Giro to the US?

[Spare Tyre]

Oh yes, let's have it start in Melbourne. Lots of Italians here for the Italian flavour, and some lovely though un-Italian scenery. And only 24 hours to Europe.

None of this Washington etc business for me, I'd rather the Giro be the Giro and stick to Italy.

 

[53 x 11]

Even I think this is too much of a joke.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Anyone remember in about 1991 there was talk about trying to have the Tour prologue and a few stages in New York? And some people wanted them to race up to New Hampshire and up Mt. Washington, before heading to France? Well, as soon as it was deemed as possibly serious, the riders, and many fans, sent up a howl of protest.

The only way this happens is if there's a HEAP of money backing it to pay for everything, and there are two rest days, after a few days racing in the USA. The last day in the US being about 100km, and in the morning.

I still don't see it though, the riders will still protest, and I don't know that enough people will support it.

I thought America was getting their Grand Tour in the Tour of America? What happened to it? Back in the pipe dream it was dreamt out of?

Wasn't that revealed as an April Fool's joke?

JK. But they did have crazy stuff, like 200km ITT stages, and 350km stages across the Midwest. Seriously, it was a lot of talk, and some fans came up with some great alternate ideas, but it really was a lot of hype about nothing that never should have gotten the media coverage it did.

 

[yetanothergreenworld]

Let's not limit ourselves to stage races here. I would love to see a new superclassic called Liege-Modesto-San Remo.

 

[tifosa]

Let's not limit ourselves to stage races here. I would love to see a new superclassic called Liege-Modesto-San Remo.

Perfect! I also suggest the totally do-able, yet completely surreal-superclassico: Tirreno-Crows Landing-Adriatico.

 

[craig1985]

Paris Nice (via Vladivostok) IMO. Vino wanted a stage finish at Astana, but ASO said no.

 

[Black-Balled]

i was impressed with your course layout on short notice.

Excellent work, agreed. Have the permits been procured as well?

But there is one problem. The streets of DC are a dangerous, dangerous place. DId you people not see duPont? The timetrialers were falling into a hole that must've been a foot deep. I couldn't imagine a field sprint coming down Constitution ave. There would be deaths.

THe streets of Northern VA would be better.

 

[Big_Blue_Dave]

If there are a couple of people posting on here from the North East of USA, and in particular from the 4 cities or their suburbs that can give me some good information on the best roads in the area that could hold a Grand Tour stage (for example is rather wide and lacks any potential dangers such as road furniture or poorly designed descents), looking at my original post for the plan, I will write to RCS with a detailed route with a copy posted on here, and post back any responses received.

 

[cyclingforall]

In Italy many have not had the pleasure of starting the Tour in Holland.
The departure in the U.S. would certainly have many detractors

 

[issoisso]

Anyone remember in about 1991 there was talk about trying to have the Tour prologue and a few stages in New York? And some people wanted them to race up to New Hampshire and up Mt. Washington, before heading to France? Well, as soon as it was deemed as possibly serious, the riders, and many fans, sent up a howl of protest.

No, but I do know that Leblanc's predecessor Naquet-Radiget was fired for, among other things, planning a Quebec start for the 1992 Tour, among a few other insane decisions.

(I say "know" and not "remember" because I was a very small toddler at the time)

 

[Bustedknuckle]

okay, so how are they going to work this out:

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/giro-ditalia-considers-start-in-washington-dc

it seems like there would be way too many hurdles.

A 'Giro de Europe' would make more sense. But it is a Giro de ITALIA, after all.

 

[python]

i did not read the entire thread but if someone already floated the idea im sorry -- isnt the 'giro in us' a move designed to take some steam out of its competitor ToC? any other scenario seems too loony to me.

 

[warmfuzzies]

Giro stage in the US is logistic lunacy, and detracts from the event's present identity. It's an effort to build a US fan base/sponsor support for the #2 global cycling event. As another poster mentioned, Giro should try stages elsewhere in Europe first as an attempt to lure in new supporters. If organizers are going to undertake an intercontinental transfer, might as well take the show to China. In fact, they would probably appreciate the effort more than Americans.

 

[Kender]

i always liked the april fools article on starting the TdF in dubai

it'd rock to have the prologue run through the large shopping mall (to combat the heat of course) and finishing with an uphill finish in the ski slope building (minus the snow)

 

[Black-Balled]

...GT finishing in DC. Think about it: the National Mall is essentially the Champs-Élysées. A GT could end with a mass sprint similar to the Tour with the White House, Washington Monument, Capitol Building, and numerous museums in the background.

Except a good portion of the group would get swallowed up by the holes on Constitution Ave!

I have a vid, '92 duPont?, and the TT had a part where the riders fall into a hole...then get bounced back up. Fun!