Yes we’ve reached that time of year when we can all enjoy the musical saddles as transfers are made, deals are struck and teams are propped up with new signings, but it’s never too soon, Cyclo feels, to look ahead to where out heart really rests – the action of the Grand Tours.
With this in mind here is a quick look ahead to the 2013 edition of the Giro d’Italia, which will run May 4 – 26 and start in Naples for the first time since 1963. The 96th edition of the Giro, with its 21 stages, is shaping up to be a balance of mountainous challenge and speed strategy; the three Time Trial stages start with the 17.4km team effort before moving on to the longer, coastal, 55.5km individual ride from Gabicce Mare to Saltara and wrapping on May 18 with the short, sharp 19.4km Mori-Polsa stage. However, it’s likely to be the leg-testing third week with its three ‘high mountain’ and one ‘medium mountain’ stages where the Giro is likely to be won or lost. Early speculation is that the race will tempt Wiggins to give it his all although the combination of elements also favours five-times grand Tour winner Alberto Contador…
If you still need more to whet your whistle, take a look at the official preview video here:
