Alberto Contador Wins the 98th Edition of the Giro d'Italia

Alberto Contador (Tinkoff Saxo) has won the 2015 Giro d'Italia, although the final stage was as drama-filled and unpredictable as the previous three weeks of racing. Contador finished safely in the peloton at the end of the final stage, Torino - Milano (178 km).

In GC Fabio Aru finished 1'53" behind Contador, with his team-mate, Mikel Landa, third at 3'05". The fourth-placed rider overall was the Costa Rican, Andrey Amador, whose time was more than eight minutes adrift of Contador.

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION (TOP FIVE)
1 - Alberto Contador (TINKOFF SAXO)
2 - Fabio Aru (ASTANA PRO TEAM) at 1’53”
3 - Mikel Landa (ASTANA PRO TEAM) at 3’05”
4 - Andrey Amador (MOVISTAR TEAM) at 8’10”
5 - Ryder Hesjedal (TEAM CANNONDALE - GARMIN) a 9’52”


JERSEYS
MAGLIA ROSA – BALOCCO – Alberto Contador (TINKOFF SAXO)
MAGLIA ROSSA – ALGIDA – Giacomo Nizzolo (TREK FACTORY RACING)
MAGLIA AZZURRA – BANCA MEDIOLANUM – Giovanni Visconti (MOVISTAR TEAM)
MAGLIA BIANCA – EUROSPIN – Fabio Aru (ASTANA PRO TEAM)


Alberto Contador (Tinkoff Saxo), 2015 Giro d'Italia champion
Q: How did this Giro d'Italia differ from the other two?
A: My preparation for this Giro d'Italia was optimal. In 2008 I came at the last minute, and I didn't know the race, or how I'd be received, or what the climbs were like. In 2011, I prepared conscientiously, but only after a very intense start to the season. This time, by contrast, I raced in the start of the season, but it's also true that it is the first part of an objective that I've set myself, and for that reason, perhaps, I'm calmer or more reflective while I am racing.

Q: Did you make any errors that you feel you must not repeat at the Tour?
A: No, I don't think so. Perhaps I see it like this: there were days when I could have been more ambitious. I decided to to ride more tactically, and I think it was the right thing to do, in the end, because look at yesterday: I had a bad day because my strength was declining. No, there is nothing I think that I could improve on for the Tour. Perhaps my main memory of the Giro is the leg pain with which I finished the race, and the tired body.

Q: What will you do now?
A: My Tour de France starts now. My preparation starts now. Tonight, to the extent to which it is possible, I'll go and rest as early as possible. Tomorrow I want to go to Spain. I want to take three or four days before I start concentrating again on the Tour, in complete isolation. So tomorrow I'm looking forward to a nice day.

THE GIRO IN NUMBERS
Here’s the story of the 98th edition, in numbers:

35 – business partners who have contributed to the success of the Giro, showing their brands on this edition of the Corsa Rosa
50 – vehicles in the Giro d’Italia caravan
98 – the editions of the Corsa Rosa
163 – riders who finished the Giro d’Italia in 2015
171 – countries in which the Giro was broadcast daily
201 – the bib number of Alberto Contador, winner of the Giro d’Italia
1,067 – the number of media credited for the event
1,750 – the number of vehicles credited for the event
3,501 – the Corsa Rosa race distance in kilometers
33,000 – the number of passes released, representing 62 countries in the five continents
350,000 – followers on Twitter
680,000 – Facebook fans on the official page
3,440,000 – page views (daily average) on the official Giro d’Italia site and the Giro App combined
3,500,000 – the average number of viewers that host broadcaster RAI had during the last hour of race in the Sestriere stage with the Colle delle Finestre climb

Tsgabu Grmay, Team Lampre-Merida, was the first black African cyclist ever to complete the Giro d'Italia.

Content for the Italian Cycling Journal is now based upon contributions from readers. Please contribute. Stories about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, racing, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com.

2015 Giro d'Italia Jerseys

​For the last 20 years Santini Maglificio Sportivo, this year celebrating its fiftieth anniversary, has developed the jerseys for the Giro d’Italia, guaranteeing that all the apparel of the Corsa Rosa continues to have a true Italian soul.

