Giro d'Italia 2019 rumours

[movingtarget]

Re:

stage 8 is "flatish, then the long TT, a rest day, then a pancake flat stage. GC guys can really go nuts on the TT - or is this an attempt to get Froome versus Tommy D again?

I get the impression that Tom really wants to win the Tour next year like Froome and also wants his TT crown back. I think they will be his main aims for the year. Be interesting to see if Sky go into the Tour with Thomas as well or he opts for the Giro. The back up plan in the Tour certainly worked for them this year. Maybe they think it is too early for Bernal to lead in the Giro or maybe they want him fresh for the Tour. Nibali might do the Giro, Simon Yates is, Landa will as Quintana is doing the Tour. Roglic would probably like the Giro course. Pinot seems to like the Giro so he might return. The TTs won't stop him because the TT always seems to be an issue for him lately anyway. Lopez might also do the Giro/Vuelta again. Worked for him this year.

 

[Koronin]

Re: Re:

stage 8 is "flatish, then the long TT, a rest day, then a pancake flat stage. GC guys can really go nuts on the TT - or is this an attempt to get Froome versus Tommy D again?

I get the impression that Tom really wants to win the Tour next year like Froome and also wants his TT crown back. I think they will be his main aims for the year. Be interesting to see if Sky go into the Tour with Thomas as well or he opts for the Giro. The back up plan in the Tour certainly worked for them this year. Maybe they think it is too early for Bernal to lead in the Giro or maybe they want him fresh for the Tour. Nibali might do the Giro, Simon Yates is, Landa will as Quintana is doing the Tour. Roglic would probably like the Giro course. Pinot seems to like the Giro so he might return. The TTs won't stop him because the TT always seems to be an issue for him lately anyway. Lopez might also do the Giro/Vuelta again. Worked for him this year.

Don't know what Landa is planning for next year. Valverde said he wants to do the Giro/Vuelta next year. Landa going to the Giro could work IF Landa wants to go to the Giro. I agree that Roglic would likely go to the Giro and probably Mas.

 

[Gigs_98]

Re: Re:

stage 8 is "flatish, then the long TT, a rest day, then a pancake flat stage. GC guys can really go nuts on the TT - or is this an attempt to get Froome versus Tommy D again?

I get the impression that Tom really wants to win the Tour next year like Froome and also wants his TT crown back. I think they will be his main aims for the year. Be interesting to see if Sky go into the Tour with Thomas as well or he opts for the Giro. The back up plan in the Tour certainly worked for them this year. Maybe they think it is too early for Bernal to lead in the Giro or maybe they want him fresh for the Tour. Nibali might do the Giro, Simon Yates is, Landa will as Quintana is doing the Tour. Roglic would probably like the Giro course. Pinot seems to like the Giro so he might return. The TTs won't stop him because the TT always seems to be an issue for him lately anyway. Lopez might also do the Giro/Vuelta again. Worked for him this year.

Don't know what Landa is planning for next year. Valverde said he wants to do the Giro/Vuelta next year. Landa going to the Giro could work IF Landa wants to go to the Giro. I agree that Roglic would likely go to the Giro and probably Mas.

I think Roglic will go to the tour and Kruijswijk to the giro. The giro route might suit Roglic better but Roglic has a real shot at winning the tour and I can't see them not going all in for that race

 

[Red Rick]

Re: Re:

stage 8 is "flatish, then the long TT, a rest day, then a pancake flat stage. GC guys can really go nuts on the TT - or is this an attempt to get Froome versus Tommy D again?

I get the impression that Tom really wants to win the Tour next year like Froome and also wants his TT crown back. I think they will be his main aims for the year. Be interesting to see if Sky go into the Tour with Thomas as well or he opts for the Giro. The back up plan in the Tour certainly worked for them this year. Maybe they think it is too early for Bernal to lead in the Giro or maybe they want him fresh for the Tour. Nibali might do the Giro, Simon Yates is, Landa will as Quintana is doing the Tour. Roglic would probably like the Giro course. Pinot seems to like the Giro so he might return. The TTs won't stop him because the TT always seems to be an issue for him lately anyway. Lopez might also do the Giro/Vuelta again. Worked for him this year.

Worlds ITT route is too flat. It would be a waste of half a season if he peaked just for that imo.

 

[movingtarget]

Re: Re:

stage 8 is "flatish, then the long TT, a rest day, then a pancake flat stage. GC guys can really go nuts on the TT - or is this an attempt to get Froome versus Tommy D again?

