G.P. Costa degli Etruschi 2014 (1.1), Feb 2

[Dazed and Confused]

And of course the country with the best cycling terrain (excluding cobbles races) gets the season underway as well. We are talking about a tricolore circuit race with a profile to match:

Actually four colours, but I couldn't find a word:

Anyway the past winners list includes some well known names including:
2013 SCARPONI Michele
2012 VIVIANI Elia
2011 VIVIANI Elia
2010 PETACCHI Alessandro
2009 PETACCHI Alessandro
2008 PETACCHI Alessandro
2007 PETACCHI Alessandro

Teams involved with key riders:
1. Cannondale (Basso, Villella)
2. Lampre - Merida (Durasek, Mori)
3. Neri Sottoli - Yellow Fluo (Ponzi, Finetto)
4. Vini - Fantini - Nippo (Malaguti)
5. Marchiol Emisfero (Cecchin, Zanardini)
6. ASC Dukla Praha (Kankovsky, Hochmann)
7. Utensilnord - ora24.eu (Kusztor, Der)
8. Itera - Katusha (Yatsevich)
10. Meridiana Kamen Team (Sinkewitz, Mucelli)
11. Vega - Hotsand
12. Radenska-Kuota (Pibernik, Pavlic)
13. RC Gourmetfein Wels
14. Amore&Vita - Selle SMP (Pinizzotto, Woods)
15. Team Colombia (Duarte, Pantano)
16. Area Zero Pro Team (Pasqualon, Petilli)
17. MG Kvis - Trevigiani (Aldegheri, Chirico)
18. Italy (Simion, Martinelli)
19. Team Idea (Delle Stelle)
20. Bardiani - CSF (Bongiorno, Colbrelli)
21. Androni Giocattoli (Belletti, Rosa)

(lifted from procyclingstats.com)

Race starts at 11:30 (CET) and ends around 15:45.

RAI should have a highligt package of the race later in the evening. Perhaps others will know the details.

A little promo film for the race: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3efKfqmGeIY (Chapeau)

Obligatory question today: Who will win?

 

[Ruudz0r]

Zurlo his debut between the pro's, world meet the new Sagan!

 

[Afrank]

Hoping for a good ride by Villella.

 

[search]

if Ulissi isn't hampered too much by the jetlag I can't really see anyone beating him. Sinkewitz should be in the mix as well

Edit: okay, Ulissi is not on the start list anymore

 

[Dazed and Confused]

And of course we will have the battle of some of the peloton's most popular break artists:

Popular as in fans looking at the show. Join them in the break at your peril.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Durasek wins

 

[Ruudz0r]

And of course we will have the battle of some of the peloton's most popular break artists:

Popular as in fans looking at the show. Join them in the break at your peril.

Bardiani - CSF‏@Bardiani_CSF33 sec.
Change line-up for #GPEtruschi. IN @PaoloColonna5 and @AngeloPagani88, OUT @stefanopirazzi and #Locatelli.

 

[trevim]

Ponzi, Belletti and Duarte (ahah one can hope) to perform

 

[Afrank]

Bardiani - CSF‏@Bardiani_CSF33 sec.
Change line-up for #GPEtruschi. IN @PaoloColonna5 and @AngeloPagani88, OUT @stefanopirazzi and #Locatelli.

Bummer, and of course it would be the two guys I just happen to have on my team. Anyone know the reason why Locatelli and Pirazzi are out?

 

[oliveira]

Very even field. Probably an 15-20 men sprint at the end. Battaglin ftw, starting here a fantastic breakthrough season!

 

[hfer07]

will it be broadcasting available by any chance? I know is a big ask, but one can be hopeful

 

[Ferminal]

Only highlights in the evening I think.

 

[jens_attacks]

i think sinkewitz will take it. or vilella i hope

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Live ticker:

http://www.coveritlive.com/index2.php/option=com_altcaster/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=dcc4eaf5a4/width=470/height=800/entryLoc=bottom/titlePage=off'%20scrolling='no'%20height='800px'%20width='470px'%20frameBorder%20='0'%20allowTransparency='true'

 

[Arredondo]

Sinkewitz of course.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Alternative ticker:
http://www.gsemilia.it/

After 131km, a group with 3:25 ahead. Pace looks good.

 

[oliveira]

Yellow Fluo double! 1st Ponzi. 2nd Finetto

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Prelim result:

1) Simone Ponzi (Neri Sottoli Yellow Fluo)
2) Mauro Finetto (Neri Sottoli Yellow Fluo)

Fluo team is back in business, lol.

edit:redundant

 

[jens_attacks]

nicely done by yellow fluo guys

also fantastic ballsy start at pros by edy grosu!
second to last guy to be caught from the breakaway and very active.

 

[Geraint Too Fast]

Pibernik 3rd. Good result for him.

Edit - changed to Pasqualon now.

 

[ItalianGigolo]

I'm happy about Edy Grosu performance today. Great way to satrt for the young romanian. I'm excited Romania finally have a guy competing in this kind of races. He is also listed for Dubai, hope PCS is right!

 

[TourOfSardinia]

video - last kms

video: http://youtu.be/6lJs4tDEUyA

 

[roundabout]

ehehe, yellow everywhere in the sprint.

4 in the top 7.

 

[jens_attacks]

i had no idea this race was so much fun until i watch it

check it. neri sottoli going gewiss richie and quintana...i give you: yellow fluo

at 29:30
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=r3YLVZvFToU#t=1764

giro will be fun. again.

 

[jens_attacks]

I'm happy about Edy Grosu performance today. Great way to satrt for the young romanian. I'm excited Romania finally have a guy competing in this kind of races. He is also listed for Dubai, hope PCS is right!

yes he's on his way to dubai. he will ride it


later edit: or not, visa problems at the airport. not gonna ride it