE. 55 km/h at literally 30cm from me! I guess Oleg was in the front car cause he was driving like a madman and scaring all the old ladies on their cute bikes.

Anyway, as all of you know the track is completely flat. There are a few minor bumps along the way but they will barely notice at that speed.
The first km should be without wind, then there's a long tunnel (1.5km), that has normally a few dark spots but in perfect Italian fashion they fixed all the broken lamps in the past couple of days. The following part is slightly downhill and should have tailwind, so they'll easily hit 60km/h there. After 5 km there are two quick left and right bends, then it goes slightly uphill until Arma di Taggia. After 10 km they leave the bike track for a brief stint on normal roads. Originally I thought they would stay out of the track for around 2 km but it's actually much shorter, maybe 500 mt. The crucial part is right after reentering the bike track. The wind picks up a bit and it was a headwind both yesterday and today. There are four short tunnels, the third of which is a bit tricky, and dark. Then it's very easy to the finish.

Thanks for the info. they must chose maybe a 55 if there is tailwind, and the difference will be less if the wind dont change.

I envy you

Enjoy!!

 

[TheGreenMonkey]

Thank you SafeBet, I hope you enjoy the race.

 

[SafeBet]

I forgot to add: there was also an event called "Ride with the champions". There were many ex riders like Chiappucci, Cassani, Ghirotto, Fondriest, Moser, ecc. And then for no reason there was also Pippo

I also had the chance to check the podium girls. Remarkable.

 

[Netserk]

Great report SafeBet!

 

[Velolover2]

Re:

What a day here in San Lorenzo.
I did a recon of the stage this morning and most teams were on the track at the same time. I saw LottoNL, Movistar, Astana, Tinkoff, Lampre, Ag2r, BMC and many more. Most of them were kinda relaxed, practising turns at 40 km/h, but Tinkoff were going almost full gas and it was unbelievable, guys. UNBELIEVABLE. 55 km/h at literally 30cm from me! I guess Oleg was in the front car cause he was driving like a madman and scaring all the old ladies on their cute bikes.

Anyway, as all of you know the track is completely flat. There are a few minor bumps along the way but they will barely notice at that speed.
The first km should be without wind, then there's a long tunnel (1.5km), that has normally a few dark spots but in perfect Italian fashion they fixed all the broken lamps in the past couple of days. The following part is slightly downhill and should have tailwind, so they'll easily hit 60km/h there. After 5 km there are two quick left and right bends, then it goes slightly uphill until Arma di Taggia. After 10 km they leave the bike track for a brief stint on normal roads. Originally I thought they would stay out of the track for around 2 km but it's actually much shorter, maybe 500 mt. The crucial part is right after reentering the bike track. The wind picks up a bit and it was a headwind both yesterday and today. There are four short tunnels, the third of which is a bit tricky, and dark. Then it's very easy to the finish.

Very good post. I'd love to see Tinkoff-Saxo take it, but it's going to be hard. But at least they will have immediate times of Sky, Etixx and Orica.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

I forgot to add: there was also an event called "Ride with the champions". There were many ex riders like Chiappucci, Cassani, Ghirotto, Fondriest, Moser, ecc. And then for no reason there was also Pippo

I also had the chance to check the podium girls. Remarkable.

Lol great posts SafeBet

 

[Eshnar]

Re:

I forgot to add: there was also an event called "Ride with the champions". There were many ex riders like Chiappucci, Cassani, Ghirotto, Fondriest, Moser, ecc. And then for no reason there was also Pippo

I also had the chance to check the podium girls. Remarkable.

I do hope that you took a few pics to revitalize the podium girls thread

 

[lemon cheese cake]

Re: 2015 Giro d'Italia, stage 1: S.Lorenzo al Mare – Sanremo

Starting list
http://www.gazzetta.it/Giroditalia/...tenza-crono-a-squadre_TTT-startlist-order.pdf

How did they choose the start order?

Drawing of lots is my guess. Just like previous years.

Why font they just have all the pro conti teams in alphabetical order then all the World Tour teams in the alphabetical order? Or just mix them up and have the Pro conti teams in with the world tour teams?

 

[ILovecycling]

Re:

I forgot to add: there was also an event called "Ride with the champions". There were many ex riders like Chiappucci, Cassani, Ghirotto, Fondriest, Moser, ecc. And then for no reason there was also Pippo

I also had the chance to check the podium girls. Remarkable.

Thanks for your posts,and you killed me with your last line

 

[Flamin]

SafeBet's posts make me even more excited about il Giro

Btw, how was this long tunnel? I read that Keisse was considering riding without sunglasses because vision there is really poor. Or maybe this is solved now with these fixed broken lamps you talked about.

 

[Rollthedice]

Thanks SafeBet! Great story.

 

[SafeBet]

I wouldn't ride into it with sunglasses. Lamps are OK but it's still dark with sunnies.

Podium girls were too busy chatting with Pippo to allow me to take pictures

 

[SeriousSam]

Re:

I forgot to add: there was also an event called "Ride with the champions". There were many ex riders like Chiappucci, Cassani, Ghirotto, Fondriest, Moser, ecc. And then for no reason there was also Pippo

I also had the chance to check the podium girls. Remarkable.

Did you spot Basso's sister?

 

[Bavarianrider]

Well that should be a super fast TTT. If the wind is right most likely it will be the fastest TTT of all time.

 

[sir fly]

Re:

Well that should be a super fast TTT. If the wind is right most likely it will be the fastest TTT of all time.

Will the winner finish in the 60kph error margin?

 

[jens_attacks]

faster than euskaltel in vuelta burgos?

 

[SafeBet]

Re: Re:

I forgot to add: there was also an event called "Ride with the champions". There were many ex riders like Chiappucci, Cassani, Ghirotto, Fondriest, Moser, ecc. And then for no reason there was also Pippo

I also had the chance to check the podium girls. Remarkable.

Did you spot Basso's sister?

She wasn't around from what I've seen.