92nd Giro d'Italia

[Murphs]

Get excited kids!!!! IMO the best of the Grand Tours

Provisional startling list

Quite a few Aussies got called up this year, even more reason to follow it.

Mick Rogers to win Maglia Rosa

Allan Davis to get the points Jersey

Simon Gerrans for KOM

I think two of those tips are reasonable....

[ST]

Anyone with Foxtel/Optus can order RAI (costs a little extra) just for the month and watch the Giro live every night, from around midnight until 2-3 am. We have been doing this for the last 5-6 years. The commentary is in Italian and it is a very Italian/European production, very different to what we normally watch on SBS, but fun. Sleepless nights......!

[Murphs]

I had a look at the Foxtel TV guide online.... no Giro listing in RAI schedule?

[GT]

I had a look at the Foxtel TV guide online.... no Giro listing in RAI schedule?

RAI have only posted their guide up until midday on the 9th, and Giro opening day traditionally goes to air in the afternoon or evening.  You should see something later this week on RAI & Foxtel.

Here is RAI's direct link: http://www.international.rai.it/engl/areas/oceania/index.shtml

Beware, they don't necessarily stick to the guide times, I allow at least 30 mins before and at least 45 mins after if I am recording, nothing like missing out on the last 5km. I recommend the post race show, even if you cannot understand a word they are saying.

They show you the last 2 hours, but lead in with a stage overview and highlights for 30 mins.
The traditional way the Giro has been raced is that it is "piano" up until the last 2 hours and then game on, although this has begun to change in the last couple of years.

Mondays for us are usually out, it's Sunday football blanket coverage!

Don't forget the estaTHE!

[Kraussie]

Oh man, that estaTHE is disgusting!
Italian podium girls on the other hand...mmmmm.

[Stu Eddy]

it is a very Italian/European production, very different to what we normally watch on SBS, but fun.

I thought late night SBS and European productions had a similar theme 

[Jim]

SBS will be showing 15mins highlights every morning at 7.10am but then they are also showing an extended 30min highlights starting between 10.50pm and 12am each night starting this sunday

[wannie]

Universal Sports have just announced they will be streaming all stages live - check out here

[wannie]

more info on VeloNews
- but to cut to the chase:
"Universal will broadcast the Giro live everyday online without commentary. Then it will broadcast each stage on its cable channel at noon EST with commentary from Todd Gogulski and Steve Schlanger. Scott Ogle will be on the ground for Universal in Italy. The TV coverage will then repeat from 9-11 p.m. and 11 p.m.-1 a.m. EST. "

[Jim]

some giro facts:
#14, The 1914 Giro featured an average stage length of 407-kilometres. The eight-stage race had just three stages under 400-kilometres in length, and all of those were over 328-kilometres long.
#21, Remember that brutal 1914 edition we mentioned? Well, huge surprise, that edition enjoyed the fewest finishers in Giro history. Just eight people crossed the finish line in Milano on June 7, 1914. More than 17 hours separated the top eight riders on general classification.

facts are courtesy of cyclingnews.com

[mick curran]

How good is this statement about Stage 10:

For a mammoth 262 kilometre mountain stage, proceedings began unusually fast, a brisk 50.4 km/h first hour average keeping all breaks in check.

[wannie]

How good is this statement about Stage 10:

a brisk 50.4 km/h first hour average keeping all breaks in check.

yep - I'd call that brisk!

[Murphs]

Massive night tonight, the TT that will sort out the GC men from the pretenders.

[Murphs]

Menchov rode an awesome TT

[mick curran]

Cycling? Menchov? Who?