This year the jerseys were designed by Lebole, a menswear fashion brand synonymous with elegance and Italian style, whilst being produced by Santini.

This year sponsorship of the four classification jerseys are as follows - the Pink Jersey, distinguishing the overall leader, is sponsored Balocco; the Blue Jersey, denoting the leader of the mountains classification is sponsored by Banca Mediolanum; the Red Jersey denoting the leader of the points classification is sponsored by Algida and the White Jersey reserved for the best young rider under 25 is sponsored Eurospin.

Aside from all four classification jerseys, Santini has created a special capsule collection of jerseys dedicated the Giro d’Italia. This collection features one very special garment: the legendary Maglia Nera - Black Jersey.

There was a time in the history of the Giro d’Italia when the competition to finish first was not the only prize on offer. The honor and glory justly reserved for the race winner was at one point curiously also handed out to the race loser. The rider who obtained this “reverse” result was granted the honor of wearing the Black Jersey; an award that was instituted in 1946 and continued until 1951 (Giovanni Pinarello won it in 1951). Within its short lived existence the race for the Black Jersey provided countless surprising and often charming strategies to obtain this prize. It was commonplace for riders to fake punctures, contrive mechanical problems and employ various other underhanded strategies designed to enable them to cross the finish line last. The blurred line between truth and legend doesn’t matter, what is certain is that the Maglia Nera will always remain a true symbol of cycling history. An era that Santini wanted to honor by creating a version of the Black Jersey for all fans of cycling.

In addition to the legendary Black Jersey Santini wanted to include in its new capsule collection a series of jerseys that paid homage to specific stages of the 2015 Giro d’Italia; basing the designs of these four unique garments around the history and landscapes associated with these special stages of the 2015 race.

In the first stage from LORENZO AL MARE to SANREMO, riders will be faced with a very challenging team time trial - running along 17.6 km of beautiful Ligurian coastline from San Lorenzo al Mare to San Remo. As such Santini has devoted a jersey specifically to this stage, referencing the colors of the sea while celebrating the unique and inimitable Italian Riviera.

The first uphill finish of the 2015 Giro, stage five from LA SPEZIA to ABETONE, will see the athletes tackling 17.3km of climbing, the last part of which will see them face a finish into town of Abetone, sitting at a height of 928 meters above sea level. The jersey commemorating the finish into Abetone not only references the beautiful mountain landscape but also notes the town’s relationship to Giacomo Puccini, the famous Italian composer who in 1903 whilst living in the area wrote a large portion of his masterpiece Madame Butterfly; referenced on the jersey by the red butterfly and subtle tree pattern.

The third jersey celebrates the return after 23 years of a Giro stage into Imola, centred on the truly prestigious venue of the Autodromo Ferrari. Stage ​eleven from FORLÌ to IMOLA will not be easy; before entering the velodrome the riders will have to negotiate the same roads as used for the 1968 World Championships won by Vittorio Adorni. The flame red jersey that celebrates this stage exudes references to true Italian style and speed, perfectly capturing the essence of the Giro d’Italia.

Finally, the fourth jersey, is dedicated to stage ​fourteen, TREVISO to VALDOBBIADENE - the punishing individual time trial that covers 59.2km in total. The setting of this stage will leave you breathless. A combination of flat and hilly sections that wind through the vineyards of the beloved Prosecco landscape; a true symbol of Italian identity worthy of being celebrated. Therefore, the jersey dedicated to this stage plays on the colors associated with a bottle of Prosecco.

For more information please visit:  www.santinisms.it/giro15

After a rest day yesterday the Giro resumes today with Stage 10, Civitanova Marche - Forlì, 200 flat kilometers. The race jersey holders at the start:

MAGLIA ROSA – BALOCCO – Alberto Contador (TINKOFF SAXO)
MAGLIA ROSSA – ALGIDA – Elia Viviani (TEAM SKY)
MAGLIA AZZURRA – BANCA MEDIOLANUM – Simon Geschke (TEAM GIANT - ALPECIN)
MAGLIA BIANCA – EUROSPIN – Fabio Aru (ASTANA PRO TEAM)



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Get Ready for the 2015 Giro d'Italia!

