Friday, May 22, 2015

The Spokes Man

The Giro!!!
Part 2
Cheating
Just over half way through this year's Giro and there has been non stop action.  So, how's it shaking out for our Wiskota riders and what's left to come.

The Favorites:  Billed as the battle of the four tenors, Contador, Aru, Porte and Uran, with a supporting cast of several outside contendors, the predictors have not been far off.   The outsiders are way outside and the best of the rest, Pozzovivo, has gone home early.  Making Damiono "The little Prince" Cunego Greg's highest placed rider in 12th place.  However, with every stage something unexpected seems to shake up the GC standings.  Uran was the first to be written off, now he's back in the mix.  Porte looked super strong and maybe even the favorite with the long TT looming, now he's 5 minutes back.  And it seemed like Aru could never gain anything on Contador, but now he's in pink.

The Sprints:  Every sprint stage has been different.  No single sprinter has put his stamp on this race.  That's probably why Nicoala Boem(?) leads the points classification.  This competition is wide open.  The puncheurs have had there days (Mathews, Ullisi and JillBear) as well as a few breakaways.

The Mountains: Inxtausti has the early lead and is a very capable climber.  However, the Giro is always backloaded with climbs and this is far from over.  Betancur vows to put up a fight, but seriously that would be a lot of work and I mean, come on.

It should be a good weekend to watch, well, Sunday should be good.  And don't forget the US championships are on Memorial Day.  Last year they had a free live stream.  So here it is in brief, your weekend Giro guide.   


Stage 14, Saturday 5/23:
** 

Why to watch: I am loath to include a time trial stage but this one could decide the Giro.
Who to watch: With the big name TT'ers skipping the Giro we have to look to the GC guys for a good result.  I expect Porte and Uran to do the best, but Contador shouldn't be too far off.  The real question is how much time does Aru lose.  Sneaky pick, Kyrienka.
How to watch: This is Prosecco country and sparkling bevvie goes well with race day.  This region is known for their wild asparagus dishes, but for my money its all about the italian meats: soppressa, salami, ossocollo and pancetta.    



Stage 15, Sunday 5/24:
****
Why to watch: The mountains start coming fast and furious now.  This may not be the toughest climb of the Giro but after a TT you never know how a rider's body will react.
Who to watch: Look for the KOM contenders to ride an easy TT as they look to snatch points today on the first 2 mountains.  Will Porte take TT time and then attack Sunday?  Epic massive?  At 5 minutes behind probably not.  Uran on the other hand...  But as with all mountain top finishes, Contador is the favorite.   
How to watch:  Keep the Cappuccino hot cause today its about the sweets.  Cherries and apple strudel maybe a little carrot cake.  If you are feeling more adventurous you could try your hand at torta di fregoletti a walnut and almond pie of sorts.  



Friday, May 8, 2015

The Spokes Man

GIRO!!!
Grandissimo!
The first grand tour is finally upon us.  We all know the Tour de France is the king of races, but the Giro is not far behind.  When it comes to history, food, drink and sheer beauty Italy is hard to top.  This year's race will be in HD on BeIn Sports (ask Greg for his login) and we should be able to get together for a stage or two along the way.   Here's my guide for when and how to watch this year's Giro.

The Pope has made it official so let's get this thing rolling

Stage 1, Saturday 5/9:
* 
Why to watch: I am not a fan of watching time trials even team time trials, but I had to put this on the list as it's always fun to get it started.  Also, somebody's team always fucks up pretty bad ruining their team leader's chances on the first day (see Garmin last year and Cunego's team this year).
Who to watch: Today is more about who loses time than who gains time.  Orica thinks winning the TTT makes a good grand tour so look for a fast time there.  Otherwise the big budget teams like Saxo and Sky should place well.
How to watch: It's the start of the Giro don't over think it, pop some wine, make some pasta and kick things off.

