Distance
Giro – 3450km
Tour – 3656km
The longest Tour since 2006, and more than 200km longer than the Giro. But don’t read too much into this, the difference can be explained by the Giro’s three time trials which reduce the distance but probably increase the difficulty, especially for the men racing for the win
 |
| Hopefully we won’t see any chain drama on the Port de Balès |
Longest Stage
Giro – 249km (Stage 11: Collecchio => Savona)
Tour – 237km (Stage 16: Carcassonne => Bagnères de Luchon)
Two long days in the saddle, and neither is a benign flat stage through an agricultural landscape. Stage 11 of the Giro includes two medium climbs Naso di Gatto coming 30km from the finish, while the Tour will include the HC Port de Balès (attach those chain catchers) before tearing down to the finish in Bagnères de Luchon. However, with both races including crucial stages the following day, the full impact of these two long stages might not be immediately felt.
 |
| Monte Zoncolan always brings out the tifo |
Summit Finishes
Giro – 8
Tour – 5
Assuming the weather plays ball, we should be promised to a feast of summit finishes in Italy, ranging form the unassuming ascent into Viggiano (5.8km at 5.5%) on stage 5 to the mighty Monte Zoncolan (10.1km at 11.9%) on the penultimate day. Similarly the Tour warms up with La Planche des Belles Filles (5.9km at 8.5%), which is itself preceded by a nasty uphill finish into Gérardmer the previous day, before reaching the Hautacam (13.6km at 7.8%) on stage 18.
 |
| A man who knows the way between Bergerac and Périgueux |
Time Trial Kilometres
Giro – 95km
Tour – 54km
Southwest France is a favourite stomping ground for long Tour time trials, and this year the route plays homage to Miguel Indurain with a 54km test between Bergerac and Périgueux on the penultimate day. The only time trial of the race, it will be absolutely crucial to the overall, although with three weeks in the legs, the results might not be what you expect. Meanwhile the Giro takes a similar approach as last year, with plenty of time spent against the clock, distributed between a team time trial, a flat individual time trial, and a mountain time trial. All three will be important, but the test up Monte Grappa will set the stage for a final battle on the Zoncolan the following day.
The Contenders
Giro – Richie Porte, Cadel Evans, Rigoberto Uran, Ivan Basso, Dan Martin, Nicholas Roche
Tour – Chris Froome, Vincenzo Nibali, Nairo Quintana, Alberto Contador
Vincenzo Nibali’s apparent decision to focus on the Tour and not defend the maglia rosa will surely cause controversy in Italy, but for the rest of us it will mean an intriguing match up between two of the dominant riders of last season. Through an ever-improving Quintana into the mix alongside Contador, who will determined to turn the page on a difficult 2013, and the Tour definitely offers the most big names. But the Giro has a knack of producing exciting racing. Richie Porte will likely be given his first opportunity to lead Sky in a grand tour, but will face stiff opposition from compatriot Evans and former teammate Uran. The Irish start is also likely to attract Dan Martin and Nicholas Roche, both candidates for the top 5.
Student Cyclist 