I get the impression that Tom really wants to win the Tour next year like Froome and also wants his TT crown back. I think they will be his main aims for the year. Be interesting to see if Sky go into the Tour with Thomas as well or he opts for the Giro. The back up plan in the Tour certainly worked for them this year. Maybe they think it is too early for Bernal to lead in the Giro or maybe they want him fresh for the Tour. Nibali might do the Giro, Simon Yates is, Landa will as Quintana is doing the Tour. Roglic would probably like the Giro course. Pinot seems to like the Giro so he might return. The TTs won't stop him because the TT always seems to be an issue for him lately anyway. Lopez might also do the Giro/Vuelta again. Worked for him this year.

Worlds ITT route is too flat. It would be a waste of half a season if he peaked just for that imo.

Maybe and Dennis will be harder to beat on a flatter course. Maybe Dumoulin will go Tour/Vuelta next year. Froome will do the same I think as he likes riding the Vuelta.

 

[Eshnar]

Re: Giro d'Italia 2019 rumors

Tuttobiciweb writes about the possibility that the Feltre stage might end above the Croce d'Aune, on a sterrato road. I assume it's referring to the road to Malga Campon, which would be around 4 km at 8-9%.
The photo in the article is of a goat track that imho cannot ever be raced

https://www.tuttobiciweb.it/article...croce-d-aune-2019-guido-la-marca-tuttobiciweb

edit: my bad, 4 km at 8-9% is the whole additional road from the top of Croce d'Aune, but only the last 2 km are on sterrato.

 

[Red Rick]

Re: Re:

stage 8 is "flatish, then the long TT, a rest day, then a pancake flat stage. GC guys can really go nuts on the TT - or is this an attempt to get Froome versus Tommy D again?

I get the impression that Tom really wants to win the Tour next year like Froome and also wants his TT crown back. I think they will be his main aims for the year. Be interesting to see if Sky go into the Tour with Thomas as well or he opts for the Giro. The back up plan in the Tour certainly worked for them this year. Maybe they think it is too early for Bernal to lead in the Giro or maybe they want him fresh for the Tour. Nibali might do the Giro, Simon Yates is, Landa will as Quintana is doing the Tour. Roglic would probably like the Giro course. Pinot seems to like the Giro so he might return. The TTs won't stop him because the TT always seems to be an issue for him lately anyway. Lopez might also do the Giro/Vuelta again. Worked for him this year.

Worlds ITT route is too flat. It would be a waste of half a season if he peaked just for that imo.

Maybe and Dennis will be harder to beat on a flatter course. Maybe Dumoulin will go Tour/Vuelta next year. Froome will do the same I think as he likes riding the Vuelta.

I hope Dumoulin goes Ardennes/Tour/Vuelta/Worlds next year. If he wants to ride GC in the stage races before that it's okay but don't really think he should be too committed to winning those.

 

[Nirvana]

On the italian forum they posted this file where the comune of Sestriere announces that after an inspection of RCS they fund the works on the road to the Col Basset in order to have the already rumored finish on Rifugio Fraiteve (they mention also the Tour not only the Giro).
https://www.servizipubblicaamministrazione.it/siti/sstrr1225/Data/Delibere/gc-2018-00064.pdf

 

[Red Rick]

Re:

On the italian forum they posted this file where the comune of Sestriere announces that after an inspection of RCS they fund the works on the road to the Col Basset in order to have the already rumored finish on Rifugio Fraiteve (they mention also the Tour not only the Giro).
https://www.servizipubblicaamministrazione.it/siti/sstrr1225/Data/Delibere/gc-2018-00064.pdf

Any profile of what that would look like?

 

[Eshnar]

Re:

On the italian forum they posted this file where the comune of Sestriere announces that after an inspection of RCS they fund the works on the road to the Col Basset in order to have the already rumored finish on Rifugio Fraiteve (they mention also the Tour not only the Giro).
https://www.servizipubblicaamministrazione.it/siti/sstrr1225/Data/Delibere/gc-2018-00064.pdf

that's not gonna happen next year. Very likely 2020.
They just approved the resurfacing, but I really don't think it can possibly be done by next May.

 

[Nirvana]

Re: Re:

On the italian forum they posted this file where the comune of Sestriere announces that after an inspection of RCS they fund the works on the road to the Col Basset in order to have the already rumored finish on Rifugio Fraiteve (they mention also the Tour not only the Giro).
https://www.servizipubblicaamministrazione.it/siti/sstrr1225/Data/Delibere/gc-2018-00064.pdf

that's not gonna happen next year. Very likely 2020.
They just approved the resurfacing, but I really don't think it can possibly be done by next May.