Stage 2, Sunday 5/10:
*  
Why to watch: Yeah I know it's Mother's day, but it's Mother's day everyday at my house.  I'm watching the Giro.  Today's stage should end in a sprint but the reason to watch is the finishing town.  After a ride down the Mediterannean coast the race will do laps through the port city of Genoa.
Who to watch: So many second tier sprinters.  This should be a chance to find out who's the real deal this year.  My money's on Greips, maybe one of these youngsters like Mezgec.
  How to watch: It's Mothers's day so some Bellinis seem in order.  Genoa is known for it's foccacia and basil pesto, maybe pair that with the rich sea food salad Cappon Magro.  If that seems like too much how about just slapping some "genoa" salami onto some foccacia, sitting back and enjoying the coastal scenery.  

Stage 4, Tuesday 5/12:
**  
Why to watch: Two words: Cinque Terra.  This stage actually has an interesting ending as the cat 2 climb should shell most sprinters before the long drag into town.
Who to watch: What fast man can make it over the final climb?  Mathews? Gilbert? I'm picking Juanjo Lobato.
How to watch: Wait til after work, find the race on YouTube, call that chick from college that's always talking about her transformative trip to Italy, uncork a bottle of Cinque Terra Red and tuck into some meat ravioli.  

 Stage 5, Wednesday 5/13:
** 
Why to watch: The Giro rolls into the Emilia region and the riders are greeted by the first summit finish of the race.  Shouldn't be a huge GC battle but worth watching as someone will lose time and PhilGil and Mathews might get a chance to go head to head again.
Who to watch: How fast do the climbers go up the final climb.  Look for BMC and Orica to try to control for JillBear and Bling, then they can watch as Diego (puff the magic dragon) Ullisi takes the win.
How to watch: Put down the wine drunky, no grapes growing in Emilia.  Don't worry they use what they got and fermented berry liqueurs is the drink of choice.  Also, this would be the time to dust off your grandma's mushroom lasagna recipe as this is the birthplace of the layered delicacy.  

Stage 8, Saturday 5/16:
*** 
Why to watch: Billed as the first big showdown of the Giro, this summit finish should be selective.
Who to watch: Probably not the winning climb of the Giro but somebody will fall off the back.  Look for the top 4 to stay close together, but it's hard not to pick Contador for any of the mountain stages. 
How to watch: A large contingent of Team Wiskota will be busy in southern Minnesota that morning with the Almanzo, Root River Triathalon and such so the stage will have to wait until the afternoon.  But then we will have a ton of cycling to watch.  This is also the queen stage of the Tour of California, one of the few races we get live on our tvs.  Today is a day to replace those carbs.  Taglliatelle, muffalda and polenta are all popular in the this region.  Serve it up with a thick meat sauce like the locals do and pair with a Cabernet style red.    


Stage 9, Sunday 5/17:
**  
Why to watch: This lumpy stage makes the list mostly because it's on a Sunday and may be the best chance for Team Wiskota to get together.
Who to watch: Lumpy stages can be hard to predict.  Look for a rider from a team whose leader bonked the day before to try to win from a break away.  Garmin perhaps.  When I look at our Wiskota riders I think this could be a Paolini day.  If it goes to sprint look for Greips  or maybe Hofland, both have teams that can control the lead out.    
How to watch:  Giro in the morning, bike to the pub for the final stage of Cali around noon?  If anyone knows where to get Strega, now's the time otherwise Peronis on the patio. End the day with a nice family supper of cavatelli with broccoli.  You can celebrate Team Volpe's win at the Almanzo with a crisp white wine such as a Coda di Volpe.

That will get you through the first two weekends.  As always the Giro really starts to heat up in that last week.  Stay tuned for the second half of the Wiskota Giro viewing guide.  











Friday, May 1, 2015

From the Commish


Trade Window opens
at 8 am Monday
Sell, Sell, Sell!
Buy, Buy, Buy!
Cunego, Cunego, Cunego!
The first transfer window opens up this Monday at 8 am and closes at midnight Friday.  That's right the Giro starts Saturday!  Time to get your team set.  To make a transfer just leave a comment saying who you are dropping and who you are adding.  Get there early if you want to beat Greg.  For some hints on who to pick up here's the tentative Giro Startlist.  Wiskota!