Race Design Challenge II

[Red Rick]

No worries, any schedule we may have had got shat on long ago.

 

[Eshnar]

Re:

No worries, any schedule we may have had got shat on long ago.

it did, big time

 

[Gigs_98]

CONSTANTINOPOLIS-ROMA stage 23: Brixia - Verona (161 km)

Hallelujah, I'm posting my next stage
Just as a reminder, my last two stages were very hard mountain stages so it's logical that the next stage is an easier one. And since easy stages usually cost a lot of technical points I tried to at least put it in an area with a lot of Roman history, and finish the stage in one of my personal "must visit" towns of the race.
The start of my 23rd stage is in Brixia (Brescia)

Since rghysens has also included Brescia in his stage I hope it's okay to just skip this part of the write up since it's unecessary to write what has already been written. (Btw, I feel extremely lazy right now because I said I can't post a stage because the write ups take so much time and now that I have time I'm just telling you, you should read the post of someone else. But I only just realized that Rgyhsens put his stage in the exact same region as mine )

And although my stage will also finish in the same town as Rghysens stage the stage is actually very different from now on, because while his route goes northwards into the Alps, I'm instead heading southwards, because I didn't want to make another mountain stage, but instead get some more cultural points. After 25 kilometers the riders pass Minervium (Manerbio) a city which used to be a roman settlement, not a very famous one though.
The next city, where the first intermediate sprint takes place, has a richer Roman history. It's Cremona, a city built in 219 BC as protection against the Gauls. The city became bigger and became a Municipium, before it was destroyed in the 2nd Battle of Bedriacum, by Vespasian. This famous battle was the point which decided the Roman Civil War, in the year of Four Emperors, in which 4 men fought for becoming Nero's successor.
Vespasian ordered to rebuilt the city, but it never became as important again as it was before.

And guess which Roman city is the next one, the riders will go through? Exactly Bedriacum. Well, actually it's not sure, since afaik it's not knowns where exactly the battle took place, but this town is at least very close to where the army's fought.

After the riders have passed Bedriacum they head into the direction of the stage finish, which is Verona. But before they can finish, they have one final difficulty to face, the climb to Torricelli (which I think is the climb used in the WC RR 2004) This climb will make the finale very interesting and cause an exciting battle between sprinters like Sagan, late attackers and the break of the day.
As I already wrote, the finish is in Verona and actually I don't have to write anything more because it's also Rghysens stage finish, and I don't really have anything to add to his write up. Ofc. the most famous Roman landmark of the city is the amphitheater, but (as Rghysens has already shown) there are actually many more impressive, antique monuments.

 

[Brullnux]

Should we post today?

I probably will even if we are not meant, as next week (from tomorrow onwards) will be extremely busy for me apart from Tuesday so I will send Eshnar two of my stages too. From next Sunday onwards I will be very free to post 26, 27 and 28. If we are lucky we will be on 27 by then, but the way we go I doubt it

 

[Eshnar]

Re:

Should we post today?

I probably will even if we are not meant, as next week (from tomorrow onwards) will be extremely busy for me apart from Tuesday so I will send Eshnar two of my stages too. From next Sunday onwards I will be very free to post 26, 27 and 28. If we are lucky we will be on 27 by then, but the way we go I doubt it

sure, you can post. I'm still waiting for votes and I'm not sure I'll get them today, so do as you wish

 

[Eshnar]

Stage 23 done. Please post stage 24. Writing about "stage day" and "vote day" makes really no sense anymore

JUDGE 1:

Gigs_98 T: 3 C: 3
A decent little transitional stage, with something to ensure it's not too easy but allowing the riders plenty of time in the Po floodplain to recover from the exertions of the mountains.

Brullnux T: 3 C: 4
As we move into week 4 the Cultural points become very hard to balance with so many strong points. The stage is potentially interesting since there's little real flat, but it's clearly a transitional stage before the big finale too.

Rghysens T: 5 C: 4
Probably the best ultra stage we've had so far, I think, though the climbs aren't truly monstrous the number of them, and the steepness of gradients, means people will be all over the road by the end.

mb2612 T: 2 C: 3
Not particularly enthused by this as an ultra stage, personally; worse, the cultural points that have served you so well are harmed by the fact most of the other races are now in Italy where cultural points are available by the truckload.

JUDGE 2:

Gigs_98 T: 3 C: 4
As far as transitional flat stages go, this one is alright.

Brullnux T: 3 C: 3
This one is alright too, even though the terrain in the area would allow for a tougher design...

Rghysens T: 5 C: 4
Yeah, this is great. Technically 5 points aren't even enough. On the cultural point of view, I think your stage is pretty much equivalent to Gigs's.

mb2612 T: 3 C: 5
It was very hard for me to decide the cultural points for this stage and Rghysens/Gigs. Ultimately, since theirs are very similar to each other, I decided to give 5 to this one instead. I really like the idea of linking the two big roman battles in Greece with an ultra-stage, also including the Olympus. However, the result is quite weak on the technical side.