The 98th Giro d’Italia, organized by RCS Sport/La Gazzetta dello Sport, begins on Saturday, 9 May and lasts until 31 May, 2015.

The philosophy behind the race route is balance, in line with recent years, with fewer transfers and an approach geared up for modern cycling. In summary: 1 team time trial, 1 individual time trial, 5 high mountain stages, 7 flatter stages and 7 medium mountain stages. Tthe 2015 Giro starts near Sanremo in Riviera dei Fiori (Liguria) and finishes in Milan.


THE 98TH GIRO D’ITALIA IN NUMBERS

1 – National border crossing (Switzerland)
2 – Rest Days (Monday 18 May, Monday 25 May)
4 – Giro race starts in Liguria (Genoa 1980, 1992, 2004; Sanremo 1987)
5 – Mountain stages (Fiuggi-Campitello Matese, Marostica-Madonna di Campiglio, Pinzolo-Aprica, Gravellona Toce-Cervinia, Saint Vincent-Sestriere)
7 – Sprint stages (Albenga-Genova, Montecatini Terme-Castiglione della Pescaia, Grosseto-Fiuggi, Civitanova Marche-Forlì, Montecchio Maggiore-Jesolo, Tirano-Lugano, Turin-Milan);
7 – Medium mountain stages (Rapallo-Sestri Levante, Chiavari-La Spezia, La Spezia-Abetone, Benevento-San Giorgio del Sannio, Forlì-Imola (Enzo & Dino Ferrari Autodrome), Imola-Vicenza (Monte Berico), Melide-Verbania)
7 – Uphill finishes (Abetone, Campitello Matese, Vicenza (Monte Berico), Madonna di Campiglio, Aprica, Cervinia, Sestriere)
29 – Overall Giro d’Italia wins by non-Italians
68 – Overall Giro d’Italia wins by Italians
76.8 – Kilometres of time trials (17.6 km “Riviera dei Fiori” team time trial, 59,2 individual time trial Treviso - Valdobbiadene)
136 – Length of the two shortest road stages in kilometers (Rapallo-Sestri Levante, Tirano-Lugano)
152 – Kilometers in the stage dedicated to Gino Bartali, La Spezia – Abetone
263 – Kilometers in the longest stage (Grosseto – Fiuggi)
1,854 – the altitude, in meters, of the Mortirolo, the Montagna Pantani in the 2015 Giro
2,178 – the altitude, in meters, of the Colle delle Finestre, the Cima Coppi in the 2015 Giro
3,481.8 - the total length of the Giro, in kilometers
43,000 – vertical meters climbed during the 2015 Giro




TELEVISION COVERAGE

The Giro will be televised around the world in 171 countries.

Italy

Long-standing host broadcaster Rai (Radio Televisione Italiana) will dedicate many hours of airtime to the Giro d’Italia, starting with three hours of live programming for every stage.

Rai’s live coverage will be in three parts: “Anteprima Giro” on RaiSport Uno from 14:00 to 15:10 CEST, “Giro in Diretta” on RaiTre and Rai HD between 15:10 and 16:15, and, for the final hour of racing, “Giro all’arrivo” until 17:10. Post-stage commentary and analysis follows in the traditional “Processo alla Tappa,” finishing at 18:00.

90 minutes of edited highlights from each stage will be shown at 22:45 on RaiSport Due, at 06:00 hours the following morning on RaiSport Uno and again at 08:00 on RaiSport Due.

Most days, Rai’s coverage of the forthcoming stage will start with “Giro Mattina”, an hour and a half of live programming from the start village which includes a feature portraying the places of touristic and cultural interest along the race route of the day, and the stage start.

Finally, RaiSport Uno will end the day with two programmes: “TGiro” at 20:00 and “Giro Notte” at 00:30 hours.

In addition, the Corsa Rosa will be streamed live via the internet at www.rai.tv.

