What epic bicycle race starts in Amsterdam this weekend?
The 2010 Giro d'Italia, of course. The three-week Grand Tour around Italy — rolling out Saturday until May 30 — often starts far from home. Work is even underway to launch the 2012 Giro in Washington DC.
Something as extreme as a trans-Atlantic transition might be necessary to maintain interest in the race in North America in coming years as the Amgen Tour of California has scheduled itself May 16 – 23, right in the middle of the classic Italian bike race.
That scheduling competition in May means that the cycling teams and racers have to choose between the two events.
Giro vs. TOC
Lance Armstrong, who competed at the Giro for the first time ever last year, and sprinter Mark Cavendish (Columbia), for instance, have opted to race in California (Armstrong's RadioShack team wasn't even invited to the Giro).
World champion Cadel Evans, however, is racing at the Giro, although one of his chief lieutenants, US's George Hincapie, will be riding at the Amgen Tour of California. The BMC cycling team is a case where the conflict between the simultaneous races might harm a rider's overall chances.
Sprinters
Also appearing at the Giro will be Garmin-Transition cycling team's Christian Vande Velde and sprinter Tyler Farrar. Other big names at the Giro include Carlos Sastre (Cervelo), Bradley Wiggins (Team Sky), Alexandre Vinokourov (Astana) and David Mouncotie (Cofidis). Last year's winner, Denis Menchov, won't be around to defend his title, however.
Although Cavendish won't be appearing, Farrar will still have to face the likes of sprinters Alessandro Petacchi (Lampre), Robbie McEwen (Katusha), Baden Cooke (Saxo Bank), and Oscar Freire (Rabobank).
Broadcast and online streaming
The Universal Sports network is providing a live broadcast of the Giro this year.
You can watch it live beginning at 10 a.m. (ET) every race day, or at 8 p.m. (ET) for a rebroadcast. [The updated schedule for the remainder of the Giro is listed below.] On the two rest days, Universal will offer a review of the week's action. Check the schedule at Universal Sports (also check their list of local cable outlets).
The sports platform also offers an online package priced at $14.95. Cycling fans will get live, pay-per-view coverage of the complete race as well as highlights, recaps, cyclist profiles, route previews and photos.
For those who prefer the written word, or can't have their TV or computer blaring with race commentary at work, both CyclingNews and VeloNews will offer live coverage. La Gazzetta dello Sport also is offering coverage in English.
Universal Sports coverage of Giro d'Italia
Sunday, May 16 (Stage 8)– 9 – 11:30 a.m. (ET); rebroadcasts 8 p.m. (ET) and 12:30 a.m. (ET, Monday)
Monday, May 17 (Stage 9)– 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. (ET); rebroadcasts 5 p.m. (ET), 8 p.m. (ET), Midnight (ET, Tuesday)
Tuesday, May 18 (Stage 10) — 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. (ET); rebroadcasts 8 p.m. (ET), 12:30 a.m. (ET, Wednesday)
Wednesday, May 19 (Stage 11)– 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. (ET); rebroadcasts at 4 p.m. (ET), 8 p.m. (ET), Midnight (ET, Thursday)
Thursday, May 20 (Stage 12)– 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. (ET); rebroadcasts at 8 p.m. (ET), 1 a.m. (ET, Friday)
Friday, May 21 (Stage 13)– 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. (ET); rebroadcasts at 5 p.m. (ET), 8 p.m. (ET), 1 a.m. (ET, Saturday)
Saturday, May 22 (Stage 14)– 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. (ET); rebroadcasts at 8 p.m. (ET)
Sunday, May 23 (Stage 15)– 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. (ET); rebroadcasts at 8 p.m.
Monday, May 24 (Rest day) — 10 a.m. and 11 p.m. (ET) (Rest day)
Tuesday, May 25 (Stage 16) — 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. (ET), rebroadcasts at 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. (ET) and 1 a.m. (ET, Wednesday)
Wednesday, May 26 (Stage 17) — 9 – 11:30 a.m. (ET), rebroadcasts at 4:30, 8 and 11 p.m. (ET)
Thursday, May 27 (Stage 18)– 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. (ET), rebroadcasts at 2 p.m., 5 p.m., 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. (ET)
Friday, May 28 (Stage 19) — 8:30 – noon (ET); rebroadcasts at 1 p.m. (ET)
Saturday, May 29 — (Stage 20) — 9 – 11:30 a.m. (ET); rebroadcasts at 2 p.m., 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. (ET)
Sunday, May 30 — (Stage 21) — 10 a.m. – noon (ET); rebroadcasts at 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. (ET)
On tap at Giro
Here's what you'll be able to expect over the next three weeks at the Giro:
— Three days of racing based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, to start;
— Six mountain stages that include the Gavia, Mortirolo, Terminillo, Zoncolan, Plan de Corones and Pejo Terme;
— Seven sprinters' stages;
— Four time trials, one to open and one to close, one in the mountains and one team event;
— Lots of local Italian cuisine.
While plenty of action is promised early in the bike race, the final eight stages should set the tone with four mountain stages and two time trials.
List of stage and stage map
Giro d'Italia stages
Stage 1 – Saturday, May 8, Amsterdam TT
Stage 2 – Sunday, May 9, Amsterdam – Utrecht
Stage 3 – Monday, May 10, Amsterdam – Middelburg
Rest day, Tuesday, May 11, Savigliano
Stage 4 – Wednesday, May 12, Savigliano – Cuneo TTT
Stage 5 – Thursday, May 13, Novara – Novi Ligure
Stage 6 – Friday, May 14, Fidenza – Marina di Carrara
Stage 7 – Saturday, May 15, Carrara – Montalcino
Stage 8 – Sunday, May 16, Chianciano – Monte Terminill
Stage 9 – Monday, May 17, Frosinone – Cava de' Tirreni
Stage 10 – Tuesday, May 18, Avellino – Bitonto
Stage 11 – Wednesday, May 19, Lucera – L’Aquila
Stage 12 – Thursday, May 20, Città Sant'Angelo – Porto Recanati
Stage 13 – Friday, May 21, Porto Recanati – Cesenatico
Stage 14 – Saturday, May 22, Ferrara – Asolo (Monte Grappa)
Stage 15 – Sunday, May 23, Mestre – Zoncolan
Rest day, Monday, May 24, Friuli
Stage 16 – Tuesday, May 25, San Vigilio di Marebbe – Plan de Corones TT
Stage 17 – Wednesday, May 26, Brunico – Pejo Terme
Stage 18 – Thursday, May 27, Levico Terme – Brescia
Stage 19 – Friday, May 28, Brescia – Aprica
Stage 20 – Saturday, May 29, Bormio – Passo del Tonale
Stage 21 – Sunday, May 30, Verona – Verona TT
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