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Well hasn't the year just flown by? An active start in the antipodes featured a GC win for welsh wonder Stevie Williams in the Tour Down Under, and then the classics season - oh the classics season! Pog has basically decided he's only going to bother racing when he's got a goood chance of winning, and to be fair he's more or less won every time he;s turned up.
what that means for the giro is that it's likely tobe a race for 2nd place, unless he collapses spectacularly? But this time he's not racing Jonas so he won't be pushed to (and beyond) his limits. Then again, I was recently reminded that it's over 2 years since Pog took a grand tour GC win...
Inrng guide to the giro: https://inrng.com/giro/
and the CyclingNews version: https://www.cyclingnews.com/giro-d-italia/
Velogames is up and running as usual, and as always I've created a league for us
League ID: 347313627
https://www.velogames.com/italy/2024/leaguescores.php?league=347313627
So who are you supporting? Do you think G has one more win in him?...
Found any other guides worth a read? Picked a team> Have you included people you like, people you know, people you would like to see win,or people you think WILL win?
Coverage on Discovery+ / Eurosport
I said to a cycling colleague not five minutes ago that it can't be time for the Giro because I associate that with the start of the summer, and we are very much still in winter temperatures here and haven't yet had a sign of spring. (Trees and birds notwithstanding! ) My heating was on for two hours last night and the house was still cold.
Anyway, the Giro...
😀
Hey Oop,
I've never really watched the racing before, but I've got right in to it this year. Mrs.S has too.
Thanks for posting that info. I might even try to go and watch a couple of GT stages; maybe do a few of the famous climbs 👍
Cheers
Here's my top tip. One to look out for, who might just go well:
Tadej Pogačar
Looking forward to this.
In recent years the Giro seemed to be trying to shoehorn in as much climbing as possible so it's nice to see a calmer version. Got a bit of strada bianche gravel in there, a visit to Pompeii and I'm looking forward to the stages to and from Livigno as I've ridden round there a couple of times, including Stelvio.
Pog should stroll the Giro and then be able to hit full form for the TdF - who knows how JV will be going by then
It's the who will be second edition!
It's not impossible but he does seem to sometimes have a bad day and can break (see ving+rog in what tdf was it, 22?)
Not sure about G being the 2nd favorite, not looked so sprightly so far this year, maybe he's been pacing it, it would be amazing.
I said to a cycling colleague not five minutes ago that it can’t be time for the Giro because I associate that with the start of the summer, and we are very much still in winter temperatures here and haven’t yet had a sign of spring.
Is it really a Giro unless at least one stage is cancelled/neutralised, rerouted, or just a complete mystery to the audience for most of its length because the helicopters can't fly?
I'll be surprised if Vingagoagoagoago even rides le tour.
If Pog doesn't fall off he should stroll the giro
If Pog doesn’t fall off he should stroll the giro
True but people have said that about Grand Tours (and plenty of other races) in the past...
I hope it's more than just the Pogacar Show. It could be quite dull if he's just prancing up mountains leaving everyone in his wake.
Giro because I associate that with the start of the summer, and we are very much still in winter temperatures here and haven’t yet had a sign of spring.
Currently in Umbria, sitting outside in the shade in just my keks hiding from the sun.
Going to watch stages 6,7 and 8 as they're kinda close to where we're currently hanging around.... After stage 8 we want to play in the Sibillini mountains for a week or two.
The giro is on S4C apparently, and S4c is on the iplayer.
Does that mean that us englanders can watch it on the iplayer?
I'm not necessarily opposed to them dropping a lot of the crazily attritional 220km with 5500m climbing stages, but it seems like they have replaced them all with sprint stages. There's really not much in the way of rolling/medium mountain stages that would have been Thomas De Gendt targets in his pomp.
Thomas seems pretty capable of turning up to a grand tour having shown very little form and then being able to ride into form over week 1. I expect he'll lose a bit of time on Oropa and then outlast most other contenders.
Who else is there? Ben O'Connor looks in good shape if not inconsistent in 1 week stage races so far. Lutsenko looks alright, Bardet I kind of fancy to podium. Bora I have no idea who they will end up riding for out of Martinez/Schachmann/Lipowitz. Alaphillipe, Carthy, Woods I just can't see beating Thomas.
I hope it’s more than just the Pogacar Show. It could be quite dull if he’s just prancing up mountains leaving everyone in his wake.
Well, you just never know. Remember the plague year one where G crashed on a bidon before the stage had even properly started and Tao ended up winning the thing. One crash. A bad day. A bug. I'm hoping for random and unpredictable and maybe a winner who no-one's even considered. Arensman maybe...
The giro is on S4C apparently, and S4c is on the iplayer.
Does that mean that us englanders can watch it on the iplayer?
Yes, but commentary will be in welsh.
Hard to see past Pog to win it (comfortably) unless he crashes badly. I'm hoping Gee can be competitive but sadly I think the reality is he'll go out the back on the first big mountain test
Yes, but commentary will be in welsh.
Will there be sub-titles ????
Are there more detailed route maps available other than the not very detailed maps on the Giro website?