Worldwide
The Giro d’Italia will be shown live in 52 territories throughout Europe, Italy included, starting at 14.15 (all times CEST), with live links, on-site interviews and race commentary in 19 languages. In the Old World, the race will also be shown subscription-free in Belgium on the Flemish language channel VRT, in Denmark on TV2, in Spain on TVE, in Switzerland via SRG SSR, in the Netherlands on NOS.

Televisa Deportes Network will show the Giro d’Italia in Mexico and five other Central American nations. ESPN Sur will serve Spanish-speaking South America, working in tandem with its sister channel ESPN Brasil. Canada will be served in English by Sportsnet and in French by RDS.

beIN SPORTS has exclusive TV rights to the Giro d’Italia in France, the United States of America, and the Middle East and North Africa, with SuperSport serving fans in Sub-Saharan Africa.

In Asia, Eurosport Asia-Pacific will broadcast the Giro d’Italia in 16 territories. J Sports will serve Japan, LeTV will cover the Corsa Rosa in China, while SonyTV will show race highlights in India and seven other nations. TrueVisions will show the race in Thailand and FPT Telecom will do the same in Vietnam.

The Australian public service broadcaster SBS will broadcast all 21 stages live. Fox Sports will show highlights in Australia, while Sky New Zealand will broadcast the race live for viewers on the other side of the Tasman Sea.

News footage of the Corsa Rosa will be distributed by SNTV (Sports News Television) and Sport24, the 24-hour sports channel for aircraft and cruise ship passengers.



ON-BIKE FOOTAGE AT THIS YEAR'S GIRO

RCS Sport and the Velon group of WorldTour teams today announced an agreement according to which Velon will deliver on-bike footage at this year's Giro d’Italia.

Footage will be recorded for RCS Sport in eight of the Giro d’Italia’s 21 stages: the team time trial on stage 1, stage 2, a possible sprint finish, the hill stages 4, 9, 12, and 15, and the mountain stages 16 - the Queen Stage, with the forbidding Mortirolo - and 20, with the spectacular Colle delle Finestre.

Velon consists of roughly two thirds of the 17 WorldTour teams. All 11 member teams will be at the Giro d’Italia: BMC Racing Team, Etixx - Quick-Step, Lampre - Merida, Lotto Soudal, Orica GreenEDGE, Team Cannondale - Garmin, Team Giant - Alpecin, Team Lotto NL - Jumbo, Team Sky, Tinkoff - Saxo and Trek Factory Racing.

The teams carrying cameras on each stage will be announced throughout the race.

The agreement allows on-board camera footage to be shown during Giro d'Italia TV coverage and on the event website, digital media sites and social media profiles. The Velon teams may show race highlights on their websites and digital media channels, with images also appearing on the organisation website velon.cc.

RCS Sport's Giro d’Italia Director, Mauro Vegni, said: “It has always been important for us to bring fans close to the action and new technologies are making it possible to bring them into the peloton and show the Giro d’Italia, the hardest race in the world's most beautiful place, in a whole new perspective to fans all around the world.”

Graham Bartlett, CEO of Velon said: “RCS Sport have really got behind this project and we’re delighted to work with them on such an important race. The eight stages chosen will give a great insight into what it takes to win both stages and jerseys in a Grand Tour and we can’t wait to see the results.”

Content for the Italian Cycling Journal is now based upon contributions from readers. Please contribute. Stories about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, racing, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com.    

98th Giro d'Italia Starts in One Month

We are only a month away from the official start of 98th Giro d’Italia – organized by RCS Sport / La Gazzetta dello Sport and held from 9 to 31 May – with the new spectacular Team Time Trial stage being held, for the first time in Grand Tours history, on a cycling path: along the Italian Riviera dei Fiori from San Lorenzo a Mare to Sanremo. Edition 98 of the Corsa Rosa will finish in Milan during Expo 2015. 22 teams, each with nine riders, will start the race.

