Vincenzo Nibali's title defense begins in Northern Ireland. The fact that both the Giro and the Tour de France 2014 start in the British Isles shows impressively where the heart of cycling is currently beating particularly strongly.
The route of the Giro 2014 was presented in detail today. There were no big surprises - on the contrary, after some harsh criticism of the tough route of previous years, it was emphasized several times how balanced the 2014 Giro was. Three time trials, eight presumed sprint stages and nine mountain stages should be stage enough for every driver.
It starts on May 22th in Belfast with a team time trial over 9 kilometers. That's right, May 9th is a Friday - the organizer had to obtain special permission from the UCI for this. This is due to the drivers' unconditional demand for an additional rest day following the transfer from Dublin to Giovinazzo, in the very south of Italy. The peloton will move fairly quickly north over several flat sections. The sprinters can let off steam before the first small preliminary decision is made in the wonderful Barolo wine region. The individual time trial over 46,6 kilometers is on - a mostly flat course, which, however, is more like a mountain time trial in the final.
For the 14th stage, we finally head into the mountains and the first of two stages dedicated to the memory of Marco Pantani is about to begin. On the way up to Oropa, Pantani had 1999 a defect in his chain. After finally getting a new bike, he launched an attack, overtook 49 riders, won the stage, and was later disqualified for a high hematocrit level.
The 15th stage leads up to the Plan di Montecampione, where Pantani won the duel with Pawel Tonkow in 1998 and laid the foundation for his Giro victory.
The last Giro week is then all about the Dolomites and the mountains of Friuli. After the stage via Gavia and Stelvio with the finish line in the Martell Valley had to be canceled in 2013 due to heavy snowfall, another attempt was made in 2014 and the riders were sent over almost the same route - much to the chagrin of the sprinters, who certainly didn't know anything about one that day want to hear a balanced Giro. Especially not when a real mountain time trial is on the agenda three days later. From Bassano del Grappa up to the Cima Grappa - 26,6 kilometers fight for placements and to keep to the time limit.
The fact that the Zoncolan, which is now almost part of the inventory of the Giro, wants to be conquered last Saturday, is a gift; those who have made it this far will also make it to Trieste, where the 2014 Giro will celebrate its finale and the 60th anniversary of the metropolitan area's return to Italy.