gregster04
Active Member
- Location
- Yorkshire
Perhaps it's the excitement of Grand Tour season being upon us for another year (or maybe just the Italian wine) but I'm getting the PTP thread up now to give everyone time to have a think about their picks.
For anyone thinking about joining in - the rules are very simple, pick the overall winner and the stage winner every day, earn points and then claim the virtual Pink Jersey and boast about it across the forum (and any other forum) for the rest of the season at least. It's a good way of adding a bit of extra excitement when watching the race especially if you get a random breakaway pick in the mix on a week 3 transitional stage!
This year's race through Italy begins on Friday so don't wait until Saturday to make your GC and S1 picks. The reason for this is that the race actually starts with 3 stages in Bulgaria. Not somewhere I know much about so hopefully will see some interesting culture and racing. We'll then have an early rest day on Monday before the race hits Italian soil in Catanzaro.
Key stages appear to be the very long Stage 7 from Formia to Blockhaus. Stage 14 from Aosta to Pila takes in only 133km but 4350m of climbing and it's uphill from the gun. Let's hope it's raced aggressively. Stage 19 begins in Feltre and finishes in Alleghe (Piani di Pezze). It is being branded the "Queen Stage" and features 5000m+ of climbing and the Cima Coppi which will be awarded at the summit of the Passo Giau. Immediately following is Stage 20 from Gemona del Fruili to Piancavallo with a final climb of 14.4km will be the last chance for the GC contenders to change the race before the finish in Rome.
A little early for confirmed start lists but follow here for the teams as they are announced: https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/giro-d-italia
Plenty of route information is on the official site: https://www.giroditalia.it/en/the-route/
Hopefully we have good racing weather and a GC battle to match last year when Simon Yates turned the race on its head with brilliant attacking racing.
I'll be updating scores daily and will also factor in GC positions so we'll have a Pink Jersey forum leader every evening.
Buona Fortuna!
For anyone thinking about joining in - the rules are very simple, pick the overall winner and the stage winner every day, earn points and then claim the virtual Pink Jersey and boast about it across the forum (and any other forum) for the rest of the season at least. It's a good way of adding a bit of extra excitement when watching the race especially if you get a random breakaway pick in the mix on a week 3 transitional stage!
This year's race through Italy begins on Friday so don't wait until Saturday to make your GC and S1 picks. The reason for this is that the race actually starts with 3 stages in Bulgaria. Not somewhere I know much about so hopefully will see some interesting culture and racing. We'll then have an early rest day on Monday before the race hits Italian soil in Catanzaro.
Key stages appear to be the very long Stage 7 from Formia to Blockhaus. Stage 14 from Aosta to Pila takes in only 133km but 4350m of climbing and it's uphill from the gun. Let's hope it's raced aggressively. Stage 19 begins in Feltre and finishes in Alleghe (Piani di Pezze). It is being branded the "Queen Stage" and features 5000m+ of climbing and the Cima Coppi which will be awarded at the summit of the Passo Giau. Immediately following is Stage 20 from Gemona del Fruili to Piancavallo with a final climb of 14.4km will be the last chance for the GC contenders to change the race before the finish in Rome.
A little early for confirmed start lists but follow here for the teams as they are announced: https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/giro-d-italia
Plenty of route information is on the official site: https://www.giroditalia.it/en/the-route/
Hopefully we have good racing weather and a GC battle to match last year when Simon Yates turned the race on its head with brilliant attacking racing.
I'll be updating scores daily and will also factor in GC positions so we'll have a Pink Jersey forum leader every evening.
Buona Fortuna!
