BiciRace.com :: News :: November 2005

News :: November 2005

10 November 2005

2006 Giro d'Italia Route Speculation

Earlier this week we discussed the connection of Italian cycling to the Wallonne region of Belgium (Giro Jitters: Italians in Wallonne). The first four days of the 2006 Giro d'Italia will be run in the southern region of Belgium. After those stages the rest of the route is open to speculation. The crew at BiciRace.com has gathered some information on what will happen after the riders leave Belgium.

The plan is for the 89th Giro to follow the Wallonne stages with a rest/transfer day. During that day the riders will go directly to the race's home country of Italy via airplane. The next day is planned a team time trial (TTT), followed by five stages that will take the riders down the eastern side of the boot. There will be a second rest day and then the real pain will ensue. From what we have gathered there will be an individual time trial (TT) followed by 10 stages.

Santuario della Madonna del Ghisallo, photo: BiciRace.com

The final 10 stages will take in many famed mountain passes: Monte Bondone, Plan de Corones, Passo San Pellegrino, Mortirolo and Passo Aprica. But it is the final day that is gathering the most attention. BiciRace.com has learned it could be a split day that would first take in a team TT up Madonna del Ghisallo, starting from Bellagio. Then in the afternoon the riders start from Colnago headquarters in Cambiago with the destination of a sprint finish in Milano on Corso Venezia. The Giro organizers could be headed for trouble with the UCI, they do not like these split stages in a grand tour. But hey, this is the Giro and excitement is always guaranteed.

Before ringing all your friends and making travel arrangements we urge you to wait until the official presentation of the route this Saturday (12 November). The 89th Giro d'Italia will be announced at 17.00 (euro time) from Milano, and shortly after we will have the news posted here on BiciRace.com.

Read:
Giro Jitters: Italians in Wallonne, 8 November
Floyd Landis to Race Giro d'Italia, 29 October
2006 Giro d'Italia Welcomes Jan Ullrich, 13 October
The 89th Giro d'Italia Takes Shape, 30 September
Palermo for the 90th Giro d'Italia, 5 August
2006 Giro d'Italia to Start in Belgium, 20 July

9 November News ...