JUDGE 3:

Gigs_98 T: 2 C: 4
The stage is ok as an easier stage. No chance for sprinters as they likely either abandoned, or died.

Brullnux T: 3 C: 3
Interesting transitional stage. The length may have a decent effect but rarely seems steep enough to really create carnage

Rghysens T: 5 C: 5
IIRC the first ultra stage that is also a mountain stage with more than one big climb. Punta Veleno is perfectly placed, culturally this is an amazing stage as well and I have a soft spot for Lago di Garda

mb2612 T: 3 C: 4
I'm kinda disappointed with this stage as an ultra stage. I love using Mount Olympus, but after 280k of mostly flat it's not enough to have riders all over the road, and the possibility of getting a reduced bunch sprint in an ultra stage does little to excite me. I do like the placing as a means of exhausting the riders as much as possible in the first stage of the final week.


JUDGE 4:

Gigs_98 T: 3 C: 4
No issues with flat stages such as this. Nice little climb, although I would actually prefer it a little further from the end, but hey ho. Some beautiful locations visited today, in an area rich with history.

Brullnux T: 3 C: 3
Nice transitional stage in a nice area. I like the length for a stage of this type. Nice area culturally, but the others are too so your score was clipped a bit.

Rghysens T: 5 C: 5
This stage would be absolutely epic. The climbs are brutes, well connected, and racing would be balls out for the full final 100km for sure.

mb2612 T: 4 C: 4
As always, your stage is good at maximising cultural points. Some great locations visited. Yeah, this stage would be a killer, but I am not a fan of these marathon stages, and actually prefer the idea of putting them in earlier.


CLASSIFICATION FOR STAGE 23

Rghysens: 38
mb2612: 28
Gigs_98: 26
Brullnux: 25


CLASSIFICATION AFTER STAGE 23:

rghysens: 941
mb2612: 883
Gigs_98: 850
Brullnux: 811

 

[Gigs_98]

I guess this is the point where we can congratulate rghysens

 

[Eshnar]

I guess this is the point where we can congratulate rghysens

with the last week worth 5x points, there's still hope

 

[rghysens]

I guess this is the point where we can congratulate rghysens

You can still spike my urine

 

[Brullnux]

Iter per Imperium Romanum Stage 24: Embrun-Saluzzo 263km

Monster stage. The second queen stage, and extremely different to the first one too. While the other one had many climbs, but none too long or too hard, this has 5 very, very difficult climbs. This perhaps is even harder than the other one.

The stage starts in modern day Embrun, which was the capital of the Roman Procince Alpes-Maritime for a while. The stage quiuckly begins to climb, in fact for a whole 24km and scaling over 1700m of altitude. The road is not wholyl paved, so for the race the downhill section will be paved, while the uphill will be kept sterrato, to find out who is the true Roman centurion. Sorry for the profile, it is meant to say Parpaillon. I don't know what went through my mind when I wrote it. After a descent, comes the Bonette, or at least part of it. Then comes Colle della Lombarda, like in this year's Giro.

However, here wo go further than Sant'Anna Vinadio, and take on Faunieraand Sampeyre too.

short write up as i have no time sorry. Finish in Saluzzo, an important roman town in the region.

 

[rghysens]

I guess this is the point where we can congratulate rghysens

You can still spike my urine

...Or post stages like the one above, while I am forced to take it easy because I'd ran out of mountains.


Stage 24: Ravenna – Ancona: 243km, hilly/flat
While the previous stage started in the first capital of the Western Roman empire as such, this one will start in the second (and last) capital: Ravenna. Although there’s a fair share of climbs in the second half of this stage, I consider this to be a flat stage because, with one exception, none of them is really difficult. Still, pure sprinters can face difficulties trying to keep in touch with the first group on the road. Add to that the possibility of crosswinds and this can turn into an interesting stage where also the contenders have to be vigilant all day long.

The origins of Ravenna are uncertain. The first settlement is variously attributed to the Thessalians, the Etruscans and the Umbrians. The Romans ignored it during their conquest of the Po River Delta, but later accepted it into the Roman Republic as a federated town in 89 BC. In 49 BC, it was the location where Julius Caesar gathered his forces before crossing the Rubicon. Later, after his battle against Mark Antony in 31 BC, Emperor Augustus founded the military harbor of Classis.
During the German campaigns, Thusnelda, widow of Arminius, and Marbod, King of the Marcomanni, were confined at Ravenna.
Ravenna greatly prospered under Roman rule. In AD 402, Emperor Honorius transferred the capital of the Western Roman Empire from Milan to Ravenna. The transfer was made partly for defensive purposes: Ravenna was surrounded by swamps and marshes, and was perceived to be easily defensible (although in fact the city fell to opposing forces numerous times in its history); it is also likely that the move to Ravenna was due to the city's port and good sea-borne connections to the Eastern Roman Empire. Ravenna enjoyed a period of peace, during which time the Christian religion was favoured by the imperial court, and the city gained some of its most famous monuments, including the Orthodox Baptistery, the misnamed Mausoleum of Galla Placidia (she was not actually buried there), and San Giovanni Evangelista. Architecture from that era, as you'll notice from the pictures below, differs a great deal from "traditional" Roman architecture.
The late 5th century saw the dissolution of Roman authority in the west, and the last person to hold the title of emperor in the West was deposed in 476 by the general Odoacer, an event that is considered nowadays by many scholars the end of the Roman empire and by extension antiquity as a whole .

