Giro d'Italia 2014 - no discussion of current day stage, see spoiler rules in Charter

Darkglasses

That's a shame, one of the riders I most wanted to see.

pelevin

Yeah, Cavendish certainly added to the overall colour of the Giro last year & showed great attitude to stick around & suffer thru the mountains.

rkantos

Anyone interested in going to see the Giro with a fan? Currently I've got a car with 4 free places, as it is just me going to see it. I'm located in Blanchardstown and would happily take a fan or two to see the Giro. I was thinking B&B, or even driving back to Dublin every night. I'd appreciate if you'd cover fuel costs.

TheBlaaMan

You would have to seriously wonder just how Stephen Roche's brain works. He never was one to avoid an opportunity to pat himself on the back, but in recent years (in an effort to remain in the spotlight ?) he seems to increasing enjoy doing so in the context of stirring other peoples stories. His approach to the Roche-Martin family 'feud' is sad.
http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/the-untold-cycling-rivalry-30197620.html

pelevin

TheBlaaMan wrote: »

You would have to seriously wonder just how Stephen Roche's brain works. He never was one to avoid an opportunity to pat himself on the back, but in recent years (in an effort to remain in the spotlight ?) he seems to increasing enjoy doing so in the context of stirring other peoples stories. His approach to the Roche-Martin family 'feud' is sad.
http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/the-untold-cycling-rivalry-30197620.html

Since there was a pretty long article last year by Paul Kimmage with the Martin family, much of it focusing on this very subject, I don't think it's fair to say you have to seriously wonder how Roche's brain works. That Kimmage piece was the one that brought this all out in the public arena with Kimmage making a big awkward play that Dan Martin's success was a thing of karma where the Martins were getting their own back on the Roches, and in which piece Stephen Roche was painted in a very negative light. The genuinely disappointing thing in the linked piece is Roche describing Dan as becoming Irish but this is a family issue that I think outsiders shouldn't be looking to choose good and bad guys.
I wouldn't see this as much more than an unnecessary response to the Kimmage piece, which was itself more unnecessary again, and which had the added unfortunate element of Kimmage's own veiled drum to beat.

bazermc

pelevin wrote: »

Since there was a pretty long article last year by Paul Kimmage with the Martin family, much of it focusing on this very subject, I don't think it's fair to say you have to seriously wonder how Roche's brain works. That Kimmage piece was the one that brought this all out in the public arena with Kimmage making a big awkward play that Dan Martin's success was a thing of karma where the Martins were getting their own back on the Roches, and in which piece Stephen Roche was painted in a very negative light. The genuinely disappointing thing in the linked piece is Roche describing Dan as becoming Irish but this is a family issue that I think outsiders shouldn't be looking to choose good and bad guys.
I wouldn't see this as much more than an unnecessary response to the Kimmage piece, which was itself more unnecessary again, and which had the added unfortunate element of Kimmage's own veiled drum to beat.

Eh..........What the heck has this got to do with with the Giro in Ireland 2014?

thebouldwhacker

This shows the the indo as nothing more than a tabloid with bigger pages, and this type of reporting is lazy and irrelevant. Go into any family and there will be tails of who did what etc. Such pieces of gossip are akin to the weak plot lines in fair city and the like. They have no bearing to cycling and (no offence to the op) I find it hard to understand why it is being mentioned in relation to one of the biggest cycling events in this country which should be focusing people's mind on the positive aspects of the sport.
There is a saying that the Irish will never rule the world because as soon as they become successful they will start stabbing each other in the back.
Two great cyclists in this year's home giro and the media is acting to the lowest common denominator.

pelevin

bazermc wrote: »

Eh..........What the heck has this got to do with with the Giro in Ireland 2014?