THE 98TH GIRO D’ITALIA IN NUMBERS
4 – Giro d'Italia race starts in Liguria (Genoa 1980, 1992, 2004; Sanremo 1987)
5 – Mountain stages (Fiuggi-Campitello Matese, Marostica-Madonna di Campiglio, Pinzolo-Aprica, Gravellona Toce-Cervinia, Saint Vincent-Sestriere)
7 – Sprint stages (Albenga-Genova, Montecatini Terme-Castiglione della Pescaia, Grosseto-Fiuggi, Civitanova Marche-Forlì, Montecchio Maggiore-Jesolo, Tirano-Lugano, Turin-Milan);
7 – Medium mountain stages (Rapallo-Sestri Levante, Chiavari-La Spezia, La Spezia-Abetone, Benevento-San Giorgio del Sannio, Forlì-Imola (Enzo & Dino Ferrari Autodrome), Imola-Vicenza (Monte Berico), Melide-Verbania)
7 – Uphill finishes (Abetone, Campitello Matese, Vicenza (Monte Berico), Madonna di Campiglio, Aprica, Cervinia, Sestriere)
29 – Overall Giro d’Italia wins by non-Italians
68 – Overall Giro d’Italia wins by Italians
77 – Kilometers of time trials (17.6km “Riviera dei Fiori” team time trial, 59.4km individual time trial Treviso - Valdobbiadene)
2,178 – altitude, in meters, of the Colle delle Finestre, the Cima Coppi in the 2015 Giro
3,489.0 – the total length of the Giro d'Italia, in kilometers
43,000 – vertical meters climbed during the 2015 Giro d'Italia

JERSEYS
Balocco will sponsor the Maglia Rosa, worn by the General Classification leader.
Banca Mediolanum will sponsor the Maglia Azzurra, dedicated to the King of the Mountains classification leader.
Algida will sponsor the Maglia Rossa, worn by the Points Classification leader.
Eurospin will sponsor the Maglia Bianca, which goes to the Young Riders classification leader.

Photo Credit:  LAPRESSE AND GRUBER

Content for the Italian Cycling Journal is now based upon contributions from readers. Please contribute. Stories about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, racing, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com.  

2015 Giro d'Italia Leaders' Jerseys

This afternoon saw the official presentation of the four 2015 Giro d’Italia classification leaders’ jerseys and this year’s Madrina of the “Corsa Rosa”. The presentation took place in fantastic scenery of Fortezza da basso in Florence, during the Pitti Uomo exhibition at the GazzaLook Lounge space.

This year the jerseys have been designed by the Italian brand Lebole – an internationally renowned brand that is synonymous with menswear, elegance and Italian style – and made by Santini Maglificio Sportivo, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary this year.

Cristina Chiabotto, Italian TV presenter and celebrity, has been named as the Giro d’Italia’s 2015 Madrina.

The 2015 Giro d’Italia jerseys and sponsors are:

MAGLIA ROSA – BALOCCO, General Classification leader
MAGLIA AZZURRA – BANCA MEDIOLANUM, King of the Mountain Classification leader
MAGLIA ROSSA – ALGIDA, Points Classification leader
MAGLIA BIANCA – EUROSPIN, Young Riders Classification leader

Content for the Italian Cycling Journal is now based upon contributions from readers. Please contribute. Stories about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, racing, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com. 

Giro d'Italia and Veneto, a 100 Year Relationship

Announced today at the Veneto Region headquarters are the stages of the 2015 Giro d’Italia that will be raced in the Veneto region. The relationship between the Corsa Rosa and Veneto,  the area famous for its champions and cycling aficionados, has been going strong for more than 100 years: since 1912 when Giovanni Micheletto won the first stage of the fourth edition of the Giro d’Italia, which ended in Padua. In the 2015 Giro there will be two stages raced entirely on Veneto soil, while another stage will end in Veneto – Vicenza – and one more will start from the region: Marostica.

Thursday 21st May – Imola – Vicenza 190km (mountain finish)
This is a stage with two very different characteristics. The first 130km are perfectly flat, crossing the Pianura Padana to reach the Colli Euganei (Castelnuovo) and the Monti Berici. From here it’s up the Crosara climb from Mossano – 1500m long and with a gradient between 12 and 15% (max 18%) – and the Fimon-Perarolo climb will take the group towards the Monte Berico Sanctuary, at the top of the final climb which is slightly longer than 1km and with peak gradient of 10%.

