Why Is The Giro d'Italia So Hard?

[@gcn]

What do you think, is the Giro d'Italia the toughest Grand Tour? Let us know in the comments 👇

[@jonathanwood1817]

Hi, always thought the Giro was the toughest tour. Also for me it gets overlooked by the TDF, which for makes the Giro better as I feel attracts more of the hardcore cyclist.

[@francescol3]

Yes it is. But the landscapes pay for this toughness

[@felixnewton7556]

I think its the toughest but also the vuelta - since its at the end of the season everyone is really tired :)

[@gcn]

@@jonathanwood1817 Maybe you're right, the Giro does seem to have more of a pure cycling fan following

[@gcn]

@@felixnewton7556 Good point! - The Vuelta can be a really tough race too!

[@nicolasdomon7382]

Il Giro has steeper climbs, a tougher terrain and unpredictable weather,... the mountain stages are more brutal than those of the Tour de France. The crowd is also mainly made of “real” cycling fans unlike the TdF where most are people are curious vacationers. Sportingly speaking, I’d say the Giro is a step above the TdF but the TdF is by far the biggest media event and is still considered more prestigious.

[@luigibrioschi970]

The TdF has all the media attention and I never understood why... until the last couple of years it has always been a race for sprinters in the first 6/8 stages, long TTs and almost every mountain they climb has large roads that are not even that steep... the most boring of the three GTs by far

[@nielcutter3804]

@@luigibrioschi970 I don't agree when they said that the TdF is the hardest cycling race on earth. The Giro is the hardest, given the fact of irregular weather condition in May and the long steep climbs with small wet roads too scary to descend. It's more of survival of the fittest than the Tdf. TdF is famous thanks to the media.

[@magomez1]

Yep i was in Düsseldorf 2017 i think TdF beginning by terrible Weather 1 time i see TdF live (i watch it since 1994/5 1997 with Ullrichs Win) Breakaway Group is ahead 2 Minutes 1 guy say who are the Rest this is a Mistake (im wondering much he didnt know how the sports gos) !! Yeah a Big Theater on Roads

[@magomez1]

@@luigibrioschi970 yeah same in German im real Fan watch many many Races here in germany mostly exist Racing in July x x hours after Tour it gos fast down im a Bycycle Fan (doesnt matter what happens) but many are just Tour Fans but thats German Media same with Olympia Wintersport Wms and so on and Rest Football 100 % dont know how its in other Countrys but in Germany Sports Media its not so good (and much much Hype Ullrich wins Media gos crazzzyy 2006 Media dont show the Tour 4 some Years cause Bycyling is bad bad bad and all other Sport especially Football is God and without you all know !!!)

[@magomez1]

@@nielcutter3804 yeah but dont forget Angliru Vuelta is also hard with better weather but often also very hot over 30,35. When you watch whole Tour Etappe its very booring especially flat or medium Etappe

[@SwedishHouseFifa]

On Stage 16 of the 2009 Giro... Dan Lloyd beat Bradley Wiggins, just saying

[@magomez1]

Kittel by DQStep wins Nr.1 Sprinter gos, in Time Carrer ends, Viviani same thing DqS Top Cofidis near Flop random ??!

[@jazkara1239]

@@magomez1 what??

[@Bluesman2509]

Go Lloydy! 🥳

[@dsenunez]

I love the Giro. It was the first road bike race I saw when In my initial years as a XC recreational rider in 2011. I live In the Andes so here we have crazy steep climbs, and when I saw the climbs in the Giro I just fell in love. I loved it more last year when an ecuadorian won it. Greetings from Ecuador. ¡QUE VIVA EL GIRO DE ITALIA!

[@Servicevelo]

I've been a cyclist since the mid eighties, my first race was 1887 after Stephen Roache's effort on La Plane'. I was inspired and at 51 still am. For me though, the Giro has it all day long. The fiercest racing, the landscape and the sheer legendaryness (yes, I know) of the rides that stick out: Hampsten in the snow on the Gavia, Froom in 2018, Quintana in the snow in 2013, the unpronounceable and equally unspellable (again, I know) Dutch lad crashing into a snow bank. That last one was like the gods of the Giro punishing him for having the cheek to try to follow the descending speed of the favoured Nibali. Newer riders will not recall Stephen Roach stabbing Visentini in the back, smiling assassin style on the road to Sappada. The Tour is great but is so controlled and those moments are fewer. The Giro is more organic, more spontaneous, open to more heroic exploits and just, well great. I also think the Vuelta is the second best GT on the calendar for similar reasons. Love it.

