The past 5 days we have seen the first 4 stages of the Giro. This race controversially started in Jerusalem and then went to Tel Aviv. While it is good to expand the race l, is it good to have a rest day after only 3 days racing and to have it in a country which can be classifies as a semi-faschist country. The sole reason for this change is based on monetary reasons. This country has barely any cycling history, however the start to the Giro went well. The routes were flat but still fast and interesting with the 3rd stage's last 40 minutes being done at an average of 60km/h.
The race then travelled to Sicily. In the first stage there (stage 4) Tim Wellena won in an extremely exciting finish. Most GC favourites limites their losses to around 6-8 seconds but Chris Froome lost more time to everyone, again. He finished 24" down. While this is surprising to most Froome has planned this Giro to pea nearer to the end of the 2nd week, he is not acostumed to being on form at the start of the season so why should he this year. He will try to peak nearer the end and carry that form to the Tour which he is also racing this year.
The race then travelled to Sicily. In the first stage there (stage 4) Tim Wellena won in an extremely exciting finish. Most GC favourites limites their losses to around 6-8 seconds but Chris Froome lost more time to everyone, again. He finished 24" down. While this is surprising to most Froome has planned this Giro to pea nearer to the end of the 2nd week, he is not acostumed to being on form at the start of the season so why should he this year. He will try to peak nearer the end and carry that form to the Tour which he is also racing this year.
Tomorrow, when the travels to Mount Etna Froome will lose a bit more time but because of his great team he will probably be able to limit his losses. While it may seem all over for him, bit he will hit form during the 2nd/3rd week when the time trial and hence he will not lose much time in it.
Meanwhile this weekend we saw the Tour de Yorkshire, a race which has expanded massively since ita first edition. This year it included 4 men's stage and 2 women's. The crownds were massive as ever and there were a few superstars on both the mens and womens field. For example, Chantal Blaak, the women's world champion and Greg Van Avermaet, the men's Olympic champion. The latter won the GC by 7", taking the lead on the last stage. On the last stage we saw an enormously great effort by Stefan Rosetto who soloed for over 80 kilometres to the finish. In my opinion, it is one of the biggest and beat efforts this season.
Thanks for reading
READ NEXT WEDNESDAY FOR OPINION ON THE GIRO, THE 4 DAYS OF DUNKERQUE AND THE TOUR OF CALIFORNIA.
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