Friday 22nd May – Montecchio Maggiore – Jesolo 153km (for sprinters)
This stage is perfectly suited to sprinters. It’s short, fast and entirely flat until the finale where a bunch sprint is almost assured.

Saturday 23rd May – Treviso – Valdobbiadene 59,2km (Individual Time Trial)
The time trial is divided clearly in two parts: the first 30km is entirely flat, whilst the second half – of almost the same length – is characterized by continuous technical climbs and descents. Some of them are demanding, and KOM classification points will be awarded for the first climb after Conegliano. This long and unusual time trial will test the riders’ energy management.

Sunday 24th May – Marostica – Madonna di Campiglio 165km (mountain finish)
Starting from the City of Chess, the first 50km of this stage is in Veneto territory, up until Lastebasse. It’s a mountain stage with a total of around 4000m of climbing, all in three ascents: the Fricca in the first part of the stage, then the Passo Daone (max gradient 14%) and the Madonna di Campiglio one after the other, in the second part.

Giro d’Italia Director Mauro Vegni said, "The relationship between the Giro d’Italia and Veneto has a story that goes back more than 100 years. This is a land that gave cycling great champions and whose people has an incomparable passion for cycling. We are sure that the four Veneto stages will be, from the media, technical and participation perspectives, a great success – as is historically the case when the “Corsa Rosa” arrives in this wonderful region."

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2015 Giro d'Italia Race Route and Details

The 98th Giro d’Italia, organized by RCS Sport/La Gazzetta dello Sport, scheduled for 9-31 May 2015, was unveiled in Milan today,

The philosophy behind the race route is balance, in line with recent years, with fewer transfers and an approach geared up for modern cycling. In summary: 1 team time trial, 1 individual time trial, 5 high mountain stages, 7 flatter stages and 7 medium mountain stages.

Like an inverted, three-week Classicissima, the 2015 Giro starts near Sanremo in Riviera dei Fiori (Liguria) and finishes in Milan. Along the way, it tells a story with social, cultural, historical dimensions.

Final stage from Turin to Milan: Turin, the 2015 European Capital of Sport, and Milan, the host of Expo 2015, book-end the final stage.

Celebrating the career of Cadel Evans
During the Giro ceremony, Cadel Evans was invited to take to the stage for a presentation in recognition of his career. The Corsa Rosa and the invited audience gave him a standing ovation.

The Giro d’italia remembers Alfredo Martini
Respected former rider and coach Alfredo Martini (1921-2014) died in August. During his 23-year tenure as Italian national selector, he guided his riders to 6 World Championship wins. He will be commemorated during the Giro.

The Gran Fondo along a Giro stage route is to be revived in 2015
It will take place on Sunday 24 May, starting and finishing at Aprica and including the climb of the grueling Mortirolo.

The presentation included a performance by the young British singer Jasmine Thompson of her hit song ‘Let Her Go.’

Brian Cookson, President of the Union Cycliste Internationale, cycling’s world governing body, attended the Giro presentation, and commented: "I am delighted to see that the 2015 Giro d’Italia will go through some of Italy’s most iconic regions and cities. It reminds me of some of the great battles of past editions. The Giro d’Italia is a true legend in our sport and an important race for the future of road cycling. I believe that this 2015 edition will be extremely challenging, combining some testing early stages together with the highest mountains in the last week. I really cannot wait for May 2015."

