[font=Verdana]I went to Kronplatz today to visit the last 5km of tomorrow’s stage. The road is in a lot better condition than those have been saying. The last km is almost like asphalt due to it being packed so hard. The remaining 4km is very good road and also very hard. There will be no problems for the riders on these roads. What will get them is the steepness of some parts of the final 5km. Around 1km to go there are two very step switchbacks. I walked up them and I had to stop and catch my breath due to its gradient. I think the leaders will be fine it’s the other riders who will have a problem. The roads are fairly narrow so a grupetto of 10 or more won’t get through with the crowds and will have to dismount. To get an idea of the steepness of the final switch-back there is a photo below which is taken at the top of the grade to which it looks like you are dropping off the side of cliff’s edge.
There is still quite a bit of work going on at the top of the mountain and more importantly I noted they have even dispersed beer dispensers (see photo) in the last 5km… will probably only encourage the fans to be even more crazy than normal !
The mountain is closed all year apart form the Ski season which runs form December to April 23rd. I spoke to the owner of the “Giphel” Restaurant which sits at the finish line and he has opened up his restaurant for two days for the Giro. A second restaurant has built a makeshift grandstand at the end of the stage but has the advantage of being able to see all the way down the mountain so you can watch the riders acceding or walking up the mountain as you eat and drink ! 🙂
If there is a stage where Basso can be dropped this has to be it. He is not a feather weight like the other climbers (a good 6-8kg or more heavier) and so when the road gets really steep like it does at the top of this climb it might be a chance for Simoni head for victory. However based on his performances so far, Basso won't loose much time.
The surface looks fine, having seen the pictures. I've ridden on stuff like this before (but only in the dry) and they are not a problem, just makes it a bit harder work thats all. Wouldn't want to try descending on it but thats not going to be a problem.
Anybody know tomorrow's weather forecast for the top of the mountain? Any sort of wind and/or precipitation and this could get quite ugly. Here's hoping... 🙂
I agree with Eldrack - the superlight guys could have a crack at Basso here. Simoni might have a chance of doing some damage on this stage but I think Cunego may try to do something here.
Although Cunego looked shattered when he crossed the line today (on stage 16).
Awesome, great pics. Thanks WBT, Cyclingforums.com very own official Giro correspondent (Did you get press tags?).
I agree with Eld and Lim on Simioni. However, with the buzz surrounding this stage, I have to doubt that Basso will be thinking about making it easy for anyone, least of all Cunego.
Funny enough there was a interview with Riis in the Gazza on Monday and Riis said quote, unquote: "Basso is better than Armstrong". Not sure if he was trying to stir the DC v CSC pot or if he really believes it but he put it in writing... Not sure Basso likes the trash talk but Riis likes to give it....
sonicman said:
Basso will be like LA, he might be a bit heavier but he can overcome this thanks to his amazing talent and intelligence.
Funny enough there was a interview with Riis in the Gazza on Monday and Riis said quote, unquote: "Basso is better than Armstrong". Not sure if he was trying to stir the DC v CSC pot or if he really believes it but he put it in writing... Not sure Basso likes the trash talk but Riis likes to give it....
Riis is stirring it. Why should he even refer to Armstrong at this stage? Armstrong's retired.
Riis hates Armstrong for sure, but to regurgitate Armstrong now is pointless.
Riis's eyeballs tell their own story. The stoney long distance stare, is enough to wither all opposition.
The man looks like a serial killer, I think. He'd do anything to win - and I mean anything.
WBT tell us about the weather and a possibility of droping out the climb. We have weather reports but it`s a lot better to hear the news from the scene!
There was 3cm of snow on Monday morning and it was 20c (degrees) at the base of the mountain today and around 2c on top... it was cold.... its forecast for rain tomorrow which could mean snow... they will clear it away before the stage but will be hard for the fans... I just got back from the bar in Brunico and it was a pleasure to walk into a bar and hear the names Basso and Simonei mentioned by the patrons.. in the UK they are always talking football and I'm sure in the US its baseball or Pro Ball.... funny to come to a town where cycling is the number one sport.... Gibo is the number one pick by everyone I speak too... they love him... Basso in the mould of Armstrong as good as he is doesn't seem to get the heart flutters from the locals.... just proves you have to cry like RicheyV to get respect ! 🙂
PS I was told that in local dialect (Lidino or something) that you need to cheer "die, die !" (pronounce as English "die" not German "die"😉 as the riders go by.. it translate to "giving, giving !"
teetopkram said:
Anybody know tomorrow's weather forecast for the top of the mountain? Any sort of wind and/or precipitation and this could get quite ugly. Here's hoping... 🙂
PS I was told that in local dialect (Lidino or something) that you need to cheer "die, die !" (pronounce as English "die" not German "die"😉 as the riders go by.. it translate to "giving, giving !"
Simoni is the local boy.
It is Ladino, but the cheer is the same in Italian - 'Dai' (in this case, you would roughly translate it to 'come on' or the French 'allez'😉.
Just about to head off to today's stage... It very coudy and overcast and could be raining or snowing on top of Corones.... previous morning's you could see the top from the base but not today.... My tip is Gibo for today.. he wants it and wants it bad... could be his last Giro.... 🙂
I hate this weather! It`s the same here! How nice would that stage be with beautiful, sunny weather instead of this.
Actually, I think it is cool, and makes the stage even more interesting. Of course, I am happy to not be riding up into that kind of weather, but to watch others doing it is interesting! 😉
It certanly is! 4 degrees C on summits and 9 in valleys.
I like spectacular views, watching riders suffering in the heat, plenty of spectators. All we`ll see today will be fog, few riders because other will disappear in the fog, WBT and few other spectators who came from far away and would watch the race in any conditions.
Just about to head off to today's stage... It very coudy and overcast and could be raining or snowing on top of Corones.... previous morning's you could see the top from the base but not today.... My tip is Gibo for today.. he wants it and wants it bad... could be his last Giro.... 🙂
Ugh...this could get very ugly today. I'd bet in those conditions all the live streaming via cycling.tv and rai are going to suck big time. 🙁
It certanly is! 4 degrees C on summits and 9 in valleys.
I like spectacular views, watching riders suffering in the heat, plenty of spectators. All we`ll see today will be fog, few riders because other will disappear in the fog, WBT and few other spectators who came from far away and would watch the race in any conditions.
You are lucky. I'd be happy to see coverage of fog. All we get is two minutes of highlights nearly a day after the stage.
