The Crostis Descent

[LugHugger]

Oh I agree, there is distortion in the field effect, to be sure. But my main point is that the caravan will compound all the aspects of such a road. It could become quite treacherous when several vehicles are added.

Which brings up one more point:
The race organizers also have a responsibility to the press corps. It's not just the rider's safety that needs to be taken into consideration. I'm not saying I think the stage should be re-routed or cancelled though. I'm not taking sides because I haven't experienced it first-hand, and I'm not the one that has to contend with it either way.

As a fan, the potential for an exhilarating stage is undeniable. I just don't want to witness anything foolish.

I completely agree. Based on the limited views I've seen, this is not a place for a GT caravan to be venturing. Let the camera and neutral service motos up and down to support the riders but for God's sake, make the caravan and team cars pull off at Runchia and rejoin the peloton at Povolaro or wherever the bottom of the descent rejoins the valley road to Ovaro.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Strade Panoramica delle Vette (which is the road in the video) runs from Tualis to Ravascletto over Monte Crostis, but you only saw two thirds of it (climbing from Ravascletto and then the flat period of off-roading) in those videos. The road on the climb from Tualis to Monte Crostis and on the descent from the end of the sterrato to Ravascletto isn't bad.

Here's the profile of the climb from Ravascletto:

Notice how incredibly flat the sterrato section is.

 

[Frank Tuesday]

Having never raced in the pro peloton, I don't think I'm qualified to judge the safety of the route from random pics and videos from the internet, which may or may not represent the current state of the road surface.

This statement I do find curious, though:

"There’s a big difference between riding on the strade bianche for a one-day race and in the middle of a Grand Tour. ... some riders come here for GC and are not prepared for these roads."

If it is a part of the course, you should be prepared for it. There is no rule that GC riders need only climb and time trial well. The concept of the GC is that it finds the best all-around rider, and for that reason, I welcome additions such as the Strade Bianchi and pave into the grand tours. That it opens possibilities for other riders is not a bad thing at all.

Lastly, remember that you have brakes and know how to use them. Even the least talented cyclist in the world could get down safely if they go slow enough.

 

[The Hitch]

I have not seen the last 10 pages of the discussion but what I dont get is, if they are not descending the Crotis how will they get down. Ski lift?

 

[Hugh Januss]

That's not a road it's a singletrack. If motorcycles coming in opposite directions have to slow down to pass then how are they gonna get the circus of team cars through?
The concept of "if you over cook it in a corner you will get hurt" is one thing but there look to be some places where a mistimed puncture means you will be going for a one or two hundred foot tumble.
Don't get me wrong I love singletrack and have competed in two World MTB Champs. but..........

 

[Escarabajo]

Is this really the Crostis?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yM2C5MOfnzs&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XO95SbT-C80&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L91b_xKPifs&feature=related

If it is, I say "hell no that's impossible".

How do you know is the Crostis? I have it mute in my office anyway and only saw the first video.

If it is LOL big time. Let's ask the wives of the riders. Cars and motorcycles beware.

I am not riding that thing anyway. So let's have some fun with other people's torture. (actually I am not making fun of the situation, just making a point).

 

[Mrs John Murphy]

Seems like fair complains. Not once did they mention WW. And they were only complaining about downhill strade bianche, not strade bianche on straight or uphill roads.

Seems to me that you can't read properly. Two points within one post.

The first is posters exploiting Weylandt's death as a reason to legitimise the removal of certain descents.

The second point is the Garmin riders complaining. Garmin who complain about everything and seem to want cycling to take place in a lab rather than on the road.

Did Millar crash on Strada Bianchi yesterday? No, he crashed because he couldn't ride in a straight line on a piece of ordinary road.

If riders think a descent is dangerous then here is a clue - ride down it more slowly. No one is forcing them to ride every stage at 45km/h.

The reality is that Strada Bianchi, cobbles etc are being added into GT's because the style of racing that most teams and GC riders adopt is boring. Saxo/HGH/Astana train ripping the legs off everyone before Dertie does dance on his pedals for the last km, or Frodo pops out for the last 200m.

Crashes happen all the time - are we going to ban bunch sprints in case a bad crash happens, are we going to ban cobbles, or every tricky descent 'in case an accident happens'.

 

[Lanark]

I have not seen the last 10 pages of the discussion but what I dont get is, if they are not descending the Crotis how will they get down. Ski lift?

Just skip the entire Crostis, as you can see, that would barely require a route change, the already pass the Zoncolan on the road to Crostis:

I'm a bit torn about the Crostis. On the one hand, it looks like a really tough climb, and the strade bianche part on the top looks fantastic (and would make for some of the most epic footage ever seen). But if it's really too dangerous, as a cycling fan, you can only hope they''ll cut it, spectacle should never come at the price of the riders safety. Let's hope there is no dilemma, and the descent is safe enough.