Struggling to work out which Strada Bianche they're using.... Have located the last of the gravel road sections but not quite sure on the first two.
(stage 6, BTW)
The giro is on S4C apparently, and S4c is on the iplayer.
Does that mean that us englanders can watch it on the iplayer?
Go mad and treat yourself to a month's Discovery+ for £6.99. I usually splash out for both the Giro and the Vuelta but then I'm just downright irresponsible with money.
Are there more detailed route maps available other than the not very detailed maps on the Giro website?
Go to the list of Stages, click on the -> button on the right and it opens up a page of that stage with further maps, climb profiles, timings etc. Here's Stage 6:
Go to the list of Stages,
Yup... That's the page and map I was referring to. Not quite sure which roads they're including. The area is riddled with gravel tracks.
Was hoping there might be a more detailed map available.
(NBT Here on Bunnyhops's login)
Cyclingstage usually has detailed route maps
https://www.cyclingstage.com/giro-2024-route/
https://www.cyclingstage.com/giro-2024-route/stage-6-italy-2024/
Will there be sub-titles ????
I watch a lot of rugby on s4c and the subtitles are usually very slow and very shit. Don't normally bother.
The Itinerary Timetable for each stage is helpful in working out the route in better detail than the map alone shows.
I've also eventually found the "Garibaldi" (roadbook) for this year' s race which gives a good overview of all stages, maps, profiles, timetables, start and finish venues, etc.
Go to https://cyclinside.it/il-garibaldi-del-giro-ditalia-2024/ and click on the link for "Garibaldi 2024" or this link will take you straight there.
I don't think Thomas looked great in the Tour of the Alps, but looking at the startlist the GC contenders are mainly second tier anyway. Ben O'Connor, Dani Martinez, Antonio Tiberi to compete for top 5.
Pog for the win, obviously.
I'm in, only 9 in the STW league so far though. At least I am guaranteed a top 10 finish.
Thomas seems pretty capable of turning up to a grand tour having shown very little form and then being able to ride into form over week 1.
Before finding a lamppost to throw himself at in the second week.
Highlights on Freeview; DMax channel 39.
I normally watch the giro on GCN. Obviously that's died on it's arse - what is the equivlent? Normally I just watch the extended highlights each day - is that discovery plus?
I normally watch the giro on GCN. Obviously that’s died on it’s arse – what is the equivlent? Normally I just watch the extended highlights each day – is that discovery plus?
Yes, or as above the highlights programme will be on DMax
Discovery+ have a nifty feature on the bigger races if you rewatch the whole race - they add timeline markers at key events like interviews, cols, crashed and attacks so you can jump to something interesting. I think it's only on TV apps, though, not mobile apps / web interface
I normally watch the giro on GCN. Obviously that’s died on it’s arse – what is the equivlent?
I'm on Eurosport which does what GCN+ did. All part of the Warner Bros/Discovery+ family.
A lot of sporting events on S4C have alternative audio. Not sure about cycling tho.
Team Amaretti is in.
In recent years the Giro seemed to be trying to shoehorn in as much climbing as possible so it’s nice to see a calmer version.
It's getting moderately climby quite early on this year.
Bumping this, if you haven't entered the velogames league you have until 12:45 in the UK on Saturday 4th May 2024.
If you have entered, check your team in case the team lists have changed - the team presentations happened last night
I'm in...just refreshed the list and B'Hop is at the top already...what's going on;)
Looking forward to freeview highlights, so spoilers after 8pm please...Or I'll try and not read until later:)
Enjoy, could it be different this year more chances for others...if they have the form???
And they have just backed EF Education with a Gary Glitter song!!!!!!!!!
cvilla - I've not got 'G' in my team but I still would love him to win. He's got some strong men to support him. (it's a fluke if I'm at the top lol ).
First stage today and I'm at a quandary over what will happen
No doubt that Pog could attack 20km out on the Colle Maddalena and win, but I assume he will be trying to conserve energy. Will be attack on the newly introduced unclassified climb of Bivio do San Vito. Or will he just follow, conserving energy and knowing that he can ride away and into pink when he wants to.
Would anyone else risk attacking on the Maddalena to try and pre-empt a Pog attack and take time on him? A risky move but taking risks is the only way to beat Pog.
Whatever happens I hope it is an explosive stage that lives up to the Torino stage of 2022.
Tadej looked sooo happy at that presentation... he just couldn't stop grinning!
Mrs S and I reckon there were just 4 "brolly dollies" that were on some sort of rotation duty.
I've entered the league... not sure I fully understand it, but let's see 🙂
T minus 2 minutes...
I think Pog will do the Giro Tour double this year, as I don't think he has anh serious competition in the Giro (would love G to win though) and can't see JV being back to full fitness in time for July. Fair play - what a rider and seems a nice fella.