THE 98TH GIRO D’ITALIA IN NUMBERS

1 – National border crossing (Switzerland)
2 – Rest Days (Monday 18 May, Monday 25 May)
4 – Giro race starts in Liguria (Genoa 1980, 1992, 2004; Sanremo 1987)
5 – Mountain stages (Fiuggi-Campitello Matese, Marostica-Madonna di Campiglio, Pinzolo-Aprica, Gravellona Toce-Cervinia, Saint Vincent-Sestriere)
7 – Sprint stages (Albenga-Genova, Montecatini Terme-Castiglione della Pescaia, Grosseto-Fiuggi, Civitanova Marche-Forlì, Montecchio Maggiore-Jesolo, Tirano-Lugano, Turin-Milan);
7 – Medium mountain stages (Rapallo-Sestri Levante, Chiavari-La Spezia, La Spezia-Abetone, Benevento-San Giorgio del Sannio, Forlì-Imola (Enzo & Dino Ferrari Autodrome), Imola-Vicenza (Monte Berico), Melide-Verbania)
7 – Uphill finishes (Abetone, Campitello Matese, Vicenza (Monte Berico), Madonna di Campiglio, Aprica, Cervinia, Sestriere)
29 – Overall Giro d’Italia wins by non-Italians
68 – Overall Giro d’Italia wins by Italians
76.8 – Kilometres of time trials (17.6 km “Riviera dei Fiori” team time trial, 59,2 individual time trial Treviso - Valdobbiadene)
136 – Length of the two shortest road stages in kilometers (Rapallo-Sestri Levante, Tirano-Lugano)
152 – Kilometers in the stage dedicated to Gino Bartali, La Spezia – Abetone
263 – Kilometers in the longest stage (Grosseto – Fiuggi)
1,854 – the altitude, in meters, of the Mortirolo, the Montagna Pantani in the 2015 Giro
2,178 – the altitude, in meters, of the Colle delle Finestre, the Cima Coppi in the 2015 Giro
3,481.8 - the total length of the Giro, in kilometers
43,000 – vertical meters climbed during the 2015 Giro

Content for the Italian Cycling Journal is now based upon contributions from readers. Please contribute. Stories about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, racing, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com.  

2015 Giro d'Italia Returns to Madonna di Campiglio

Announced today in Trento was news of the upcoming 2015 Giro d’Italia stage which will be decisive for the general classification. The Corsa Rosa confirmed that, for the second time in its history and for the first time in 16 years, a stage finish line would be in Madonna di Campiglio.

In 1999 the winner was Marco Pantani, making this his final Giro d’Italia stage win. The 2015 finish line will be higher than previously, making this stage and the final climb even more challenging for the riders. This will be stage 15 of the race, Sunday, 24 May, starting from Marostica. The Trentino area will host the rest day on Monday, 25 May and the start of the following stage on Tuesday, 26 May from Pinzolo.

The Giro d’Italia 2015 starts on 9 May and ends on 31 May.

STAGE 15 COURSE:
MAROSTICA – MADONNA DI CAMPIGLIO 165km – 3900 meters of total climbing
A very demanding stage. It starts from Marostica, city of the living chess event and of the 1981 Giro winner, Giovanni Battaglin. After a flat section, the road climbs towards to the Asiago plateau, crossing Breganze and Thiene. The Asiago plateau is one of the iconic areas of the First World War – the race will be held on the 100th anniversary of the Italian declaration of war – in an area in which battles were fought from the first day of the war itself.

Going towards Valdastico, the entry to the Trentino area will be through part of the Passo del Sommo climb. The riders don’t tackle the whole length of the climb, but turn left near La Fricca (KOM) and Vigolo Vattaro, heading toward Trento, until arriving close to the Buoncosiglio Castle, another iconic area of both the Irredentism period and of the First World War.

The race will then reach Comano Spa and enter the start of the Rendena valley, where it will bend towards the small villages of Preore and Binio to climb, for the first time in the history of the Giro, the very demanding Passo Daone, with its incline that averages 9% and peaks at 14%.

After a technical descent the race will reach Pinzolo, and the start of the final climb. There is an average gradient of 6-7% for almost the whole ascent until the riders reach Madonna di Campiglio, 2km from the finish line.The last section is the most demanding – with double digits gradient – until the finish in Patascoss, a location famous for being the start of 3Tre alpine skiing course, which has hosted such legendary winners as Thöni, Stenmark and Tomba.

