no block haus for the Giro?

[Susan Westemeyer]

"Not therefore come to the Block Haus cyclists of the Tour of the Centenary, but halt a few meters after the Hotel breast implants,"[/B]

theres a hotel breast implants?

Oh my goodness -- I'm scheduled to do the live report for this stage! How on earth will I deal with the "Pamela Anderson Hotel"?

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

LOL!

Obviously they are stopping at the hotel 3/4 up the mountain, just before it gets steep. I'm not sure what they'll rate this, but the truth is it's going to pretty much be a Category 2 climb.

This "Giro" no longer has the characteristics of the Giro.

You sir are completely correct in your assessment. I couldn't have said it better myself.

 

[ingsve]

It still going to be like 15 kms long so it's hardly a cat 2 climb. It's just not as awesome as it should be.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

That's what I'm thinking.

I'm still waiting for a confirmation on this story. It still hasn't been reported on by La Gazetta, CyclingNews or VeloNews. We're running off that sketchy translation.

Or am I blindly hoping here.

 

[rhubroma]

I think fans would be happy if it came down to pure helicopter coverage for the last few klicks. That would be better than destroying the stage.

There is something that does not add up about these changes. I do not know what the reason is, but Zomengen's explanations do not have the ring of truth.

No there isn't a ring of truth about them, but one of base falacies. What doesn't add up is that Zomengen is conditioning, if not catering, the race to suite Armstrong's present form and rider preference. The Simeoni situation is absurd and scandalous The elimination of the french part of the "Queen Stage," right after Armstrong was threatened to be suspended on french soil is another blatant scandal. That the race, from the giddy-up, was planned without climbs like the Mortirolo, Gavia or Stelvio during the race's centenial anniversary. makes no rational, nor technical, sense. Without Armstrong, who was used to the less steep french climbs, such a decision would not have been made. Don't kid yourselves on that one. then there is the long time-trial. What for!?

I live happily in Italy and have to sadly say that some Italians make no scrupples when it comes to publicity and having a "bid star" at their events like the Giro. It has to do with an inferiority complex, which, by contrast, the French have never lived with and, to an apposing degree but in equal measure, have always felt so highly of themselves and thier nation. And so they are able to sell themselves better as a result. In Italy, on the other hand, at times it as if we hear: "Ohhhh my God, His Royal Majesty Lance has decided to grace us, we mere, poor ol'Italians with His royal presence!" It's just pathetic. Because, in reality, the Italians have nothing to feel inferior about. If they would just realize it though!! They just, in cases like this, can't help themselves by constantly putting themselves down. It's cultural, so I don't see it changing. In the meantime, Zomengen has ruined!! a Giro which should have otherwise (and also because of Armstrong's presence) been perhaps the greatest pro cycling event on the calendar this year. What a shame...

 

[Epicycle]

Being such a short stage it might not make that big of a difference anyway. The Zoncolan stage two years ago wasn't as explosive as expected because the stage was short and that stage was 60km more than this Blockhaus stage.

 

[dolophonic]

Shocker....

 

[Leopejo]

I don't know about this stage, but let's not forget that the Tour doesn't anymore even try to have similar finishes. The Puy de Dome was mentioned some posts back - fact is that it hasn't been climbed in the last 20 years: the logistics of Grand Tours have changed.

The conspiracy about the French stage and Armstrong is ridiculous. The reason for the stage change is very simple: the descent from the Colle della Maddalena, in French territory, is closed to "slow vehicles", including bicycles, for safety reasons.

If I understood correctly, last year even the mighty Tour had to yield and change their route (either Colle dell'Agnello or Colle della Lombarda two days later, instead of Maddalena). Giro organizers thought - or were said by French authorities - that an exception could be made, but were wrong. They already had a backup plan including Colle dell'Agnello, but this winter's exceptional snow falls make it impossible to open it in May.

This said, I agree that it is a shame that they keep changing stages. Just a few weeks ago there were other rumours: about the Bologna stage changing (no San Luca finish) or the next stage having a different finish (not at the Cascine park in western outskirts of Florence, but in Ponte a Ema, Southeastern Florence, to celebrate Gino Bartali).

 

[Juan Pelota]

I was just looking at the route..and there is no longer a SINGLE hard day of climbing..NOT ONE. No epic Giro stages this year in the mountains this year.

What the ****..this is the race known for having the best route and it has been completely nutered.