 

[Benotti69]

I am surprised that teams have not been to check this road. I know Contador did and said he didn't like it but have the Italian based teams not been there to check it out, Scarponi, Nibali, Sella or Garzelli. Do they feel its ok or are they not gonna speak out for fear of reprisals from RCS?

 

[Libertine Seguros]

How do you know is the Crostis? I have it mute in my office anyway.

If it is LOL big time. Let's ask the wives of the riders. Cars and motorcycles beware.

I am not riding that thing anyway. So let's have some fun with other people's torture.

Because Strade Panoramica delle Vette (the name of the video) is the name of the flat, unpaved "road" that connects Monte Crostis to the Ravascletto road (where they set off from) - it is a flat road that winds around the side of the mountains, connecting to the Tualis road (that will be climbed by the Giro) at one end, and the Ravascletto road (that will be descended by the Giro, if all goes according to plan) at the other. The road is approximately 7km long. The videos edit away much of the ascent to the Strade Panoramica delle Vette, because it is that road that is the centrepiece of the video.

 

[Mrs John Murphy]

I am surprised that teams have not been to check this road. I know Contador did and said he didn't like it but have the Italian based teams not been there to check it out, Scarponi, Nibali, Sella or Garzelli. Do they feel its ok or are they not gonna speak out for fear of reprisals from RCS?

I think that there were photos of Geox on it as well, which is interesting given Menchov and Sastre's reputations as crappy descenders.

 

[El Pistolero]

Think you should rewatch some GTs Contador won. Your post is quite silly.

Think what some people are forgetting is that this sport is called road racing and not cyclocross.

Strade Bianche is cool and all, but when a top favorite loses time on it because of a stupid mechanical then it just faked your whole GT.

Contador didn't seem to care to attack after he lost more than a minute on Andy in the cobbled stage because of someone else his crash and mechanicals he had. If Contador has good form this Giro will turn boring to you guys anyway, no matter how hard the route is.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Just skip the entire Crostis, as you can see, that would barely require a route change, the already pass the Zoncolan on the road to Crostis:

I'm a bit torn about the Crostis. On the one hand, it looks like a really tough climb, and the strade bianche part on the top looks fantastic (and would make for some of the most epic footage ever seen). But if it's really too dangerous, as a cycling fan, you can only hope they''ll cut it, spectacle should never come at the price of the riders safety. Let's hope there is no dilemma, and the descent is safe enough.

On the other hand, skipping Crostis entirely would cut it to a fairly short stage. I'd expect them to probably either turn right before Monte Crostis road and do the Sella Valcalda then climb Zoncolán from Sutrio, or more likely do a loop around beneath Monte Zoncolán, possibly adding a smaller climb to somewhere like Lauco, Plugno or Fusea on the way via Tolmezze to Sutrio. Then climb the Sella Valcalda from the East, as has been done before en route to Zoncolán, and arrive in Ovaro ready for the finale. This lengthens the stage and replaces one huge climb with two smaller ones.

 

[will10]

I'm with Alberto tbh - I hope it snows and they cut it out.

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

Is this really the Crostis?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yM2C5MOfnzs&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XO95SbT-C80&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L91b_xKPifs&feature=related

If it is, I say "hell no that's impossible".

Ah, no... this is not Crostis. No matter if descending or ascending. They wouldn´t let riders go some place like that. If so, i guarantee dead and wounded riders/motorcyclists.

 

[Granville57]

I think it's doable. The teams just need a sense of imagination.

 

[Mambo95]

Strade Panoramica delle Vette (which is the road in the video) runs from Tualis to Ravascletto over Monte Crostis, but you only saw two thirds of it (climbing from Ravascletto and then the flat period of off-roading) in those videos. The road on the climb from Tualis to Monte Crostis and on the descent from the end of the sterrato to Ravascletto isn't bad.

Here's the profile of the climb from Ravascletto:

Notice how incredibly flat the sterrato section is.

Having looked at that video, whether it is flat or not isn't an issue. The fact that it's a narrow, badly surfaced road with a sheer drop by the side of it, is an issue. It only takes one rider near the front of a group to hit the wrong stone or hole and Zomegan could be looking at a hefty negligence claim (or in an extreme case, a manslaughter charge).

If you want to watch crazy descents then may I suggest Steve Peat and Gee Atherton. But this isn't road racing.

 

[The Hitch]

Just skip the entire Crostis, as you can see, that would barely require a route change, the already pass the Zoncolan on the road to Crostis:

I'm a bit torn about the Crostis. On the one hand, it looks like a really tough climb, and the strade bianche part on the top looks fantastic (and would make for some of the most epic footage ever seen). But if it's really too dangerous, as a cycling fan, you can only hope they''ll cut it, spectacle should never come at the price of the riders safety. Let's hope there is no dilemma, and the descent is safe enough.

