BUONGIORNO FROM STAGE 20 OF THE 97TH GIRO D

BUONGIORNO FROM STAGE 20 OF THE 97TH GIRO D’ITALIA
The final high mountain stage finishes on Monte Zoncolan (1730 m)
Maniago, 31 May 2014 - Buongiorno from Stage 20, Maniago-Monte Zoncolan, a short
stage at 167 km, but featuring two first-category climbs, the second of them the forbidding
final climb of Monte Zoncolan.
The peloton of the Giro d’Italia, now 156 strong, passed km 0 (Via l’Unità d’Italia, Maniago,
transfer 2000 m) at 1217 hrs.
JERSEYS
Maglia Rosa – Balocco: Nairo Quintana (Team Movistar)
Maglia Rossa – Algida: Nacer Bouhanni (FDJ.FR)
Maglia Bianca – F.lli Orsero: Nairo Quintana (Team Movistar)
Maglia Azzurra – Banca Mediolanum: Julián Arredondo (Trek Factory Racing)
WEATHER
Maniago: clear skies, 17.6°C. Wind: weak, NE 3 / 9 kph.
Monte Zoncolan: sunshine and showers, 8.8°C. Wind: NE 14 / 17 kph.
STAGE ROUTE
First part winds through the hills of Friuli, Maiano, Buia and Bordano. After Tolmezzo,
mountains: Passo del Pura, Sella di Razzo, Monte Zoncolan on the classic, Ovaro
side.Passo di Pura: even gradient, hairpins, 9km at 8% with points reaching double
figures. Short descent leads to Lake Sauris and the road leading to Ampezzo and Sella
Razzo (>15 km, ave. 5.5%, points over 10%). Fast descent leads to the valley of the
Degano, then Ovaro, at the foot of Monte Zoncolan. Final kms: Steep. 3 km from the
finish, two hairpins (left-right) with a flat section in between. Then, gradients from 12-18%
up to the 3 tunnels (150m, 60m, 110m) and then the final 500m (ave. 11%, max. 16% at
the hairpin bend 250m from the finish line. Road surface: asphalt, 5m wide.
AROUND THE RACE
In 1976, much of the area explored by the stage was ravaged by the earthquakes of May 6
and September 15. After the earthquake, it was entirely rebuilt following anti-seismic
construction standards.
Maniago: steel blade and knife production since the Middle Ages, remains a major
economic resource. Museum of blacksmith and cutlery. Gothic Duomo di San Mauro
Martire, Loggia dei Caduti (1661), 18-century Palazzo Attimis Maniago and Piazza Italia.
Ruined castle overlooks the town.
Sequals (km 10.3) Primo Carnera (1906-1967), World heavyweight boxing champion,
born and buried here,
Bordano (km 59.2): known as the city of butterflies for the remarkable presence of several
species of these insects, especially in the springtime. Butterflies even have a whole housemuseum dedicated to them.
Ampezzo (km 93.8): September-October 1944, capital of the “Free Republic of Carnia”,
controlled of the Resistance movement.
Pesariis (km 147.2): nicknamed the “town of clocks” after centuries of clock
manufacturing; museum dedicated to cameras and movie cameras. City center has ten
monumental clocks and two monumental sundials.
Monte Zoncolan (km 168) Altitude 1730 m, average gradient: frightening. ski area with
almost 30 km of slopes. 4 Giro d’Italia stage finishes: first in 2003 (climbing along the way
milder Sutrio slope; winner: Giberto Simoni), then in 2007 (Simoni, again), in 2010 (Ivan
Basso) and in 2011 (Igor Anton).
TELEVISION
The 2014 Giro d’Italia is broadcast in 171 countries across 5 continents. RAI, the Giro’s
longstanding partner and host broadcaster, shows the stage in Italy on RaiSport 2 from
1400 hours (CET) and on RaiTre, in simulcast, from 1510. The stage is streamed on
www.raisport.rai.it, while www.gazzetta.it carries highlights, analysis and news updates.
The Giro d’Italia is broadcast throughout Europe on Eurosport every day at 1430.
Elsewhere, the Giro d’Italia’s broadcasters are Sky Sports (UK), VRT/Sporza, TV2
Sporten, FORTA (TV3 Catalonia, TVG Galicia, TPA Asturias, EITB Basque Country), beIN
Sports, NOS, SRG SSR, Sportsnet, RDS, TDN, ESPN Sur, ESPN Brasil, Al Jazeera,
SuperSport, Eurosport Asia-Pacific, J Sports, Hy Sport, Sony SIX, TrueVisions, SBS, FOX
Sports, and Sky Sport (NZ). SNTV distributes news footage.
Info:
SHIFT Active Media
Matteo Cavazzuti
RCS Sport
Stefano Diciatteo
RCS Sport cycling press office
Ph. (+44) 01225 448333
Ph.: (+39) 348 5838779
E-mail: [email protected]
Tw.: @Shiftactive - @MatCavazzuti
RCS Sport press office coordinator
Ph.: (+39) 02 25848758
Mob.: (+39) 335 5468466
E-mail: [email protected]
Tw.: @rcssport - @stedicia