Gran Premio Canal de Castilla - a new 'Monte Paschi Eroica' in Spain?

[rantanplan]

Available interactive map with 2011's GP Canal de Castilla Route


http://gpcanaldecastilla.wordpress.com/english/ (on the bottom of the page)

 

[Fester]

I think 237 km is too long for what would be a semiclassic. With that length and those roads, it's going to be entirely too tough, especially considering the Spanish peloton is not used to this kind of stuff (also it would prevent the sort-of-amateur/continental teams from being competitive).

Your right there. I think initially the race should be shorter, say 160km, then after a breaking in period be increased to 240km.

I can imagine them all lining up with their clinchers or 21mm tubs, no support mid-sector, etc...

I didn't see what time of year they plan to host this event, but the heat and dust could also be a factor.

I think bike racing needs creative ideas like this. It needs to evolve and these epic races in unusual places that captivate fans. It's like harking back to it's roots!

 

[Descender]

Agree about the length, but let's not forget we've got a semi-classic on Sunday that is almost 260km long...

 

[R.0.t.O]

Looks like a really interesting project and race. But I do wonder a little bit at what point this sort of terrain just becomes a gimmick? The sport is after all road racing. Any race could easily throw in some sections on a mown grass field or across a sandy beach to make things more difficult and exciting.

 

[Wiesmier]

My feeling is that these 'other terrain' events bring one back to the essence of the old time road races when surfaces were generally poor and the races longer. I'm all for these events. Even more races like this and they could make a whole series from them!

 

[rantanplan]

These are the 3 strade bianche (white gravel paths) of GP Canal de Castilla 2011:



Strade bianche GP Canal de Castilla 2011



We hope you like them

 

[rantanplan]

Avoid punctures

http://gpcanaldecastilla.wordpress....azos-en-el-gp-canal-de-castilla-cuanto-antes/

Transport in GP Canal de Castilla (train, car)

http://gpcanaldecastilla.wordpress....uilar-y-valladolid-gp-canal-de-castilla-2011/

 

[rantanplan]

Today "Sirgas del Norte" (4 special sections with sterrato):

http://www.gpcanaldecastilla.com/

 

[rantanplan]

Interview in "El Pedal de Frodo" (spanish cycling web with more than 20.000 visits per month):

http://www.elpedaldefrodo.com/gran-premio-canal-de-castilla/

Sorry, is in spanish

 

[rantanplan]

If you want to ride the Canal de Castilla by yourself, here there is a complete guide (where eat and sleep, place to visit...)

https://gpcanaldecastilla.wordpress.com/2011/05/23/guia-del-canal-de-castilla/

Enjoy it!

 

[rantanplan]

The GP Canal de Castilla 2001 have 11 spetials sections call "Sirgas"


4 in the north and 7 in the Sur (El Serrón-Valladolid). The south sirgas have 30,2 Km (photos and descriptions):

http://gpcanaldecastilla.wordpress.com/2011/05/28/las-sirgas-del-ramal-sur-del-2011/

 

[rantanplan]

Hills GPCC 2011:

9 in total, follow the link to see photos and profiles:



http://gpcanaldecastilla.wordpress.com/2011/05/31/las-cotas-del-gp-canal-de-castilla-2011/

 

[rantanplan]

GP Canal de Castilla and clasic bikes;

http://gpcanaldecastilla.wordpress....antiguas-y-clasicas-en-el-camino-de-santiago/

 

[rantanplan]

Lots of nice phots by Chuparuedis

http://gpcanaldecastilla.wordpress.com/2011/06/12/878/

Enjoy it

 

[rantanplan]

Everything ready for the saturday!

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

any live coverage?

what kind of line up, any decent teams?

seems like a nice race, good luck with it.

 

[rantanplan]

Best places to watch GPCC 2011:

http://gpcanaldecastilla.wordpress.com/2011/06/16/mapa-interactivo-gpcc-sabado-18-de-junio-de-2011/

 

[rantanplan]

Unofficial Video of GP Canal de Castilla 2011

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=569zhA3IQ0s

 

[rantanplan]

ONE DAY in Middle-earth: THE MOST BEAUTIFUL MARCH

By El Pedal de Frodo:

Photos, anecdotes and the chronicle of one of the spanish pages of cycling more visited (20.000 monthly visits)

http://www.elpedaldefrodo.com/un-dia-por-la-tierra-media-la-marcha-mas-bella/

 

[rantanplan]

GP Canal de Castilla 2011 in Desde La Cuneta, Cycling magazine

http://gpcanaldecastilla.wordpress....-castilla-2011-en-la-revista-desde-la-cuneta/

 

[rantanplan]

Official photos GPCC 2011 by Chuparruedis

http://torresdeasfalto.blogspot.com/2011/07/gp-canal-de-castilla-2011-cronica.html

http://gpcanaldecastilla.wordpress....aje-fotografico-del-gp-canal-de-castilla-2011

 

[rantanplan]

Complete guide to do Canal de Castilla by yourself:

http://gpcanaldecastilla.wordpress.com/2011/08/26/guia-del-canal-de-castilla-2/

 

[Libertine Seguros]

I admire your dedication. Looks like a really tough event, in the heat of Spain at that time of year; are you looking at elite amateur status soon?

Maybe the distance is too much in that respect unless it goes straight to the pro level; perhaps it could be split in half and done in one day with a rest hour or something (then set off in pursuit mode?)

 

[rantanplan]

I admire your dedication. Looks like a really tough event, in the heat of Spain at that time of year; are you looking at elite amateur status soon?

Maybe the distance is too much in that respect unless it goes straight to the pro level; perhaps it could be split in half and done in one day with a rest hour or something (then set off in pursuit mode?)

Cheers mate

At the moment is going to be just bicycle touring (like Eroica Toscana in it first steps), after some years who knows

One thing is quite clear, Spain needs a proper classic race, do you agree?

 

[Libertine Seguros]

I'd argue that the Donostiako Klasikoa is a proper classic race. But certainly there isn't really anything conducive to creating anyone for the classics or nurturing anybody who might be skilled in that direction, short of cyclocross.

I miss the Subida al Naranco and Subida a Urkiola too.