Giro d'Italia Stage 9: Messina - Etna, 169km (let the race begin!)

[Ferminal]

Where is Eze when you need him.

I actually think it will kick off though. There are plenty of 500m sections at 7-8-9%. There are too many decent climbers here for them all to just watch each other. I think there will be a bit of "July-style" marking between Contador/Nibali/Scarponi/Menchov/Kreuziger. Which would be a bit of a vague move. They have no chance against Contador next weekend so why not try and take 30s on him here if he doesn't want to respond to every attack.

Montevergine none of the GC teams wanted to set the pace, so we had the attacks flying out of the pack often. It will be interesting to see who gets on the front then - Szmyd vs Navarro vs Niemec.

I think we will see a solo winner, but not necessarily one of the big favourites.

The first ascent starts 110k from the finish. Considering the course, thats what, between 2.5 and 3 hours before the finish.

It depends which channel or stream you watch but for the one im using- Eurosport Uk, they show the last 90 minutes, so that would mean during the flat in between the 2 ascents.

The Rai and Gazzetta feeds start 1430-1445, so they should capture some of the first climb (depending on the pace).

 

[Delicato]

Scarponi or Menchov FTW. Contador will lose 15-20 secs, I reckon, it's not too important for him.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

The first ascent yes. The second one its an average of 7.2 and thats bearing in mind the last 2 k are flat. From 5 to 14km the average gradient per km is under 7% only once. THe last km before the flat is 13.1%

Id say thats steep enough.

I'm not sure what the gradient variations are throughout the climb, but I looked from 149 to 169 which considering the rough gain of 1200, suggest an average gradient of 6% over the final 20km.
But yes obviously the changes throughout the climb should mix up things compared to yesterday's pretty consistent climb.

Anyway 7% isn't that great. A group of 5-10 strong maybe will come in.

I am however interested in the max gradient of the Etna (Rif. Sap)?

 

[Spare Tyre]

The first ascent starts 110k from the finish. Considering the course, thats what, between 2.5 and 3 hours before the finish.

It depends which channel or stream you watch but for the one im using- Eurosport Uk, they show the last 90 minutes, so that would mean during the flat in between the 2 ascents.

Ok, Giro organisers anticipate arrival at the 110km mark at around 14.10 to 14.20 (depending on race speed). The first ascent of Etna is expected to be reached between 14.58 and 15.14.

I was working on a feed time of roughly 14.30, which is the time Gazzetta has started broadcasting some stages.

 

[Ferminal]

I'm not sure what the gradient variations are throughout the climb, but I looked from 149 to 169 which considering the rough gain of 1200, suggest an average gradient of 6% over the final 20km.
But yes obviously the changes throughout the climb should mix up things compared to yesterday's pretty consistent climb.

Anyway 7% isn't that great. A group of 5-10 strong maybe will come in.

I am however interested in the max gradient of the Etna (Rif. Sap)?

12%

http://www.gazzetta.it/Speciali/Giroditalia/2011/immagini/zoom/tappa_09_s.jpg

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

12%

http://www.gazzetta.it/Speciali/Giroditalia/2011/immagini/zoom/tappa_09_s.jpg

Thanks. Looks like 8km to 5km will be the most interesting. If some attack at that point could be pretty entertaining.

 

[The Hitch]

I'm not sure what the gradient variations are throughout the climb, but I looked from 149 to 169 which considering the rough gain of 1200, suggest an average gradient of 6% over the final 20km.
But yes obviously the changes throughout the climb should mix up things compared to yesterday's pretty consistent climb.

Anyway 7% isn't that great. A group of 5-10 strong maybe will come in.

I am however interested in the max gradient of the Etna (Rif. Sap)?

The average gradient is 7.2% for the final 18km considering that the final 2 are flat. Ok so not that special but long. But if you want steep more than lenght than it gets better once you take out the easier sections at the beginning and end.

So if you take it out the final 2k its an average of 7.6 for a 16km climb followed by a short flat.

If you take out the first 5 k of steady climbing, which will no doubt tire the riders out even if it doesnt seperate them, you get 11km of climbing at 8.3% average. Sure its not Zoncolan but its steeper than most TDF climbs, and its quite long too.

12%

http://www.gazzetta.it/Speciali/Giroditalia/2011/immagini/zoom/tappa_09_s.jpg

Are you saying that 12 is the max gradient of the second ascent? because the avg gradient of the last km is 13.1%

 

[El Pistolero]

1. Alberto Contador

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

The average gradient is 7.2% for the final 18km considering that the final 2 are flat. Ok so not that special but long. But if you want steep more than lenght than it gets better once you take out the easier sections at the beginning and end.