We debark on our trip south by following the Via Popilia, the Roman road that went from Ariminum around the northern half of the Adriatic. One mile after the official start, there’s already a Roman landmark sprint at Classis, the military harbor of Ravenna, founded by Augustus. Al that remains now are some streets and wall foundations.

The peloton keeps on following the new Via Popilia to the bridge of Augustus (or Tiberius), a Roman bridge in the outskirts of Ariminum. Construction work started during Augustus' reign and was finished under his successor Tiberius in 20 AD. The bridge is said to have resisted all attempts at destruction, including the ignition failure of explosive charges. The bridge is still open to pedestrian and vehicular traffic, with the exception of heavy goods vehicles, so halfway the second Roman landmark sprint will be contested.

The third Roman landmark sprint will follow almost immediately in ancient Ariminum.
In 268 BC at the mouth of the Ariminus river, the Romans founded the colony of Ariminum, probably named after the nearby river (today Marecchia).The city was involved in the civil wars but remained faithful to the popular party and to its leaders, firstly Marius and then Caesar. After crossing the Rubicon, the latter made his legendary appeal to the legions in the Forum of Ariminum.
As the terminus of the Via Flaminia, which ended here in the still existing Arch of Augustus, Ariminum was a road junction connecting central Italy and northern Italy by the Via Aemilia that led to Piacenza and the Via Popilia that extended northwards; it also opened up trade by sea and river. Remains of the amphitheater that could seat 12000 people are also still visible.

In Ariminum the peloton swaps the Via Popilia for the Via Flaminia, the road that connected Rome with the Adriatic. It will be followed for 75km, meanwhile contesting some more Roman landmark sprints. First at the lucus Pisaurensis, a still existing sacred grove near ancient Pisaurum.
Next is the sprint at Fanum Fortunae. This settlement was named after a temple of Fortuna located there, probably erected after the Roman victory at the battle of the Metaurus over the Carthaginian forces led by Hasdrubal. Its first mention in history only dates from 49 BC, when Julius Caesar held it, along with Pisaurum and Ancona. Augustus established a colonia, and built a wall, some parts of which remain. In 2 AD Augustus also built an arch (which is still standing) at the entrance to the town. In January 271, the Roman Army defeated the Alamanni in the Battle of Fano that took place on the banks of the Metauro river just inland of Fano.

23km further on the road lies the sixth Roman landmark sprint of the day, in front of the theatre of Senigallia, which was built on some remains of the colonia of Sena Gallica, founded by the Romans after their victory over the Senones.

After Sena Gallica today’s course diverges from the ancient Via Flaminia and will venture inland to climb some minor hills. Still there are a few Roman things to see, as after 186km, the final Roman landmark sprint will be held in front of the remains of Helvia Recina. The town is located at the junction of the river Flosis with a crossroad of the Via Salaria and a byroad of the Via Flaminia. Ricina was already quite extensively occupied from the later 2nd century BC on. However most of the urban evidence belongs to the period between the 1st century BC and the 4th century AD. Ricina became a municipium from the mid-1st century BC when the first colonists, veterans of the Civil Wars, were settled here. It flourished under the reigns of Augustus and Tiberius to judge by a series of funerary monuments and inscriptions which probably originate from a cemetery on the SW side, the construction of an aqueduct, and the largest theatre in the region. During the 2nd century AD a good deal of public building was achieved and squares and streets were repaved. Traces of a baths complex near the theatre and parts of houses with mosaic floors are also dated to the 2nd century AD.

This sprint will be followed by some slowly descending roads next to the Potenza river, leading to the main difficulty of the day: the Muro di Montelupone. This will be certainly difficult enough to break the peloton, the question is whether the first group on the road will push on, if most sprinters are dropped, or if everything will come back together. The terrain is certainly suited to extend the gaps, as only 7km after the summit of the Muro di Montelupone, there’s another climb. The remaining 32km there are three more minor hills, but only one of them is categorized. Still, the final bump with 5km to go can turn the tables in favor of the punchy attackers, but a strong sprinter will be favored by the final flat kilometers to Ancona.
Founded by Greek settlers from Syracuse, Ancona was occupied as a naval station in the Illyrian War of 178 BC. Julius Caesar took possession of it immediately after crossing the Rubicon. Its harbour was of considerable importance in imperial times, as the nearest to Dalmatia, and was enlarged by Trajan, who constructed the north quay with his Syrian architect Apollodorus of Damascus. At the beginning of it stands the marble triumphal arch, erected in his honour in 115 by the Senate and Roman people.

