Road Bike Racing - Giro d'Italia

The prolog was won yesterday in Groningen, NL, by Juan Carlos DOMINGUEZ DOMINGUEZ of Phonak. Cippolini was around 13th, and Pantani around 165th.

This is the first TT I have attended - pretty interesting, and quite a circus all around. But like most sporting events I have been to over the years, there is something to say about TV coverage for getting all of the info. :)

Here is a pic of a few of the Mapei guys warming up. I also discovered that a digital camera is not what you want at one of these. :(

Cheers...Gary

Cool. :cool: I'm jealous. :mad:
;)

I think this is the eventual winner warming up. Hard to tell, as they wore no numbers until the start. I have checked against their Web site, and it seems to be him. If not, well then it's just another Phonak guy. ;)

Cheers...Gary

P.S. This is Dominguez. I read an interview in which he talked about his four laps in the warmups being the key to the win. He was the only Phonak guy doing that.

Cippolini, Brown, Mcewen in stage 1. Lombardi rode Mcewen off to allow Cippo to win. :mad:

Bartoli was pretty badly hurt in a crash in the last Km. Looks like pelvis or upper thigh.

Cheers...Gary

Lombardi's move was a bit too obvious. Even if he gets punished it was still worth it for the team since it put Cipo in pink. Dominguez was caught behind the crash (together with Casagrande and Frigo) while Simoni and Garzelli apparently stayed in the front group.

According to cyclingnews Bartoli might have fractured his right leg and his right forearm had a long deep cut. Sacchi (Saeco) was on the ground for a couple of minutes, but he was at least able to finish. Fassa Bortolo is not having a great start on this Giro with two riders out already (Stangelj broke his collarbone yesterday).

/Csson

It was strange yesterday when he crashed: first the motorcycle policeman came by; next the team car; next about 45 seconds of nothing; and finally the FB rider, going very slowly. I guess they clear the course of the big vehicles, and allow the rider to finish if he wishes to. He actually did beat the next rider, as I recall.

Nice hairdo on Sacchi. ;)

Cheers...Gary

Originally posted by gmason
It was strange yesterday when he crashed: first the motorcycle policeman came by; next the team car; next about 45 seconds of nothing; and finally the FB rider, going very slowly. I guess they clear the course of the big vehicles, and allow the rider to finish if he wishes to. He actually did beat the next rider, as I recall.

I have a feeling that it is quite painful to ride with a broken collarbone and that it should be easy to diagnose, so I don't see why his team allowed him to continue (and possibly make the injury worse). But I can understand that he wants to finish at least one stage..


Nice hairdo on Sacchi. ;)

I hope they give him a new helmet tomorrow :).

/Csson

Bummer about Bartoli! It seems there's always one team in every grand tour who has horrible luck. Last year, I remember in the Vuelta it was ONCE who had bad luck. ON the first day Marcos Serrano crashed in the prologue and broke his collarbone and that was it for him. Then Beloki fell apart. I remember a couple of other disasters- I think only three ONCE guys finished the Vuelta. And in the Tour, I remember Mapei self-destructed.

However, way to go Cipo!

I just realized I am going to be in Cologne tomorrow. And, I'll be less than 2 km from the start of the Giro stage. But, I have almost no chance of getting away at 12:00 to see the start. Rats! Rats! Rats!:( :( :(

If I can somehow get there, I'll do what I can to put in a report. (Not that the start is the most exciting part.)

Cheers!

Originally posted by Csson
I have a feeling that it is quite painful to ride with a broken
I broke a collarbone in my mis-spent youth. Putting any weight on that arm is painful, to say nothing of the pain of the break itself which takes a day or two to subside. :(

He was definitely riding one handed!

Garzelli, Casagrande, Heppner in the stage, and Garzelli in the Maglia Rosa. Cippolini finished 1:20 back.

Cheers...Gary

And don't forget, Hamilton 5th in Stage 2 though still far down in gc. That crash in the prologue was a real shame.
Raymond

Thanks for the pics, Gary. I'm curious as to why you say it's no place for a digital camera, as I've been thinking of getting one.