Actually it's not stated that the works funded are related to paving the road, they could be only minor road sistemations (considering also the low coasts indicated) doable in a short time.

Considerato che le nuove opere individuate sono “Intervento Roccette” sulla strada
Sestriere-Col Basset (costo previsto Euro 90.250,00, compresi oneri sicurezza), “Strada
piazzale Col Basset Monte Fraiteve - pista 27 alta” (costo previsto 108,644,00, compresi
oneri sicurezza ), “Strada piazzale Col Basset Monte Fraiteve - pista 27” (costo previsto
Euro 186.765,00, compresi oneri sicurezza); opere di compensazione (Euro 3.315,00) e
Variante Pista Ciclabile Bassa (costo previsto Euro 31.106,00 compresi oneri sicurezza).

If they'll use that instead of the Cuneo-Pinerolo i think it's way better.

Note that i said instead of Cuneo-Pinerolo because was stated that San Marino will be the only stage with part of the route outside Italy so or the'll go with a stage like 2009 joke or there will be something different on the spot supposed to be for Cuneo-Pinerolo.

 

[Eshnar]

Re: Re:

If they'll use that instead of the Cuneo-Pinerolo i think it's way better.

Note that i said instead of Cuneo-Pinerolo because was stated that San Marino will be the only stage with part of the route outside Italy so or the'll go with a stage like 2009 joke or there will be something different on the spot supposed to be for Cuneo-Pinerolo.

well I just said resurfacing, not paving. Whatever they do, the document explicitly says that the aim is for a MTF on Fraiteve, not a mere passage (for which you really need tarmac on the descent), and in any case I don't see them finishing everything by May (with the whole winter in the middle). And even if they could, RCS would need to be sure of it before the presentation at the end of this month.

 

[Eshnar]

A usually well-informed user in cicloweb thinks that they might indeed want to have an MTF on the Basset. This would be the stage of the second week we have no clue about. it would end up looking like this:

Ravenna - Modena
Carpi - Novi Ligure
Cuneo - Pinerolo
Pinerolo - Col Basset
Ivrea - Courmayeur
S.Vincent - Como

The stage to Col Basset would be a very short one, with Finestre before the final climb.

I still don't believe they are gonna do it, but since I have no other rumours I should report it. The idea itself is not unreasonable (as we discussed, they only need to resurface it for a MTF, especially if they don't go all the way to the top of Fraiteve, but I don't know where there is enough space), although that would mean the Cuneo - Pinerolo would end up looking like in 2009, with Finestre the following day.

In unrelated news, Cassino seems confirmed to host a stage start, not a finish as it was rumoured. I suppose it will be the start of stage 5, but I don't know where it's going to finish.

 

[Red Rick]

Re:

A usually well-informed user in cicloweb thinks that they might indeed want to have an MTF on the Basset. This would be the stage of the second week we have no clue about. it would end up looking like this:

Ravenna - Modena
Carpi - Novi Ligure
Cuneo - Pinerolo
Pinerolo - Col Basset
Ivrea - Courmayeur
S.Vincent - Como

The stage to Col Basset would be a very short one, with Finestre before the final climb.

I still don't believe they are gonna do it, but since I have no other rumours I should report it. The idea itself is not unreasonable (as we discussed, they only need to resurface it for a MTF, especially if they don't go all the way to the top of Fraiteve, but I don't know where there is enough space), although that would mean the Cuneo - Pinerolo would end up looking like in 2009, with Finestre the following day.

In unrelated news, Cassino seems confirmed to host a stage start, not a finish as it was rumoured. I suppose it will be the start of stage 5, but I don't know where it's going to finish.

Finestre and Basset are basically parallel cols right? From which side would they do what?

 

[Eshnar]

Finestre from the usual side (no other option), then climb to Sestriere as usual and then to Basset from the top of Sestriere.

 

[Red Rick]

Re:

Finestre from the usual side (no other option), then climb to Sestriere as usual and then to Basset from the top of Sestriere.

I have a hard time believing that, as that's basically the same but harder than stage 19 of this year's Giro, and it's like stage 12 in this one.

I'm not a fan of overusing Finestre lol.

 

[Eshnar]

that would be just 110-120 km though. This year's was definitely harder. Also, if they don't go all the way to the top it would just be a few kms more on top of Sestriere.

 

[Red Rick]

Re:

that would be just 110-120 km though. This year's was definitely harder. Also, if they don't go all the way to the top it would just be a few kms more on top of Sestriere.