So if you take it out the final 2k its an average of 7.6 for a 16km climb followed by a short flat.

If you take out the first 5 k of steady climbing, which will no doubt tire the riders out even if it doesnt seperate them, you get 11km of climbing at 8.3% average. Sure its not Zoncolan but its steeper than most TDF climbs, and its quite long too.





Are you saying that 12 is the max gradient of the second ascent? because the avg gradient of the last km is 13.1%

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

The average gradient is 7.2% for the final 18km considering that the final 2 are flat. Ok so not that special but long. But if you want steep more than lenght than it gets better once you take out the easier sections at the beginning and end.

So if you take it out the final 2k its an average of 7.6 for a 16km climb followed by a short flat.

If you take out the first 5 k of steady climbing, which will no doubt tire the riders out even if it doesnt seperate them, you get 11km of climbing at 8.3% average. Sure its not Zoncolan but its steeper than most TDF climbs, and its quite long too.


Are you saying that 12 is the max gradient of the second ascent? because the avg gradient of the last km is 13.1%

I don't think that is right, I was sure it ended at like 1% ??

 

[The Hitch]

I don't think that is right, I was sure it ended at like 1% ??

Im not counting the 1% and 3% at the end, which I see as a flat.

The last km before the 2km of flat is 13.1% avg, and since thats an avg for a km, im guessing the max gradient will be slightly higher.

 

[Ferminal]

Are you saying that 12 is the max gradient of the second ascent? because the avg gradient of the last km is 13.1%

Look at the profile...12% is max with 11.85km to go. The final km is flat, before that it's closer to 5%.

 

[just some guy]

After watching today finish.

Sella will go hard and fast on the highest % contador will go and then solo to the win

Contadorrrrrrrrrrrr for the win

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Im not counting the 1% and 3% at the end, which I see as a flat.

The last km before the 2km of flat is 13.1% avg, and since thats an avg for a km, im guessing the max gradient will be slightly higher.

Not sure what you are talking about...
link maybe? The km before the flat are about 5%. In fact the final 5-6km are only about 5-6% avg.

And the last 11km is about 7% average. There are only about 3-5km @ 8% avg.

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

Im not counting the 1% and 3% at the end, which I see as a flat.

The last km before the 2km of flat is 13.1% avg, and since thats an avg for a km, im guessing the max gradient will be slightly higher.

Are you saying the profiles in the original post are completely wrong? Looks like I'm not the only one very confused by your posts here, as the final kilometre profiles look like a re run of Friday followed by a flat last km, with 13% nowhere to be seen.

 

[The Hitch]

Im working from a 50 pg Giro 2011 guide book I bought 2 weeks ago.

They assess every climb and have the avg gradient for every km of every major climb.

It might be wrong but i dont see why as it was made recently and it was correct yesterday, so I dont see where they could have made the mistake though it is a possibility.

for the Etna second ascent they have the 15to 16km section as 13.1% average.

You guys might be getting confused because i reffer to that as the final km. Thats because the last 2k or so are flat, so i reffer to the previous one as the final km.

Also all the averages make the climb seem lower because they include the final 2k at 1.4 and 3.3 % whereas i am not including that.

Timmy you say the final 5k are 6% average and that makes sense as the final 2 k of flat bring it down to about that.

 

[El Pistolero]

Im working from a 50 pg Giro 2011 guide book I bought 2 weeks ago.

They assess every climb and have the avg gradient for every km of every major climb.

It might be wrong but i dont see why as it was made recently and it was correct yesterday, so I dont see where they could have made the mistake though it is a possibility.

for the Etna second ascent they have the 15to 16km section as 13.1% average.

You guys might be getting confused because i reffer to that as the final km. Thats because the last 2k or so are flat, so i reffer to the previous one as the final km.

Also all the averages make the climb seem lower because they include the final 2k at 1.4 and 3.3 % whereas i am not including that.

Timmy you say the final 5k are 6% average and that makes sense as the final 2 k of flat bring it down to about that.

Meh, Angliru is also pretty flat in the last km. Doubt it will matter that much

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Im working from a 50 pg Giro 2011 guide book I bought 2 weeks ago.

They assess every climb and have the avg gradient for every km of every major climb.

It might be wrong but i dont see why as it was made recently and it was correct yesterday, so I dont see where they could have made the mistake though it is a possibility.

for the Etna second ascent they have the 15to 16km section as 13.1% average.

