Rate the Giro d'Italia 2017 route

[Valv.Piti]

Getting a little hyped about this race now. Watched the Mortirolo stage from 2010 yesterday (really the best night TV), loved Basso's grinding and Scarponi's long hair sticking out everywhere in the helmet. Lol. If Arroyo was a man before that Giro (and stage), he just turned into the most manly man after that! What a performance.

So obviously also looking through the route and pinned the Stelvio-day. I also do think Blockhaus will be pretty good. But I really can't wrap my head around stage 18, it could be awesome or a pretty sorry day honestly. And I think there are way too many sprinter stages this year, its pretty disappointing.

 

[Kyllingen86]

I dont like sprinter stages either but are you serious egen you right to many?

The way I see it the only pure sprinter stages are stage 3, 5, 7, 12, 13.

Stage 1 and 2 could be added but I think they could go differently. I will admit Arus and Gilberts absence might have a negative impact on the Sardinia-stages.

Stage 1 contains a small hill close to finish where puncheur-like riders could take a chance in order to get a day in la maglia rosa. A reduced sprint with the heaviest sprinters dropped on the hill is another possibility.

Stage 2 could go to a downhill specialist. The last 40 km contains a lot of downhill and if Aru was going to be there it would be his best chance of showing his colours on homeground. With Aru out the pressure on this stage is all up to Nibali. With his downhill abilities the dream of riding up Mount Etna in pink should be worth gambling for. Maybe I am just over optimistic but Nibali togethers with Contador is probably the rider with most courage and outrageous attempts.

 

[Valv.Piti]

I think you are overestimating stage 2 quite a lot, its really just false flat downhill it seems.

 

[Escarabajo]

I can't wait for stage 16.

Stage 18 is not as hard but the altitude change could be a problem.

 

[Netserk]

Re:

They also use neither the most commonly-used (San Marino) nor the first (Terminillo) mountaintop finish in the race - although I do appreciate that they wanted to use Terminillo but circumstances prevented it.

Which circumstances? I have totally forgotten what that was about, but given it was used in T-A, it surely could have been used in the Giro too.

 

[mikii4567]

Re: Re:

They also use neither the most commonly-used (San Marino) nor the first (Terminillo) mountaintop finish in the race - although I do appreciate that they wanted to use Terminillo but circumstances prevented it.

Which circumstances? I have totally forgotten what that was about, but given it was used in T-A, it surely could have been used in the Giro too.

The earthquake in October last year, or more specifically the damage to roads it caused.
Terminillo was used 9 times in total by the Giro, most recently in 2010, when Chris Anker Sorensen won.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re: Re:

They also use neither the most commonly-used (San Marino) nor the first (Terminillo) mountaintop finish in the race - although I do appreciate that they wanted to use Terminillo but circumstances prevented it.

Which circumstances? I have totally forgotten what that was about, but given it was used in T-A, it surely could have been used in the Giro too.

The earthquake in October last year, or more specifically the damage to roads it caused.
Terminillo was used 9 times in total by the Giro, most recently in 2010, when Chris Anker Sorensen won.

The only letdown of that Giro

 

[Sciocco]

I dont like sprinter stages either but are you serious egen you right to many?

The way I see it the only pure sprinter stages are stage 3, 5, 7, 12, 13.

Stage 1 and 2 could be added but I think they could go differently. I will admit Arus and Gilberts absence might have a negative impact on the Sardinia-stages.

Stage 1 contains a small hill close to finish where puncheur-like riders could take a chance in order to get a day in la maglia rosa. A reduced sprint with the heaviest sprinters dropped on the hill is another possibility.

Stage 2 could go to a downhill specialist. The last 40 km contains a lot of downhill and if Aru was going to be there it would be his best chance of showing his colours on homeground. With Aru out the pressure on this stage is all up to Nibali. With his downhill abilities the dream of riding up Mount Etna in pink should be worth gambling for. Maybe I am just over optimistic but Nibali togethers with Contador is probably the rider with most courage and outrageous attempts.

This is the San Pantaleo climb in stage 1 which tops out with 20km to go. I'm a little pessimistic that it'll make a difference but it is the Giro after all...

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re:

Getting a little hyped about this race now. Watched the Mortirolo stage from 2010 yesterday (really the best night TV), loved Basso's grinding and Scarponi's long hair sticking out everywhere in the helmet. Lol. If Arroyo was a man before that Giro (and stage), he just turned into the most manly man after that! What a performance.

So obviously also looking through the route and pinned the Stelvio-day. I also do think Blockhaus will be pretty good. But I really can't wrap my head around stage 18, it could be awesome or a pretty sorry day honestly. And I think there are way too many sprinter stages this year, its pretty disappointing.

Yeah, really doesn't make sense anymore... Me not being able to understand italian, I don't ever think I understood just how much of a loveable and funny person he was, but I could still appreciate how great of a rider he was, everybody with 2 eyes can understand that. I dare say his finest victory.