Acquarone v. Zomegnan

[karlboss]

Something selective in the first week, a real test so the riders all know who is in shape and who isn't, even those bluffing can bluff, but real time gaps would have to open. I was thinking an ITT of about 20-30km, and a MTF which finshes at least at 8% for at least 5km. However maybe a MTT would do the trick. If the time gaps open early, then every stage that isn't pan flat becomes threatening, especially if the sprinters aren't sure to win it.
Hesjedal was the strongest rider, everyone would have ridden differently if they knew, well at least Liquigas would have and that would change everything.

I'm a fan strade bianche stages too.

 

[Pippo_San]

Zomegnan, every day of the week

+1

Also, I believe the one who decide the routes is Mauro Vegni, not Michele Acquarone...so don't expect the routes to be any better in the future

 

[Parera]

Sigh, counterfactuals run amok. Changing a course doesn't guarantee anything.

The race would be different because it would be different, nothing more. It could be just as boring with earlier MTFs or a long ITT at the beginning.

 

[Red Rick]

Something selective in the first week, a real test so the riders all know who is in shape and who isn't, even those bluffing can bluff, but real time gaps would have to open. I was thinking an ITT of about 20-30km, and a MTF which finshes at least at 8% for at least 5km. However maybe a MTT would do the trick. If the time gaps open early, then every stage that isn't pan flat becomes threatening, especially if the sprinters aren't sure to win it.
Hesjedal was the strongest rider, everyone would have ridden differently if they knew, well at least Liquigas would have and that would change everything.

I'm a fan strade bianche stages too.

That should be an amazing idea, something like the Nevegal tt, in the first week

 

[LaFlorecita]

I really enjoyed Zomegnan's route last year.

 

[asdfgh101]

My wishlist for the next two years.

2x Flat ITT before the mountains to force the riders to attack.
1x Plan de Corones ITT
1x Hilly ITT
1x Zoncolan
1x Fedaia
1x Blockhaus (short stage as in 2009)
1x Strade Bianchi

 

[18-Valve. (pithy)]

+1

Also, I believe the one who decide the routes is Mauro Vegni, not Michele Acquarone...so don't expect the routes to be any better in the future

He has designed much better ones before, so I don't see why not? Surely they'll evaluate this Giro. You can't just blame it on the riders...

 

[Ferminal]

It's too hard to say, they don't individually design the courses, just provide the direction. Zomegnan would have had more influence on the 2012 route than Acquarone. Mostly though the Giro seems to have well designed stages (only the strade bianche stage this year was deficient) and I think this must come from the team doing the actual work.

My problem with Acquarone is that he's a marketing man and seems to know less about cycling than most posters here. To him it doesn't matter, he will sell the race however it turns out. He's never going to come out and say the riders didn't live up to what was expected from them, or that the race was dull. I wouldn't be surprised if the Giro becomes even more formulaic and Tour-esque in coming editions, but will hope for the best.