L-R Giro Director Mauro Vegni with Maurizio Frondriest

Maurizio Fondriest, Road World Champion in 1988, commented in Trento, "It's certainly going to be an important stage in the 2015 giro. Madonna di Campiglio is a well known climb that can be climbed at a regular pace. The less well known climb is Passo Daone, which is highly demanding both on ascent and descent. This highly technical section could be the perfect ramp to launch the stage-winning attack."

Photo: Lapresse

Content for the Italian Cycling Journal is now based upon contributions from readers. Please contribute. Stories about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, racing, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com.

2015 Giro d'Italia: First 3 Stages

Saturday 9 May – TTT Riviera dei Fiori 18km approx.
The opening stage will be the first Grand Tour stage to take place solely on cycle paths. Teams will race along the Riviera dei Fiori cycle path, which is built on a former coastal rail route, and gives panoramic views of the Mediterranean coast. Its rolling hills will create a fast race. Both ends of the course will be familiar to many riders; the annual Cipressa climb begins each March from San Lorenzo al Mare; and the stage’s finish line is also used by the Milan-San Remo spring classic route, which also begins in March.

Sunday 10 May – Albenga – Genoa 150km approx. – sprinters’ stage
This stage has been created to deliver an exciting sprint finish in Genoa, Liguria’s capital city. The course will run for 120km alongside the Riviera di Ponente before entering the historic, UNESCO World Heritage city, where riders will race four loops of a 7.5km circuit. The race will be held on the Aurelia road and in the valleys of the Savona and Genoa provinces. The organizers have also added a climb to Stella, birthplace of Sandro Pertini, one of Italy’s most beloved presidents and first recipient of the UN’s Otto Hahn Peace Medal.
Major areas crossed: Albenga, Finale Ligure, Savona, Stella, Varazze, Voltri, Genoa

Monday 11 May – Chiavari – La Spezia 185km approx. – GC contenders stage
Stage three will be the first to test the riders and identify the GC contenders. Riders will face a series of hills between the coast and the inland areas of Levante Ligure. The race will be held on the Cinque Terre road, which was hit hard by torrential storms in 2012. The route has been designed as a relatively gentle introduction to the mountain stages, with a continuous series of climbs and descents to La Spezia. There a short city circuit will be raced before the reaching its climax on the top of the Biassa climb. Riders expected to begin their attack 10km before the finish line.
Major areas crossed: Chiavari, Rapallo, Santa Margherita Ligure, Sestri Levante, Carro, Levanto, the Cinque Terre, La Spezia.

Content for the Italian Cycling Journal is now based upon contributions from readers. Please contribute. Stories about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, racing, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com.    

2015 Giro d'Italia: Liguria Start

The 2015 Giro d’Italia will kick off on the 9th of May, with an 18km team time trial along the coast between San Lorenzo al Mare to San Remo.

The 98th edition of the Corsa Rosa will run over 21 stages to the 31st of May and the organizers, RCS Sport/La Gazzetta dello Sport, have announced all three opening stages will take place in the picturesque region of Liguria, which sits on the Italian Riviera.

The team time trial will be followed by two stages, also in Liguria: Stage two, from Albenga to Genoa, has been designed to deliver a great sprint finish. Stage three, from Chiavari to La Spezia, is the first hill stage in the Giro d’Italia and will identify the potential Maglia Rosa contenders.

This is the first time the opening stage has been held in San Lorenzo de Mare and the fifth time in Liguria, with Genoa hosting it in 1980, 1992 and 2004 and San Remo in 1987.


Content for the Italian Cycling Journal is now based upon contributions from readers. Please contribute. Stories about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, racing, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com.   

2015 Giro d'Italia Presentation: July 29th

The 2015 Giro d'Italia presentation will be held in Milano on July 29th, two days after the Tour de France concludes on July 27th.

Perhaps it will turn into a big party to celebrate a Vincenzo Nibali  victory at the Tour de France which he currently leads? If he wins could he be persuaded back to race the Giro? The last Italian to win the Tour was Marco Pantani in 1998 (the first Italian to win was  Ottavio Bottecchia in 1924).

Content for the Italian Cycling Journal is now based upon contributions from readers. Please contribute. Stories about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, racing, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com.