[@gcn]

You really love it Steve, its fantastic to hear about how passionate you are for the Giro

[@BikePappy]

1887 was a while ago. You must be in incredible shape to still be riding. 😀

[@darrylhuculak4996]

@@BikePappy Same year as Confederation!

[@darrylhuculak4996]

Sorry, belay that, bad math on my part (I slept through most of Cdn History in high school. FYI, Canada reached Confederation in 1867).

[@TheJhtlag]

so, we're talking Stephen Roache's great grandfather ;^)

[@AdiGaskell]

That 2010 Giro summed up the race for me. Crazily unpredictable on stages with epic mass breakaways and a journey through the mudbath in Tuscany, and then some of the toughest mountains in Europe, including the Zoncolan, Mortirolo, Gavia, Grappa, a gravel time trial up the Plan de Corones. Just epic.

[@gcn]

Just epic!

[@ridewithgae1467]

For us Italians, Il Giro D'Italia is something great, a great events that we wait every year and we start to check the course one year early just to see if we have chance that will pass close to our homes.

[@gcn]

I bet it is, seeing a bike race go past your home is always special!

[@leedorney]

In 97 I was in Italy for a while a I knew the Giro was passing by where I was Lago Di Garda, those lakes are incredible! I think their was a 3000ft mtn on the other side of the lake 😳 but sadly I left before it went thru but either way Italia is a truly truly beautiful place 🙏 especially in the mountains !

[@ridewithgae1467]

@@leedorney Lago di Garda is amazing. If you lake the seasid we have over there amazing locations and mountiains are magic

[@alphonsebundy4135]

I wait too so happy when it starts again! greetings from Germany

[@TSEEMOD_618]

@@leedorney I live by there. Thanks mate, it makes my heart so happy about it ^_^

[@targaW3007]

The hardest and for my most iconic tour. I just love Italy and the Italian landscapes. I rate the Giro way over the TdF.

[@eufscrew]

In my opinion, the giro d' Italia is full of surprises

[@gcn]

Who could disagree with that!

[@jacob.m]

Hey Hank! I love the way that you correctly pronounce ‘Maglia Rosa’ every single time!

[@gcn]

A first for GCN maybe...

[@mihovilporopat9426]

malia roza ahahah

[@xscream82]

If only you would spell it correctly! :'D

[@mikestunt77]

In english there's no sound for the italian gl when it's followed by an i that's why all british and american people sound weird when they try to say maglia.

[@jackreen1490]

Me: I think I'm going to sleep now GCN: Uploads Me: Well I guess not then Hello from Australia!

[@gcn]

Thanks for watching!

[@rob-c.]

Love that GCN give Hank these videos to show off his brilliant Italian pronunciation 🙃

[@gcn]

Haha!

[@grouchobono4500]

His pronunciation is actually quite bad :)

[@9034833838]

This was a really important video. Sometimes I try and emulate the numbers you guys show on this channel. This video reaffirmed to me its not a couple of riding club bums sharing their numbers, these are actual pros who have done these grand tours so I should just ride at my own merry pace and not try to compare.

[@gcn]

Focus on the best part of cycling for you :) Thanks for all the support Pulkit

[@hollridersanktgallen7618]

I love the Giro, the Landscape is beautiful, the climbs are crazy, the teams are all day long fighting, is the first grand tour of the year, the fans are crazy too......just amazing to watch this fantastic event!!

[@ebenhaskelhulley1646]

5:19 is that Dan Lloyd for cervelo test team

[@KandiKlover]

What would he be testing?

[@robbyherron28]

Loved the video, being educated on cycling events is really important when it's not part of the US sports media. Now I'm excited for the next time it's on!

[@gcn]

Thanks Robby!