It was a response to the post above it. You can re-post the question asking that poster if you like.

el tel

Giro d'Italia: Pretty in pink as cycle fever grips Northern Ireland

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/giro-ditalia-pretty-in-pink-as-cycle-fever-grips-northern-ireland-30204541.html

MPFG

Provisional Startlist

http://www.procyclingstats.com/race/Giro_d_Italia_2014-Startlist


As expected 3 Irish

Movistar & Katusha, Garmin, Lampre , BMC , OPQS & Tnkoff/Saxo look strongest

Pudsy33

Glad to see Deignan involved. Did Nett App not get a wildcard?

MPFG

Pudsy33 wrote: »

Glad to see Deignan involved. Did Nett App not get a wildcard?

No wildcard for Netapp

Forgot ..another Irishman of sorts looks like to be riding it ...Chris Juul Jensen

MPFG

Pudsy33 wrote: »

Glad to see Deignan involved. Did Nett App not get a wildcard?

He is in the Giro del Trentino at the mo with Bradley Wiggins....hope there are no mishaps

But looking ta the SKY team I think he is the strongest climber so he could get a very good chance for a stage win in the 3rd week if he remains well

finbarrk

Got an email to say that the tickets for the opening ceremony on the Thursday evening are being released tomorrow at 9am. Free, and first come first served.
http://blog.visit-belfast.com/giro-ditalia-big-start-2014-belfast-northern-ireland/posts/register-for-giro-team-presentation-ticket-updates

MPFG

finbarrk wrote: »

Got an email to say that the tickets for the opening ceremony on the Thursday evening are being released tomorrow at 9am. Free, and first come first served.
http://blog.visit-belfast.com/giro-ditalia-big-start-2014-belfast-northern-ireland/posts/register-for-giro-team-presentation-ticket-updates

I believe they cost a small fortune at the Tour in Yorkshire...nice that they are free

Dr. Bre

watch out for young Fabio Aru in the Giro. looks to be one for the future

Darkglasses

Unsurprisingly, the ticket website has gone into meltdown :rolleyes:

Cond0r

Yup, anyone manage to actually get tickets?

Darkglasses

Cond0r wrote: »

Yup, anyone manage to actually get tickets?

Nope, after refreshing a good few times I've been put into a queue. Estimated time left 1.5 hours

wpd

in the queue 49 minutes left however it was there before and when back to 1hr 30

Daithi BC

Darkglasses wrote: »

Nope, after refreshing a good few times I've been put into a queue. Estimated time left 1.5 hours

Exact same for me. Couldn't get it to work at all from the link in the email they sent me, so went directly through the Visit Belfast website.

bazermc

This arrived in the post for the morning - very exciting!

http://www.myfavouritemagazines.co.uk/sport/giro-d-italia-2014-official-programme/

Eamonnator

My estimated time is 2 minutes, and has been for the last 31 minutes.
I'm not optimistic

Cond0r

Same for me.

Eamonnator

Now gone to 00.00.00, but still waiting

ugsparky

Absolute joke - ticket application opened before nine and then crashed - I was left hanging for 20 mins before the server just shut down - back waiting again - an estimated 25 mins - bet all the knobs who have never heard of the Giro or have even sat on a bike will get tickets - if there was anything on in Dublin I wouldn't bother my arse going up to Belfast ... but it seems just as in 1988 ... typical

ugsparky

So I'm on-line and started at 25 mins waiting time with a clock counting down - after 9 mins I'm now estimated waiting time of 23 mins ... some kind of fifth dimensional time warp thing going on in Belfast ... maybe we'll get to see the launching of the Titanic ...

MPFG

I know it must be annoying waiting to see if you can get tickets but on the other hand I am glad its so popular......shows the publicity has worked and looks like a well supported Giro

(BTW I had the same problem at the Olympics ...people who never attended athletics in their life got tickets while some sports enthusiasts were left high and dry...it happened when there is a lottery and to be fair they probably didn't expect such interest)

Eamonnator

A mate of mine has just been told, that all tickets are gone. Like me, he got onto site just before 9.00am.
I'm still in queue. Still showing 00.00.00.

Emerg

I got as far as the tickets selection page twice, then it times out

Cond0r

Eamonnator wrote: »

A mate of mine has just been told, that all tickets are gone. Like me, he got onto site just before 9.00am.
I'm still in queue. Still showing 00.00.00.