Well, for the last forty five years (until the last few) I have been a fairly serious photographer. I did a lot of motor racing photography, along with the everyday stuff.

WRT digitals, I must say that I am using a Nikon CoolPix 800, which is not the most capable by any means. It does fine for documenting everyday life, which is why I got it in the first place (my Web site, primarily, for the folks back home). And overall, I am very happy with it.

I found the lack of manual control over shutter speed, and the lag between shots, to be frustrating. Again, there are many digital cameras out there today that are much better in this regard, so I would not worry about it much. It was also a darkish day, I was not at the right angle to the sun (or what was supposed to be the sun :( ), etc.

Take a look at this site, if you have not already, for current info: http://dcresource.com/

Good luck!

Cheers...Gary

Zebras again today. Nasty weather for much of the stage, won by Cippolini, followed by Strazzer and Hondo.

Garzelli still in Maglia Rosa, Cippolini in the Maglia Ciclamino.

Cheers...Gary

For a team all the pundits were saying was not strong enough to get the job done the soap and water zebra stampede is controlling the front as needed and getting Cipo set up beautifully. Of course zebras are always motivated by having a lion king on their (w)heels. With a little luck it looks like they could possibly pull him through to stage win 41 in this Giro. Only 5 more. It would be a stretch, but it could happen if everyone stays healthy. What a guy! Playboy personna but a seriously hard-working professional.

Well it didn't work today, even though they tried. In a fair finish, Mcewen beat Cippolini by 3-5 cm to win the stage. Garzelli still in the Maglia Rosa.

Word has it that the A&S Team Manager will go to work for Ferrari next year. :rolleyes:

Cheers...Gary

Theres been alot of talk lately about sprinters not
being "real" riders, and bunch sprints being
boring. I couldn't disagree more, I really enjoy
watching the sprints. Sure Cipo, McEwen et al
aren't pure climbers but so what? Remember what
Hunter did at Langkowi this year on the final
climb? they said he isn't a climber either,
sure fooled me.
I'm loving what Cipo is doing at Giro, even if
he does show up in a tiger stripped suit.
The sport needs more riders like him, a class act
and a showman!
CIAO,
Marty

It's a free country. ;)

But I do agree re sprinters. I guess an all-around rider would be my favorite, but the finishes are pretty exciting. Or can be. Today, Mcewen actually overtook Cippolini in the last 50 meters to win. It looked like a message to me (or perhaps a wake-up call), as well as a great stage win.

Cheers...Gary

I am a big fan of Robbie Mc Ewen, so is my wife. She thinks he is just gorgeous. We were lucky enough to get corporate seats at the finish line for this years Tour Down Under for stages 1 and 6. Robbie won both of these, so that was pretty cool. He will definitely be a champion in the future.

CHEERS.

Mark

Way to go, McEwen- I'm glad he won, and I like him. I admit he's kind of cute as well. But he beat cipo! I think he should have a great tour, should he do the tour.

Stage 5 results:
1 Stefano Garzelli (Ita) Mapei-Quick Step 3.46.45 (40.485km/h)
2 Santiago Perez Fernandez (Spa) Kelme-Costa Blanca
3 Gilberto Simoni (Ita) Saeco-Longoni Sport
4 Francesco Casagrande (Ita) Fassa Bortolo
5 Wladimir Belli (Ita) Fassa Bortolo 0.07
6 Fernando Escartin (Spa) Team Coast
7 Aitor Gonzalez Jimenez (Spa) Kelme-Costa Blanca 0.09
8 Ivan Gotti (Ita) Alessio
9 Tyler Hamilton (USA) Team CSC Tiscali
10 Michele Scarponi (Ita) Acqua & Sapone 0.14

I haven't seen it yet but it sounds like it was a good
stage. Hamilton fell again, and still finished 9th (not even
on his own bike). Note the absence of Il pirata, who on
the Colletto del Moro dropped off the back. I predict his
career as well as Giro is over (even if he beats the doping
charges). Frigo came in 24th, seems his on again off
again Giro was off today.
Can't wait to get home and watch it.
Marty

I watched Hamilton's fall about ten times, and still can't tell exactly what happened. Looks as though his front wheel hit a small object (which I didn't see), and twisted to the right severely, dropping him. He slid across the pavement on his knees - OUCH - and has some serious road rash on both knees and one arm. OTOH, he did get all the way back up near the front. Amazing.

Cheers...Gary

Originally posted by gmason
Word has it that the A&S Team Manager will go to work for Ferrari next year. :rolleyes:
Dr. Ferrari!?!:eek:
I know. Just kidding. ;)

all OLN showed of the accident was hamilton on
the side of the road with one seriously shredded
jersey. Amazing that he finished where he did.
Will be interesting to see how he does today.
I think they should call him "Crash Hamilton"

Marty

I just saw the crash (don't worry Wabbit,
I got it on tape!) holy sh*t!
what happened?
It looked to me like his wheels just went
out from under him.
Gary I have to agree with your assement
he was on a straightaway coming out of
left hander. I don't think it was a bike
handling issue.
I'm sure he is going to be hurting today.

Marty

Gee thanks Lotek I really want to see that grisly crash, LOL. It looks like there have been a few others- Rebellin seems to have a few scabs and Michael Boogerd is wrapped up like a mummy! Hamilton is doing really well, though, good for him. I hope he does this well in the tour, minus the crashes.

Lombardi won Saturday's stage, and Heppner leads overall. Garzelli is second, and Casagrande, Vicioso, Simoni, and many of the usual suspects are right there as well within five minutes. Including Hamilton, which is amazing considering his several problems.

The expected news is that Pantani seems to be getting ready to quit. He did very badly on the mini-mountain stage (the last two of them, actually), and is talking about being old, not having the legs, etc. Perhaps he will go before his anticipated ban.

The worst news is that Garzelli has tested positive for a diuretic used to mask drugs. They are retesting, and he says that he will quit racing if the second is not negative. He claims a clear conscience. He is still in the Giro at the request of his team - he claims to have wanted to drop out on hearing the news :(

Cheers...Gary

Verbrugge, Schweda, and Moreni for the stage. Heppner, Garzelli, Popyvich for the overall.

I just thought of the right word for these guys: heroic!

Cheers...Gary

this was a great ride by Verbrugge, I really am
enjoying watching the team and individual
strategies.
Pantani hinted he is finished, said he is too
old, and just can't keep up anymore.
Sorry to see him go with the reputation
of a big mouth no results.
Reportedly Hamilton stripped his cogset
which caused his crash which gets shown
every 15 minutes it seems like.

Marty

I'm really glad Verbrugge won a stage! It looks like it'll be a great stage to watch. We listened on Eurosport live audio, but sometimes the signal fades in and out like Ham radio. Still it's better than nothing.

Apparently Robbie Hunter bailed out, anyone know why? I haven't heard anything .Did he crash?

No, he just abandoned.
apparently 2 factors at work here.
firstly he is a sprinter, and thus didn't have
much chance of stage wins etc.
I really don't understand this tact if you look at
his performance at Langkawi. Also he's south african,
mostly climbs there.
THe 2nd reason, one not widely known is he is
going to ride a race in South Africa from Pietermaritzburgh
to Durban. I can tell you it is not a sprinters ride. Lots
of climbs and fast descents. Hunter describes it as
his favourite ride. Funny from a sprinter, eh?
Thats my take on it.
Marty

Betinni out due to torn calf muscle.
things for mapei don't look real good right now.
Kelme rider Fernandez out after crash.
thats it for now.

Marty

Jimenez, Casagrande, and Simoni in the stage. Same three overall leaders as yesterday.

Guidi led for all but the last two of the final 37 Km or so. He just couldn't make it, even though almost a minute ahead with 2+ to go. He threw up his hands, and watched the peloton go by.

Cheers...Gary

Lotek, I figured that about Hunter. He's a sprinter- Cipollini's abandoned the Giro before. He's not a mountain man. I remember Jan Kirsipuu bailed out in the Tour last year as they got to Alpe D'huez. The mountains aren't for everyone. Too bad about Bettini- once again, Mapei seems to be dogged by horrible luck. I think by the end of last year's Tour there were three Mapei guys left.

Originally posted by gmason
Guidi led for all but the last two of the final 37 Km or so.
A cryin' shame. I was really hoping he could pull off the stage win.

Cipollini, Mcewen, and Moreni in the stage. Same three (and looks about like eight) in the overall. Hamilton still number 13.

Cheers...Gary

Gary, thanks for the dcresource link, it's great! (Took me a while to check it out :D)

Mcewen, Guidi, and Lombardi in the tenth stage. Heppner, Popovych, and Mazzoleni overall. Hamilton is up to number 12. At one position per stage, he will be a stage or so short for the win. :o

Cippolini looked like a challenge in the last one to two Km, but simply died. And he obviously had help leading him out in Lombardi (as well as one other on and off). This was one he could have won, so maybe he won't beat Binda after all this Giro - the next several are big mountain stages.

Cheers...Gary

Stage 11 results Provisional:

1 Gilberto Simoni (Ita) Saeco-Longoni Sport
2 Francesco Casagrande (Ita) Fassa Bortolo
3 Pietro Caucchioli (Ita) Alessio

General classification after stage 11

1 Jens Heppner (Ger) Team Telekom
2 Francesco Casagrande (Ita) Fassa Bortolo
3 Gilberto Simoni (Ita) Saeco-Longoni Sport

Tyler dropped back to 14th in GC.
Simoni did pretty well for someone with a cloud
over his head. . .

Marty

This was a very exciting finish on a climb (for the last several Km, in fact). Makes me recall Cipollini's comments the other day about climbing finishes not being interesting. :p

Cheers...Gary

Can't wait to see today's stage. I love to watch the climbers at work. It's like ballet.

I'm actually sorry things haven't worked out for Cipollini. I think if he could have gotten his 41 stages in this Giro he might have retired after Milan-San Remo next year. On the plus side, I guess we will get to watch him one more year in next year's Giro.

A few posts ago there was discussion of sprinters not being "real" racers. I realize someone was quoting from somewhere else. I take issue with the concept. Those guys still have to be good enough to be at the front, even if they do have people to work for them. All the top guys do. They have just decided to focus on one aspect of the game.

On another note I was sorry to see Bettini have to withdraw. I really like "Il Grillo." He is gracious to those who work for him and willing to return the favor when the opportunity arises.
Raymond

Originally posted by RainmanP
Can't wait to see today's stage. I love to watch the climbers at work. It's like ballet.
BAllet dancers go through pain and agony for six hours straight? Cool! I'm going to have to watch ballet! :D

Lunghi, Grabsch, and Bernucci for the stage. Heppner, Casagrande, and Salvoldelli overall.

Sgambelluri has also been relieved of his requirement to drive due to drugs - Nesp.

Cheers...Gary

Cuapio, Evans, and Frigo finish at the head of the stage. Heppner, Casagrande, and Escartin hold the overall top spots.

Pantani, "still hoping to do something in this Giro", finished at #115 in the stage. Cipollini finished #137. Perhaps Pantani is becoming a sprinter. ;)

Cheers...Gary

i guess, marco is not even a busdriver anymore ...

Originally posted by velocipedio

BAllet dancers go through pain and agony for six hours straight? Cool! I'm going to have to watch ballet! :D

How are you watching the Giro? I thought that it was not on any of the regular Canadian TV stations.

Originally posted by Spire
How are you watching the Giro? I thought that it was not on any of the regular Canadian TV stations.
I'm not. I'm following it on Cyclingnews (http://www.cyclingnews.com) and on the Eurosport (http://www.eurosport.com/home/sport_0_S18.htm) Web site. The later also has a live audio feed.

Stage 14:
way to go TYLER!

Tyler Hamilton 41.21
Serqui Gontchar +.31
Cadel Evans +.41

Not to mention that while Heppner is still in the Maglia Rosa, Hamilton is now third overall, down only 1'6". And a former mountain biker - Cadel Evans - is in second by less than a minute.

Cheers...Gary