Apart from the triumphal arch, there’s also the remains of an amphitheater to look at.

Roman Landmark sprints:
Classis: km1.5
Ponte d’Augusto: km48
Ariminum: km50
Lucus Pisaurensis: km86.5
Fanum Fortunae: km102
Sena Gallica: km125
Helvia Recina: km186

Climbs:
Sant’Angelo: km130; 2.6km @ 4.7%; 4th cat
Morro d’Alba: km138; 1.8km @ 5.2%; 4th cat
Santa Maria Nuova: km158; 4km @ 4.4%; 4th cat
Filottrano: km167,5; 2.8km @ 5.1%; 4th cat
Osteria Nuova: km176; 3km @ 4.4%; 4th cat
Muro di Montelupone: km202: 1.75km @ 12.3%; 3rd cat
Recanati: km210.5; 1.6km @ 7%; 4th cat
(km220; 1km @ 4.6%) not categorized
Angeli di Varano: km231; 1.6km @ 4.4%; 4th cat
(km237; 1km @ 4.9%) not categorized

Total distance raced: 5383km

 

[mb2612]

Via Roma Stage 24 Nicopolis (Nikopoli) --> Oricum (Orikum) 255 km
There's no place for glory to heal Ex Dio (Battle of Actium)

Stage 24 of the Via Roma, and the final stage before the riders make a return to the shores of Italy, and like the last, this stage has just 1 major obstacle, although this one is likely to be slightly more decisive.

The stage starts in Nicopolis, meaning city of victory, which was founded to commemorate the battle of Actium, which happen just offshore. The battle of Actium was decisive in establish Octavian as king, as it is here that he defeated Mark Anthony. Anthony's 140 ships were outnumbered by Octavian's 260, however Anthony had the bigger ships, and hopped to use this advantage by using the larger siege weapons he could carry, as well as potentially ramming the smaller vessels. Unfortunately, one of Anthony's generals defected on the eve of battle, giving Octavian Anthony's strategy, and enabling Octavian to counter, by staying out of range, and forcing Anthony to engage unfavourably, where Octavian's troops eventually won in hand to hand combat.

Nicopolis itself was very well looked after by its founder, as he made it capital of Southern Epirus, in fact to increase the size of his new city he forced inhabitants from nearby towns to relocate to Nicopolis. The city was well located, with ports on both the Ionian Sea and the Amvrakikos Gulf, enabling it to contiue to prosper long after Augustus was dead.

The stage starts off westwards, but soon hits the sea and begins heading north by north west along the coastline. After 30km the riders hit the first small bump of the day, 2.2km at 7.7%, before deviating inland. The stage continues is the same direction causally going uphill, peaking with a 3.2km section at 5% after 70 kilometres, before descending back down to the sea. 20 pan flat kilometres follow, before anther small ascent, this time 3.4km at 5.4% take us across the modern border from Greece to Albania, although this stage takes place entirely in ancient Epirus.

The next 50km remain broadly flat before the sprint point as the stage passes the town of Phoenice (Finiq). Phoenice was initially the capital of a united Epirus, before Epirus found itself split in the Roman Macedonian wars. The Chaones inhabitants of Phoenice sensibly decided to back the Romans, which meant that while the rest of Epirus was devastated by Roman reparations, Phoince felt the Roman yoke relatively lightly of the next few centuries.

The peloton now heads back to the coast, but first the have to tackle the first officially categorised climb of the day, although a cat 3, 7.2% for 2.8km is pretty similar to the climbs the riders have already tackled today. After the first 150km were broadly flat that climb sets a marker, as the race will pretty much be constantly up and down from here, with 2,400 vertical metres in the final 100 km. Another few short rises and falls occur between the first categorised climb, and the base of the second, which starts from sea level with 54km to race. It's officially a 5.6km 6.4% category 2 climb, but it is really two 8% climbs with a short breather in the middle.

After that climb, and despite a few more minor rises, all focus will be on the final summit, which peaks with just 20, exclusively downhill, kilometres to go. The climb itself is relatively steady, as it ascends to over a kilometre in altitude, averaging 7.5% for 10.4 kilometres. After cresting the top, the riders plummet down the other side, with a few early technical hairpins, followed by 5 super-fast kilometres, and then 15 relatively straightforward km, to the finish back at sea level.

The stage finish today is in the town of Oricum. It is most notable for being the first place Caesar conquered when he arrived in Epirus chasing Pompey. Initially when he arrived at Oricum, the towns governor, who supported Pompey refused, and tried to settle in for a siege. However after the people in the town spontaneously decided stage a revolt, the governor admitted defeat, and surrendered himself to Caesar, who decided to pardon him.