So would they climb the Zonc twice or scrap the Crotis and change what was the hardest grand tour stage profile since the 1930's into a everyone vs everyone up the Zoncolan

 

[Duartista]

Strade Bianche is cool and all, but when a top favorite loses time on it because of a stupid mechanical then it just faked your whole GT.

Why would it be a bad thing if Contador lost a few minutes because of a mechanical? It could only make the race more interesting, given his expected dominance.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Having looked at that video, whether it is flat or not isn't an issue. The fact that it's a narrow, badly surfaced road with a sheer drop by the side of it, is an issue. It only takes one rider near the front of a group to hit the wrong stone or hole and Zomegan could be looking at a hefty negligence claim (or in an extreme case, a manslaughter charge).

If you want to watch crazy descents then may I suggest Steve Peat and Gee Atherton. But this isn't road racing.

The thing is, if we're being pedantic, it's a semantic thing. The thread is about the descent of the Crostis. In watching that video I see little about the descent of the Crostis that's any worse than other mountain descents that we've seen multiple times a year in the GTs.

Now, the Strade Panoramica itself, I can see many reasons to worry about it. It's not the descent though. I'd hope Zomegnan's people and resources have resurfaced (well, surfaced) the road in places, or at least smoothed parts of it out. Otherwise it looks like we're looking at 7km of beautiful scenery but orange ski netting throughout it simply for logical purposes.

 

[Escarabajo]

Strade Panoramica delle Vette (which is the road in the video) runs from Tualis to Ravascletto over Monte Crostis, but you only saw two thirds of it (climbing from Ravascletto and then the flat period of off-roading) in those videos. The road on the climb from Tualis to Monte Crostis and on the descent from the end of the sterrato to Ravascletto isn't bad.

Here's the profile of the climb from Ravascletto:

Notice how incredibly flat the sterrato section is.

Looking at the google map it is looks like the same road. am I wrong?

http://www.climbbybike.com/map.asp?qryMountainID=11515&Region=Ovaro&Country=Italy

 

[Libertine Seguros]

So would they climb the Zonc twice or scrap the Crotis and change what was the hardest grand tour stage profile since the 1930's into a everyone vs everyone up the Zoncolan

I already offered a couple of alternatives - a cat.2 or 3 Sella Valcalda then Zonc from Sutrio (like in 2003), or going around the south, climbing to Lauco or Plugna for probably a cat.3, to Sutrio, over Sella Valcalda from the east then to Zonc from Ovaro.

They may just shorten the Crostis loop by taking the main road from Tualis to Ravascletto instead of the Strade Panoramica (like in 2007).

 

[Duartista]

I know it is too late for this now, but perhaps they should have just finished the stage on top of Crostis. We already saw the Zoncolan last year, and the Crostis is easily difficult enough to provide a similar spectacle.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Looking at the google map it is looks like the same road. am I wrong?

http://www.climbbybike.com/map.asp?qryMountainID=11515&Region=Ovaro&Country=Italy

The first part of the first video was the road from Ravascletto to the start of the sterrato, though it was edited. Until the sterrato starts, I don't see it as too ridiculously out of the ordinary as a descent; it's narrow but not too crazy. It's the sterrato that's the problem.

That video showed the rider climbing from Ravascletto to the sterrato (edited), then a long period of them riding along the sterrato to the peak of Monte Crostis, then turning round and going back to the end of the sterrato, rather than continuing down towards Tualis on the road the Giro will climb.

Here's a review from climbbybike from the route the Giro will take:
"This climb,in the Friulian mountains of north-east Italy (near the famous Zoncolan) is a very regular and beautiful climb. In the last 14km you gain a height of about 1390meters. In the last section (about 2km before you reach the top) the sloopes raise (for about 400m)up to 18%. Until you reach the little village Tualis you have a nice view over the Val Degano valley. Then you enter a forest(you are on a height of about 900m. The only thing you will see for about 10km are trees... (pinewood). The road is in a very good condition. The traffic is very low. In fact, during my climb i did not see a single car. Only in the last 3-4 km you get a view over the Val Calda Valley and Monte Zoncolan. You cbn not reach the summit of the Crostis (2251m) by bike. A footpath is the only solution. On the summit you really heve a fabulous view of as wel the north as the south of the region. Back to the bike road: the west summit and the east summit are separated bij a 5km long ofroad track; only with a mountain bike you can ride the whole part of the track. Going down the other side (to Ravascletto) is a nice option. The road is also in an excellent condition with hardly no traffic (except tourists...) "