You guys might be getting confused because i reffer to that as the final km. Thats because the last 2k or so are flat, so i reffer to the previous one as the final km.

Also all the averages make the climb seem lower because they include the final 2k at 1.4 and 3.3 % whereas i am not including that.

Timmy you say the final 5k are 6% average and that makes sense as the final 2 k of flat bring it down to about that.

This is what me, and others are using as an indication. I am merely looking at the height gained over amount of km (for example the last 11km) and working out the average gradient.
http://www.gazzetta.it/Speciali/Giroditalia/2011/immagini/zoom/tappa_09_s.jpg
edit: image to big

anyway like I said, only 3-5km at 8% average. With the odd couple hundred meters reaching similar gradients on occasion. Which is good, variation is better.

 

[icefire]

Are you saying that 12 is the max gradient of the second ascent? because the avg gradient of the last km is 13.1%

Where do you get that figure from? I can't see any .5km section in the profile with a gradient over 9.2%

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

http://www.gazzetta.it/Speciali/Giroditalia/2011/it/tappa.shtml?t=09&lang=it

Suggest Ferminal's profile is correct. Who knows tho.

Their official profile.

 

[The Hitch]

This is what me, and others are using as an indication. I am merely looking at the height gained over amount of km (for example the last 11km) and working out the average gradient.
http://www.gazzetta.it/Speciali/Giroditalia/2011/immagini/zoom/tappa_09_s.jpg
edit: image to big

anyway like I said, only 3-5km at 8% average. With the odd couple hundred meters reaching similar gradients on occasion. Which is good, variation is better.

I know, ive seen those profiles too. Its interesting that there are differences, but I wouldnt rule out the possibility that my source is wrong just yet.

I guess well see tomorow whether there is a 13.1% section with 3k to go or not.

Edit: did they not change the Etna route 1 or 2 times maybe?

Where do you get that figure from? I can't see any .5km section in the profile with a gradient over 9.2%

Like i said a giro guide book. The guide came from "Ciclismo a fondo" mag i bought while in Madrid.

Your in Spain arent you, so pop out and get yourself a copy

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

Im working from a 50 pg Giro 2011 guide book I bought 2 weeks ago.

They assess every climb and have the avg gradient for every km of every major climb.

It might be wrong but i dont see why as it was made recently and it was correct yesterday, so I dont see where they could have made the mistake though it is a possibility.

for the Etna second ascent they have the 15to 16km section as 13.1% average.

You guys might be getting confused because i reffer to that as the final km. Thats because the last 2k or so are flat, so i reffer to the previous one as the final km.
Also all the averages make the climb seem lower because they include the final 2k at 1.4 and 3.3 % whereas i am not including that.

Timmy you say the final 5k are 6% average and that makes sense as the final 2 k of flat bring it down to about that.

No - go and look at the 3rd picture in the original post and I think you'll rapidly understand why no one can understand you.

 

[roundabout]

Like i said a giro guide book. The guide came from "Ciclismo a fondo" mag i bought while in Madrid.

Your in Spain arent you, so pop out and get yourself a copy

Maybe you can take a photo of that page/part of the climb?

 

[icefire]

http://www.gazzetta.it/Speciali/Giroditalia/2011/it/tappa.shtml?t=09&lang=it

Suggest Ferminal's profile is correct. Who knows tho.

Ferminal's profile comes from the giro/gazzetta site. Max gradient sustained for 0.5km is 9.2%

Hitch refers to a book saying last km of climbing at >13%. Interestingly, salite.ch profile for the climb shows a profile with that figure, and also another km in the first half at >10%.

http://www.salite.ch/etna1.asp?Mapp...bef1o&dx=485&dy=330&empriseW=970&empriseH=661

EDIT: Now I think I get it:
The link above is for the climb from Pedara. The link below is for the climb from Nicolosi.

http://www.salite.ch/etna2.asp?Mapp...iaf1o&dx=485&dy=330&empriseW=970&empriseH=661

Nicolosi and Pedara are close to each other and the race goes through Pedara first and then through Nicolosi before starting the actual climb. It seems that the two profiles are for different roads and the guys who wrote the guide Hitch got in Spain were confused.

We'll see tomorrow.

 

[The Hitch]

No - go and look at the 3rd picture in the original post and I think you'll rapidly understand why no one can understand you.

If you can not understand the idea that people are using different sources, then you are not a very open minded person.