Giro d'Italia 2014

Three nights to go...

The start list is looking almost definitive:

http://www.procyclingstats.com/race/Giro_d_Italia_2014-Startlist

The complete roadbook is here:

http://www.gazzetta.it/Giroditalia/2014/download/Garibaldi%202014%20LOW.pdf

Looking forward to the (Northern) Ireland stages, hope the weather will be kind.

Having been out for a ride in Norn Iron today, I would suggest that the riders wear roubaix tights and double wrap their bars. It's cold, windy and the roads aren't in great nick...

My favourite gt. Looking forward to this!

pink sheep, and now this:

EAST BELFAST - PINK LYCRA GIRO D'ITALIA 2014 - YouTube

Dan!

At the team presentation this evening, sunshine, rain and girls in heels parading about in team jerseys.

Bring on tomorrow.

Having been out for a ride in Norn Iron today, I would suggest that the riders wear roubaix tights and double wrap their bars. It's cold, windy and the roads aren't in great nick...

Well the giro is for hardmen.

Ok I'll stick my colours to the mast and say Purito for the win, mainly because I like his style and the fact he always the bridesmaid, never the bride.

OGE for the TTT tomorrow?

Are there time bonuses for stage places?

yes, but less seconds than last year; 1st gets 10, 2nd gets 6 and 3rd is worth 4 seconds

OGE have to be favorites for the TTT, it's tonight isn't it?

Will be searching for highlights on steephill tonight, but suspect will end up paying for Eurosport again after getting frustrated...

Ok I'll stick my colours to the mast and say Purito for the win, mainly because I like his style and the fact he always the bridesmaid, never the bride.

OGE for the TTT tomorrow?

Today, Jimmy.

I'm still backing Quintana. I love a little Colombian. (honk!)

Yeah, I reckon Quintana for the win.
Time to find the dodgy streams and get away with watching as much as poss at work!

Ok I'll stick my colours to the mast and say Purito for the win, mainly because I like his style and the fact he always the bridesmaid, never the bride.

OGE for the TTT tomorrow?

I have a tenner on Evans @ 10/1.

Is this being shown or highlights available on UK TV? Can't see anything for ITV4, maybe because it's not ASO.

schedule:

17.50 Colombia

17.55 Orica-GreenEdge

18.00 Tinkoff-Saxo

18.05 FDJ.fr

18.10 Katusha

18.15 Movistar

18.20 Lotto-Belisol

18.25 Trek

18.30 Belkin

18.35 Europcar

18.40 Lampre-Merida

18.45 Sky

18.50 Cannondale

18.55 Giant-Shimano

19.00 AG2R-La Mondiale

19.05 Androni

19.10 Garmin-Sharp

19.15 Bardiani CSF

19.20 BMC

19.25 OmegaPharma-QuickStep

19.30 Astana

19.35 Neri Sottoli

Overall predictions...

Other than the top two it's pretty hard to call the rest of the GC. Majka and Pozzovivo should do well. Can Kelderman or Mezgec timetrial?

In the sprints Bouhanni could give Kittel some competition I think.

The Italian teams can be relied upon to go for breaks, tv time and general flair. I actually find watching the like of Colbrelli and Pellizotti earn their living a fascinating aspect of the Giro.

Bring it on.

UK times?

← lazy

It starts in Ireland... :)

Is that a prediction? Playing it safe?

Having been out for a ride in Norn Iron today, I would suggest that the riders wear roubaix tights and double wrap their bars. It's cold, windy and the roads aren't in great nick...

I had to laugh when the official Giro team declared the roads "nearly perfect" on the press release given to the BBC!

Dual carriageway maybe, Queen's road already has cracks, N'Ards roads, nah. So how many expensive Zipp wheels will die...?

Off to the start...l8s

It starts in Ireland... :)

What does?

UK times?

← lazy

been trying to figure that out, I have a hard time finding the answer. but since Sporza starts coverage at 18.30 CET I guess those are indeed UK times

No worries, I think that as it's in Ireland they are.

What does?

The 2014 Rio World Cup

In the sprints Bouhanni could give Kittel some competition I think.

I wonder if Viviani could be Kittel's closest competition after besting Cav twice in Turkey