[@marcinkalinowski860]

Since I watched my first Giro in 2019, I immediately fall in love with road cycling. I bought my first road bike and now I'm looking forward to this year edition. For me, Giro is the most beautiful tour !

[@gcn]

Great to hear Marcin

[@thomasfaba2616]

The Giro is the best Grand Tour of the year . The beauty ,drama ,mountains ,weather , suffering and culture that surrounds it , are all things that keep me coming back for more. The TDF just seems like a watered down version, sure it's hard but not the same.. The Giro makes hard men and women legends.

[@CameronOgilvie1]

James looking like he just rolled out of bed before filming this segment.

[@the_hatch]

Can’t wait to watch the GCN giro series coming up!

[@gcn]

Awesome, nor can we!

[@erick_fernandez_78910]

One of my favorite things about all grand tours is how the commentators (rip Paul S & Phil L) talk about the country. I mean what other sport do you get such awesome practical local geography lessons and top it off with...sport? Sometimes I’ll watch TDF with maps and follow the race virtually as well.

[@Protoman888]

Apennines are not as tall as the alps but they are f'ing steep and the roads are twisty. Great for biking and a climber's dream for racing. Case in point: look at Conor dropping the watts up San Luca in Bologna there! Come to think of it, I was present in 2009 when Dan rode up San Luca as well but was more interested in the duel between Simon Gerrans and Chris Froome! Bernie Eisel also is correct about the sometimes less than stellar road surfacing.

[@manuelpinto2691]

Is my favorite grand tour

[@gcn]

A lot of people would agree

[@ForeverLumoz]

Same ✔️😄👍🏻

[@cyclingnerddelux698]

Agreed.

[@dannyhanny1191]

Outstanding video and bringing-together of experienced racers. Some of these quarantine videos are killing it, GCN.

[@clos2132]

Hank looking more like a 3 Musketeer every day! #QuarantineLife

[@EddieDBama]

Been meaning to watch this one and finally got the chance. For me - I love the Giro, the more I got into cycling, the more I appreciated it. The series Colin did on the climbs, was spectacular, and so many different rides to beat up the peloton each day. Plus the foodie in me dreams of riding in Italy, and the scenery is so beautiful. France - lovely, northern Italy - spectacular.

[@coolhandluke1978]

Definitely the most exciting Grand Tour usually full of many twists and surprises.

[@walshman70]

Nice work Hank, well put together. Loved hearing the insights of the other GCN presenters!

[@martya.5221]

Great video and of particular interest to me, having recently re-read a book called 'Gironimo' by British author Tim Moore, in which he retraces the route of the 1914 Giro, on an authentic period bike. A hilarious read, but also full of really interesting facts about the race of 1914. Those riders were made of cast iron!

[@gcn]

Yes that book is incredible and very funny, he knows how to spin a good story and mix in some really well researched information about cycling from another age.

[@jaycolwill2617]

Great book. Read it last year while I was in Italy!

[@jaycolwill2617]

Global Cycling Network Get Tim Moore on to talk about the Giro and his book! He’ll be great!

[@gaynorgregory2528]

The same guy has written one about the Tour called French Revolutions, which is also fact filled and hilarious.

[@sasha371]

That's why Giro is so much cooler than Tour!!! Truly the best grand tour!

[@gcn]

It's in our top three grand tours

[@sasha371]

@@gcn LOL 😂😁are there more than 3? 😂😁👌👍 I wish we'd have a Grand tour of Colombia!

[@chasc2389]

Thanks Hank. You speak with genuine enthusiasm and energy. Any fan of Paul Weller is a friend of mine. Fair play to Dan and Matt Stephens for completing this beast of an event.

[@Calum_S]

Hank says "Iconic" more often than Olly mentions his hour record attempt.

[@jameskavanagh4300]

No with ollie its......it were well aaaaaaarrrrrrrd

[@ferneyadrianobarrerorubian4938]

For sure Giro it's the best grand tour so far ! Most beautiful landscapes, unpredictable , it's passion of cycling resumed in three weeks ♥️

[@MrVanengelenhoven]

I feel inspired by watching this giro clip, great presentation. Thanks Hank!

