Giro d'Italia / Tour de France

[Wombat del combate]

Still some brutes though, including a 17% kick in the final TT. Plus, the climbing starts in the first week so no way to ease yourself into the race a la Pantani circa 1998. (Can't tell I'm reading about the Festina affair, can you?)

 

[Knockout Ned]

Have climbed both the Galibier and d'Izoard on those routes, both from the same sides.

First time the Tour has been up them since, I cannot wait!

 

[nimrod]

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news...amentary-inquiry-sexism-doping-cycling-308537

 

[thehistorymakers]

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news...amentary-inquiry-sexism-doping-cycling-308537

Very interesting.

 

[nimrod]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/cycling/...cling-left-reeling-questions-answer-bruising/

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Sad news that Michele Scarponi has been killed in a training ride accident

 

[Pompey Wolf]

Really sad, won the first stage of the Tour of the Alps this week and completed that race 4th yesterday. Former Giro winner. RIP Michele.

 

[nimrod]

terrible news.

 

[thehistorymakers]

Sad news that Michele Scarponi has been killed in a training ride accident

Very sad.

 

[machin05]

The 100th Giro d'Italia starts today in Sardinia. Would be looking forward to it, but I don't have Eurosport

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Just put it on. Is it not on ITV4 as well like le tour?

Great route this year with some absolute bastard stages. I love the giro because it really is for the mountain goats.

 

[machin05]

Nope, Eurosport have exclusive UK broadcasting. There's a highlights show on one of their free-to-view sister channels each night, but that's about it.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Three weeks of Sean Kelly comms then.

Squeeze will be delighted.

Hmmm - well-known cyclist Jonathan Edwards appears to be the front man for Eurosport. Interesting.

 

[Wombat del combate]

Streamed it live yesterday. Not quite up there with Boardman, Millar et al.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Fascinating stage though.

Today is quite a tough day for so early in a GT. Very tough. I don't think the GC contenders are going to come out and play yet, but there could be some good attacks.

It really is just a build up to the Etna stage in a few days though.

 

[Pompey Wolf]

So long as it's not Carlton Kirby I don't care who's on comms.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Turned into a really DULL stage today. Quite a disappointment. Griepel finally in the maglia rosa is nice though, but really bugger all happened today bar Teklaheimanot just nicking the lead in the mountains classification.

 

[Pompey Wolf]

Nice for Greipel to get pink. Shame Etna's on a Tuesday!

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

I am looking forward to watching Etna. Think the Stelvio stage is mid-week too.

Tomorrow's stage looks deadpan flat and dull. Hope there is something exciting in the day, but I think it will be a bunch thing at the end again.

 

[Wombat del combate]

Was looking forward to some coverage this afternoon then realised they're already on a bloody rest day. Pah.

Incidentally, been hoovering up cycling biographies of late: Bartali and Coppi's are good, as is Luis Ocana's.