The Giro starts tomorrow May 4th!
Here is my list of recommended fan viewing and reading to get you prepared for the race. I have tried to gather a sampling from various sources across the internet, rather than the typical leading cycling magazines. But if you want those typical articles, you can find them listed on this page. I think this selection below should nicely prepare you to watch the race as a fan.
Facts
Learn about the time bonuses, mountain top finishes, history, prize money and more. Read: Giro d'Italia 2013: 10 things you need to know, By Simon Richardson and Gregor Brown in Naples for CyclingWeekly. Did you know, the winner of the Giro will earn €90,000.
Map
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| 2013 Giro d'Italia Percorso |
Read a 2013 Giro Route Preview: Giro d'Italia 2013: Stage-by-stage guide,
Or clink the stage link for details of each stage with a preview by CyclingNews.com:
| Stage 1 | May 4 | Naples | 130 km | |||
| Stage 2 | May 5 | Ischia - Forio (TTT) | 17.4 km | |||
| Stage 3 | May 6 | Sorrento - Marina di Ascea | 222 km | |||
| Stage 4 | May 7 | Policastro - Serra San Bruno | 246 km | |||
| Stage 5 | May 8 | Cosenza - Matera | 203 km | |||
| Stage 6 | May 9 | Mola di Bari - Margherita di Savoia | 169 km | |||
| Stage 7 | May 10 | San Salvo - Pescara | 177 km | |||
| Stage 8 | May 11 | Gabicce Mare - Saltara (ITT) | 54.8 km | |||
| Stage 9 | May 12 | Sansepolcro - Firenze | 170 km | |||
| Rest day | May 13 | |||||
| Stage 10 | May 14 | Cordenons - Montasio | 167 km | |||
| Stage 11 | May 15 | Tarvisio - Vajont (Erto e Casso) | 182 km | |||
| Stage 12 | May 16 | Longarone - Treviso | 134 km | |||
| Stage 13 | May 17 | Busseto - Cherasco | 254 km | |||
| Stage 14 | May 18 | Cervere - Bardonecchia | 168 km | |||
| Stage 15 | May 19 | Cesana Torinese - Col du Galibier | 149 km | |||
| Rest Day 2 | May 20 | |||||
| Stage 16 | May 21 | Valloire - Ivrea | 238 km | |||
| Stage 17 | May 22 | Caravaggio - Vicenza | 214 km | |||
| Stage 18 | May 23 | Mori - Polsa (ITT) | 20.6 km | |||
| Stage 19 | May 24 | Ponte di Legno - Val Martello | 139 km | |||
| Stage 20 | May 25 | Silandro - Tre Cime di Lavaredo | 203 km | |||
| Stage 21 | May 26 | Riese Pio X - Brescia | 197 km |
View video preview of the route, featuring Daniel Lloyd:
Mountains
2013 Giro d'Italia - Mountains Preview, By Podium Cafe
Riders
Twenty-three teams of 9 riders each representing 54 nations. See the Team Roster list of riders Giro d'Italia 2013: An Overview & Team lists, By Ciclismo
View Riders at the 2013 Giro d'Italia (photos), By Pedal Dancer
Top Contenders
For a list of the usual suspects, read: Giro d'Italia. Contender short-takes. By Twisted Spoke.
Or read Giro d’Italia 2013 - Preview & Favorites, By C-Cycling.
Jerseys
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| 2013 Giro Classification jerseys by Paul Smith (Red: sprint; Pink: general; Blue: mountain, White: best young) |
Read: Great Moments in Giro d'Italia History, By Cycling Tips
Photos
Think Pink! By adamblythe89
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| Ryder Hesjedal, last year's winner |
The Italian's have a way with their promotional videos, I half giggle and half get shivers down my spine. No denying it, I love bike racing!
And here is one for the Fans
Get connected
Facebook - giroditalia
Twitter - @giroditalia #GIRO
Google plus - Giro d'Italia
Instagram - @giroditalia
Official website: http://www.gazzetta.it/Speciali/Giroditalia/2013/en/
Watch the race LIVE
According to Steve at Steephill.TV, we can begin watching the race tomorrow online. Visit Steephill.TV daily for LIVE links to watching the race.
Stage 1 start time: Saturday 14:20 CET (6:20:00 AM MDT); Weather for Napoli, Italy
Earliest live video: 14:00 CET (6:00:00 AM MDT); Live/delayed coverage options
Approximate finish: 17:14 CET (9:14:00 AM MDT); Weather for Napoli, Italy
Italian cycling terms
And to round out your cultural education, learn a new vocabulary of Italian cycling term PEZ Speak: Italian For Cyclists, By PezCycling News.
Terms to know:
Grand Tour - The Giro d'Italia is one of the 3 Grand Tours together with the Tour de France and the Vuelta a Espana.
Maglia Rosa - the Leader's jersey (yes it's pink!)>
Percorso - route
Corso Rosa - the affectionate name for the race route
Giro Rosa - the women's version of the Giro race
Gruppo compacto - everyone is back together, no gaps
Gruppo - peloton
Grupetto - the group in the back
Nella scia - in the wake (slipstream) - Team Time Trial!
Arm Warmers - Manicotti (!)
Tifosi - fans
Dai - go!
Related posts by Pedal Dancer:
Word of the Day: Passista, Scattista, Velocista
Word of the day: tifosi
The Grand Tour Jerseys (Maglia) - a comparison of colors
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Grand Tour classification jerseys
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| The Giro d'Italia advertised in Time Square, New York. Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer® |
