Phil Gil. photo@Fotoreporter Sirotti
The Giro ended on Sunday in Milano. Three weeks of Italian immersion have been completely worthwhile. I knew May was going to go this way but a DVR that dutifully records hours of racing every day…I’m only human.
Italian TV does a fantastic job covering each stage. The Giro becomes a travel log of the country as seen either from a helicopter (I’m assuming Gianni Bugno is the pilot) or a motorcycle, either of which I would happily travel in or on. While the racers are riding in the peloton, none of them are enjoying the countryside like we are. Italian TV even strolls around each start and finish town for us. The riders are too shelled to do that. They are either in a bus or a hotel when not racing.
The moto drivers who pilot the TV camera people and the camera people themselves deserve medals. Following Phil Gil as he bombed the top of the final descent of Stage 18 was too exciting. For me, it was the most fearsome minute of the whole race. The lead moto ahead of Gilbert was too far ahead to be seen so Gilbert was going into each corner not knowing the exit. He raged into blind corners on the edge of disaster. And behind him was a guy on a motorcycle whose passenger was probably standing up with a heavy camera on his shoulder. It was out of this world. Unfortunately there are no video clips of that segment of the descent, except on the full Stage 18 coverage. These moto guys are studs. This is hazard duty. You hear the motorcycle tires chattering as they attempt to follow cyclists into descending corners. Moto drivers must have a hard time unwinding after each day’s work.
While the helicopters and motorcycles show me all the possible hilltop towns I need to visit, they can also show me a little more than I need to know. I can cross the Moritolo off my life list, seen it, don’t need to do it; thanks moto men.
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Gianni, can you give advise on how to make it to the Tour now that the spring classics and Giro are done? I flated 1/3 way through the Sunday a.m. suffer fest so I was left with too much energy after the finish in Milan and could not nap away my depression...
It's a sickness, how does a normal person do it?
Great piece! I always feel that the tourism boards of Italy, France anbd Spain should be sponsors of the race - three weeks of wonderful coverage of some of the most scenic parts of each country. Who can't watch a grand tour on TV without crying out "I want to go there!"?
The last couple of stages I watched on the RAI feed. Much more entertaining listening to the Italian commentators than the English speaking ones. After listening to Phil and Paul doing the Tour of California, I can't listen to them anymore. Their crush on Sagan is embarrassing.
@tedder
Lighten up! He's clearly a happy fella AND just fixated on that SpanFro of his!!
@wiscot
I haven't been able to listen to those two for years. I just want to hear the race, I don't need all the cheerleading. I imagine the Sporza guys are just calling the race, though I don't speak Flemish so I don't know. I love the "oooooohhhlalalalalala" out of the one dude. And then, they kick it to Renat!
I went to northern Italy to play soccer when I was 12. Sadly, I was not yet a Follower. And sadly, I was too young to really appreciate the beauty of the country, though I had a blast.
Nice work, Gianni! I'm sure you heard or read it but PhilGil said of that stage win that he took some chances in the corners, but that is what you need to do to win.
Jeez, possible a high-speed crash like at Milan Sanremo. Just part of winning big. Pretty crazy job requirement!
@Ron
Agreed. That's the beauty of Steephill.tv - you can take your pick - English, Italian, French, Dutch. Pick your feed according to the country the race is in. Just avoid Sherwen and Liggett. At the T of C they were clearly told to mention as many sponsors as they could as often as they could. I understand the races need sponsors, but their commentary was just cringe-worthy.
@Gianni
Agreed about BeIN. And not just the Giro - they have great race coverage throughout the year. The only downside is that it isn't broadcast in HD, at least not on Comcast in Colorado. I hope that they upgrade to HD at some point.
And don't forget that most magical week of the year, when the Tour of California and the Giro are run concurrently. It's a wealth of riches. By the end of that week, I've pretty much exhausted my domestic credits with my wife.
@Peter
I have a feeling that it's the world feed being the limiting factor. On days I wouldn't record (non-mtn stages), the highlight reels from the same feed online don't look any better...even when clicking "HD" on the embedded video. beIN used the same feed as Eurosport.
@DeKerr
Funny, I always answer this question with, "As fast you can make it go."