The 14th Amgen Tour of California starts off today. This event runs at the same time as the Giro d’Italia, but it is definitely worth your attention as well. The startlist is interesting. Despite the fact that there is only one true sprint stage there are quite some sprinters that decided to show up. Among others: Sagan, Jakobsen and Halvorsen. Especially the short stage on Friday, May 17 will be interesting with two tough climbs before the finish on Mount Baldy (HC).
The 102nd Giro d’Italia starts tomorrow (May 11) with a short time trial of 8 kilometers in Bologna. The last 2.1 kilometers of the time trial is a serious climb of 9.7% on average and stretches of maximum 16%.
Do not forget out to check out our Giro d’Italia race page.
Table 1 show the predictions for the Giro d’Italia Zweeler poule. The predictions come with the usual disclaimer:
The 5th Tour de Yorkshire starts on May 2, 2019 and this will be the first edition as a 2.HC race. Many will look at this race with additional interest, because the World Champtionship take place in this region and will overlap with stage 2.
Table 1 show the predictions for the Tour de Yorkshire Zweeler poule. The predictions come with the usual disclaimer:
On Labor Day it’s time for the 57th Eschborn Frankfurt. It will be the last one day race on World Tour level until August. The race over 187.5 kilometers has 8 climbs. Although some sprinters may have a bit of trouble digesting the uphill kilometers, the last climb is at kilometer 146. This means there are 41.5 flat kilometers left to get back into position for the final laps through Frankfurt.
The 73rd Tour de Romandie starts on April 30, 2019 and is for some Giro GC contenders the dress rehearsal (e.g Primož Roglič, and Ilnur Zakarin). The total length of the six stages is 700 kilometers and this includes two time trials. First there is the the 3.9 kilometers prologue in Neuchâtel, and finally the last stage is a time trial of 20.
The 105th Liège Bastogne Liège (Luik Bastenaken Luik) is the fourth cycling monument of the year and marks the end of the spring classics. The race lasts 256 kilometers and features 11 climbs. The riders start with the last climb after 241 kilometers, after which they set course for the finish in Luik (unlike last year when the finish was in Ans).