 

[Gigs_98]

Sorry for being late (again)

CONSTANTINOPOLIS-ROMA stage 24: Bellunum - Loncium (194 km)

My last stage in the alps is another monster. It maybe doesn't have 5 HC climbs, but absolutely crazy gradients and climbs which would hopefully cause action from far out.
The start is in Bellunum (Belluno), which was an important supplier of iron and copper in the Roman times, and had a strategically important location for the Roman military.

After only 20 kilometers the rider pass Pagus Laebactium. I decided to put the only intermediate sprint of the stage there. It comes very early, but this way there is maybe at least a chance that if there are still sprinters in the race, fighting for the points, their teams will hold the peloton together, so the sprinters can go for the points. Next up is a short warm up climb, the Tai di Cadore. Neither very long, nor very steep, but this will change soon. There isn't a real descent after this first categorized climb, rather a few more uncategorized bumps, so the riders don't get any rest before the next pass starts, and this time it's a more serious one, the Sella Ciampigotto.

These aren't the crazy gradients, I was talking about, yet, but it is still a very difficult climb. You could even argue, it's a HC climb, but I decided to only rate it 1st category, since it's so clearly easier than the next two passes.

These next two passes are very famous ones in todays cycling world. Thats actually surprising, since the 1st one has never been used in a cycling race, but probably it's "almost introduction" is the reason why everyone wants to see it. Of course I'm talking about the Monte Crostis, a monster climb which should have been used in the giro 2011, in a stage with the Zoncolan, but was cut out of the stage because of the dangerous descent. But hey, in a race in which Brullnux can use the Portaillon, I can surely also use the Crostis, so after 101 kilometers the real suffering starts with this monster:

14 kilometers long, over 10% steep and gradients of up to 18%. Next to this, even the Mortirolo looks easy. The stage is still very long, there probably wouldn't be any attacks yet, but this climb will hurt every domestique and most rider will probably already be isolated after this pass. After such a long race even the leaders will already suffer a lot.

But this probably isn't even the hardest climb of the day, because there is an even steeper one still to come, the infamous Zoncolan. While the Crostis has never been used in the giro, the Zoncolan was part of the route quite often in the last decade. I think it was used 4 times, but unfortunately always as a mtf. I admit that even as a mtf this climb has produced great action (for example in the giro 2010 when Basso demolished his rivals, including Evans who tried to stay with Basso way too long before Basso's steady and extremely high rhythm became too much for him and he completely exploded) but still I'd love to see this climb as a pass. That way it can work exactly like the Mortirolo, since the gradients will almost for sure cause some time gaps, before the stage gets easier and there is a big chase between the guys who go over the hard climb first and the dropped riders.

After a technical descent the riders will probably be all over the road. Two super steep climbs like this should split the peloton and even give riders with big time gaps a chance to make up the time they need. Don't forget, there were stages like the cobbles ultra stage where lightweights (I'm talking about the weight Brullnux ) had a big disadvantage. Now there is a stage with super steep gradients where they have a big advantage, so I'd hope that these riders will light up the racing on this stage. There are only about 30 kilometers to go, but there is still one difficulty left, the Plöckenpass.

This climb isn't very steep, but relatively long and will either make the chase between two groups interesting or serve as the last opportunity for an attack. There is a short flat section in the middle of the climb, where I put the golden mile to encourage attacks from far out. This pass was already used in the iron age, and was thenceforward always an important street. Therefore it was also used in the Roman age.

Then, after a fast descent into Austria, the stage finishes in Loncium (Kötschach Mauthen), which used to be a station with an important location on the bottom of the Plöckenpass.

(Unfortunately the best picture I find of a Roman tower in Loncium)

 

[Red Rick]

How it feels descending the Monte Crostis and the Zoncolan

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Zonc has been used 6 times (1998, 2003, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2014). First two from Sutrio (first in the Giro Donne, second in the Giro itself), then after that (always in the Giro) from Ovaro.

 

[Eshnar]

Time to post stage 25 guys. Here is stage 24 result.

JUDGE 1:

Gigs_98 T: 5 C: 2
A very nice mountain stage. I give you top marks because you were maybe a bit more realistic than Brullnux, and I like the way Zoncolan is climbed, descended and followed by a “Sestrieres” type climb. Culturally, not much going on here.

Brullnux T: 4 C: 2
I am torn on this one. Obviously it is an absolutely epic stage with beautifully brutish climbed linked splendidly. But on the other hand, it could be considered maybe too ridiculous. 6000m of climbing, 5 genuine HC climbs. I am marking it in the spirit of the challenge (which in itself is unrealistic) and giving it 4 points, although I am not sure

Rghysens T: 4 C: 4
I am a sucker for stages like this, both from a cultural and technical perspective. I start each day determined to find fault in your design, but rarely succeed. There is probably not going to be a massive amount of GC action, but the roads are there for it if somebody seems vulnerable. And the areas you visit are pretty nice, and rich in Roman culture.

mb2612 T: 3 C: 4
A nice transitional stage, There were some very good stages today, so you get hit with an unfair 3-bomb. But it is a good stage. And also, very nice culturally..