 

[Escarabajo]

I don't know about this stage, but let's not forget that the Tour doesn't anymore even try to have similar finishes. The Puy de Dome was mentioned some posts back - fact is that it hasn't been climbed in the last 20 years: the logistics of Grand Tours have changed.

The conspiracy about the French stage and Armstrong is ridiculous. The reason for the stage change is very simple: the descent from the Colle della Maddalena, in French territory, is closed to "slow vehicles", including bicycles, for safety reasons.

If I understood correctly, last year even the mighty Tour had to yield and change their route (either Colle dell'Agnello or Colle della Lombarda two days later, instead of Maddalena). Giro organizers thought - or were said by French authorities - that an exception could be made, but were wrong. They already had a backup plan including Colle dell'Agnello, but this winter's exceptional snow falls make it impossible to open it in May.

This said, I agree that it is a shame that they keep changing stages. Just a few weeks ago there were other rumours: about the Bologna stage changing (no San Luca finish) or the next stage having a different finish (not at the Cascine park in western outskirts of Florence, but in Ponte a Ema, Southeastern Florence, to celebrate Gino Bartali).

You are right about the first stage change. I just did not want to kill the emotions of some of the forists. The stage was being changed before shower gate took place.

 

[Escarabajo]

I was just looking at the route..and there is no longer a SINGLE hard day of climbing..NOT ONE. No epic Giro stages this year in the mountains this year.

What the ****..this is the race known for having the best route and it has been completely nutered.

I am not sure if I agree with you. Stage 16 is very hard. Let's see: 4 big mountains:
1st: 7.75 km at 6.62 % gradient
2nd: 13.35 km at 7.7% gradient
3rd: 11 km at 8% gradient
4th: 10.4 km at 8% gradient

Not to mention that there are 237 km to get to the finish. That's tough to me.
Thanks.

 

[rhubroma]

I don't know about this stage, but let's not forget that the Tour doesn't anymore even try to have similar finishes. The Puy de Dome was mentioned some posts back - fact is that it hasn't been climbed in the last 20 years: the logistics of Grand Tours have changed.

The conspiracy about the French stage and Armstrong is ridiculous. The reason for the stage change is very simple: the descent from the Colle della Maddalena, in French territory, is closed to "slow vehicles", including bicycles, for safety reasons.

Sorry, but you don't know Zomengen man or his "Italian" mentality. The truth is that the Giro has had many similar difficult arrivals in the past years, no less so than Blockhaus, and that has never been an issue before.

Zomengen has also been courting Armstrong to come back to cycling and then race the Giro. After the latter placed 2nd in a difficult mountain bike race last year, it was Zomengen that personally called Lance and said "Hey Lance, you're back! Come and do my race next year!" Zomengen thus wants Armstrong's business and fame to compensate for an inferiority complex against the French grand tour. To catch the limelight and steal the show as it were...

Lance gets threatened by the French authourities and, bam!, Zomengen immediatly alters the course, taking out all roads that pass through France to avoid losing on his "investment." Even though several past editions of the Giro have entered the French Alps like it was nothing. And the potential bad weather is nothing new to the Giro which runs in May, not July.

Lance still hates Simeoni (don't believe a word Lance has said recently, because he's the same mean bully who punitively chased Simeoni down on the world's TV screens - what class that - at the Tour because he didn't like what the latter said about a certain controversial medic Lance also frequented) and I can imagine the pathetic Giro director's rection: "No problem there Lance, we won't let that annoying little peon in the race, nope. Tricolor jersey. To hell with him!"

In fact, look at how belittling Zomengen has been to Simeoni after the latter made a protest, whereas all we hear are words of praise, nay veneration, for the Texan.

No conspiracy. Just business as usual!

PS. If it had to do with saftey reasons on the descent of one of the Colle, as you hypothesize, then why not just alter the route and not loose all the spectal of the French alps? Why possibly should they eliminate all French roads, as Zomengen has done, just when showergate errupted? Do you actually believe showergate had nothing to do with this, that the two insidents were merely coincidental? If so, then I've got a great realestate deal for you sir!

 

[Anonymous]

the idea that the giro would change the entire course for one person, frankly is laughable...

although granted, cavendish does have a slightly better chance of getting through the three weeks now, but i dont think the course change has made too much difference...