Straight up from Sestriere?

I thought they were going all the way around.

Now I dislike it even more.

 

[Gigs_98]

Re: Giro d'Italia 2019 rumors

It's basically a worse version of the classic Finestre - Sestriere combo as the final climb is too hard to realistically expect something to happen on the Finestre especially as we are talking of stage 12. Non the less I wouldn't complain about such a stage, and introducing Basset would be pretty cool. The only problem I have is that I don't want them to overuse the Finestre. Italy has so many incredible climbs that there really is no need for using one twice in a row while passes like Fedaia are still unused since 2011. Also the incredible difficulty of the Finestre as well as it always being climbed from the same side makes the climbs inclusion stand out even more. For example, the mortirolo has been included in the giro every 2nd year since 2004 with only one exception as there was an additional year between it's inclusions in 2012 and 2015. Still because in the last 8 years it was only used from it's classic side one single time the Mortirolo doesn't really feel overused.

 

[Eshnar]

Re: Giro d'Italia 2019 rumors

It's basically a worse version of the classic Finestre - Sestriere combo as the final climb is too hard to realistically expect something to happen on the Finestre especially as we are talking of stage 12. Non the less I wouldn't complain about such a stage, and introducing Basset would be pretty cool. The only problem I have is that I don't want them to overuse the Finestre. Italy has so many incredible climbs that there really is no need for using one twice in a row while passes like Fedaia are still unused since 2011. Also the incredible difficulty of the Finestre as well as it always being climbed from the same side makes the climbs inclusion stand out even more. For example, the mortirolo has been included in the giro every 2nd year since 2004 with only one exception as there was an additional year between it's inclusions in 2012 and 2015. Still because in the last 8 years it was only used from it's classic side one single time the Mortirolo doesn't really feel overused.

I think you're overestimating Basset from that side. If they go all the way to Fraiteve I agree, but if they finish at around 2400m asl the last climb is basically just a longer Sestriere with some sterrato on top. Hardly a deal-breaker.

 

[Red Rick]

Re: Giro d'Italia 2019 rumors

It's basically a worse version of the classic Finestre - Sestriere combo as the final climb is too hard to realistically expect something to happen on the Finestre especially as we are talking of stage 12. Non the less I wouldn't complain about such a stage, and introducing Basset would be pretty cool. The only problem I have is that I don't want them to overuse the Finestre. Italy has so many incredible climbs that there really is no need for using one twice in a row while passes like Fedaia are still unused since 2011. Also the incredible difficulty of the Finestre as well as it always being climbed from the same side makes the climbs inclusion stand out even more. For example, the mortirolo has been included in the giro every 2nd year since 2004 with only one exception as there was an additional year between it's inclusions in 2012 and 2015. Still because in the last 8 years it was only used from it's classic side one single time the Mortirolo doesn't really feel overused.

I think you're overestimating Basset from that side. If they go all the way to Fraiteve I agree, but if they finish at around 2400m asl the last climb is basically just a longer Sestriere with some sterrato on top. Hardly a deal-breaker.

I thought 2400m was all the way. But it's 2700?

Can't they just go there without Finestre. With Finestre I think it's overkill as they already have Courmayeur with San Carlo and Ponte di Legno with Gavia+Mortirolo

https://www.cycling-challenge.com/strada-dellassietta-colle-delle-finestre-a-detailed-look/
This shows the roads there really nicely

 

[Eshnar]

As written on that site, from Sestriere to Basset is 6 km at 7%.

But yes, the long term idea would be to then turn south and finish in Monte Fraiteve, at 2700m. I assume the road leading to it would be much steeper. In any case, if I think there is a chance they finish at Basset, there is no way they are going to Fraiteve next year imo.

 

[Nirvana]

If they turn just before the top of Finestre they could go to Basset via Assietta, it's only rolling terrain (on the sterrato) but i think could do more damage than the usual descent and Sestriere.

 

[Red Rick]

Re:

If they turn just before the top of Finestre they could go to Basset via Assietta, it's only rolling terrain (on the sterrato) but i think could do more damage than the usual descent and Sestriere.

And today in "things that will never happen"

I wish though

 

[Nirvana]

Re: Re:

If they turn just before the top of Finestre they could go to Basset via Assietta, it's only rolling terrain (on the sterrato) but i think could do more damage than the usual descent and Sestriere.

And today in "things that will never happen"

I wish though

If the problem is the situation of the surface with the Assietta you don't need any work since the surface is at least as good as the Finestre ones and you can finish at the Basset without actually climb it.