JUDGE 2:

Gigs_98 T: 5 C: 2
I really wish that you could have finished this at Plöckenpass. It was a nailed on 5 for technical if you could have done that. I went back and forth over it and gave the 5 anyway since this is basically a Mortirolo-Aprica 1-2 punch, only with Zoncolan. Having said that Parpaillon is a bit too unrealistic perhaps it's pushing it to then award a stage 5 points that descends both Crostis and Zoncolan, but I just loved the overall shape of the stage. Culturally you've fallen foul of your old trap of staking everything on the technical side.

Brullnux T: 4 C: 3
Culturally it's not all that involved. Technically it's a great stage, but even in the parallel universe where these races exist, Parpaillon is a bit of a step too far in the hypothetical realm for my liking, which costs you the extra point.

Rghysens T: 3 C: 4
The stage isn't as weak as you make out, it still has its options for action, especially with Montelupone around 40k from home. Culturally, Ravenna was always going to be a must-have.

mb2612 T: 3 C: 4
The cultural points continue to come, and off the back of the ultra stage, while I found the ultra stage to be a bit disappointing, the tired legs from the distance should come into play on this one. This is the kind of stage the Giro is able to really make work, and after three and a half weeks of racing this would hopefully similarly have its effects.


JUDGE 3:

Gigs_98 T: 5 C: 2
Brutal stage. Really like the placement of a combo everyone wants to see

Brullnux T: 4 C: 2
Murderous stage, but unfortunately for you, Gigs edges you out in design for me.

Rghysens T: 3 C: 4
Some decent hills with possible wind makes for one of the better flat stages around. There's lots for the eyes as well.

mb2612 T: 3 C: 4
Decent transitional stage with a nice kick.


JUDGE 4:

Gigs_98 T: 5 C: 3
Great design, nothing to add here.

Brullnux T: 4 C: 3
Great design, but not as good as Gigs's. I reckon the valley towards Saluzzo is a bit too long for my taste.

Rghysens T: 3 C: 5
Great location culturally, and technically the stage is ok, although I wish it had harder hills towards the end.

mb2612 T: 3 C: 4
This is quite a good stage that unfortunately pales in comparison to Gigs's and Brullnux's. There's also another stage that trumps it culturally.


CLASSIFICATION FOR STAGE 24

Rghysens: 30
Gigs_98: 29
mb2612: 28
Brullnux: 26


CLASSIFICATION AFTER STAGE 24:

rghysens: 971
mb2612: 911
Gigs_98: 879
Brullnux: 837

 

[Brullnux]

I can't post until Saturday due to real life, but feel free to post even stage 26 before then if that's possible. I can make up two in one day np.

 

[rghysens]

Mare Nostrum stage 25: Teate – Bovianum Vetus: 143km, medium mountains + mtf

A transfer on highways brings the race caravan to a perennial favourite of the race design crowd: Chieti, or Teate as the Romans called it. In the race design thread Chieti is often the hilltop finish of a stage over the Passo Lanciano, or the finish of a brutal hilly stage through the Marche. Here it will be the start of a rather short medium mountain stage, ending in the only real mtf of my race.

Chieti is amongst the most ancient of Italian cities. According to mythological legends, the city was founded in 1181 B.C. by the Homeric Greek hero Achilles and was named in honor of his mother, Thetis. It was called Theate (or Teate in Latin). As Theate Marrucinorum, it was the chief town of the warlike Marrucini. After the Marrucini were defeated by the Romans, they became loyal allies of the more powerful forces. Their territory was placed under Roman municipal jurisdiction after the Social War. In imperial times, Chieti's population reached 60,000 inhabitants and the city was furnished with matching edifices like an amphitheater, a theatre, bathing houses and temples.

The initial downhill is followed by some uphill false flat and a first climb to the outskirts of Guardiagrele (no muro involved). The next 22km will be downhill or rolling, leading to the foot of the first big climb of the day: the short but steepish climb to Morgia. The steepsection is followed by an equally long stretch of false flat before the descent kicks in.
The next climb is the longest and highest of the day, and has the only Roman landmark sprint of this stage on its flanks: the archaeological site of Iuvanum.

Iuvanum was one of the main towns of the Samnites, who gave the Romans a very hard time in their struggle for power in central Italy. After three wars the Romans were finally able to subdue the Samnites, but then they sided with king Pyrrhus of Epirus and later with Hannibal. When the allied Italian cites of Rome rose in revolt during the so-called “Social War” the Samnite cities, among which Iuvanum held out longest and forced Rome to make the demanded concessions, but it was occupied and became a Roman colony.
The final few ascending kilometres to the summit of Montenerodomo will be immediately followed by the descent to the penultimate climb: the shallow climb to Abetina di Rosello. Its descent, quite long and even more shallow gives way to the finishing climb.
The climb to Bovianum Vetus starts out fierce, with an average of 9.2% over the first 5km, but then flattens out, with the last 4km only being 4.5% on average.
Given the characteristics of the penultimate climb, and those of the following descent, this stage will very likely go to the breakaway, and see only some minor GC action on the final climb. Even more so if the remaining contenders have the next stage in mind.

