Comparing the routes of the 2015 Grand Tours

[Eshnar]

Now that they have all been presented... which is best? which is worst?

NOTE: On paper. Assume best field ever for every GT. Don't wanna read stuff like "...this route sucks but there will be riders X and Y so it will be awesome"

 

[Netserk]

Giro >>> Vuelta >>> Tour

 

[Eshnar]

Giro >>> Vuelta >>> Tour

this, pretty much.

 

[Bexon30]

this, pretty much.

Giro is best route, there's no doubt. The Vuelta and Tour aren't too far apart, I think the Vuelta is let down by a few major flaws. Big transfers, too many MTF again, but it has Andora.

 

[LaFlorecita]

I looked through all routes last week already:

Giro: a bit back-loaded, first proper mountain stage is after the stage 14 ITT. Nice stages though. 6/10.

Tour: everything is wrong with it in my opinion. Cobbles for the second year in a row, TTT with uphill finish on 9th stage after a hard first week, very few individual TT kms, no descent finish. 3/10.

Vuelta: Would have liked one less MTF earlier on and instead a MTF in the last 5 stages. Like the ITT and the descent finishes. 7/10.

So Vuelta > Giro >>> Tour but now that I think about it it's probably more like Vuelta = Giro >>> Tour. Giro should have had a proper mountain stage in the first two weeks, Vuelta should have a MTF in the last 5 days.

 

[Eshnar]

I looked through all routes last week already:

Giro: a bit back-loaded, first proper mountain stage is after the stage 14 ITT. Nice stages though. 6/10.

Tour: everything is wrong with it in my opinion. Cobbles for the second year in a row, TTT with uphill finish on 9th stage after a hard first week, very few individual TT kms, no descent finish. 3/10.

Vuelta: Would have liked one less MTF earlier on and instead a MTF in the last 5 stages. Like the ITT and the descent finishes. 7/10.

So Vuelta > Giro >>> Tour but now that I think about it it's probably more like Vuelta = Giro >>> Tour. Giro should have had a proper mountain stage in the first two weeks, Vuelta should have a MTF in the last 5 days.

Campitello Matese is a proper mountain stage. For the Vuelta standards, at least.

 

[jens_attacks]

Giro-vuelta-tour de l'avenir

 

[LaFlorecita]

Campitello Matese is a proper mountain stage. For the Vuelta standards, at least.

But not for Giro standards but I must say, that is an okay stage. It's the only okay mountain stage in the first 2 weeks though. (And I would have preferred the Mortirolo stage to finish on the Mortirolo)

 

[Eshnar]

But not for Giro standards but I must say, that is an okay stage. It's the only okay mountain stage in the first 2 weeks though. (And I would have preferred the Mortirolo stage to finish on the Mortirolo)

Didn't the Zonc finish of last year make you learn anything?

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Only the Giro is designed as a GT.
If only RCS would have added a bit more variation in the 2nd week.

 

[Red Rick]

We talking about the Tour d'España and La Vuelta a Francia?

Anyway, Giro>>>Vuelta>>>>Tour. Giro is a good route, a little bit too backloaded and lacking some cool medium mountain stages. Vuelta is better than normal, with even descent finishes this time but way too many pointless one climb hill sprints.

The Tour route is just a piece of garbage I try not to think about. Every single member on this forum would've come up with something better than that excuse for a GT route.

 

[Red Rick]

Can I ask mods to ban people who vote the Tour as the best route?

 

[LaFlorecita]

Didn't the Zonc finish of last year make you learn anything?

Eh? I only remember Mick's epic win and Bongiorno getting pushed off his bike by a fan

I don't see what Aprica adds to the stage to be honest.

 

[Eshnar]

Eh? I only remember Mick's epic win and Bongiorno getting pushed off his bike by a fan

Indeed... That's because it sucked.

I don't see what Aprica adds to the stage to be honest.

Have you ever even seen an Aprica stage?

 

[Eshnar]

Can I ask mods to ban people who vote the Tour as the best route?

I was already thinking about it

 

[Netserk]

I don't see what Aprica adds to the stage to be honest.

:mother of all facepalms:

 

[cineteq]

Can I ask mods to ban people who vote the Tour as the best route?

Well, friendship can make things happen in this forum. I wouldn't be suprised if I'm banned

 

[Red Rick]

Flo, I know Contador wasn't there, but that was the best race day I ever saw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olourOnSBnw

 

[Red Rick]

Well, friendship can make things happen in this forum. I wouldn't be suprised if I'm banned

Its not about you, duh

 

[Pippo_San]

Gotta admit Mauro Vegni is doing one heck of a job, without the PR bull****s of Mr. Acquarone.
The Giro route reign far above the rest again. Balanced and nicely textured.


Still I'd give the Tour route a chance, could be interesting with the upcoming battles.
Vuelta? The reign of absolute boredom to me.

Giro >>> Tour >> Vuelta

 

[LaFlorecita]

Indeed... That's because it sucked.

Was the Zoncolan stage in 2011 bad? No.

Have you ever even seen an Aprica stage?

I haven't, I just don't see how a 15km long drag is better than a MTF or a downhill finish. To me it seems like everything will most likely come back together, if there are any important escapees at all of course.

Flo, I know Contador wasn't there, but that was the best race day I ever saw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olourOnSBnw

And what are the chances of that happening again next year?

 

[Eshnar]

Was the Zoncolan stage in 2011 bad? No.

Was it good? No. It was a pretty average stage. Will only be remembered for the mess of the Crostis cancellation.

I haven't, I just don't see how a 15km long drag is better than a MTF or a downhill finish. To me it seems like everything will most likely come back together, if there are any important escapees at all of course.



And what are the chances of that happening again next year?

Happened every single time besides 2008.

 

[LaFlorecita]

:mother of all facepalms:

Isn't it a matter of personal preference?

 

[LaFlorecita]

Was it good? No. It was a pretty average stage. Will only be remembered for the mess of the Crostis cancellation.

I guess our definition of a good stage is different

Happened every single time besides 2008.

I guess I'll have to wait and see then. I'd still prefer a MTF though.

 

[Netserk]

Isn't it a matter of personal preference?

No, not when you say it out of ignorance (honestly, no offense, but that is the case here). If that wasn't the case, then it would be a matter of personal preference.