 

[LugHugger]

the idea that the giro would change the entire course for one person, frankly is laughable...

although granted, cavendish does have a slightly better chance of getting through the three weeks now, but i dont think the course change has made too much difference...

Is it? If the rumours of appearance money are true and the amounts being asked by RCS for TV rights are accurate then why risk having your 'star' draw carted off at the border or dropped by 10 minutes on a 20% climb because he's too old and slow to compete with the sprightly young things?

 

[Leopejo]

Sorry, but you don't know Zomengen man or his "Italian" mentality. The truth is that the Giro has had many similar difficult arrivals in the past years, no less so than Blockhaus, and that has never been an issue before.

I said I don't know about that particular stage, but it is understandable that they got some problems they can't solve - that too is part of "Italian mentality".

Lance gets threatened by the French authourities and, bam!, Zomengen immediatly alters the course, taking out all roads that pass through France to avoid losing on his "investment." Even though several past editions of the Giro have entered the French Alps like it was nothing. And the potential bad weather is nothing new to the Giro which runs in May, not July.

This is conspiracy theory. People living in Piedmont have been warning that the stage can't be done as planned for months because of those French authorities' words. They were laughed at (by myself too) "how can you say that? Surely Zomegnan knows if he can have a stage pass there". But they were right, I was wrong and Zomegnan too. As simple as that. Since a few years, you can't pass from the Colle della Maddalena with an officially "slow" vehicle, because there is a piece of road with a landslide risk and "slow vehicles" are not supposed to be able to clear the road in time. Putting that road into safety is a cost statal or local authorities don't want to bear at the moment. Unlike Italy, they are strict and don't give exceptions easily. That's all.

Lance still hates Simeoni (don't believe a word Lance has said recently, because he's the same mean bully who punitively chased Simeoni down on the world's TV screens - what class that - at the Tour because he didn't like what the latter said about a certain controversial medic Lance also frequented) and I can imagine the pathetic Giro director's rection: "No problem there Lance, we won't let that annoying little peon in the race, nope. Tricolor jersey. To hell with him!"

Lance had no problem racing with Simeoni in Milano - Sanremo, I don't think he put a veto. Maybe Simeoni and his team just haven't delivered this season.

PS. If it had to do with saftey reasons on the descent of one of the Colle, as you hypothesize, then why not just alter the route and not loose all the spectal of the French alps? Why possibly should they eliminate all French roads, as Zomengen has done, just when showergate errupted? Do you actually believe showergate had nothing to do with this, that the two insidents were merely coincidental? If so, then I've got a great realestate deal for you sir!

As I said, there was an alternative plan, which would have been more or less Cuneo - Colle dell'Agnello - Izoard and so on (no Maddalena, no Vars), but the Colle dell'Agnello won't be open due to the exceptional snowfalls. You are free not to believe me.

About Lance and France: he was in France some weeks ago, and he will return to France for the Tour.

 

[inputjoe]

Trouble is, Joe, there is no brighter side.
This "Giro" no longer has the characteristics of the Giro.

No Queen Stage. No Cima Coppi prizeworthy climb. (Sestrieres!)
No major Alp. None of the great Dolomite climbs. Nothing averaging 8% plus.
hardly any climbs of note, over 15kms long.

The Blockhaus finish was to be the South's version of Plan de Corones.
Now, what is the point of a 40km charge to the base of Lanciarno?
IMO, this is now another, long TTT.

Still, if you get your excitment from who may win the race, rather than the spectacle, itself, it's easy to see why you are smiling.

No way can you justify 100 kms of trialing, with the remaining climbing.
They should now cut 10kms+ off that stupidly long stage 12.

Otherwise, Basso and all the Italian lads might as well spend 3 weeks at the beach.

MV, what odds are you giving on Basso and all the Italian lads spending three weeks on the beach because the Blockhaus finish is a few kms shorter?

 

[Anonymous]

Is it? If the rumours of appearance money are true and the amounts being asked by RCS for TV rights are accurate then why risk having your 'star' draw carted off at the border or dropped by 10 minutes on a 20% climb because he's too old and slow to compete with the sprightly young things?

Basso is hardly old to be fair..

 

[Jasper]

Well he's no spring chicken anymore either.

 

[mr. tibbs]

dimspace:

im more confused than i was.. google translate didnt do the greatest job...
"Not therefore come to the Block Haus cyclists of the Tour of the Centenary, but halt a few meters after the Hotel breast implants,"

theres a hotel breast implants?