The earliest known inhabitants of this site were the Samnites, who arrived in the 6th century BC. The Samnites called the place Bovianum and it was home to the assemblies of the Samnite federal government, but this only lasted for a few centuries, its demise the result of defeats in the Samnite wars as well as the site's ultimate destruction at the hands of Lucius Cornelius Sulla (89 BC). Bovianum then became part of the Roman colony located in Sannio. The Romans called the town "Bovianum Vetus", the early role of which is little known. It became, however, a center of vital importance for checking the Alto Molise.
The former Area Sacra contains among others the remnants of temples and a theatre.

Roman landmark sprints
Iuvanum: km74

Climbs:
Guardiagrele: km22.5; 2.8km @ 5.6%; 4th cat
Morgia: km50; 5km @ 8.7%; 2nd cat
Montenerodomo: km78; 12.5km @ 6.2%; 1stcat
Abetina di Rosello: km108; 13km @ 5%; 2nd cat
Bovianum Vetus: km143; 9km @ 7.1%; 1st cat

Total distance raced: 5526km

 

[Gigs_98]

CONSTANTINOPOLIS-ROMA stage 25: Pistoriae - Pisae (58 km ITT)

My 3rd TT and the 2nd really long one AND no time for a write up.
So I make this short, the three culturally most interesting towns today are Pistoriae (Pistoia), Luca (Lucca) and Pisae (Pisa). The most important event of the roman times in Pistoriae was the Battle of Pistoria between the Roman Republic and Catiline.
The cities Lucca and Pisa aren't mainly known for the Roman times, but both were already quite important cities back then. The most famous Roman landmark in Lucca is the Roman amphitheater:

As you can see it isn't this isn't really an amphitheater anymore but instead a very scenic square which is a very popular goal for tourists in the city though.
Pisa is also known for another old landmark, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, but besides that there are also Roman monuments left in the city.

 

[mb2612]

Via Roma Stage 25 Brundisium (Brindisi) --> Potentia (Potenza) 288 km
If we are victorious in one more battle with the Romans, we shall be utterly ruined - Pyrrhus of Epirus

Stage 25 kicks off three tough mountain stages, before the finish in Rome, and with the climbers likely to still be some way behind after the two long individual time trials earlier in the race. They will have to pick their moments to attack. Given what is to come, this stage is unlikely to see real carnage, however at almost 290 kilometres in length, a strong tempo should be able to cause enough damage, and the only uphill finish of the final week guarantees attacks in the final couple of kilometres.

But first, the stage starts in Brundisium. Due to it's location and sheltered harbour, Brundisium was the major Roman port for embarking to Greece and the Eastern part of the Empire. As such the Appian Way was constructed from Rome to finish in Brundisium. Enabling easy access between the two cities. Originally there were two 20 metre high columns marking the end of the road, unfortunately one was stolen by Lupiae (Lecce) at some point, leaving the remaining column standing solo.

Octavian and Mark Anthony also also came to blows here, before they signed the Treaty of Brundisium, for the first time dividing the empire into an Eastern and Western portion, with each man getting half for four years. This pretty much ended the second triumvirate, as Marcus Lepidus was sidelined, and left with only the province of Africa. Also, to secure the treaty, Anthony agreed to marry Octavians' sister Octavia, sowing the seeds for the later civil war, as Anthony was soon to return to Cleopatra.

The stage starts with a relatively straightforward traverse across the heel of Italy, pan flat for the first 60km, to the days sprint point at the town of Tarentum (Taranto), which was the largest town in Italy before Rome grew. The war between Rome and Tarentum became known as the Pyrrhic war, as Tarentum called in Pyrrhus, King of Epirus to help them fight Rome. Pyrrhus also had some help from the Eqyptians, which meant that he shipped over 19 war elephants, which were decisive in the early battles, as the Romans were absolutely terrified of them. The Pyrrhic War is obviously famous for the fact that the Epirote's won both main battles, but their losses were enough to cripple their army, thus eventually giving Rome victory. A lesson some leaders might want to be aware of on today's stage. It was also the first time Rome's armies faced off with any Greek professional armies, and their performance informed the Mediterranean of Rome's growing power. Egypt established diplomatic relations with Rome directly after the conflict.

After leaving Terentum the riders will follow the coast for the next 60km, before turning inland at the town of Metapontum (Metaponto), a city which backed the wrong side in several wars, being looted by the Roman's after the Pyrrhic War, and again by the Romans after they supported Hannibal, and finally by Spartacus, because his army could, which led to the decline in prominence of the town. The third flat section of 60km now follows as the route heads up the Casuentus (Basento) river valley, before eventually turning off and allowing the climbing to begin.