For fck sake, how is that possible?! Also still in queue, still 1.5hours estimated.

wpd

Got confirmation email for 2

ugsparky

they are acting the bo//ix ... guaranteed scam and the tickets have been given to the BT subscribers and prawn sandwich brigade ... meanwhile ... back in Dublin ... "what cycle race ... sure the Giro is in Spain surely" ? ...

Eamonnator

Hang in lads.
Another friend just got two tickets

Mariokk

I am on he mobile website, get all the way to selecting tickets, hit agree, hit confirm and pay and then boom, back to select again. Its been doing this for about 40 mins or more, meanwhile on the desktop im 1:36 in the queue with 1:30 estimated time remaining. Anyone else trying the mobile?

finbarrk

I just gave up after about 30 mins. Bet they will available on the day. Maybe for a few £s.

MPFG

finbarrk wrote: »

I just gave up after about 30 mins. Bet they will available on the day. Maybe for a few £s.

Maybe they could have a bigger team presentation area and thus more tickets

Where is it BTW...near Titanic Belfast ???

Cond0r

finbarrk wrote: »

I just gave up after about 30 mins. Bet they will available on the day. Maybe for a few £s.

The site said that tickets not collected before 4pm on the day will be reallocated..

lennymc

not sure if this has been posted:
http://www.gazzetta.it/Giroditalia/2014/images/tappa/pdf/doc_crono/T03_crono.pdf

Darkglasses

Got to 2 hours waiting and then my connection died...Ugggh.

Cond0r

lennymc wrote: »

not sure if this has been posted:
http://www.gazzetta.it/Giroditalia/2014/images/tappa/pdf/doc_crono/T03_crono.pdf

Wow, the finish looks quite tricky. Up North Wall Quay, u-turn onto City Quay, into Lombard St, Westland Row and finally Merrion Street Upper? Should be exciting to watch!

Eamonnator

Darkglasses wrote: »

Got to 2 hours waiting and then my connection died...Ugggh.

Mine has just dropped. F//k it.

marvin80

lennymc wrote: »

not sure if this has been posted:
http://www.gazzetta.it/Giroditalia/2014/images/tappa/pdf/doc_crono/T03_crono.pdf

Great stuff, thanks Lennymc

el tel

Mariokk wrote: »

I am on he mobile website, get all the way to selecting tickets, hit agree, hit confirm and pay and then boom, back to select again. Its been doing this for about 40 mins or more, meanwhile on the desktop im 1:36 in the queue with 1:30 estimated time remaining. Anyone else trying the mobile?

Pay? Are they not supposed to be free?

ugsparky

Anyone interested in seeing the stage pass through Castlebellingham - I live quite close by and I can give some info on vantage points - easy back road directions etc - not sure if there is a bonus sprint through Castlebellingham/Kilsaran - it's an uphill drag before a fairly long straight along the old N1 - if i can help anyone PM me ... but still no luck on the Belfast tickets ... they're gone at this stage surely :-(

Edit: It's a feeding station - that will add to the mix - it looks crazy from what i've seen on the TV

Cond0r

Still in the queue.

"02:27:41 Actual Time" "Estimated 1:30:00"

ugsparky

Get back on lads quickly - I just got 2 tickets - the basket time went up to 6 mins - put quantity 2 "select" - continue - confirm ... printed it off and I'm looking at it - good luck

Cond0r

ugsparky wrote: »

Get back on lads quickly - I just got 2 tickets - the basket time went up to 6 mins - put quantity 2 "select" - continue - confirm ... printed it off and I'm looking at it - good luck

Jaysus, what the hell? Had you closed the initial sessions?

slfcarro5

Got tickets there myself. Just started a new session. Had no waiting time or anything.

Cond0r

slfcarro5 wrote: »

Got tickets there myself. Just started a new session. Had no waiting time or anything.

I reckon this is a ploy to get people to drop out of the queue so you get bumped! :P