Giro rumours - TTT Prologue & Ferrari tribute

[Walrus]

Rumours of a Team Time Trial for the prologue reported on Tuttosport. Apparently this has been done before in '54 and '82. I'm not sure whether this is a good thing. Although personally I like the spectacle of a TTT, I like the individual prologue which is like an introduction to the whole field. It also takes the glory away from prologue specialists and will no doubt hand the Maglia Rosa to the leader of the strongest team.

To celebrate 60 years for Ferrari, the organisers are said to be planning to take the peloton to Ferrari's race track in Fiorano Modenese. This sounds whacky! Imagine the riders going through chicanes .

 

[jonjungel]

To celebrate 60 years for Ferrari, the organisers are said to be planning to take the peloton to Ferrari's race track in Fiorano Modenese. This sounds whacky! Imagine the riders going through chicanes .

Just an idea: A relay (correct word?) time-trial around the track. The entire team races one round, but only one man at a time. After one round the racers have to "pass the pin" by patting the next man on the shoulder or going into the pitstop or something. TT rules, no drafting. Individual or bunch start? I don't know. It would be chaos, but very fun to watch .

 

[whiteboytrash]

The Ferrari tribute is a great idea.... he has done a great deal for cycling in terms of drugs use and enhancing rider’s performances over the years... it’s about time he was recognised for his contributions....

To celebrate 60 years for Ferrari, the organisers are said to be planning to take the peloton to Ferrari's race track in Fiorano Modenese. This sounds whacky! Imagine the riders going through chicanes .

 

[Powerful Pete]

To celebrate 60 years for Ferrari, the organisers are said to be planning to take the peloton to Ferrari's race track in Fiorano Modenese. This sounds whacky! Imagine the riders going through chicanes .

Not that wacky. Not so long ago the TdF rode through the Spa circuit... it I recall correctly!

 

[Dead Star]

The Ferrari tribute is a great idea.... he has done a great deal for cycling in terms of drugs use and enhancing rider’s performances over the years... it’s about time he was recognised for his contributions....

I thought of exactly the same thing when I saw the cyclingnews homepage

 

[JohnO]

So if the prolog is a TTT, who gets the MR? Or does the entire team get it? Might make defending the jersey rather interesting...

 

[Andrija]

So if the prolog is a TTT, who gets the MR? Or does the entire team get it? Might make defending the jersey rather interesting...

First rider, from the winning team, who crosses the finish line will wear MR.

 

[jonjungel]

The official website for the Giro 2007 is up at

http://giroditalia2007.gazzetta.it/

No TT on the F1 circuit ..

Will once again be a climbers tour. No doubt the battles on the climbs will be very interesting, but I had hoped for two ITTs to balance it somewhat.

Unless Ullrich (or Hincapie ) shows up in top form, Basso will be as untouchable as this year.

 

[Dead Star]

Nice course again, but if Basso rides, he'll unfortunately walk all over the race again.

Furthermore, if it rains heavily, voigt will be too frightened to ride the entire stage, so they'll shorten those again, with the predictable results.

 

[whiteboytrash]

Not that wacky. Not so long ago the TdF rode through the Spa circuit... it I recall correctly!

PP - Could you tell me anything about the area that surrounds Monte Zoncolan ? I want to get up there next year for the Giro. What's the closest airport / train station....

 

[Powerful Pete]

PP - Could you tell me anything about the area that surrounds Monte Zoncolan ? I want to get up there next year for the Giro. What's the closest airport / train station....

Not really familiar with that area... right on the border with Austria, in Friuli-Venezia-Giulia. The closest major town on the Austrian side is Lienz.

As to closest Italian airports, I guess it depends what flights you can find (I don't know where you would be flying in from). Maybe Udine, Venice, Bolzano, or even Treviso (look up the airport websites here).

Depending where you fly in, you can look up the train schedules here (Trenitalia website).

A decent detailed map of the area that I found is here. Probably the largest nearby town on the Italian side is Tolmezzo.

Can't tell you anything about hotels or that kind of thing. PM me if you would like me to bring in the cavalry and ask some of my Northern cyclist brethren. Sorry for not being able to do more!

 

[Andrija]

PP - Could you tell me anything about the area that surrounds Monte Zoncolan ? I want to get up there next year for the Giro. What's the closest airport / train station....

"You should take left turn at Albuquerque!"
Seriously, I would strongly suggest you not to go there... We want to see some epic racing for the difference from this year on Kronplatz.

 

[whiteboytrash]

Thanks PP... nice work... I'm flying from London.... this information is gold... I'll do my research and get back to you if I need anything... I'm already looking forward to the trip ! Will have to be better than Plan de Corones from last year... nice work... thank you...

Not really familiar with that area... right on the border with Austria, in Friuli-Venezia-Giulia. The closest major town on the Austrian side is Lienz.

As to closest Italian airports, I guess it depends what flights you can find (I don't know where you would be flying in from). Maybe Udine, Venice, Bolzano, or even Treviso (look up the airport websites here).

Depending where you fly in, you can look up the train schedules here (Trenitalia website).

A decent detailed map of the area that I found is here. Probably the largest nearby town on the Italian side is Tolmezzo.

Can't tell you anything about hotels or that kind of thing. PM me if you would like me to bring in the cavalry and ask some of my Northern cyclist brethren. Sorry for not being able to do more!

 

[Dead Star]

indeed. hopefully the weather'll be better this time around!

 

[whiteboytrash]

...and I'm still going to spit at Basso's feet.

Thanks PP... nice work... I'm flying from London.... this information is gold... I'll do my research and get back to you if I need anything... I'm already looking forward to the trip ! Will have to be better than Plan de Corones from last year... nice work... thank you...

 

[wolfix]

...and I'm still going to spit at Basso's feet.

You better get there early then....He will be riding by about an hour ahead of everyone else.

 

[jonjungel]

I hope CSC will set up Fränk Schleck to ride for GC. He's been promising for quite a while now. And looking at their lineup for 2007, he looks like their only rider able to threaten the podium.

 

[Powerful Pete]

Thanks PP... nice work... I'm flying from London.... this information is gold... I'll do my research and get back to you if I need anything... I'm already looking forward to the trip ! Will have to be better than Plan de Corones from last year... nice work... thank you...

No problem. Let me know if you need any help when your planning proceeds a bit further. Informational PP.

 

[whiteboytrash]

No problem. Let me know if you need any help when your planning proceeds a bit further. Informational PP.

I assume the area is Italian/German speaking like Sud Tyrol ? I was surprised in Brunico at last year's Giro that although in Italy, German was the predominate language..... (along with the double names for every street sign, menu, building and place)

 

[Powerful Pete]

I assume the area is Italian/German speaking like Sud Tyrol ? I was surprised in Brunico at last year's Giro that although in Italy, German was the predominate language..... (along with the double names for every street sign, menu, building and place)

Yup. lots of German spoken there.