BroDeal:

This Giro may be saved after all. We now know where Cipo will be staying if he visits the race.

I love you guys; I just lost it at my desk, laughing my *** off.

(But, since there's an executive meeting going on 15 feet away in the conference room, I may be about to lose my job, too. Thanks a lot. )

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

I'm still waiting for verification of this. So far the only report we have is that one cryptic website transltation. So far nothing from LaGazetta, CyclingNews or VeloNews. No confirmation, or denial.

Maybe Rhubroma can help us out here. You live in Italy, Rhubroma, yes? Do you have firm information that Blockhaus has indeed been cut?

 

[pmcg76]

the idea that the giro would change the entire course for one person, frankly is laughable...

So you have never heard of Francesco Moser then, routes were designed to suit Moser in the 80s and there was a very controversial race in 84 I think when Moser was up against Fignon. The Giro organisers rerouted a tough mountain stage due to bad weather conditions but some journalists claim there was no problems on the mountain in question.

Now, I agree with you in that I dont think they are changing stages to suit Lance. It just annoys me that they dont seem to have done their research before including climbs and anyway I dont think the Blockhaus has been officially excluded just yet.

 

[davidw]

I said I don't know about that particular stage, but it is understandable that they got some problems they can't solve - that too is part of "Italian mentality".


This is conspiracy theory. People living in Piedmont have been warning that the stage can't be done as planned for months because of those French authorities' words. They were laughed at (by myself too) "how can you say that? Surely Zomegnan knows if he can have a stage pass there". But they were right, I was wrong and Zomegnan too. As simple as that. Since a few years, you can't pass from the Colle della Maddalena with an officially "slow" vehicle, because there is a piece of road with a landslide risk and "slow vehicles" are not supposed to be able to clear the road in time. Putting that road into safety is a cost statal or local authorities don't want to bear at the moment. Unlike Italy, they are strict and don't give exceptions easily. That's all.


Lance had no problem racing with Simeoni in Milano - Sanremo, I don't think he put a veto. Maybe Simeoni and his team just haven't delivered this season.


As I said, there was an alternative plan, which would have been more or less Cuneo - Colle dell'Agnello - Izoard and so on (no Maddalena, no Vars), but the Colle dell'Agnello won't be open due to the exceptional snowfalls. You are free not to believe me.

About Lance and France: he was in France some weeks ago, and he will return to France for the Tour.

Precisely - it's not some big conspiracy theory - it snowed a *lot* in the mountains this winter. My father in law was up in Cortina d'Ampezzo just a week or two ago and said there was still a bunch of snow. Indeed, he went up there to repair some damage to a little cabin the family has in the vicinity, that was caused by the heavy snowfall.

Also, Simeoni has had a really bad season this year so far. Robbie Hunter on twitter says that Simeoni only finished something like two races.

I'm still waiting for verification of this. So far the only report we have is that one cryptic website transltation. So far nothing from LaGazetta, CyclingNews or VeloNews. No confirmation, or denial.

Maybe Rhubroma can help us out here. You live in Italy, Rhubroma, yes? Do you have firm information that Blockhaus has indeed been cut?

The article says what it says, but you're right that no other sources seem to be confirming the same thing, which does seem a bit odd...

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

The article says what it says, but you're right that no other sources seem to be confirming the same thing, which does seem a bit odd...

That was also an awful translation from Google. Hard to comprehend. This is why I'm hoping someone from Italy or Europe can verify.

Pmcg76 is correct on those Giros designed for Moser (also Visintini and Saroni got some help as well in the 80's).

A lot of people felt the early 1990's catered to Indurain with extremely long time trial distances (I believe 1994 had over 200km total. Compare this to the 90km in this year's Giro people are saying is a lot).

 

[davidw]

That was also an awful translation from Google. Hard to comprehend. This is why I'm hoping someone from Italy or Europe can verify.

Err... I posted the original article after having read it (I live in Italy and speak the language fluently). To quote my own sources, I saw it being discussed here:

http://groups.google.com/group/it.sport.ciclismo/browse_thread/thread/227a5f4404fb983b#

Suffice it to say, they're not impressed with the decision either!

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Thanks for the update David.

Just wondering why LaGazetta, VN and CN aren't reporting it. Maybe it's not big news to them? But it sure seems to be to us fans.