[@gcn]

Thanks Marius!

[@douglaspate9314]

Hank. Thank you so much! Totally awesome! I loved it. I know many pros because of the work I am involved in. I remember that my mates Svein and Heppy were the only 2 left in the Orica team in 2014. They told me that that meant easy and relaxed showers in the bus after each stage. I remember Heppy whipping the horse after the tunnel of the Zoncolan as last man on the road on the penultimate stage. The Giro is TOUGH!

[@ralphmcginnis7082]

The Giro d'Italia does have beautiful scenery. I would love to see the Giro have some stages in the south of Italy next year.

[@emmalowe3064]

This was really helpful for a report I'm doing

[@gcn]

That's great to hear!

[@RudiDwiHartanto]

The grand tour that actually beautiful interesting and full of surprises !

[@Moving_Chicane]

Loved this video - thanks all!

[@Steve-Riverwood]

The Giro may in some years have a tougher route, but the Tour always has the best riders. It's tougher just to keep up in the Tour! Maybe it's a little unfair to pitch those races against each other, because damn it! We love em both, especially this year:)

[@basv8456]

Imo the giro is 2x as exciting as the tour. The tour would be nothing without the shitload of media-attention I think.

[@gcn]

We definitely miss them both right now!

[@mungolikescandy3270]

no love for the vuelta? the comparison thing is a bit of a waste of time, they are all equally hard to win for different reasons (as the study GCN news mentioned a week or two ago concluded), the debate about which is the best is all really about personal preference, I prefer the tour but I’ll happily admit that for me it’s largely the peripheral reasons (nostalgia, I have a thing for france, it’s on around my birthday, it’s the race I fantasied about winning as a 10 year old etc) that push it over the top of the other two

[@ricksnyder6318]

​@@mungolikescandy3270 I have a cycling friend who is close to a former American pro cyclist (Not THAT former American pro but one with impressive palmares) who rode each Grand Tour multiple time. When asked which GT was the most difficult the pro replied that the Vuelta was by far the most difficult.

[@basv8456]

@@ricksnyder6318 wilco Kelderman said something simular I think.

[@mickelkobeck7376]

The Giro is easily my favorite Grand Tour

[@louisrichter8119]

I really enjoy this content. I've been watching a lot of cycling as a kid and I'm starting to dig deeper into it since a couple of weeks. This channel is really well done! Kudos

[@gcn]

Thanks! Glad you like it

[@riccardocimei7293]

Minute 3:13 on the trophy of the Giro d'Italia, you can see 1999 winner is GOTTI. Just to highlight probably the greatest shame of the history of the Giro, because PANTANI was the winner after incredible multiples mountain stages.

[@blackmamba3060]

Pantani Martyr. Mafia didn't want him to win and Tour organizers didn't want him to destroy lance later. Truly disgusting.

[@robertstrickland6637]

Yes! The Giro is the hardest but also most beautiful Grand Tour. You forgot to mention the winner gets his name inscribed for all eternity on the sexiest trophy in all of sport!

[@manji001]

Great feature GCN!!! Now... Anyone interested in making a feature about the first woman to finish the Giro D'Italia(Alfonsina Strada)? Xxx

[@gcn]

Thanks very much, but yes that is a good idea.... we'll add it to our list

[@jpower740]

First time watching the Giro' and this video really helped explain some things! Short, informative and interesting! Thanks!

[@domestik834]

The main competition in the giro is to withstand the magnificent italian cuisine for three weeks straight.

[@gcn]

We didn't manage it....

[@turbotrainer0137]

wow the sound editor really went for it

[@roderashe]

That spot on the wall drove me crazy

[@sarahmuir5889]

Love the Giro t-shirt

[@gcn]

Cheers Sarah - they should be available in our GCN Shop :)

[@andrew7taylor]

Now that I think of it, the title isn't just clckbait, it really is true! 1. More 200+ km stages than in any other GT 2. More time trials (even mountain TTs) than in any other GT 3. The climbs are as long as the Tour's but as steep as the Vuelta's, combining the worst of all worlds 4. Because it is right after the Monuments, teams generally don't take classics riders and puncheurs to the Giro to help out on the flat and take stages. They concentrate more on the main theatres of war (GC and sprint) and riders like that, making it harder. 5. The best GT pro conti team is Italian (Androni). Gianni Savio's team has the best scouting in cycling, they're always unearthing and rediscovering gems, win stages and sometimes even fight for jerseys. They and Bardiani are always motivated and have the capability to achieve something.

