2021 Giro Route Rumours

[bassano]

I have mixed feelings with giro route. After some years, I like to see proper dolomite stage to Cortina, which is very nice. In last 10 years, I think Apenines stages are most interesting this time. Also I expected some harder queen stage in proper alps like Fauniera/morti climb which would be nice. Even TT km´s are quite low. And organizers are probably scared to make some 250 km+ stage as last year.

 

[rghysens]

I have two words for you.

Fedaia. FEDAIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Two more words: rather misplaced.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Two more words: rather misplaced.

I removed a few exclamation marks for that.

 

[tobydawq]

What is the meme anyway? What's so great about that climb that makes all others embarrassingly inferior?

 

[gregrowlerson]

What is the meme anyway? What's so great about that climb that makes all others embarrassingly inferior?

LS has long adored that climb (I think even more for its beautiful scenery then for its use in cycling races) and has jokingly exaggerated this love, at least a little, for our forum amusement.

 

[tobydawq]

LS has long adored that climb (I think even more for its beautiful scenery then for its use in cycling races) and has jokingly exaggerated this love, at least a little, for our forum amusement.

Ok, if it's a scenery thing, it could make sense (I don't know what it looks like) but otherwise it's hard to imagine how one climb can be significantly better than all others in the world. But I have seen the This is Sparta-inspired way to write the name of the climb tons of times without ever really getting what the fuss was about.

 

[Sciatic]

Ok, if it's a scenery thing, it could make sense (I don't know what it looks like) but otherwise it's hard to imagine how one climb can be significantly better than all others in the world. But I have seen the This is Sparta-inspired way to write the name of the climb tons of times without ever really getting what the fuss was about.

A thing becomes an even bigger thing—occasionally rising to meme status—when the desired thing is hoped for but doesn’t happen for a long time. Like waiting for rain for Roubaix.

 

[johnymax]

Ok, if it's a scenery thing, it could make sense (I don't know what it looks like) but otherwise it's hard to imagine how one climb can be significantly better than all others in the world. But I have seen the This is Sparta-inspired way to write the name of the climb tons of times without ever really getting what the fuss was about.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-lbAN29mag


I don't know if it's the best climb in the world but it's a beautiful climb.

 

[Netserk]

But they are not going through the gorge

 

[Eshnar]

But they are not going through the gorge

well I'm sure we are still gonna get live pictures of it. Probably more often than of the peloton...

 

[Netserk]

Two more words: rather misplaced.

It could be worse.

 

[Red Rick]

It could be worse.

Would have prefered Duran/Staulanza and right before and then no Giau, or maybe even take Falzarego if you want long range action.

 

[Mayomaniac]

It could be worse.

Could have beeen even worse than this, hold my Grappa:

 

[Max Rockatansky]

I don't like the Zoncolan from the steep side. It turns the race into a survival mode.

Which is kind of a good thing, once there is a proper stage before Zoncolan. Like 2010, where they did a 222k stage. Basso had to do something against Arroyo and he delivered beautifully.

It could be worse.

Oh that gift by Jens Voigt and that Giro, that was so zomegante over the top.

 

[topcat]

The route is so brilliant that I'm going to have to go. Hold on ...

 

[Red Rick]

Could have beeen even worse than this, hold my Grappa:

2017 Grappa was cool you can't change my mind

 

[roundabout]

2006 route was not great so no surprise that an example comes from that year

I think with Erbe cancelled it was one of only 2* not monosalita mountain stages in the whole race.

*Depending on how one views the stage with Simplon at 50k from the finish.

 

[ice&fire]

2017 Grappa was cool you can't change my mind

2017 Grappa was as cool as 2017 Dolomiti

I guess is still too early to start building the hype on Nibali vs Landa so we have a few days to discuss the route.

 

[Netserk]

2017 Grappa was cool you can't change my mind

Grappa the spirit, not the climb. The example is the Fedaia MTF of 2008 (as good a design as you are gonna get with that as the finish).

2017 Grappa was as cool as 2017 Dolomiti

The worst thing is that with the same start/finish you could have a great stage finishing with Fedaia/Sella.

 

[Mayomaniac]

Grappa the spirit, not the climb. The example is the Fedaia MTF of 2008 (as good a design as you are gonna get with that as the finish).



The worst thing is that with the same start/finish you could have a great stage finishing with Fedaia/Sella.

Yikes, don't remind me of that stage, the best thing about it was the fact that the next stage started in my hometown.

 

[ice&fire]

The worst thing is that with the same start/finish you could have a great stage finishing with Fedaia/Sella.

That would have been a fine tribute to Pantani's memory, but we all know RCS is not into that sort of self-referential thing

 

[gregrowlerson]

Who else is merely counting down the meaningless minutes/hours/days of their lives until Libertine Seguros' ramble/rant and/or Eshnar's detailed stage by stage analysis?

 

[Eshnar]

I just found this video of AC describing the route and honestly I doubt he even looked at it. It's funny, if anything...
Análisis del recorrido del Giro d'Italia 2021 - Alberto Contador - YouTube

For those of you who don't speak spanish, the highlights are:

• he dismisses stages 11 and 12 as two "breakaway stages", without even mentioning the sterrato. They are the only two stages he doesn't even describe at least a little
• he talks about the Zoncolan as if they are riding the Ovaro side
• Says the Giau has 15 km at 8%... that's the full climb from the bottom of the valley which they are not doing
• the Alpe di Mera stage will be decisive, as the final climb is 15 km at 10.1%!!!!! (...what...?)

 

[Red Rick]

I just found this video of AC describing the route and honestly I doubt he even looked at it. It's funny, if anything...
Análisis del recorrido del Giro d'Italia 2021 - Alberto Contador - YouTube

For those of you who don't speak spanish, the highlights are:

• he dismisses stages 11 and 12 as two "breakaway stages", without even mentioning the sterrato. They are the only two stages he doesn't even describe at least a little
• he talks about the Zoncolan as if they are riding the Ovaro side
• Says the Giau has 15 km at 8%... that's the full climb from the bottom of the valley which they are not doing
• the Alpe di Mera stage will be decisive, as the final climb is 15 km at 10.1%!!!!! (...what...?)

He's just trying to increase the chances for chaos

 

[Valv.Piti]

Ok, if it's a scenery thing, it could make sense (I don't know what it looks like) but otherwise it's hard to imagine how one climb can be significantly better than all others in the world. But I have seen the This is Sparta-inspired way to write the name of the climb tons of times without ever really getting what the fuss was about.

Somehow, I actually do remember the climb from 2011 even apart from all those forum shenanigans.. and it is indeed quite a scenic climb, and a brute if I ridden hard as well. If I remember correctly, this placement of the climb is somewhat similar do that of 2011 where the race exploded, which I doubt the race will this time around though.