Thanks for the heads up about Dmax my dad sounded a bit gutted earlier thinking he wouldn't be able to even watch a highlights show. My wife just came into living room as Rob Hatch said 'yes it's that time of the year again, 3 weeks of racing' she looked at me said 'oh for god's sake' and left 😀
Hint, if you have discovery plus you and forget to log out when you log in at your dads it might just carry on working without affecting you ability to log in on your own devices
When Luke Rowe retires at the end of the season, please, please let’s hope he replaces Sean Kelly on commentary duties, shouldn’t be too DIFFURCULT
Sean is largely quiet now - he really only wakes up when Rob Hatch or Carlton Kirby says his name, comes in and says "Yes, well, certaint-ly.... [brief blather]" then shuts up again until the next time he's woken up.
Robbie McEwan is good. And if Jens is on the moto, he's an absolute legend.
Here we go, UAE pick it up at the front on the Colle Maddalena! Drilling it.
Some big names losing contact already.
Robbie McEwan is good. And if Jens is on the moto, he’s an absolute legend.
Indeed.
Really bizarre how many big names out of the back.....peloton is still a reasonable size. Bardet looks like he's towing an anchor!
OK not watching the race so need to skip this thread and fb from now so I can see highlights later without knowing the result
That was a bit wild.
Yep - explosive first day out, a lot of people who have lost time but also some really encouraging performances. G did well and Alaphilippe was always in and around the front of the peloton too.
And much as I admire and respect Pogacar for his achievements, I'm glad he either didn't or wasn't able to blow the thing to bits and put minutes into everyone.
Good first day. Enjoyed that. Two of my team in top 10.
Say what you liek about Pog, the guy loves a bit of bike racing.
Jhonatan Narváez (Ineos Grenadiers) won the opening stage of the 2024 Giro d'Italia by holding off race favourite Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) and Maximilian Schachmann (Bora-Hansgrohe) in a three-rider sprint in Turin. The trio rode together the flat final kilometre after the climb of San Vito, Narváez sprinting for the victory between his companions.
A chase group that included Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers), finished 10 seconds behind. Narváez donned the first maglia rosa of the Grand Tour, with three seconds over Schachmann and six seconds over Pogačar. The Slovenian champion took four bonus seconds for his third place and so has already gained 14 seconds on his main rivals.
Today: The first summit finish of the race. It’s not a question of whether Tadej will attack, it’s a question of when and how. Will ineos sit back and let the break go, forcing UAE to chase so tadej can get the win? Will tadej be content to let someone else win the stage and just more time on his rivals and possibly take the maglia rosa?
https://inrng.com/2024/05/giro-stage-2-preview-oropa/
https://www.cyclingstage.com/giro-2024-route/
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Robert Gesink is the first DNS, he injured his hand in that crash yesterday and will not start
https://twitter.com/ammattipyoraily/status/1787032895682482499?s=46&t=yRQNMEdCGRiV6tO7y1r0Mw
Is it just me or are some of the images distorted? From the motorbike shots behind they look like a bunch of children.
Don't know if something weird is going on with my TV.
Wow, sudden moment of drama - front wheel puncture for Pogacar, washout and down. Instantly up and onto a new bike.
Commentators are reliving the famous moment (25 years ago!) when Pantani had a mechanical at the bottom of this same climb and absolutely blitzed it to pass the whole peloton, wondering if the same might apply to Pogacar...
I think that's the first puncture Pog has ever had. In his whole life probably.
Here we go! 💥
Rob Hatch: Narr vay-ezzz
Sean Kelly: Nwaourovueraerss
Meanwhile, a couple of borders away, the Vuelta Feminina wrapped up today with Demi Vollering (SD Worx) taking the stage win and the overall GC (as well as the Climbing classification). SD Worx won the team classification too. Marianne Vos won the Points jersey.
Lizzie Deignan had a largely anonymous race (although to be fair, she is using it as recovery from her crash and broken arm at the Tour of Flanders so that comment is in no way meant as disrespectful - quite the opposite) but was highest placed British rider, 58th overall.
Sorry for the thread drift, back to the Giro!
Sprinty stage today although with a few complications, little rises close to the line and so on.
https://inrng.com/2024/05/giro-stage-3-preview-fossano/
Bit of a discussion this morning on The Breakaway about how open it is, how many possible winners there are on a stage like this. Not sure it's going to be the most riveting of stages to watch throughout but the last 30km should be good as it all comes back together and the sprinters teams start to pull back the breakaway and get the leadout trains going.
Rolling rest day today. Tune in in a few hours time… pog’s pink colnago is a hilight so far. I guess they had an extra day to build it 🤣
After getting discovery plus to watch I now see that DMAX on Freeview is showing highlights on an evening.
pog’s pink colnago is a hilight so far. I guess they had an extra day to build it 🤣
It's actually quite smart, that bike. They must have had that there and ready to go along with the helmet. I reckon there must be some pink shoes somewhere for further down the line. Not a fan of the shorts though.
Rolling rest day today.
I turned on to hear Jens being interviewed about service station sandwiches.
Typically I've lost a good rider in Eddie Dunbar from my Velogames team. Sad for him as He's been riding really well lately. Davide Ballerini seems to be eating an amaretti biscuit, yum.
That's a long line of riders going very very fast!
50mph run in on wide-ish roads, can see the nervous descenders drifting out the back as it all narrows.