The Giro 2014

[Fireman Sam 336]

The Giro started in Ireland this year, been three days of rain and cold weather for the riders.

 

Who do you think will take the overall? I would like to see Cadel Evans take the overall but think Nairo Quintana (if he keeps healthy) may prevail in the final week which is very mountainous.

 

Can't see anybody beating Kittel in the sprints, he has the Belfast stage already.

 

 

Regards

[Gonzo 419]

I am a great fan of cycling. I am watching the Giro right now on BTV Channel 59 Rai Italia in Jomtien. I don't understand Italian, but still enjoy watching. Kittel is an exciting young sprinter and will probably take the place of Numero Uno from Cavendish as a sprinter. I am surprised Cadel still has some legs left after getting on a bit. He took the lead after the eight stage, but will probably fade in the mountains.

 

I timed my holiday to Australia, so I could watch all of the Tour de France free on air on SBS with English commentary and all of the WC in Brazil as well. Hi CT

[wacmedia 277]

Hi,

 

There is a film about Pantani out now. Got some good reviews and worth a look.

[Gonzo 419]

Hi,

 

There is a film about Pantani out now. Got some good reviews and worth a look.

Marco Pantani was a legend. He died ten years ago on 14.Feb 2004.

[Gonzo 419]

The Dutchman Peter Weening won the ninth stage yesterday and Cadel Evans was seventh and is still in the pink jersey, about 58 seconds ahead of Rigoberto Uran in the overall standings, leading by about 58 seconds. It would be great if the 37 year old Cadel, born in the Northern Territory , could pull it off. He was third in the Giro d'Italy last year.

 

To be honest, the Italian commentary had me confused last night and I had no idea how Cadel was doing until I saw him standing on the podium wearing the Maglia Rosa. They are having a rest day today and I was told the rest of the Giro will be shown on Eurovision with English commentary for the remainder of the Giro. I hope that is right.

 

Even for non cycling fans the Giro would be exiting to watch and the Tour de France even more so. Italy and France are incredibly beautiful countries and I never get tired at looking at the scenery, the exited onlookers and the great historical buildings, especially in the Tour de France.

[ronrat 59]

Be a few missing today as a result of the pileup yesterday. Might just be too many riders in in the race. Perhaps tinker with having only 6 a team riding and keeping sprinters and mountain climbers for specific stages.

[Nightrider 340]

It always amazes me how these guys can ride those bikes up 1 : 2 mountain roads for mile after mile without having a coronary . ( Remarkable ) .........!

[Gonzo 419]

They are exceptional athletes and train most of the year when they are not racing. I cannot think of a sport which is more physically demanding. Cadel Evans is still wearing the Maglia Rosa after stage 11. BMC have a great team to support him. Stage 12 is at the moment shown live on Eurovision.

http://www.gazzetta.it/Giroditalia/2014/en/

[Fireman Sam 336]

I think they should have named this years Giro the 'Giro - De Aus', the Aussies are having a great tour so far with Orica taking the TTT/Matthews in pink then Evans taking over the pink and yesterday Rodgers managing to hold of the bunch to win alone.

 

Good chance in todays time trial for Evans to extend his lead over Uran, Quintana and Pozzovivo before the race enters the Alps this weekend. looking good for a real battle in the last few days as well. Surely the podium will come from the aforementioned riders ?

 

 

Regards

[Gonzo 419]

Let's keep things in perspective. Most of the top guns in road racing are not taking part in the Giro to save themselves for the more prestigious Tour de France. Having said that, the Giro is still the second ranked cycling race in the world. I am far from happy with the TV blackout in Thailand preventing me from watching Eurovision. I don't have a clue what happened in the time trial today and can only hope Cadel did well and kept the overall lead.

 

Cadel has always been strong a strong climber and might win this Giro, if he gets enough support from his BMC team mates.

 

http://www.steephill.tv/giro-d-italia/

[Fireman Sam 336]

Yes, bit of a bummer with the TV being off, I'm not getting Eurosport now on my Cable in Nakhon Phanom, the only channel I'm getting now is CCTV (Chinese news) in English.

 

Evans had a bad day in the TT yesterday, with Uran putting 1min 34 into him and taking the Pink jersey by 37 seconds. Ulissi was second in the TT with Evans third. Quintana now 3.29 behind Uran on the overall. All to play for after that unexpected result, hopefully will get the TV back before the high mountains begin in earnest.

 

Also looking forward to the Tour this year.

 

Regards

[Gonzo 419]

Eurovision and most other non-Thai TV station are back again on Jomtien BTV. I watched the finish of yesterday's stage. Cadel is still 37 seconds behind the little Columbian in the overall standings. I think there is only one more mostly flat stage before the serious mountain stages begin, which will decide who wins the Giro. Both Cadel and Uran are strong climbers and I will be surprised if any other rider will win the Giro.

 

We are staying home today and I am now packing my suitcase for the 3 months trip back home to Darwin. The TGF is a bit anxious as she does not know if her Australian visa has been approved. She got a message from the VFS office yesterday, telling her to pick up her visa application notification letter on Monday at their new office in the Trendy building on Soi Sukhumvit 13 near the BTS Nana station. VFS won't tell over the telephone, if the visa has been approved, but I am quietly confident she will get it and then book a flight with Jetstar for June.

 

I am looking forward to get back to Australia for a break and were I can watch the WC 2014 and the Tour de France in my unit there without any of the bullshit that has been going on in Thailand lately. After nearly three months I will probably be glad to come back to Thailand again. Cheers.

[Gonzo 419]

The 14.stage of the Giro is live on Eurovision now with a big climb coming up shortly.

[Fireman Sam 336]

The 14.stage of the Giro is live on Eurovision now with a big climb coming up shortly.

Yes, my Eurosport on Nakhon Phanom cable is back on again with English commentary as well, just watched the finish of the stage, good racing interesting week ahead, can't wait.

 

Much the same as myself Gonzo I will be in the UK for most of the World Cup and the Tour, won't get a chance to see it in person as will be too busy working.

 

Regards

Edited May 25, 2014 by Fireman Sam

[Gonzo 419]

The last 50 kilometres of the 15. stage are now on live on Eurovision. There will be a difficult and long climb at the end of it. Rigoberto Uran seemed like a spent force on the last climb of yesterday's stage and Cadel Evans gained seven on him 7 seconds, now 32 seconds behind in second place in the overall classification.