[@betofogo17]

we see the tour at the web, but seldom the giro...should be quite a challenge!

[@SwedishHouseFifa]

The uncertain weather, harder and steeper climbs, hard stages at the beginning of the Giro does it for me.

[@leedorney]

Wow that last comment by Dan Lloyd, 8 hrs riding at world tour pace in the Alps THEN 4 hrs on a bus... yet it's the best tour !

[@gcn]

Every grand tour is hard! but it's still the best tour!

[@EKcyclist]

I love France, Italy and Spain; 3 countries where you actually feel a modicum of security when out on the roads. Unlike the UK! The Giro, and the Vuelta, are blessed with a wider variety of mountains to choose from, and also don't have the deep traditions invested in many specific mountains. The Tour suffers for that, I think. The nature of the climbs in the Giro and Vuelta makes them far, far more attractive for a spectator- wouldn't say the riders would feel that! But, for me, Italy is the most passionate cycling country. That is why the Giro is the best if the three. Only an opinion.

[@AntoniWroblewski78]

Didn't GCN show a study recently that said all the Grand Tours are equally difficult?

[@chazpilks]

Struggles with Campagnolo, but best pronunciation of Maglia Rosa by any GCN presenter

[@jascollinscork]

Fabulous video there..... Giro is great because it’s much more unpredictable!!! We don’t see too many of the same winners in a row like TDF🤔 great insight from all GCN x Pro riders..... didn’t realise you had that many.......😀🦵🏻💪🏻🇮🇪😍

[@basv8456]

Giro is the best grand tour at the moment. The ASO pays too much attention on the tour amd there they do everything to make the french win. Oh and they thought is was a good idea to makr the giro a bit shorter. Better to cut off the first week of the tour because then are only flat stages.

[@gcn]

The Tour De France is still an awesome race, but totally different to the Giro in a lot of ways for sure

[@basv8456]

@@gcn all races are great

[@encikbett]

I definitely agree Giro d'Italia is the hardest. It's my favourite among 3 grand tours.

[@ricksnyder6318]

Great first hand insights on a great race. The Gyro consistently seems to be the most entertaining Grand Tour.

[@sbusiello]

the "Gyro" is the greek edition :)

[@SARARODRIGUEZ-gy5dv]

Uff parcero!! El giro es super fuerte y completo greetings from colombian. people

[@richaw6689]

Great stuff Hank.. didn't know they chucked Paul Weller in at the Giro?!! (5.35).. ace!!

[@BenDoverII]

That Tricolore t~shirt is pretty FLY!!!

[@SwedishHouseFifa]

Quite impressive that GCN has that many presenters who have raced the Giro d'Italia...

[@carlstatham594]

Nice little vid' there Hank. Maybe carry on and do a complete Giro series.

[@9alpcen]

just watching the Giro on tv is going to be tough this year, the schedule puts it alongside a bucket full of other worthy races, Classics, Monuments and La Vuelta!

[@gcn]

It will be tough, but also a delight to have so much to watch at once

[@luigibrioschi970]

thanks to ASO who basically controls the UCI... because of course they could not put any major classic on the same days as the TdF, but they could pack with races the weeks of the Giro

[@conordunne219]

Alan Marangoni what a legend!

[@ovanis]

I got drunk while watching this video and playing the "maglia rosa" drinking game.

[@cohenzohar]

If the rain and snow wasn't enough, in 2018 third stage took place in the Israeli desert. Over 200 km in almost 40 degrees. Luckily they had tail winds for most of the way.

[@jaccoheijnen4617]

The hardest and the nicest and also an open race. Landscapes are phinominal.

[@tquindt1]

What team were you riding for again Dan? I think Si and Ollie forgot.

[@BenJamin-rt7ui]

Also the best presenter. Quite a wit.

