2010 Giro

Chips Lovell · 27-10-2009 11:27am #1

Anyone else been looking at the route for next year's Giro. Lots of good stuff there like the Zoncolan, Gavia, Mortirolo, along with a mountain TT again up the unpaved road at Plan de Corones and even some of the white gravel roads used on the Eroica.

I've thought about it before and looking at this I'm thinking it again: Is the Giro a better race than the Tour?

Caroline_ie · 27-10-2009 11:36am

Denis Menchov wrote:

Ahh FFS ... I am going to need these stabilisers after all

:pac:

blorg · 27-10-2009 11:42am

White roads sound very interesting indeed. Having ridden on them myself they are somewhat different from the smooth tarmac typical in a Grand Tour

I can only hope that they don't try to fix them up in any way. Wonder if riders will be getting out Paris-Roubaix-style bikes for those stages? Only 15km on white roads though so probably won't bother.

WicklowRacer · 27-10-2009 11:51am

el tonto wrote: »

I've thought about it before and looking at this I'm thinking it again: Is the Giro a better race than the Tour?

It is if you're a doper.

Raam · 27-10-2009 11:51am

As a race, I thought this years Giro was much more exciting than the Tour.
I loved the hilly TT, although some of the riders didn't like it. IIRC, Cancellara likened it to a cyclo-sportive route.

As a soap opera, the Tour won hands down.

lukester · 27-10-2009 11:55am

Don't know if it's better, but I almost prefer the Giro, and the Vuelta, to the Tour, although the Vuelta is undermined by being so close to the Worlds. Because they're not usually targeted by those with Tour aspirations, they're less predictable, and I guess I just like the fact that they're not as popular.

niceonetom · 27-10-2009 12:48pm

I think the Menchov .v. DiLuca battle was definitely the most exciting duel in any grand tour this year, and had me quietly thinking that this whole anti-doping thing might not make for the most entertaining telly. A wild eyed Italian breathing through his nose as he attacks, out of the saddle for the whole climb... a Russian who looks bored as he puts down 600 watts... well, it may be science fiction but I like it.

TTT? Interesting.

Chips Lovell · 27-10-2009 3:10pm

Speaking of doped up duels, guess who's back next year?

DirkVoodoo · 27-10-2009 3:13pm

Who? Valverde? Vinkourov?

niceonetom · 27-10-2009 3:14pm

Sweet mother of jebus, is it Ricco?

Raam · 27-10-2009 3:15pm

niceonetom wrote: »

Sweet mother of jebus, is it Ricco?

in time for Milan SanRemo

Chips Lovell · 27-10-2009 3:15pm

Yes indeed. He's signed with Ceramica Flaminia. They still have to get an invite of course.

niceonetom · 27-10-2009 3:17pm

Someone bring the chicken back from mexico, this race is going to be brilliant!!!!!!!!!!!!

Chips Lovell · 27-10-2009 3:23pm

Speaking of the Chicken, it looks like no team is interested in him. It's funny how some guys get welcomed back with open arms, others creep back to lesser teams and some are just toxic and can't get a gig for love nor money.

blorg · 27-10-2009 4:08pm

Could be a lot to do with him not being Spanish or Italian.

Rasmussen is claiming that he is on the verge of signing with a European team possibly a Spanish one.

In other news he is looking into switching nationality from Denmark to Mexico.

emtroche · 27-10-2009 4:39pm

el tonto wrote: »

He's signed with Ceramica Flaminia.

For anybody that didnt know, this team is actually registered in Ireland!

Chips Lovell · 27-10-2009 4:47pm

emtroche wrote: »

For anybody that didnt know, this team is actually registered in Ireland!

Half the 2nd division Italian teams are. LPR and CSF Navigare are registered here too.

emtroche · 27-10-2009 4:49pm

Arent we lucky to be associated with such classy operations!

alfalad · 27-10-2009 4:57pm

el tonto wrote: »

Half the 2nd division Italian teams are. LPR and CSF Navigare are registered here too.

Why?

Chips Lovell · 27-10-2009 5:00pm

alfalad wrote: »

Why?

I remember hearing before but can't recall. I think it might be tax.

alfalad · 27-10-2009 5:04pm

el tonto wrote: »

I remember hearing before but can't recall. I think it might be tax.

That would prob be the only sensible reason given that the teams aren't based here for their training and we have don't have near the quantity of races many other countries have.

ROK ON · 27-10-2009 6:00pm

el tonto wrote: »

I remember hearing before but can't recall. I think it might be tax.

You sure. AFAIK, you actually require some sort of operation here to claim the benefit of the corporate tax rate. Just that I am aware of companies that have been forced to set up an operation in Ireland to continue claiming the tax benefit of the location.
There must be a reason, but I would be surpries if it were purely tax.
Also, I presume, like many sports teams that cycling teams are barely profitable - if this is the case then tax is not a big issue.

Chips Lovell · 28-10-2009 8:22am

Looks like Rasmussen might be back after all.

Chips Lovell · 28-10-2009 8:23am

ROK ON wrote: »

You sure. AFAIK, you actually require some sort of operation here to claim the benefit of the corporate tax rate....

I'm not sure at all. It was more of a vague recollection.

alfalad · 28-10-2009 9:49am

ROK ON wrote: »

Also, I presume, like many sports teams that cycling teams are barely profitable - if this is the case then tax is not a big issue.

Good point. If that was the case you would expect the bigger team who make money to base themselves here rather than the smaller ones that don't make money.

Also they would as you say need to have some operations here and not just register in name for the corp tax rate anyway!

2010 Giro

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