Giro 2014 Route Rumours

[Linkinito]

Lol, ecologists would be on the way. As they are already planning to block Sarenne on the day of the race...

 

[Progsprach]

After this years trouble with the weather my hopes are very low to see the Col de Rosael being included

Chances for Ötztaler Gletscherstraße seem even lower though

 

[Cult Classics]

Too much north in the routes. They seem to dart along the south and centre in almost linear fashion, get in and out as quick as you can, tick the box that says 'done'. Then spend 12 days almost going round in circles in the north - east to west, back east again, back west again. Stages 12, 18 and 21 almost overlapped. Liguria, Tuscany, Umbria and Lazio should all be used much more. But you get the sense that with the Irish start it will be one of the south or centre that suffers again. The north has the big mountains, sure, but there were equally a lot of boring stages there this year. I'm sure other regions could be just as boring if they tried really hard. I think I was especially disappointed this year because we barely got to see a lot of the big reason the race likes to spend so much time in the north.

All that said, I went out there for the first 3 stages this year and loved it. Great setting, great weather, a lot more relaxed than watching the racing in Belgium in terms of access and securing your spot to watch the race, and my being a vegetarian didn't mean I had to survive on a diet of only fries and mayo.

 

[Eshnar]

Too much north in the routes. They seem to dart along the south and centre in almost linear fashion, get in and out as quick as you can, tick the box that says 'done'. Then spend 12 days almost going round in circles in the north - east to west, back east again, back west again. Stages 12, 18 and 21 almost overlapped. Liguria, Tuscany, Umbria and Lazio should all be used much more. But you get the sense that with the Irish start it will be one of the south or centre that suffers again. The north has the big mountains, sure, but there were equally a lot of boring stages there this year. I'm sure other regions could be just as boring if they tried really hard.

The main reason is that the north has more money to spend for a giro stage. Simple as that.

 

[Cult Classics]

The main reason is that the north has more money to spend for a giro stage. Simple as that.

Aye. Cursed money. Maybe it will merge with the Giro di Padania one day. I might go and take part in some sort of political blockade mid-stage.

I'd like to see them do the Mortirolo-Aprica sequence again. That's been great the last couple of times. The races breaks down a lot earlier than the final 3km and you get some significant changes to GC usually.

 

[Zvezdarac]

I've heard something about Mortirolo - Crostis - Zoncolan combo.
Also a Gavia - Stelvio - Finestre.
... Canceled.

 

[The Hitch]

Airstream is that you?

 

[SetonHallPirate]

I've heard something about Mortirolo - Crostis - Zoncolan combo.

Mortirolo is, what, 350 km from either Crostis or Zoncolan? Good luck getting that stage done by dark, especially for the grupetto.

 

[airstream]

Airstream is that you?

You humiliated my knowledge of cycling geography.

 

[airstream]

Oh my god that is such an amazing climb.

The sort of thing the TDF could do with.

Don't worry. In reality it exists only for alpine skiers and hikers.

 

[Eshnar]

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/2014-giro-ditalia-could-include-the-mortirolo-but-not-sicily
Bari likely to host the first Italian stage. Mortirolo to be thrown in.
All as predicted

 

[all_in]

Acquarone,please bring back Montecampione.Also a finish in the first week on a very steep ramp like Montelupone or Bologna(San Luca) will be very good.Also Blockhaus again in Giro will be great.

 

[Ferminal]

I actually have no idea why there isn't a temptation to always have Blockhaus on the second weekend when you're in the South during the first week. If it was me, I'd have it there every 3-4 years. Same for Vesuvio and Etna, and I'm sure there are others I don't know of.

 

[search]

Bari? How is that supposed to work out without a restday? They don't even have a properly connected airport

 

[Lupetto]

They should make this their fourth stage.

 

[icefire]

I actually have no idea why there isn't a temptation to always have Blockhaus on the second weekend when you're in the South during the first week. If it was me, I'd have it there every 3-4 years. Same for Vesuvio and Etna, and I'm sure there are others I don't know of.

Not in the South but still in the Appennino range: Monte Nerone, Monte Petrano, Monte Catria...

 

[Bavarianrider]

 

[Red Rick]

Since it's you posting this, it's supposed to be a tt right?

 

[barmaher]

I don't like that stage. All the GC contenders would wait until the last climb, and even still, they'd come back together on the small descent to the finish.

Probably a reduced bunch sprint.

Battaglin for the win.

 

[Red Rick]

I don't like that stage. All the GC contenders would wait until the last climb, and even still, they'd come back together on the small descent to the finish.

Probably a reduced bunch sprint.

Battaglin for the win.

do you realise this isn't a serious suggestion for a stage design? That route has to be like 500km long

 

[Pulpstar]

Cav may finish outside the time limit.

 

[jens_attacks]

do you realise this isn't a serious suggestion for a stage design? That route has to be like 500km long

agreed. battaglin can't take this distance.
i'd go with navardauskas

 

[Eshnar]

agreed. battaglin can't take this distance.
i'd go with navardauskas

Battaglin won a 244 km stage

 

[Bavarianrider]

do you realise this isn't a serious suggestion for a stage design? That route has to be like 500km long

It's a real stage and it is raced every year as the "Race across the Alps"
540km, 14 altitude meters

 

[Libertine Seguros]

I actually have no idea why there isn't a temptation to always have Blockhaus on the second weekend when you're in the South during the first week. If it was me, I'd have it there every 3-4 years. Same for Vesuvio and Etna, and I'm sure there are others I don't know of.

Not in the South but still in the Appennino range: Monte Nerone, Monte Petrano, Monte Catria...

Sella Leonessa, Passo Acquabona, Pescocostanzo (the medium mountain stage there in 2008 was great), Monte Urano, Rocca di Cambio, Campo Imperatore, Prati di Tivo, La Baita/Monte Prata... Italy is blessed with more options than it could ever use.

It's a real stage and it is raced every year as the "Race across the Alps"
540km, 14 altitude meters

I trust you mean 14000 - not even Qatar could put out a 540km race with only 14 altitude meters, surely?