[@pdlngsqrs9547]

IMHO, the VUELTA is the hardest..... VERY STEEP 20% grades + the HEAT of summer.

[@michelbesedin7081]

I think i must ride this course. One more reason to ride in Italy.

[@plantbaes368]

I mess with the facial hair, Hank. Definitely keep it.

[@gcn]

Cheers Plantbaes

[@thepie4052]

Dan, what team were you riding for in the Giro?

[@huroncyclist]

I didn't knew Hank was a time traveller. That's Hank at the leftmost of the group at 2:24

[@Lucash090688]

Did he say “Paul Weller” or poor weather.......hmmm

[@gcn]

Moody either way...

[@FatBlokeDoingStuff]

Everything is harder with Paul Weller thrown in!

[@MRSEDDERS]

Lucas Hassan I’ve just him say that too!

[@gaynorgregory2528]

The Giro is definitely more difficult and more of a spectacle than the TdF, but so is the Vuelta, and I love them both. I always watch the Tour, but it is definitely not as exciting as the Giro and the Vuelta.

[@dcrunicycles]

thank you. Giro 2016 finishers will climb more than 42,000m = 137,795 feet. I found this on Strava Challenge. So what is the total vertical of this years giro?

[@evanatkins1888]

Did he say at 5.32 who can forget the Giro in 2013 riding up the Galibier ?

[@pierrelesage7097]

T-shirt is nifty

[@KenSmith-bv4si]

Hi Hank , Ken here . I'm new to this cycling so bare with me . How many Giro d'Italia winners also won the Tour De France in the same year . Also the Giro is crazy just being able to say you've finish is an accompaniment not many people can say .

[@andrewbolton8611]

Stephen Roche 1987

[@daniel6768]

Nice historical sum up at the beginning! More historical content would be appreciated GCN! #historianitaliansemprebelloconGCN

[@waltergiangreco9558]

Corriere della Sera Ignürant!

[@hisdadjames4876]

The Giro has a significantly higher proportion of host country winners than the Tour or the Vuelta....even in modern era. Is it that fewer foreign riders compete or is it that the Italian teams stitch it up between them?😉

[@Brentdarley]

Giro is harder and more exciting than the Tour!

[@ychyro]

Good piece, keep going!

[@gcn]

Thanks Dude!

[@ychyro]

When you upload a bad one (in my opinion ) and I see it, i will tell you, also!

[@Pasdechevredreamer]

Cheers Hank, very informative. Do working time regulations not apply to the Giro????

[@brianantnssn5177]

Did Hank get picked for this vid, based on his moustache or on pronounciation of Maglia Rosa? We need a poll!

[@gcn]

Moustache?

[@vincentkrause7097]

Because it has higher mountain stages and earlier in the year so its often cold and snowy

[@guidonagle5075]

The Giro, and to a lesser extent, the Vuelta, are so under-rated compared to the Tour. It's sad to see most teams not sending their best riders to compete - or, just looking at the Giro as a warmup for the Tour. Vive Il Giro!

[@frazergoodwin4945]

"These are not small mountains" - 3:43 cuts to picture of Stage 18 of 2015 Tour de France climbing the Lacets de montvernier.... Oooops

[@sintjinansley6107]

Which is also the alps, no?

[@cosanostracz]

The main reason why Giro and even Vuelta are so hard is because they are in the shadow of TdF. So they make more brutal stages to attract the media. Simple as that.

[@andremanocg1]

The tour is more famous, but in terms of excitement I'd say that the Giro is better than the tour.

[@modarm]

We can all ride the Giro this year. Check out 'our Giro' over at RGTCycling. Starting 9th - 31st May 2020 - can you survive the Giro

[@srisaarrthi5189]

Came here for comments on Dan. We want video on "Why is Dan Lloyd So Great".

[@tejionthompson2953]

Also I like to ride bike at United kingdom,Australia and Italy

[@randorandom]

Giro d'Italia might be tough but if you ask Hank, it's clearly not as difficult as Italian pronunciation

[@gcn]

Ouch 😬 He tries though!

[@goommenter]

I leave GCN for a while and WOW what has happened to Hanks's face!

[@gcn]

Something appears to be living on it