The first climb is a nice warm up, 7.6 km at 4.3%, pretty much entirely under a 5% gradient, this should just allow the peloton to get in position because, next up, immediately after the decent, is the days hardest climb, the Monte Croccia, which is category 1, 7.5% gradient for 8.7km, peaking at a gradient of 14%. Over the top, down the other side, and there is no let up, as the third climb of the day kicks in. This one averaging 4.6% for 13 kilometres, which is enough for a second category rating. The average here is misleading, as the climb includes various flat sections, as well as a kilometre at 11.5%. The days forth climb follows soon after, and again this is an uneven one, rising almost 300m in 7 kilometres, although that gain comes mostly in less than half that distance, before peaking in the town of Anxia (Anzi).

Anxia was a hilltop town founded well before Rome, and then conquered by Rome during the second Punic war, it remained a fairly minor town, and was eventually conquered by the goths early in the 5th century AD.

After decending from Anxia the riders will have just 40km left to ride, and after 10 km of a gradual incline the days final major climb begins. This climb, know as La Sellata, is category 2 and averages 4.9% for 9.4 kilometres, relatively consistently, and is the best chance for anyone who wants to pick up major time today.

Over the top, and there are now no flat kilometres remaining, as the 10km of descending is immediately followed by a short 4km 6.4% climb. This category 3 effort summits with just another ten kilometres to ride, of which the next four are a relatively shallow downhill before a few very steep and technical kilometres of descending take the riders back to the Casuentus river, and the base of the climb up to the finish in Potentia. The finish is 2 kilometres at a 7% gradient away, and after what the remaining contenders have gone through, that should be enough to ensure that every rider comes in by themselves.

Potentia, like Metapontum, chafed under the rule of Rome, and consistently supported those who opposed it, most notably Hannibal after the battle of Cannae. After Hannibals eventual defeat, Potentia was punished and reduced in rank from a municipum to a military colony, although its location at a crossroads meant it retained some local importance.

 

[Brullnux]

Iter per Imperium Romanum Stage 25: Genova-La Spezia 156km

Time has made itself available again to me.

This stage is akin to some of the earlier ones, as the race has now passed (most) of its mountains and now is in its final straight. However, a still like this still creates true oppturuinites for riders to either win or lose the GC. The wind often blows strong, as we saw in the 2015 Giro and the slopes here are steep, unlike some of the previosu medium mountain stages of this tour.

The day starts in modern day Genova, or Genua as it was then. It had an alliance with Rome in the course of the Second Punic War. The Carthaginians accordingly destroyed it in 209 BC. The town was rebuilt and, after the Carthaginian Wars ended in 146 BC, it received municipal rights. The original castrum thenceforth expanded towards the current areas of Santa Maria di Castello and the San Lorenzo promontory. Trades included skins, wood, and honey. Goods were shipped to the mainland, up to major cities like Tortona and Piacenza. Among the archeological remains from the Roman period there is also an amphitheater.

The stage goes onto Rapallo over the Via della Crocetta and more rolling terrain until kilometre 120, where the real action starts. The Soviore (passo del termine) climb is quite uneven, so I feel the average gradient doesn't do it justice. It includes 2km at the start at over 9.5%, so will for sure cause some selection. The ambush for the atsge could well start here, if there is a rider a coupel of minutes in arrears in GC. The next climb is a real killer. Climbing from the absoliutely beuatiful Cinque Terre, the first kilometre and a half average over 14%. This is Basque level hurt. It will cause attacks and selection, hopefully. In abest case scenario,these will continue into La Spezia, with the winding roads and difficult rolling terrain of the last 15km.

The stage overall is pretty short and the riders will be ridiculously tired after the previous stage, so it could well be carnage.

 

[Gigs_98]

Eshnar? Has a judge not sent the points yet?

 

[Eshnar]

Eshnar? Has a judge not sent the points yet?

yup.
Actually, only one of them did ^^"

 

[mikii4567]

I feel so sorry for you guys. The participants have designed great, if not amazing routes (because what I'm following is simply a group of some of the best stages in the history of cycling), Eshnar has tried so hard to make the competition interesting and exciting to follow, and the judges have tried very hard to make sure that accurate votes came as quickly as possible to ensure there was a flow, but you've just been hit by what is probably the worst luck in the history of cycling, for all sorts of reasons. Either way, it's still an interesting challenge to follow, and one of the first ones I go to when I get onto the forum. I was going to participate, but I when the concept was announced I got completely blown away by the scale of the race and I thought I would fail at the history side of things as I'm not great at history and I am very surprised that I'm seeing such amazing routes. Keep it up, and I hope that you guys get to the finish soon .

 

[Eshnar]

While we wait for the votes you may start posting stage 26