There you go, the Giro in all its glory. The stages... and on the flip the profiles and a few reactions.
- Stage 1, Saturday, May 8: Amsterdam, 8km ITT
- Stage 2, Sunday, May 9: Amsterdam - Utrecht, 209km
- Stage 3, Monday, May 10: Amsterdam - Middelburg, 209km
- [Tuesday, May 11: Rest/travel day]
- Stage 4, Wednesday, May 12: Savigliano - Cuneo, 32.5km TTT
- Stage 5: Thursday, May 13: Novara - Novi Ligure, 168km
- Stage 6, Friday, May 14: Fidenza - Carrara, 166km
- Stage 7, Saturday, May 15: Carrara-Montalcino, 215km
- Stage 8, Sunday, May 16: Chianciano Terme - Monte Terminillo, 189km
- Stage 9, Monday, May 17: Frosinone - Cava De'Tirreni, 188km
- Stage 10, Tuesday, May 18: Avellino - Bitonto, 220km
- Stage 11, Wednesday, May 19: Lucera - L'Aquila, 256km
- Stage 12, Thursday, May 20: Citta Sant'Angelo - Porto Recanati, 191km
- Stage 13: Friday, May 21: Porto Recanati - Cesenatico, 222km
- Stage 14, Saturday, May 22: Ferrara - Asolo, 201km
- Stage 15, Sunday, May 23: Mestre - Monte Zoncolan, 218km
- [Monday, May 24: rest day]
- Stage 16, Tuesday, May 25: San Vigilio di Marebbe - Plan de Corones, 12.8km ITT
- Stage 17, Wednesday, May 26: Brunico - Pejo Terme, 173km
- Stage 18, Thursday, May 27: Levico Terme - Brescia, 151km
- Stage 19, Friday, May 28: Brescia - Aprica, 195km
- Stage 20, Saturday, May 29: Bormio - Ponte di Legno, 178km
- Stage 21, Sunday, May 30: Verona, 15.3km ITT
I will offer a few random thoughts, but we will save the real analysis for later.
- Pretty textbook layout for a far-off, foreign start: early rest day, try not to overload guys during the long stretch between the two rest days. But it's still the Giro, so they peloton will never go too many days without an uphill finish.
- Stage 11 goes through my great-grandmother's natal village. Should be pretty awesome for a variety of reasons. And a tear-jerker.
- Plan de Corones time trial? Could this course scream "Save Ferris!" any louder? OK, Menchov will be heard from again too, should he return for another bite. But Pellizotti must be pleased with the layout. Assuming he thinks he'll be the captain.